Does Your Minister Facebook?

Rev. Mark Craig doesn’t.  But Rev. Paul Rasmussen and Rev. Susan Robb do.  And that means a lot when it comes to identifying with our next generation of worshipers.

Ten years ago, HPUMC was a congregation that worshipped in the sanctuary, with a small additional service in Cox Chapel.  Today, our congregation of more than 13,000 attends traditional services in the sanctuary, Cornerstone contemporary worship in Wesley Hall, Anglican services in Cox Chapel, and Kerygma, a teaching service in Great Hall.  That’s not to mention our weekday prayer, Taize, youth and children’s services. Multiple choices mean multiple faces with whom our congregation has become familiar.  And these new faces have new perspectives about our current and future worship services and programs.

Looking around at some unfamiliar faces (“I know their grandparents, but not them!”), Senior Minister Rev. Mark Craig decided to make some changes in upper level management to better relate to the way the congregation is growing and changing. “There are such benefits to seeing things differently.  If you’re going to sustain the quality of ministry, you must look at generational issues,” says Rev. Craig.

In this new four-member executive leadership structure that falls under Rev. Craig, Rev. Susan Robb, Associate Minister in charge of adult Sunday School classes, will also assume the role of Executive Associate Minister.  Mark says of Rev. Robb, “She has a younger, fresher insight into the ministry of the church. She’ll have new eyes in all the areas she supervises.”  Susan will supervise adult ministry, children’s ministry, pastoral care, recreation, health ministry, membership and the child development program.

Rev. Paul Rasmussen, Pastor and leader of Cornerstone, continues to oversee the construction, implementation and growth of HPUMC’s new campus, Munger Place Church, opening in East Dallas in October.  He also supervises youth, student and young adult ministries.

Rev. Steve Matthew, formerly Executive Minister, will become Senior Associate Minister, assuming a role that allows him to focus more closely on the church’s relationship with the higher level United Methodist structure (conference and district), as well as the candidacy process and adjunct staffing.  He will continue to oversee the worship, missions and outreach and music departments.

Alyce Price, Director of Finance and Administration, continues to oversee communications, technical resources, financial services, human resources and building services, and to work closely with the finance and endowment committees.

These changes take effect September 1, 2010.  You can meet our entire staff and learn about HPUMC’s worship, programs and history by exploring the website.