Lilly grant creates downtown church internship

BY SHERON C. PATTERSON
UMR Editor

Rev. Andy Stoker, associate director of the Center for Leadership Development of the North Texas Annual Conference, has been appointed as an intern to First UMC Dallas via a unique Lilly Foundation grant, effective Sept. 1.

The Lilly Foundation awarded the generous grant to First UMC Dallas to develop promising pastors under age 35 to lead large churches. The Lilly Foundation is a tax-exempt, private foundation established by Eli Lilly and Co. to support philanthropic initiatives.

Dr. Stoker is an ordained elder in the North Texas Annual Conference. He holds a degree from Texas Technical University, a masters of divinity from Perkins School of Theology and a doctorate in family science from Texas Woman’s University. Dr. Stoker is married to Megan, a nurse at Children’s Medical Center, and they have two sons, ages 2 and 7.

“I hope to learn all the aspects of leading a large congregation and not getting caught up in the silos of ministry that associates sometimes do. I want to be a part of casting a vision and bringing it into fruition. I am excited about the forward thinking and being on the cutting edge,” said Dr. Stoker.
Rev. John Fiedler, senior pastor of First UMC Dallas, applied for the Lilly Foundation grant, and considers Dr. Stoker perfect for the intern position.

“Andy is creative and brings a host of gifts to the church,” he said. “The intern position is a two-year program and is structured like a medical residency.  The intern is always a generalist who spends time with different staffers of the church learning and gaining insight. They are to mirror the job description of a pastor in charge.”

Rev. Keith Boone, director of the Center for Leadership Development, is losing Dr. Stoker from the conference staff, but says he is the right person for the internship.

“This new venture with FUMC Dallas will allow Dr. Stoker’s inquisitive instincts and knack for connecting people with theology, mission and justice ministries to bear much fruit in the coming years. I truly admire and respect his work, especially with the children, youth, families and camping ministries of the NTC. Though we will miss his leadership at the conference level, his calling to make and grow transformed disciples of Jesus Christ through the local church is exactly why the Center for Leadership Development exists.”

Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe, Episcopal leader of the North Texas Annual Conference, calls the Stoker appointment vital and creative.

“This is a new model of ministry that is not top-down,” he said. “It is from a local church that says, ‘This is how we want to do help develop future leaders in the church.’ This appointment shows that congregations have a key role in helping to develop new leaders.”