The Rev. Dr. Cindy Reynolds announced her plan to retire in July 2019. Reynolds was appointed by retired Bishop Mike Coyner as Executive Assistant to the Bishop in 2013 and has faithfully served in that role since.
Reynolds has expressed gratitude to Bishop Trimble, as well as the Indiana Conference, stating, “I intend to stay faithful to God’s call in my life through retirement in new ways. I have been abundantly blessed over the years by God and the Conference, and I look forward to serving God and His mission in the years to come. I am thankful to Bishop Trimble and the Conference for the continuous kindness, opportunities, support, and guidance during my time in ministry.”
Reynolds attended Ball State University and graduated with a double major in Psychology and Social Work. She received a Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary and a doctorate from St. Paul School of Theology with a focus on spiritual leadership that enhances spiritual growth in leaders and fruitful effective ministry. She was ordained Elder in 1979 and has served her entire ministry in the Indiana Conference (and its predecessor conferences).
Bishop Trimble, who has worked closely with Reynolds since his appointment as resident bishop of the Indiana Conference, expressed his appreciation to Reynolds, states the following;
“My assignment as Bishop of the Indiana Conference has been a joyous and fruitful experience in large part due to the excellent leadership of Dr. Cindy Reynolds. Her faithful service as a United Methodist pastor, campus minister, district superintendent, and executive assistant to the bishop is a reminder that her servant leadership has encouraged many lives and congregations over the years.”
Reynolds has served the Indiana Conference in many capacities over the years, including Associate Pastor, Lead Pastor, Campus Minister in Extension Ministry, Conference Superintendent, Director of Connectional Ministry, and Executive Assistant to the Bishop. Early in her ministry, her desire to make disciples of Jesus Christ was made known through her work with youth and young adults. From then, she has nurtured her passion to ‘connect’ people to Jesus, believers to each other, and the faithful to the communities for service.
In regards to Reynold’s leadership in the many roles she has served, Bishop Trimble says, “When asked to assume additional responsibility as Director of Connectional Ministries Cindy embraced the challenge and has been a driving force in the leadership of the Indiana Annual Conference. Conference gatherings, orientation for new Conference Superintendents, support for communications and connectional ministries has happened because Cindy has embraced the belief that collaboration and excellence in an organization can be done with joy and enthusiasm.”
In retirement, Reynolds plans to commit more time to travel the world, with her first trip planned for Ireland in October 2019. She also looks forward to adding more handcrafted instruments to her collection, a passion Reynolds has had for quite some time.
You may share your thoughts, prayers, and well-wishes with the Rev. Dr. Cindy Reynolds, at cindy.reynolds@inumc.org.