By Michael Wacht

LAKELAND — Two groups within the Florida Conference are looking for people to assume leadership positions. The Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CFA) is accepting applicants for conference treasurer/director of administrative services, and the Miami District is searching for someone to coordinate its new City Ministries program.

The council is "looking for someone who can be the CFO in the office," said the Rev. Bob Standifer, pastor of First United Methodist Church, Jupiter/Tequesta, and president of CFA. "We want someone who can oversee the financial responsibilities of the office and the conference and, at the same time, be available to the committees on finance and treasurers of local churches for consultation and interpretation," he said.

Applicants for treasurer must possess a substantial financial background and supervisory skills and have experience in managing information systems. Standifer said being licensed as a CPA is preferred, but not required.

The position is at the same level as district superintendents and reports directly to the bishop. Responsibilities include oversight of a multi-million-dollar budget and management of the conference’s Lakeland facilities.

The deadline for receiving applications is Aug. 25. The search committee will process applications in September and present a nominee at the special session of the Annual Conference Oct. 5 at Morrison Memorial United Methodist Church in Leesburg.

Candidates should submit their résumé and salary requirements to the CFA Search Committee at P.O. Box 1747, Lakeland, FL 33802-1747.

The Miami District City Ministries program is looking for a coordinator who has a deep personal faith commitment to Jesus Christ and a passion for starting new faith communities through small-group ministry, according to Clarke Campbell-Evans, the district’s superintendent.

Qualifications include experience with small group ministry and an ability to work with people in a multi-cultural setting. The job is open to laity or clergy, but a bilingual person with a United Methodist or affiliated-Methodist background is preferred.

Responsibilities include identifying, recruiting and training lay missioners, pastor-mentors and partner churches to develop new faith communities through the City Ministries plan. Applicants must be able to work with district and conference boards and committees and be able to interpret the ministry program within the district, conference and throughout the general church.

Interested persons should send a résumé and references by Aug. 1 to Campbell-Evans at P.O. Box 144880, Coral Gables, FL 33114-4880.