In a virtual business session on Aug. 15, 2020, the 26th Biennial Session of the National Convocation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) presented the Rev. Yvonne Gilmore as the interim administrative secretary. Gilmore follows the 17-year tenure of Rev. Dr. Timothy James who is retiring in December.
Gilmore is currently the associate dean of the Disciples Divinity House of the University of Chicago Divinity School and a co-teacher at the school. She is also a core trainer for Reconciliation Ministry and project director for the Constructive Theologies project, a group of young adult theological thought leaders within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Gilmore has also been a church planter, staff chaplain, and interim pastor. She holds a BA in International Relations from The American University, and an MDiv from the University of Chicago Divinity School. She was ordained at Michigan Park Christian Church in Washington, DC.
The process leading to Gilmore’s nomination included an extensive search by an advisory committee using the executive search model and her unanimous election by the administrative committee of the general board. Her work with the convocation will begin in December.
President of the National Convocation and head of the advisory committee tasked with the search, Rev. Dr. Donald K. Gillett, II, said, “She is deeply invested in building on the strategic momentum of the National Convocation and the National Christian Missionary Convention to further the exceptional work of the Black Church, and earnestly excited about the unique opportunities afforded by this interim period to assess future possibilities for ministry and to advance operational resources for engagement in the wider ecology of ministry, vision, and service in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) across the United States and Canada.
The advisory committee is excited to bring forth Rev. Yvonne Gilmore who is a magnetic personality, connecting with people in ways that enables the Church to grow and transform into the truest reflection of God. It was evidenced that she possesses the wit, pragmatic skills and visionary skills needed to enable the National Convocation to become stronger and more relevant in our present church culture.