Clark Atkins

Working collaboratively with the other presiding elder in Arkansas and the other members of the cabinet of the Trinity Annual Conference I have:

• Provided oversight to nearly forty churches in the western half of Arkansas, developing relationships with lay leaders and pastors in these churches.
• Led nearly twenty churches thorough the appointive process when there have been pastoral vacancies.
• Coached churches through the development of a church profile.
• Presided at nearly two dozen church conferences
• Advised and counseled church leadership when called upon,
• Delivered sermons and devotionals when invited, and ordered the life of the church in western Arkansas.
• Worked collaboratively as part of the cabinet team and the Texas Methodist Foundation Presiding Elder Cohort to identify needs in the conference and action steps to address identified needs in the conference, equipping churches and pastors in their ministries.

• Led church through a visioning process and executed strategic plans which have resulted in renewed growth, expanded ministry offerings, increases in average worship attendance, baptisms, and professions of faith in each year but one (2020).
• Developed and implemented an intentional discipleship plan which has resulted in an increase and deeper engagement in small groups and discipleship bands.
• Led $2.2-million capital campaign and renovation project, successfully renovating a century old building transforming it into a Ministry Center with modern children and youth ministry spaces, and a local non-profit.
• Mentored associate pastor and other ministry staff in their professional development journey, sharing expertise in church leadership, pastoral care, and administrative tasks.
• Managed church staff effectively, providing clear direction and support while maintaining accountability for performance outcomes.
• Expanded missions outreach efforts to include partnerships with international organizations, increasing global impact on communities in need.
• Built strong relationships with community organizations, collaborating on projects that aligned with shared values and goals.
• Shepherded congregation through disaffiliation process and subsequent affiliation resulting in 98% retention of families.

• Led church through a season of revitalization resulting in a 30% increase in average worship attendance over the three years in the appointment.
• Planned and executed a project which received $40,000 in grant funding from the Methodist Foundation for Arkansas for the launch of a mobile food pantry which traveled to two-year colleges in northeast Arkansas providing much needed food to college students and working adults.
• Coached church through a visioning process which resulted in a simplified leadership structure.
• Planned and conducted worship services, wrote sermons, and worked with key church leaders to carry out church initiatives.
• Provided spiritual and administrative leadership to church and managed daily operations.
• Empowered church volunteers through training sessions and ongoing support, enhancing their ability to serve the congregation effectively.
• Effectively led church through a $120,000 capital campaign which resulted in the installation of a vertical lift and other accessibility initiatives to provide for a more hospitable facility for worship and fellowship.

Serving on the pastoral staff of a 3,000 member congregation with an average worship attendance of more than 1,000:

• Led programs such as worship, study, fellowship, and service opportunities.
• Provided pastoral counseling to individuals seeking guidance on personal or relationship issues, promoting emotional well-being within the congregation.
• Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.
• Delivered dynamic sermons that effectively communicated biblical truths while addressing contemporary issues faced by today''s Christians.
• Managed volunteer teams for various ministries, ensuring effective use of resources and talents.
• Supported senior pastor in developing impactful sermon series, resulting in increased attendance and spiritual growth.
• Developed small group curriculums to encourage deeper relationships and spiritual growth within the congregation.
• Helped to create welcoming environment for visitors and encouraged congregation to offer support..

• Conducted regular evaluation of admission policies and procedures, making necessary adjustments to maintain alignment with institutional objectives.
• Served as primary contact for coordination of application screening and tracking, visit and interview arrangement and marketing communications.
• Increased enrollment rates by developing and implementing strategic recruitment initiatives.
• Served as a liaison between prospective students, families, faculty, and administration throughout the admissions process, facilitating seamless communication among all parties involved.
• Streamlined the admissions process for efficiency, resulting in faster response times for prospective students.
• Mentored and provided professional development opportunities for admission staff, leading to enhanced performance and personal growth within the team.
• Devised and implemented strategic recruitment plan with consideration to both long and short term goals.