Pathways to Mid Council Leadership: Foundations for Emerging Leaders

Pathways to Mid Council Leadership: Foundations for Emerging Leaders
Sponsored by the Synod of the Northeast
Dates: March 17-20, 2025
Location: Princeton Theological Seminary, Erdman Center, Princeton, New Jersey

Are you an emerging leader in the church ready to explore the call to mid council ministry? Join us for "Pathways to Mid Council Leadership: Foundations for Emerging Leaders" a four-day training designed to equip and inspire leaders stepping into mid council roles.

Topics Include:

  • What Is Mid Council Ministry?

  • Entering the System

  • The Shift to Ministry Administration

  • No Longer a Pastor

  • Claiming Your Pastoral Identity in New Ways

  • Organizational Design

  • The Corporate Bishop

  • Resourcing Pastors and Congregations

  • Building Alliance - Equipping Committees and Commissions

  • Emerging Models of Presbytery Leadership

  • Leadership Assessments (LeaderWise)

  • Managing Conflict

  • Creating Missional Narratives

  • Is This Your Calling

Registration Cost: $1,250 (includes course materials, lodging, meals, and a leadership assessment through LeaderWise Consulting). If you are feeling the call to serve and lead in new ways, "Pathways to Mid Council Leadership" will give you the tools to confidently step forward.

Use this link to register for the event. Synod of the Northeast members receive a $100 discount on registration. 

Meet Your Facilitators

SANDAWNA ASHLEY

Coordinator and Team Leader

The Rev. Dr. SanDawna Gaulman Ashley is an accomplished leader with over 25 years in full-time ministry, serving at all four levels of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Her leadership roles include Senior Pastor, Executive Presbyter, Leadership Development Associate, Associate for Gender and Racial Justice, Manager of Call Process Support and Teaching Elders Ministries, and currently, Transitional Leader for the Synod of the Northeast. As the first African American woman in many of these positions, she has broken barriers and paved the way for future leaders. SanDawna specializes in change management and has served on the boards of the Presbyterian Mission Agency and ACorp PC(U.S.A.). She has also taught at four PC(U.S.A.) conference centers in the Art of Transitional Ministry Education. Her ministry focuses on adaptive leadership, public ministry, and making the Gospel relevant today. She holds a Doctor of Ministry from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, a Master of Divinity from Johnson C. Smith Seminary, a Certificate in Organizational Design from Cornell University, and a Bachelor of Social Work from Georgia State University. She enjoys life with her husband, Murphy and their dog, Joy.

Daris Bultena

The Rev. Dr. Daris Bultena serves as the General Presbyter and Stated Clerk for the Presbytery of Tropical Florida covering congregations from Ft. Pierce to Key West. Elected in 2017, Daris has led the mission of "Vibrant Together," focusing on relationship-building, spiritual depth, and missional outreach. An entrepreneur at heart, he established the Vibrant Together Development Corporation in 2023 to support property repurposing and sustainable ministry initiatives. Daris also serves on the faculty of the Presbytery Leader Formation Program. He previously served congregations in Maryland and Pennsylvania and holds degrees from Union Theological Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary, and the University of South Dakota. He studied at Georgetown University and worked as a Legislative Aid for the Senate Commerce Committee. Daris and his partner, Robert Terry, enjoy living in South Florida and value the rich culture and diversity that South Florida offers.

Tracy Keenan

The Rev. Dr. Tracy Keenan is the Missional Presbyter of New Castle Presbytery. After having pastored four churches in both Pittsburgh, PA and Columbus, OH over the course of 30 years, she entered Mid-Council leadership in 2019 because she was inspired by New Castle Presbytery’s emphasis on helping churches live courageously into their calling.

A graduate of Pittsburgh and McCormick Theological Seminaries, she also received training as an Enneagram-based coach to help leaders understand their instincts and motivations and broaden their ability to respond faithfully and authentically. She cherishes friendships among a wide variety of people from various traditions, conditions, religions, and opinions. Tracy and her husband, the Rev. Jim Mehler, have two grown daughters. She plays the piano, writes music and stories, performs original poetry at spoken word events, and looks for the joy.

Wendy Tajima

The Rev. Wendy Tajima was ordained by San Jose Presbytery in 1997, she has dedicated decades to Presbyterian ministry and leadership. She served ecumenically in Hawai‘i for 10 years and later held the role of Associate Dean of Enrollment at San Francisco Theological Seminary. She went on to become Stated Clerk and Associate General Presbyter for the Presbytery of the Pacific. Since 2014, she has been Executive Presbyter for San Gabriel Presbytery, supporting 39 congregations across Southern California. Her service includes roles with the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii, the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board, and as a GAPJC Commissioner. She holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson, and before seminary, she spent eight years in management at Apple Computer, including as a manager in the Evangelism Department. Additionally, she has been a volunteer trainer against racism and sexual violence and began her seminary studies at Fuller Seminary’s Bay Area campus before transferring to San Francisco Theological Seminary. Wendy also serves on faculty for the Presbytery Leader Formation Program.

Mark Bennett