Congregational Ministries Publishing taps Malinda Spencer

Malinda Spencer—Photo provided

Experienced Church Educator Called to Promote and Interpret PC(USA) curriculum

by Emily Enders Odom | Presbyterian News Service

Ruling Elder Malinda Spencer, a Christian educator and a past president of the Presbyterian Association of Resource Centers, has been named associate for Curricula Training and Promotion for the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Congregational Ministries Publishing(CMP).

In her new role, Spencer will work to grow and nurture CMP’s customer base by resourcing and supporting PC(USA) mid councils and ecumenical entities. She will also serve as a member of the curriculum development team with related editorial review and writing responsibilities.

“We are thrilled to welcome Malinda to the Congregational Ministries Publishing team,” said Mark Hinds, Ed.D., interim publisher for CMP. “She brings a strong track record of promoting and interpreting our curricular resources for congregations in Heartland Presbytery. She will now provide the same ministry to the whole church.”

Spencer holds a B.S. in education from Missouri State University and has done graduate work at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. She has served as Christian educator for Heartland Presbyterysince 2006. In her service to Heartland, she had primary responsibility for the presbytery resource center, training and consulting with congregations on their education programs, and participating in planning Christian education events. Before her most recent position, Spencer served as educator for congregations in Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri.

“Not only is our denominational curriculum connective, but it is also a great equalizer of small, large, rural, urban, suburban, and other varieties of churches,” Spencer said. “Through our curriculum, we have a unique opportunity to tell our story in an excellent way. In my new role, I look forward to bringing awareness to Congregational Ministries Publishing’s exemplary curricular resources.”

Spencer, who succeeds Candace Hill following her retirement from CMP last year, will assume her new responsibilities on May 10.