The Arkansas Conference of The United Methodist Church is pleased to announce the hiring of Amy Shores as Executive Secretary to the Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM) and Conference Registrar for the District Committees on Ordained Ministry (dCom), effective April 1.
In this vital role, Shores will serve as administrative support for the Chair and Executive Team of the Board of Ordained Ministry, while also acting as a central resource for candidates and ministers in relationship with the Arkansas Conference. As Conference Registrar, she will coordinate records and reports for candidates and licensed local pastors across all districts, and provide support to district committees, candidates, Licensed Local Pastors (LLPs), and Certified Lay Ministers (CLMs).
“The Arkansas Conference Board of Ordained Ministry is in the process of having new leadership going forward. With Amy Shores joining the team, she brings numerous gifts to the work of the BOM, ”shared Rev. Mark Norman, chairperson of the ARUMC BOM.
Rev. Judy Rudd, Assistant to the Bishop added, “Amy Shores brings the spiritual gifts of administration and shepherding to her new position. The Conference is fortunate to have Amy serving in this role as she not only maintains files and monitors deadlines but also accompanies and encourages each person who is pursuing education, certification, licensing, and ordination in the Arkansas Conference.”
Shores brings a strong background in ministry leadership and administration, along with a deep passion for walking alongside individuals in seasons of growth and transition.
“I’m excited to hopefully simplify some processes and help make the path to licensing and ordination a more consistent journey as everything will be held in one place,” said Shores. “I’m also excited to continue walking alongside people as they undergo growth and transition in different ways.”
Shores most recently served in campus ministry and reflects fondly on that work. “I will miss the relationships with students the most,” she shared. “College is such a giant time of growth and transition, and it’s truly gratifying to walk with a student along such a time of so many ups and downs. Seeing the growth from how a person comes in as a freshman to how they graduate as a senior is always so amazing, and I love knowing that I was a part of that growth.”
Her previous leadership roles include:
- Minister to Youth at Asbury UMC (Central District)
- Director of Pastoral Care at Methodist Family Health
- College Minister/Wesley Director at First United Methodist Church in Conway
She currently serves as Board Chair of Mount Eagle Retreat Center and as a Resource Adult on the Youth Service Fund Task Force of the Arkansas Conference Council on Youth Ministry.
Shores holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Louisiana College, a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Perkins School of Theology.
Originally from Haughton, Louisiana, Shores now resides in Conway, Arkansas, where she attends First United Methodist Church. She is married to Sam Shores and is the stepmother of Elizabeth Shores.