Rev. Carla Working
Pastor, Director Of Clergy Development
Huntington,IN
Summary
I am an ordained pastor in The Wesleyan Church, with extensive experience in preaching, team building, discipleship care, and operations management. Using excellent verbal and written communication skills, I have spearheaded initiatives related to women in ministry, clergy development, and NextGen discipleship. I am a mentor and collaborator, using my leadership to build others around me and encourage them in their personal and professional journeys.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Clergy Care and Development
The Wesleyan Church
Fishers, IN
03.2023 - Current
- Enhanced District Board of Ministerial Development collaboration among all 22 districts through regular communication, resourcing, and updated systems.
- Evaluated student transcripts and other documentation related to ministry credentialing in The Wesleyan Church.
- Developed strong relationships with pastors, students, and Wesleyan district leadership, focused on collaboration and unity.
- Enlisted a team of volunteers to create resources and opportunities for female clergy.
- Provided leadership to the Colleagues in Ministry team, an egalitarian leadership group focused on promoting women and men serving together in The Wesleyan Church.
- Produced curriculum on topics related to women in ministry.
- Resourced district leadership with clergy care resources to care for ministry leaders and their families.
- Provided oversight for the Director of Chaplains and the Committee on Chaplains for endorsing purposes.
- Managed the Clergy Development and Women in Ministry budgets.
- Led the team - encouraging open communication and empowering employees to voice their ideas.
Co-Pastor
Hope Rising Church
Huntington, IN
07.2018 - 09.2023
- Served on the preaching team.
- Led the weekly worship team, planning services and coordinating with staff and volunteers.
- Assisted in managing daily church operations, including facility maintenance, event planning, and staff supervision.
- Championed initiatives aimed at youth discipleship.
- Provided pastoral care to individuals in need, offering guidance, support, and counseling services.
- Improved church financial stability by implementing effective fundraising strategies and budget management.
- Led Bible studies and small groups and trained future group leaders.
- Supervised college interns pursuing a ministry degree.
- Trained volunteers for various service and leadership positions, including NextGen ministry, mission and outreach ministry, worship ministry, finance ministry, and first impressions ministry, creating a culture of leaders developing new leaders.
- Managed and maintained office operations.
- Maintained records for church finances, including weekly accounting and monthly reports.
- Oversee the annual budget and ensure leadership is following proper financial procedures.
- Led quarterly Local Board of Administration meetings.
- Led worship team.
Assistant District Superintendent
Crossroads District of The Wesleyan Church
Marion, IN
09.2022 - 03.2023
- Chaired the District Board of Ministerial Development and provided mentoring for the committee members.
- Mentored and developed students pursuing ministry credentials in The Wesleyan Church.
- Led the Crossroads District Women in Ministry cohort, providing its members with continuing education and relational opportunities.
- Coordinated and taught for the Crossroads District Ministry Training Program as part of Wesleyan ordination requirements.
- Provided leadership for the church health and missional effectiveness initiatives of the Crossroads District.
- Provided oversight, strategic coaching, and ministry accountability to churches and pastors within the Crossroads District.
- Preached at regular church visits, connecting local church ministries to the vision of the district and denomination.
- Supervised the Executive Ministry Assistant, providing assignments, guidance, coaching, and semi‑annual performance reviews.
- Led the district conference planning team.
Ministry Liaison
Crossroads District of The Wesleyan Church
Marion, IN
07.2020 - 09.2022
- Chaired the District Board of Ministerial Development and provided mentoring for the committee members.
- Mentored and developed students pursuing ministry credentials in The Wesleyan Church.
- Lead the Crossroads District Women in Ministry cohort, providing members with continuing education and relational opportunities.
- Prepared all District Board of Administration materials and subsequent minutes of the meetings.
- Coordinated property transactions, including property sale, purchase of property, financing of property purchases, and financing of construction and/or building improvements.
- Maintained district calendars and ensure all meetings and events are appropriately organized.
Assistant Pastor
Lincolnville United Methodist Church
Wabash, IN
07.2016 - 06.2018
- Served on the preaching team.
- Led the weekly worship team.
- Prepared and delivered regular written communications for the congregation, such as bulletins, emails, and Keynote presentations.
- Created a database for recording membership and contributions.
- Oversaw the creation and maintenance of an annual budget.
- Acted as liaison between local church and district leadership
- Assisted senior pastor in the annual review of leadership personnel.
- Created opportunities for leadership development for lay members within the church.
- Provide leadership to worship and education committees
- Perform curriculum evaluations for children, youth, and adult classes
Assistant Pastor
Ellington Wesleyan Church
Ellington, CT
07.2013 - 06.2016
- Served on the preaching team.
- Led the weekly worship team.
- Managed and maintained office operations
- Created weekly bulletins and slideshow presentations.
- Worked with church leadership to create a database for membership and contributions recording
- Acted as liaison between local church and district leadership
- Assisted senior pastor in the annual review of leadership personnel
- Created opportunities for leadership development for lay members within the church.
- Provide leadership to worship team.
Associate Pastor
East Main Street Christian Church
Elwood, IN
07.2006 - 07.2011
- Led the weekly contemporary service - preaching and leading worship.
- Served on the preaching team for the traditional worship service.
- Coordinated and spearheaded community outreach programs.
- Officiated special services such as weddings, funerals, baptisms, and nursing home services.
- Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.
- Led the middle and high school youth group.
- Participated in multigenerational mission trips, both domestic and international.
Education
Doctor of Ministry -
Wesley Seminary
Marion, IN 08.2021 - Current
Master of Practical Theology - Church Leadership
Wesley Seminary
Marion, IN 08.2010 - 12.2014
Bachelor of Science - Christian Education & Children's Ministry
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, IN 09.2002 - 12.2005
Skills
- Preaching/Homiletics
- Team Building and Management
- Relationship Building
- Theological Research and Communication
- Mentoring
- Problem-solving
- Project coordination and management
- Operations management
Accomplishments
- Contributed devotionals and articles for The Wesleyan Church.
- Wrote curriculum for Wesley Seminary's Women in Ministry course on their free online platform.
- Spoke at numerous Wesleyan events, including Celebration of Holiness 2022, Follow 2023, and College Days 2024.
- Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy board member since 2024.
- Guest at various undergraduate ministry classes.
Certification
Ordained in The Wesleyan Church
Timeline
Director of Clergy Care and Development
The Wesleyan Church
03.2023 - Current
Assistant District Superintendent
Crossroads District of The Wesleyan Church
09.2022 - 03.2023
Doctor of Ministry -
Wesley Seminary
08.2021 - Current
Ministry Liaison
Crossroads District of The Wesleyan Church
07.2020 - 09.2022
Co-Pastor
Hope Rising Church
07.2018 - 09.2023
Assistant Pastor
Lincolnville United Methodist Church
07.2016 - 06.2018
Ordained in The Wesleyan Church
06-2014
Assistant Pastor
Ellington Wesleyan Church
07.2013 - 06.2016
Master of Practical Theology - Church Leadership
Wesley Seminary
08.2010 - 12.2014
Associate Pastor
East Main Street Christian Church
07.2006 - 07.2011
Bachelor of Science - Christian Education & Children's Ministry
Indiana Wesleyan University
09.2002 - 12.2005