Bishop announces leadership appointments
BY DR. JOAN G. LABARR
Editor
Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe has announced key leadership appointments for the 2010-11 conference year pending approval of the Strategic Plan report by Annual Conference June 6-8 in Wichita Falls.
In announcing the appointments, Bishop Bledsoe has expressed his appreciation for all who have worked so diligently to develop the plan that will set the NTC on a new course, one focused on the four focus areas of The United Methodist Church and commitment to reach the mission field in the 20 counties of North Texas.
The goal is to be more effective in reaching and connecting with people in the mission field to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Bishop Bledsoe believes the leaders reflect the spirit of leadership that is foundational to the Strategic Plan. With the rallying cry of, “It’s time to lead,” Bishop Bledsoe has appointed the following key leaders in the mission. These lead appointed persons will work with lay leadership and all of the clergy and laity in a quest to change and grow.
In making the appointments, Bishop Bledsoe also expresses his deepest gratitude to all who have provided leadership and worked to bring the conference to this place.
Four Directors will provide leadership for the new centers that will develop and be accountable for the ministry functions of the annual conference. An additional lead appointment will be that of Communications Officer, who will work through the bishop’s office.
These appointments are:
• Rev. Dr. Keith Payne Boone, Director of the Center for Leadership Development
• Rev. Dr. Larry W. George, Assistant to the Bishop and Director of the Center for Missional Outreach
• Rev. Dr. James P. Ozier, Director of the Center for New Church Development and Congregational Transformation
• Rev. Dr. L. Marvin Guier III, Director of the Center for Connectional Resources
• Rev. Lisa Greenwood, Communications Officer
• Rev. Paul A. Gould, Superintendent, East District
• Rev. Milton P. Guttierrez, Superintendent, North Central District
• Dr. Clara Reed, Superintendent, Metro District
• Rev. John C. Rosenburg, Superintendent, Northwest District
Dr. Keith Payne Boone, Director of Leadership Development, is a Dallas native who holds a bachelor’s degree from Southwestern University in Georgetown and the Master of Theology and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Perkins School of Theology, SMU. Both of his grandfathers, John Payne Fleming and Bolton Boone, were pastors in the NTC. Dr. Boone has served as superintendent of the Paris-Sulphur Springs District since 2006. His previous appointments include: First UMC, Mesquite; First UMC, Leonard; Trinity UMC, Denison; Whaley Memorial UMC, Gainesville, and First UMC, Rockwall. He and wife, Dianne, have been active in the Walk to Emmaus and teaching Disciple Bible study. His hobbies include reading, iconography and a saltwater aquarium. The Boones have a son, Mitchell, a seminary student at Iliff School of Theology, Denver, CO, and Becca, who works with Heifer International.
Dr. Larry W. George, Assistant to the Bishop and Director of the Center for
Missional Outreach holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University, Lubbock; the Master of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, and the Doctor of Ministry from Perkins School of Theology, SMU. Dr. George has served as superintendent of the Dallas-Denton District since 2004. He and wife, Mickey, served four years with the General Board of Global Ministries as missionaries in Zimbabwe and Nigeria. His previous appointments include: First UMC, Denton; Walnut Hill UMC, Dallas; Trinity UMC, Duncanville; Kavanaugh UMC, Greenville; University UMC, Wichita Falls; and Spring Valley UMC, Dallas. Last summer Dr. George was part of the NTC delegation participating in the dedication of the Alfred L. Norris Medical Centre at Africa University in Zimbabwe. He and Mickey enjoy interacting with their two daughters, Amanda and Emily, and three grandchildren.
Dr. James P. (Jim) Ozier, Director of the Center for New Church Development and Congregational Transformation, holds a bachelor’s degree from East Ohio State University and the Master of Theology and Doctor of Divinity degrees from Perkins School of Theology, SMU. Bishop Alfred L. Norris appointed Dr. Ozier to direct new church development for the NTC in 2007. In 2009 Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe added congregational transformation to his responsibilities. As pastor of Trietsch Memorial UMC, Flower Mound, for 18 years, he oversaw a period of growth that saw the church triple in size, worship attendance and stewardship. His previous appointments include: First UMC, Dallas; West Shore UMC, Richardson; Oak Haven UMC, Irving; and Munger Place UMC, Dallas, where he helped build successful ministries to Laotian, Cambodian and Vietnamese refugees. Dr. Ozier, who is married to retired special education teacher, Suzanne, is a
frequent motivational speaker, seminar leader and presenter for religious groups and civic organizations. He and Suzanne are parents of four adult children.
Dr. L. Marvin Guier III, Director of the Center for Connectional Resources, holds a bachelor’s degree from SMU; a Master of Theology degree from Perkins School of Theology, SMU, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University, Madison, NJ. He was appointed to the position of Director of Administration/Treasurer/Benefits Officer in 1997, in which he has served as administrative and financial officer of the NTC. He has served Kessler Park UMC, Dallas; St. Stephen UMC, Mesquite; First UMC, Electra; First UMC, Frisco, and Christ UMC, Farmers Branch. Dr. Guier has also served on numerous conference and denominational committees and task forces. He is former president of the National Association of Annual Conference Treasurers and currently President and Chairman of the Board of UM PACT, the United Methodist Property and Casualty Trust. He and wife, Kathy, a dedicated Volunteer in Mission, have been leaders and models of the NTC wellness initiative. They enjoy travel and interacting with their family, adult children, Kami and Jarod, and grandchildren, Kara, Shaun and Reese.
Rev. Lisa Greenwood, Communications Officer, is a fifth generation Texan who holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Texas, Austin, and a Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School, New Haven, CT. She has served First UMC, Commerce, as senior pastor since 2003. Her prior appointments include service as an associate pastor at Highland Park UMC, Dallas, and First UMC, Denton. She serves as chair of Order of the Elders for the NTC and is a member of the Board of Ordained Ministry. She is involved in the Commerce community through Rotary International and the Commerce Alliance for Ministry. Rev. Greenwood enjoys spending time with family, especially her daughters, Elizabeth and Caroline, reading, traveling, running, playing cards, engaging with friends and participating in God’s transforming work.
Rev. Paul A. Gould, East District, holds a bachelor’s degree from Duke Divinity School, Durham, NC, and the Master of Divinity degree from Perkins School of Theology, SMU. He presently serves Wesley UMC, Greenville, and his prior appointments include: Wesley UMC, McKinney; Owenwood UMC, Dallas; Oak Haven UMC, Irving, First UMC, Lucas; Kessler Park UMC, Dallas; and Sadler UMC, Sadler. Rev. Gould serves on the NTC Board of Ordained Ministry, where he chairs the Residency Committee. He is also a member of the Creating Congregations team and a teacher in the NTC Licensing School. He also served as On-Site Coordinator for the South Central Jurisdiction Conference Host Committee in 2008. Rev. Gould and wife, Julie, enjoy boating and outdoor sports, as well as visiting with adult sons, Philip and Lane.
Rev. Milton P. Guttierrez, North Central District, holds a bachelor’s degree in history and philosophy from Northwestern Louisiana University, Natchitoches, LA, and did his graduate work in theology at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. He began his ministry in his native Louisiana, serving in the Louisiana Conference until transferring to North Texas in 1972. He served as a writer of adult and youth curriculum for Graded Press, did international study in England, Italy, the Holy Land and Greece. Rev. Guttierrez was appointed superintendent of the Dallas South District in 2006. His prior NTC appointments include: University Park, Dallas; Oak Park, Paris; Salem-Kinser, Greenville; Glen Oaks, Dallas; Oak Lawn, Dallas; and First UMC, Allen. Rev. Guttierrez has a deep love for teaching and has taught several courses in the Conference Course of Study School. He also enjoys traveling, movies and fishing. He and his wife, Kathy, who serves as music director for Chapel Hill UMC, Farmers Branch, are parents of Peter (Milton P. III) and Donella, and have four grandchildren.
Dr. Clara Reed, Metro District, transferred from the Northwest Texas Conference to the NTC as a full member in 1999. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Cumberland College, Williamsburg, KY; a Master of Science degree in Sociology from the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburg, PA; and the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Perkins School of Theology, SMU. While in the Northwest Texas Conference, Dr. Reed was a hospice care chaplain. She was the founding pastor of All Nations UM Fellowship, Plano, serving there until 2006, when she was appointed to St. Luke “Community” UMC, Dallas. She began her Christian journey as a member of the Pentecostal Church and has been a frequent facilitator for Disciple Bible Study. Before being appointed to the Sherman-McKinney District in 2008, Dr. Reed was chair of the NTC Board of Ordained Ministry. She has also served as Adjunct Professor of Homiletics at Perkins School of Theology, SMU. Dr. Reed enjoys movies, books on tape and travel. She and her husband, Charles, are co-owners of the Schlotzsky’s Deli franchise in Collin County. The Reeds enjoy interacting with daughter, Crystal, and granddaughter, Camryn.
Rev. John C. Rosenburg, Northwest District, grew up in West Texas and holds his bachelor’s degree from McMurray University, Abilene, his Master of Arts in counseling and psychology from Texas A&M, Commerce, and Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology, SMU. His first service to the NTC was as a Diaconal Minister on the staff of the Conference Council of Ministries, working with Director Dr. Jim Hares. He
began seminary while on the Conference Council and was later appointed to Spring Valley UMC, Dallas. His first senior pastorate was at Buckingham UMC, Garland, followed by his appointment to First UMC, Coppell. While at Coppell, Rev. Rosenburg led the church in period of growth from some 700 members to 2800. He has longtime service on the Board of Lydia Patterson Institute, El Paso, and the NTC Board of Ordained Ministry. He enjoys reading, both professionally and fiction for entertainment. He and his wife, Connie, a retired teacher, are parents of a son, Eric, whom they enjoy visiting in Arizona.
