The Week of the Ministry, 2019

October 17, 2019

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) annually celebrates this week as the Week of the Ministry. I am so grateful to the people who have given their lives to professional ministry; whose lives have intersected with mine in some way and left a lasting impression on me. Among them, I am the least of these, but I am deeply grateful for their example, their mentoring, and their friendship.

At First Christian Church in Tulsa I benefited greatly from Dr. Eugene Brice, Dr. Roy L. Griggs, the Rev. Kim Clements Hames, the Rev. Richard Ziglar, and the Rev. Michael Passmore. Their work at First Christian Church was a model to churches around the country. And it heartened me and gave me solid footing when all the world around me was sinking away. I owe them my very life.

During my time at Southwestern College I came under the influence of two outstanding United Methodist pastors: the Rev. Dr Cecil Findley who was my Professor of Religion, and Dr. George Gardner who was pastor of First United Methodist Church in Winfield, KS. They both introduced me to a strain of progressive thought and practice that has stood the test of time.

At Brite Divinity School I was privileges to study with Dr. William Baird, the Rev. Cy Rowell, Dr. James O. Duke, Dr. William Countryman, Dr. Newell Williams, and Dr. Jack Suggs (the Dean!). Wow, when I look back on those days they were a time of dynamic learning. So very grateful for Brite Divinity School and its ministry. I also had the pleasure of serving alongside yet another United Methodist pastor, Dr. Kent Marrs at St. Stephen UMC in Arlington. He and that church taught me a lot.

Since being in Kentucky I have to give thanks for so many that the list that follows is in no way exhaustive. Dr. Olivia Bryan Updegrove, Rev. Larry Metzger, the Rev. Rick Rintamaa, Dr. Terry Ewing, Rev. Greg Alexander, Rev. Linda Jones, Rev. Michael Davison, Rev. Dr. Lisa Wilson Davison, Dr. Paul Jones, Rev. Dave Carr, Rev. Mickey Anders, Rev. Jim McLean, Rev. Shannon Cook, Rev. Rob Shrader, Rev. David Blondell, Rev. Kory Wilcoxson, Rev.David Emery, Rev. Michael with whom I share the love of the Mustang, Rev. Chana Tetzlaff, and Rev. Rachele Royale Holmes.

Thank you to each and every one of you for all you for the church. Your dedication and faithfulness are noteworthy. May the peace of Christ be with you.

Peace and Love,
Jerry