Rev. Dr. Yolanda Denson-Byers

The Rev. Dr. Yolanda Denson-Byers will join us for our Fall Leadership Conference (FLC). For the last 30 years, she has served as a pastor, preaching and teaching the good news in multiple arenas such as parish, campus, hospice, hospital, and prison ministries.

Her Master of Divinity was earned at Harvard University with specialty in preaching and worship, religious education and pastoral care and counseling. Her doctor of Ministry is from Luther Seminary in Congregational Mission and Leadership. She currently serves as the senior pastor of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church of Edina, MN.

During FLC, Pastor Yolanda will be teaching three 90-minute sessions focused on the theme: Costly Compassion: The Holy Work of Becoming an Ally in Your Neighborhood.

The word “compassion” means to be with someone in their suffering. Especially in this time of deep division, rancor, and polarization in our nation’s history, what does Jesus have to say to our most marginalized and oppressed neighbors? What divine mischief is the Holy Spirit instigating in our particular contexts? What does it mean to be an ally with the Holy Spirit, and God’s beloved children, dwelling in our neighborhoods?

Utilizing Pastor Yolanda’s book, See Me, Believe Me: A Guide to Deepen Allyship with Congregational Leaders of Color, as a case study, we will Dwell in the Word, invite courageous conversation during our book study, and leave with specific action items meant to better prepare us to enter into the holy work of God’s costly compassion toward all of our neighbors.