What is the Appointive Cabinet?

The appointive cabinet of an annual conference provides oversight and direction for the work of the annual conference, its districts, and local churches. It also works as a unit to develop the appointments for the ministerial members.

In the West Ohio Conference under the leadership of Bishop Jung, the appointive cabinet consists of the resident bishop, the assistant to the bishop, district superintendents as well as the Director of Connectional Ministries and the Director of Fresh Starts and New Beginnings.

What is the appointment process?

District superintendents start the appointment process by evaluating churches in their district, identifying effective leadership, and determining where changes are needed for mission success.

A change in appointment can be requested by a pastor, a local church staff parish relations committee, a district superintendent, or the bishop.

Several factors are taken into account during this process, including the skills and abilities of the pastor being moved, the needs of the church, the community context, and the family circumstances.

The appointment process involves filling vacancies as they arise. This continues until all positions are filled and elders have their assignments. Once all appointments are completed, they are fixed by the bishop at the annual conference.

As of July 1, 2025, the West Ohio Conference Appointive Cabinet will include the following persons: 

Rev. Amy Haines                 Superintendent, Maumee River District

Rev. Dr. Suzanne Allen    Superintendent, Great Miami River District

Rev. Mark Chow                  Superintendent, Hocking River District

Rev. Dr. Jim Wilson             Superintendent, Olentangy River District

Rev. Wes Souders                 Superintendent, Scioto River District

Rev. Don Wilson                   Superintendent, Western Lakes District

Rev. Linda Middelberg     Assistant to Bishop Jung

Rev. Karen Cook                    Director of Connectional Ministries

Mr. Brad Aycock                    Director of Fresh Starts and New Beginnings   

To learn more about the cabinet and the appointment-making process, click here and read paragraphs 424-430 in the online 2020-2024 Book of Discipline.