At the end of December, Irene Flynn retired after 18 years of exemplary service as Resource Specialist for the Florida-Bahamas Synod. This transition allowed the Office of the Bishop to evaluate and modify the position, aligning it more closely to our purpose and strategic direction for a new season of ministry. The new position of Director of Discipleship and Communication retains many of the responsibilities of the former position with a renewed emphasis on making and forming disciples, best practices, and expanded use of technology for communication and resourcing congregations for participating in God’s mission to the world.
Following a search process, Sister Michelle Collins has been offered and accepted this position. She will be called by the Synod Council and will begin her duties over the next several weeks. When asked about her passion for this position, Sr. Michelle responded, “What excites me about this position is the opportunity to do discipleship training, leadership formation, and strengthening faith formation for all ages. I look forward to helping the people of the Florida-Bahamas Synod identify, connect with, and communicate the power of the Gospel in their lives and ministries.”
Sister Michelle Collins was consecrated as a Deaconess in 2011, after being called to Advent Lutheran Church in Melbourne as the Director of Faith Formation. Most recently, she has been serving Lutheran Church of the Cross in St. Petersburg as the Director of Student and Family Ministry. Since being in Florida, Sr. Michelle has provided leadership and support in a variety of faith formation and communication ministries throughout the synod. On the church wide level, Sr. Michelle has been deeply involved in communications for the Deaconess Community and has helped with communications for ALT Year (a young adult gap year ministry based in Toledo, Ohio) in its first season of ministry.
Sr. Michelle has a degree in Journalism from Valparaiso University and in Early Childhood Education from Rasmussen College. She received an M.A. in Educational Leadership at Luther Seminary in 2007 and is just beginning a certificate program in Faith Formation for the 21st Century.
Sr. Michelle is most recently from Minnesota, where she was involved in youth ministry and leadership in several congregations. Her parents and two of six siblings live in Minneapolis, where her mother is also a Deaconess.
Please welcome Sr. Michelle to your synod staff with the confidence that her presence will strengthen the purpose of the Office of the Bishop in connecting and igniting congregations who are BOLDLY Sharing Christ, PASSIONATELY Making Disciples, and FAITHFULLY doing justice .
