On July 1, the Rev. Ianther M. Mills began her appointment as dean of the Cabinet, made up of eight district superintendents who, together with the Adventure Guides, provide spiritual leadership to the 560 active clergy appointed to churches in the Baltimore-Washington Conference.
Mills is among the first African-American women to serve as the dean of a Cabinet. The Rev. Mary Brown Oliver served as dean on Bishop Joseph Yeakel's Cabinet in the 1990's. Among Mill's predecessors in the denomination are Bishop Linda Lee and the Rev. Tallulah Fisher Williams. Within the Baltimore-Washington Conference, there are 75 African-American women clergy.
However, Mills said, she has "not really given any thought to serving as an African-American woman." Rather, her greatest concern is "to continue to build upon the fine ministry of the Rev. Dr. Eugene Matthews," who just retired as dean.
Mills' prayer for the people and churches of the conference "is that we would be fruitful and faithful in our ministry together."
Her vision for the conference revolves around the fulfillment of the church's mission to make disciples for the transformation of the world.
"Personal, spiritual and professional growth of clergy and clergy effectiveness are essential to fulfilling our mission as disciples," she said. "As I consider our charge, I see the need to foster more collegial accountability with less reliance on supervisory accountability alone. I look forward to the deepening of partnerships in ministry."
