Alan began ministering at Bridgeport United Church of Christ in March of 2011, as Associate Pastor on a part-time basis. When Susan Leo, Bridgeport’s former Senior Pastor, retired from the ministry in July, Alan began serving as Transitional Minister. On September 18, 2011, the congregation at Bridgeport voted to call Alan as our Interim Pastor.
Alan came to Bridgeport sharing his experience of 31 years as a pastor, arts administrator, and teacher of college courses in world religions. Alan earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1976 from Sonoma State University and his Master of Divinity in 1980 from Pacific School of Religion. He was first ordained in our partner denomination, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and transferred his ministerial standing to the United Church of Christ in 1996. Most of his work with churches has been in Interim Ministry.
Alan’s personal interests include singing and playing guitar, songwriting, and organizing musical concerts. He enjoys kayaking, hiking, and working out at the gym. Alan and his wife, Betsy, reside across the Columbia River in Vancouver, where Betsy teaches dance and creative movement in the Vancouver School District. The couple has two adult children, Lauryn and Cody.
Alan continues to share his experience in helping the congregation at Bridgeport by guiding us through a time of transition, restoring hope, building community, and enabling re-visioning and re-formation. We are grateful for his gifts and willingness to serve as we hope to begin an interim process in the near future.
Alan’s Vision for Ministry
One of the reasons that I have chosen to be active in the church is because I believe that it is one place that sees the human situation in its totality. The church affirms: the unity and worth of all people and all creation; that peace and justice cannot be separated; that human growth involves developing heart, mind, body and soul; that evil is a reality that can be overcome by a loving, disciplined community; that suffering lived through leads to healing and resurrection; that forgiveness is always possible; and that God loves new beginnings.
I think of the church as an orchestra, each member has something unique to give, their particular instrument to play. And furthermore, just as musicians follow a discipline in order to improve their technique we in the church need to follow a discipline and improve our craft. The techniques that are available to the Christian are: prayer, meditation, worship, study and service.
The church is a place that helps people to discover their gifts and overcome whatever is blocking those gifts from being shared with the world seeking peace, justice, and beauty. One of the best ways to achieve this is in small groups where intimacy, sharing, and trust are possible.
My hope for the world and for the church is that this ability to see life in its totality and the recognition that vision comes from a spiritual practice will make the church relevant for the present and creative for the future.
