Forge CMC

as a United Methodist pastor and denominational leader. That growth often came through men and women who shared their lives with me as a coach, mentor, or consultant. They helped sharpen my skills and drew out my potential. They believed in me and were sources of encouragement. I am profoundly grateful for them—my personal experience of being coached and mentored fuels my passion for doing the same for you. I love leading local congregations but have always known that God would take my ministry in a new direction at some point. So, in June of 2022, I retired after 40 years of church ministry. Most recently, I was Lead Pastor of a 1450-member suburban congregation in Omaha, Nebraska, with ten full-time and eight part-time staff and an annual budget of $1.5 million. I have expertise in building, leading, and developing staff and lay leaders. As a United Methodist pastor, I led urban, county seat, and rural congregations. I have five years of experience as an adjunct professor of preaching at St. And just as others poured their lives into me, I have sought every opportunity to be an encourager, mentor, coach, and consultant. I mentor new pastors and am a trained and experienced Readiness 360 Coach. I will achieve certification as United Methodist Transitional Intentional Interim Specialist in 2022. I am a trusted leader in the Great Plains Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, serving as Kansas City District Superintendent, the first chairperson of the Great Plains Board of Ordained Ministry, and Vice-Chair of the Conference Council on Finance and Administration in the 1990s. My love of lifelong growth led me to attain a Doctorate in Leadership and Biblical Preaching at Asbury Theological Seminary in 2000. I earned a Master of Divinity at Emory University in 1985, and a BA in Philosophy from Washburn University in 1982. As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Psalm 27:17

A bit more about me:

My wife Melissa and I have been married for over 40 years. We live ministry as a partnership, and she has been the most powerful influence in my life. We raised our four daughters to be strong, courageous, compassionate, and loving. I enjoy fishing, especially fly fishing, tying my own flies, woodworking, and gardening. I am a fan of British mysteries, leadership books, biographies, and history.