Candidate Profile
Western Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church
Ministry Experience
- July, 2004-present District Superintendent, Central East District
Supervise 42 churches and fellowships
- July, 2002-2004 Senior Pastor, Dove of the Desert UMC, Glendale, AZ
800 member church northwest of Phoenix, AZ
- July, 1998-2002 Senior Pastor, First UMC, Tucson, AZ
Downtown church on campus of University of Arizona
- July, 1997-1998 Co-Pastor, St. Paul’s UMC, Tucson, AZ
- July, 1994-1997 Associate Pastor, St. Paul’s UMC, Tucson, AZ
1000 member church on east side of Tucson
- July 1989-1994 Trinity UMC, Racine, WI
Served 2 yrs. as seminary intern;3 yrs. as associate pastor
Other Relevant Experience
Currently serving as Dean of the Desert Southwest Conference Cabinet
Education:
Master of Divinity, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, 1991
Bachelor of Arts in Education, North Central College, 1976
General and Jurisdictional Church Involvement:
First elected clergy delegate to General/Jurisdictional Conferences, 2008
Elected to General Council on Finance and Administration, 2008
Community Involvement:
UMOM (United Methodist Outreach Ministries), Phoenix, AZ, Board member
Wesley Community Center, Phoenix, AZ, Board member
Cook School for Christian Leadership, Tempe, AZ, Board member
Former Board Member, Arizona Ecumenical Council
Endorsements
Desert Southwest Annual Conference, 6/14/08; Conference Secretary: Rev. Louie Lyon
Personal Statement:
I came to the Desert Southwest in 1994, after being ordained in Wisconsin. I served three different churches in the DSW, before being named District Superintendent in 2004. My spouse, Art, and I have two grown children and one grandson.
Three key issues for me:
-Developing Christ-hearted leaders, especially among young adults, and ethnically-diverse peoples through -
-Inspiring pastors and church members to mentor and lead young people into ministry, lay and ordained.
-Funding and training that helps people discern calls to ministry.
-Seeking to live a life of deep faith, leading by example.
-Justice for all, especially through inclusive participation in ministry, and ministry with the poor and marginalized.
-Growth in ways we reach people with good news of God’s love, number of new churches and faith communities, and depth of faith and commitment to Christ through cooperative efforts among conferences, bishops & lay leadership across the jurisdiction.
Unique skills: Am able to bring together skills of administration and leadership with compassion and faith, to teach and mentor. Possess ability and skills to inspire people to work together around a common mission. Believe in the importance of new church development, have developed knowledge about this, and have worked with leaders to start new churches and multiple new ministries.
I am willing to be considered as an episcopal nominee for the Western Jurisdiction and will serve if elected. I am eligible to serve for 4 quadrennia (Book of Discipline Para. 409) My birthdate: November 3, 1952