Introducing our New Interim Minister, Dr. Rev. Richard A. Nelson
On behalf of the Interim Minister Search Committee, comprised of five members: Committee Chair, Karen Tucker, Committee Secretary and Vice-Moderator, Val Cole, Church Moderator, George Romine, Licensed Minister, Michael Moorhead, and Trustee, Bill Glantz, we are delighted to introduce our new Intentional Interim Minister, Dr. Rev. Richard A. Nelson (Pastor Rick).
The Intentional Interim Minister position is a transition ministry specialist who provides for the ongoing worship life of the congregation, offers basic pastoral care and administrative leadership, and helps guide the church through theunique complexities, challenges, and opportunities inherent in the transition time after the current senior minister has retired. An intentional interim pastor is an individual who does not wish to serve as a senior/settled pastor.
As required by our Church Bylaws, approval was received from the Church Council on May 1, 2023, and from the Board of Trustees on May 8, 2023, to proceed with our selection. Pastor Rick will officially start on June 1, 2023, and will be preaching on June 18, 2023 for the first time.
Pastor Rick has a long history as both a senior pastor and an intentional interim pastor. After serving in pastor roles for 32 years in several churches, he has functioned as an intentional interim pastor for three separate congregations since 2019. He holds a Doctor of Ministry in Organizational Leadership and aMaster of Divinity, Theology and Ministry, a Clinical Pastoral Education certification and a B.A. Degree in Communications and Elementary Education. He is ordained in the Lutheran Church and is in the process of seeking Privilege of Call by our Southern California Nevada UCC Conference.
Pastor Rick grew up in San Diego, CA. He is married to Pastor Kristen Nelson, an ordained UCC Minister. Together they have six children, seven wonderful grandchildren, and two dogs. Their adult children live in Arizona, Colorado, and Minnesota. Their youngest, Lucy, still at home, plans to swim and study Marine Science at UC Santa Cruz School beginning in the fall of 2023 after just graduating from high school as a competitive swimmer, honors student and choir member..
Besides loving his life as a husband, dad, friend, and pastor, Pastor Rick is acoach, having coached high school Varsity teams, recreational league soccer, and baseball for over 25 years. His hobbies include golf, guitar and singing. He loves sports and reading. Together, Pastors Rick and Kristen enjoy theater, attending sports events, restaurants, cooking, live music, travel, golf, and thebeach.
Please join us in welcoming Pastor Rick to the Neighborhood Church family!