Nicole Reilley is Lead Pastor of Valencia United Methodist Church (Valencia, CA). She is a gifted preacher; she loves making the Bible come alive while connecting today’s people to God’s great love in Jesus Christ.
Nicole grew up in Southern California (Westlake Village) and graduated from California State University, Long Beach, with a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies, receiving the 1989 Outstanding Graduate Award. She received her Master of Divinity degree in 1992 from the School of Theology at Claremont, now Claremont School of Theology. There, she was the recipient of The Reverend Edwin H. Witman Pastoral Care Award and The President’s Award for Academic Excellence.
Nicole brought her passion for new ways of doing and being church to her work as the Director of New Ministries for the California-Pacific Conference, where she oversaw new church starts and the revitalization of current UM churches from 2013-2018. With almost 30 years in full-time ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church (UMC), Nicole has served at Hope UMC (Torrance), Shepherd of the Hills (Rancho Santa Margarita Campus), and Redondo Beach UMC.
She is married to Dr. Jeffrey Luther, a member of the faculty of the Family Medicine Residency Program at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. They have an adult son, Jacob. She is on the Board of Directors for Messy Church USA and Harbor Interfaith. Nicole blogs at www.nicolereilley.com and is a certified Life and Ministry coach. Follow her on social media.
Her first book will be published in July 2021 and she spends time gardening and managing The Bible Dogs. We asked Nicole to answer a few questions about her latest book “Expanding the Expedition Through Digital Ministry”.
Who should read this book?
This is a book for pastors and leaders who would like to understand digital ministry in their churches. It offers practical tips and theological background on why digital ministry is important in today’s world.
What can a reader expect to be improved, challenged or learned by reading this book?
This book will give pastors and laity skills for digital ministry, regardless of where they are starting from. It is practical, doable and engaging in showing how any church can improve its digital ministry.
What is one surprise, experience or “Aha!” that has come as a result of writing or presenting this book?
I was surprised by how important it is to start with why. Our “why” for doing digital ministry can challenge us, pulling us past where we are comfortable. Knowing the why of digital ministry will help us see what resources are needed, how we can reach new people for Christ, and how even a small church can do vital digital ministry.
After or before we read your book, we should read…
“Mission Possible 3+” by Kay Kotan and Blake Bradford.
What/who are your reading these days?
“Bamboozled by Jesus” by Yvonne Orji; “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” by Charlie Mackery; “Lead Like It Matters to God” by Richard Stearns.
How shall individuals or groups contact you for readings, talks, presentations, etc.?
