Dynamic and nourishing preaching and worship are essential in the life of the church. Through them, a congregation is inspired to go into the world and be the community of Jesus Christ. I get energy from preaching and teaching God’s Word to God’s people so they can use it in their daily lives. My preaching is Bible-based, and includes a strong teaching element: a pastor must equip members of her or his congregation to faithfully read scriptures on their own.
Worship, however, is more than just good preaching – its flow and content are vital to its effectiveness. Another passion is the development of strong, moving worship services. As a long-time musician, I know the importance of music in congregational worship. Hymns are among the most effective vehicles for theology; I remember few sermons from my youth, but hymns are written on my heart.
Community life within a congregation is essential, but a spiritual dimension is critical as well. I have a strong personal relationship with Christ, my prayer life is strong and regular, and as pastor I want to encourage this in congregation members through activities such as prayer and Bible study groups. I envision serving a church in which members are active participants in the worship life of the church; I seek to empower and equip the people of God to claim their own ministries in the service of Jesus Christ. My delight as pastor will be to help a congregation discern its call from God, and encourage and enable it to answer.
Please describe your present call and accomplishments.
My present call is to a small congregation of children of God. We seek to faithfully proclaim the Gospel in thought, word in deed on the South Coast of Oregon. While here, I have taught Sunday School and a weekly intensive bible study.
In addition, under my leadership we have begun an ongoing evangelism program, the first fruits of which were seen at Advent 2003. We have also begun the development of a blended worship style that combines contemporary praise music with traditional hymns of the church.
During my tenure, current ecumenical relationships (with Bethany Lutheran Church) have been strengthened, and new ones begun. Last fall, we began monthly Taize worship services in cooperation with St. Matthew’s Episcopal church.
Please describe your leadership style.
As a leader, I seek to convey the excitement and challenge of church ministry. I want to inspire and empower the people of God to be the people of God, and participate in all areas of the life of the church.
The church is not the pastor’s; it is God’s creation, composed of all members as the Body of Christ. I am not authoritarian by inclination, but I do have a vision of what a church should do, what a church should be as a local expression of the body of Christ.
The vision of a dynamic community going into the world, doing God’s will and spreading the Good News will help guide my leadership. I tend to see the big picture, and in broad brush-strokes; I do not tend to be a detail person (although the details do always seem to get taken care of). I am creative, and see the value of creativity in the ministry of Christ.
I have a healthy respect for tradition, but am a firm believer in trying new things. Planning is important in any process, but it is important not to over-plan; the art is in discerning where that fine line is. My tendency is to plan just enough to get started on new programs and ideas, and then fine-tune their operation as needed. In my former occupation, I received some training in moderating and facilitating group dynamics; I consider this one of my strengths.
Education
Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Ga., July 1998 to May 2001, Master of Divinity.
North Atlanta Tri-Hospital Clincial Pastoral Training Center, Atlanta, Ga.
Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, September 1978 to May 1984, Ph.D. in bioengineering.
University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb., September 1977 to August 1978.
Eastern Washington University, Cheney, Wash., September 1975 to August 1977, M.S. in biology.
University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., September 1971 to June 1975, B.S. in zoology
Work History
July 2001 - present: Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Gold Beach, Ore.
February - May, 2001: Intern Chaplain, St. Joseph Hospital, Atlanta, Ga.
June 2000 - May 2001: Student Pastor, Calvin Covenant Presbyterian Church, Macon, Ga.
Summer 1999: Intern Pastor, New Covenant Presbyterian Church, Doraville, Ga.
1988 - 1998: Biologist, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Mississippi State, Miss.
1986 - 1988: Research Biologist, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Fort Collins, Colo.
1984 - 1986: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Service History
Elder, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Starkville, Miss.
Teacher, Adult and High School Sunday School, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Starkville, Miss.
Chairman, Finance Committee, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Starkville, Miss.
Elder Commissioner, St. Andrew Presbytery, Oxford, Miss.
Member, Global Missions & Outreach Committee, St. Andrew Presbytery, Oxford, Miss.
Participant, Mission to Cameroon, St. Andrew Presbytery, Oxford, Miss.
Adult volunteer, Youth Ministry at Columbia Presbyterian Church, 1999 -2001
Member, Committee on Ministry-South, Cascades Presbytery, Portland, Ore.
|
