Milford native Rev. Dr. Sandra Steiner Ball elected bishop of the United Methodist Church

The Rev. Dr. Sandra Steiner Ball has been elected bishop of the United Methodist Church by the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference held in Charleston, W.Va.

Steiner Ball, 50, director of Connectional Ministries of the Peninsula Delaware Annual Conference, was elected July 18. She is one of three new bishops elected to the northeastern jurisdiction, which includes annual conferences from Maine to West Virginia.

Endorsed by the Peninsula Delaware Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Steiner Ball was elected on the fifth ballot, receiving 132 of 219 votes cast.

Steiner Ball grew up in Milford. Educated at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., she earned a bachelor of arts degree in religion. She also earned a master of divinity degree from Duke Divinity School and a doctor of ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary.

She was active in the Peninsula Conference as a youth, and working with the Rev. Charlie Barton, was responsible for starting the first youth gathering, Youth Rally, on the campus of Salisbury State University. After receiving her  divinity degree, Steiner Ball was ordained in the Peninsula Delaware Conference where she served as an associate pastor at Kent Island UMC and pastor at St. Michaels UMC. While serving as pastor at St. Luke’s UMC in St. Michaels, Md., Steiner Ball was appointed district superintendent of the Dover district. She served as district superintendent for six years and served as dean of the cabinet for four of those years. She was then appointed as the director of Connectional Ministries. Steiner Ball has a passion for leadership development and church vitalization. She is a gifted speaker and trainer in these areas.

Steiner Ball has served the general church in a variety of areas including General & Jurisdictional Conference delegate, Inter-Jurisdictional Episcopacy Committee director, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, United Methodist Endorsing Committee and Jurisdictional Episcopacy Committee. She also serves as a trustee for Wesley College in Dover.

She is the daughter of Edward J. and Marjorie W. Steiner who live in Milford. Steiner Ball and her husband, the Rev. Barry D. Steiner Ball, have two daughters, Sandra Rebekah Ball and Sarah Elizabeth Ball.

When asked about Steiner Ball’s election as bishop-elect, Peggy Johnson, resident bishop of the Philadelphia Episcopal area that includes Eastern Pennsylvania and Peninsula Delaware Annual Conferences, said: “The church will be blessed with the leadership of this gifted, spirit-filled and energetic servant of God. She excels in the area of church development and resourcing and has vast experience in all levels of the church’s life and ministry.”

A Consecration service for Steiner Ball, Bishop Martin McLee and Bishop Mark Webb was held July 20, at St. Mark’s UMC in Charleston.

A United Methodist bishop in the United States is elected for life, although eight years is a standard time for a bishop to serve in any geographic area. They are charged by the church’s Book of Discipline to lead and oversee the church in temporal and spiritual affairs. Steiner Ball has been assigned to the West Virginia Annual Conference and will begin her term of service Sept. 1.

There was a celebration of ministry and farewell service for Steiner Ball held Aug. 9 at Avenue United Methodist Church, Milford.