Friday, October 29, 2021
Equity and Justice Ministries is pleased to announce that Rev. Charlie D. Rivens will serve as the Coordinator of African American/Black Church Growth and Vitality for The Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church. This position is a part of the Ministry Action Plan that was created by the Conference several years ago that focuses on strengthening the Black churches in the WNCC through leadership development, revitalization, new places for new people and Christian/spiritual formation. The plan underscores that this effort also strengthens the WNCC.
Rev. Rivens will serve as a part-time consultant, enabled by funding outside of 2021 conference apportionment funds. He will be working in cooperation with and under the supervision of the Director of Equity and Justice Ministries; research best practices of church growth; work with African American clergy and churches, resourcing them for growth and increased vitality by implementing the Black Church Master Plan and other proven programs; schedule workshops and secure leadership—including conference leadership—to address specific issues and skills that will lead to growth and increased vitality; and work with conference ministry teams and conference staff in understanding distinctive characteristics essential for African American/Black church growth and vitality.
Rev. Rivens is a full elder and the pastor of The Place UMC, Charlotte, NC, which is a new church start. He is a graduate of Montreat College, with a BAA in Business Administration and a Master of Divinity degree from Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, NC.
Please join us in welcoming Rev. Rivens to this new role, which begins November 1, 2021.