What leadership positions have you held/currently hold?

Currently I serve as pastor of Zion Mennonite Church, Donnellson, Iowa, a small, rural congregation that is, I believe, the oldest active Mennonite church west of the Mississippi River. The congregation’s history predates the beginnings of the General Conference Mennonite Church (GC) and was one of its founding congregations.

I served as co-pastor of West Zion Mennonite Church, Moundridge, Kan., along with my spouse, John Yoder- Schrock. We served as family life ministers at Bethesda Mennonite Church, Henderson, Neb. My first pastorate was at Hively Avenue Mennonite Church, Elkhart, Ind. I served on the ministerial committee of the Central District, the former Northern District and the Western District conferences and the GC Committee on the Ministry.

Do/did you have a woman leader as a mentor? If so, how does/did she help you?

No, I did not have a woman in pastoral ministry as a mentor; there were, however, three of us first-time women pastors who met regularly with a woman leader, a “trailblaze” supporting and encouraging women in pastoral ministry. It was helpful to discuss everything from appropriate dress for preaching to finding one’s voice and claiming one’s role on boards and committees.

Are you mentoring a young woman who may be a potential church leader?

I am grateful for the opportunity to mentor two women who were/are beginning in
pastoral ministry. Encouraging them in discovering, testing and shaping their identity as a pastor and in claiming their role as leader in a congregation has been a rich experience. Indirect mentoring has happened as young women have experienced my ministry.

If so, how is her experience the same/different from yours?

Beginning and growing in one’s role and identity as a pastor is similar then and now. One difference is that being a “pioneer” woman in pastoral ministry was a new experience for many people, whereas today many members have known or experienced a woman as pastor.

What impediments have you faced in becoming a leader?

There have been and continue to be some congregations where women are not even
considered as pastoral candidates. Even in congregations where I have served, some members have struggled to receive my ministry. Others who had questions or were
resistive at the beginning eventually came to trust and affirm women in ministry.

When you face challenges as a leader, what encourages you?

To be a leader is to face challenges, times when one may be discouraged or shaken. I
am anchored, however, as I remember my call and ordination to pastoral ministry. God who called me is and has been faithful in all circumstances. Family, friends and pastoral
colleagues are invaluable encouragement and support.