It is amazing that the most popular page/post of this blog is the one about me (232 views as of Jan 15, 2009). I guess that is normal. If I like a site/blog, I usually want to learn about the author…and am often left wishing there was more info. So, this is my attempt at providing a little more story, background, and juicy details (OK, not really)!
Clergy Family:
Maybe the most unique part of my story is that I am a UM clergyperson, as is my wife, her sister, and the sister’s husband! Yep. All four of us (two sisters and their husbands) are UM clergy. All four of us went to seminary at Saint Paul School of Theology and now serve in the state of Kansas. Here is a pic from when Shelly was ordained, with all of us together in a row.
Pastoral Journey:
I have been very blessed with some really cool (and very diverse) pastoral placements since 2000. I first served as the circuit riding pastor (not a horse but a Dodge Stratus) for three small-membership congregations south of the Kansas City Metro area – Parker, Beagle, and Fontana UMCs. It was a really great first appointment. The people really took as part of their ministry the raising up of new clergy leaders. I was blessed! I lived half of the week in Parker and the other half in Kansas City, MO.
When I graduated from seminary (with a Master of Divinity degree) I moved to Northeast Philadelphia. It was culture shock no doubt, but a really cool adventure! Over the course of the first two years I served as the pastor of two congregations in urban settings with changing neighborhoods (Tabernacle Memorial and Central/Rehoboth UMCs). I served part-time while attending Princeton Theological Seminary seeking a Master of Theology degree in Biblical Interpretation: New Testament. (I had thought I might be called to a ministry of teaching in a seminary.)
My third and final year in PA was one where I served and focused my ministry on one congregation – Bristol: Harriman UMC. It was an opportunity to focus more on my local church ministry and the importance of its context and local community. I also enjoyed my role within the Conference Committee on Finance and Administration.
In 2006 Shelly and I shared in being placed together in a larger membership church in Olathe, KS. Yes, we came back to our home state. We were both Associate Pastors (not main preaching pastors, but had other more specialized ministries). I served as the pastoral of discipleship and evangelism for Grace UMC of Olathe. Much of my ministry was that of adult education, helping people get connected, and reaching out with various ministries.
I hope to provide more information – or change it at times. Let me know your thoughts! Dustin
As many of you know, Shelly and I are both ordained clergy in the UMC. In December I was appointed to Goodland and Shelly was placed on Family Leave. However, we are very excited that the Goodland congregation and Bishop Jones took action to have us both appointed here. Thus, as of July 1, 2009, we are both serving the Goodland community! We appreciate the faith and vision of the congregation to hire both of us, and we look forward to what God will do in and through our ministries together!
