Steven Schonert #2030sschonert@yahoo.com
Church/Date of Membership: Olney First UMC; 1971
Relevant Leadership Experiences: 2016 & 2019 GC delegate, 2012 Jurisdictional Delegate, past CCFA board member, past Congregational Development board member, Church lay delegate, Church Trustee Chairperson, Former Church Council Chairperson, former Church Treasurer, Local Bank Board Member, former Partner in Charge of regional CPA office.
Experience: In addition to the leadership roles, including being one of your 2016 GC lay delegates, I have been raised in and part of the Methodist Church all of my life.
Gifts and Passions: In addition to loving my two grandsons and working for my local church, I enjoy traveling, including my travels to Haiti, where I am working with Bethesda Medical Clinic, a Haitian medical clinic with One Mission Society, in setting up a new board, Healthcare in Haiti Inc., that will assist in fundraising, consultation and education.
Other: I am a member of the IGR-WCA.
Personal Statement: I believe in upholding traditional values as defined in the current Discipline. However, I recognize that not all view traditional values in the same way. We must find a way to stop arguing over our disagreements or our witness to the world will continue to suffer. Much like when Paul and Barnabas disagreed and went their separate ways, it appears that we must go our separate ways so as not to further hurt our ministries. However, I hope and will support ways that we can continue to share in certain ministries, such as UMCOR, where there is agreement as to its purpose and goals. I believe we must continue to support our global ministries and assist where the Holy Spirit is moving in a powerful way. We must stay relevant to the youth of today that is the Church tomorrow, while not compromising our values. We must be a place for healing for those who are spiritually lost. Left or right, traditional or progressive, we must continue to pray for peace in our Church. Finally, we must never lose focus that we are a Church whose primary goal is to makes disciples for Jesus for the transformation of the world.