Wayne Schmidt
General Superintendent of The Wesleyan Church
Wayne Schmidt
General Superintendent of The Wesleyan Church
Wayne Schmidt
General Superintendent of
The Wesleyan Church
Lessons from 40 years of ministry
Today (May 31, 2019) completes 40 years of ministry for me. In some ways, it seems like yesterday that a 21-year-old kid who graduated from Marion College (now Indiana Wesleyan University) joined a launch team to plant a church on June 1, 1979. In other ways, it seems like, well, four decades ago. Now, at age 61, I still feel like that kid most days.
So, I’ve decided to write about some “lessons learned” over the 40 years. I looked for 40-year situations in the Bible and landed upon Joshua 1. After 40 years of wilderness wandering, Joshua finds himself uniquely positioned in the upcoming season to take new territory. In a private conversation with the God of the universe, he is told, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Now my 40 years could hardly be characterized as desert wandering. But the people of God about to enter the promised land had developed a culture…
Thriving Together September 2025
I’ve always been proud of my ethnicity and background, but lately, when I hear the news or scroll social media, I can’t help but feel a wave of fear and anxiety.
Thrive in Five: Intellectual: September 25
By leaning into the strengths of our ecclesiology, we can thrive as a church as we prepare in the coming months for discussions that will define our identity.
Created Equal In God’s Image: Stepping into service together as men and women: how CBE is encouraging The Wesleyan church.
The Wesleyan Church has long advocated for the leadership of women and men together within the church body and leadership.
Victory through surrender
Wayne Schmidt transparently shares stories of his life offering plate moments, those life-changing times when he surrendered his will to follow God’s will. You will learn through his words the difficulties and rewards experienced when he placed himself, his ego, and his plans into God’s plan for God’s glory.
Writing
Thriving Together September 2025
I’ve always been proud of my ethnicity and background, but lately, when I hear the news or scroll social media, I can’t help but feel a wave of fear and anxiety.
Thrive in Five: Intellectual: September 25
By leaning into the strengths of our ecclesiology, we can thrive as a church as we prepare in the coming months for discussions that will define our identity.
Created Equal In God’s Image: Stepping into service together as men and women: how CBE is encouraging The Wesleyan church.
The Wesleyan Church has long advocated for the leadership of women and men together within the church body and leadership.
Celebrating every time a disciple makes a disciple and the church multiplies itself until there is a transforming presence in every zip code.
Celebrating every time a disciple makes a disciple and the church multiplies itself until there is a transforming presence in every zip code.
