EMPLOYMENT

Lead Pastor, Berkeley Chinese Community Church, UCC in Berkeley, CA (8/2019-current)

Lead minister of an increasingly diverse congregation founded by University of California at Berkeley students from Hong Kong 120 years ago with two worshipping groups, one English-Speaking the other Cantonese-Speaking. Continuing the work of revamping ministry for a changing membership demographic and evolving larger society, while remaining rooted in Christian essentials expressed in the Congregational tradition emphasizing both personal piety and social responsibility.

 

Free-Lance Minister/Soul Friend/Spiritual Resources (October 2014 – current)

Retreat and workshop leadership, pulpit supply, consultant to churches and other non-profits. Also, one-on-one spiritual support and guidance for non-profit leaders – lay and ordained. “Living Liturgies” produces original texts and graphics for progressive communities and individuals of faith via subscription (www.inthebiglove.com)

 

Designated Term Minister, First Congregational Church of Martinez, CA (11/2016-8/2019)

Lead minister guiding an exploration of revitalization for a well-respected downtown church in the county seat. By experimenting with new activities and property use, updating communications and organizational tools, and maintaining rich Sunday morning worship, strong in the arts, we are discerning new ministry opportunities.

 

Sabbatical Supply Senior Minister, Arlington Community Church, Kensington, CA (2/2016-5/2016)

Trained worship team to support Settled Minister’s vision of greater lay-participation in weekly worship, addressed inter-congregational communications about “things that matter,” and provided lead pastoral care in the wake of recent deaths of many key members.

 

Interim Senior Minister, United Japanese Christian Church, Clovis, CA (9/2012 – 9/2014)

Guided a growing, federated (United Methodist Church/United Church of Christ) congregation of 360 members through significant generational transition (over fifty Nisei died in two years), introduced UCC Search and Call process, and lead administrative changes related to increasing church size. Also, addressed patterns of internal conflict, taught communication skills, and encouraged reflection upon transformation from Japanese-American congregation to one with increasing ethnic diversity.

 

Solo Minister, United Church of Hayward, UCC, Hayward, CA (11/2001 – 1/2012)

Facilitated an aging European-American congregation as they discovered a truer identity extending radical compassion and acts of justice worldwide.  Striving to be more authentic, we learned new ways to do old tasks, let some historic practices go, and often had fun together. The church is still small, still prophetic.

 

Solo Minister, Smyrna United Church of Christ, Canby, OR (2/2000-4/2001)

Served as an unintentional interim for a European-American family-led rural church, an important liberal presence in a beautiful farming valley. A Charity BBQ, to honor serious illnesses within the congregation and bridge stewardship beyond the church, raised 16K in its first year and remains a well-supported annual event.

 

(Photo: 2019 First Sunday with Berekely Chinese Community Church, UCC in Berkeley, CA)