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About us - Rev. Charles Schuster Resume
EDUCATION AND CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
THE ILIFF SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY, Denver, Colorado
Doctor of Ministry 1978 - Doctoral Project: "Abraham Heschel; Artist and Theologian"
Master of Sacred Theology 1974
DUKE DIVINITY SCHOOL, Durham, North Carolina
Master of Divinity 1969 - Major project on the "Theology of Edmund Steimle"
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY, Morgantown, West Virginia
Ars Baccalaureate in Political Science 1966
NEW COLLEGE - THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH, Edinburgh, Scotland
Studies with Dr. James S. Stewart 1969
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND ACTIVITIES
- Elected as First Clergy Delegate to General Conference (2000) Elected as delegate to General Conference 2004 and 2008
- Member of the Episcopacy Committee for the Western Jurisdiction (2000-2004)
- Nominated candidate for Episcopacy (2004)
- Chair of the Denver Area Episcopacy (1992 - 2000)
- Elected to the Jurisdictional Conference and as First Alternate to General Conference (1988 & ‘92)
- Chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry for the Rocky Mountain Conference (1988 to 1992)
- Member of the Board of Ordained Ministry (1984 to 1988)
- Chair of the Excellence in Ministry Campaign at Iliff (1997 to 1998)
- Co-Chair of the Annual Fund Raising Campaign for Iliff (1996)
- Trustee of the Iliff School of Theology (1993 to 1997)
AWARDS AND HONORS
- Alum of the Year Award In Parish Ministry, 1993
- Wheatley Interfaith Award, 1978
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
TEACHER
United Methodist Doctrine Required for all United Methodist Clergy on an ordination track. This course brings students into an awareness of our Wesleyan theological heritage. (Winter Quarter 2004-5, 2005-6)
United Methodist Polity and Discipline Required for all United Methodist Clergy on an ordination track. This course was designed to help students develop the means to integrate their theological education into their practice of ministry. This class has been a paradigm for all that which I stand as a clergy person and educator. (1993-1999)
United Methodist Doctrine Required for all United Methodist Clergy on an ordination track. The course was established to help the students work out for their future ministry what it means to be a United Methodist and how they articulate their belief. The course has been a model for what it means to be “theologian in residence”. (2005, 2006, 2007)
COLLOQUIUM LEADER: This class sought to help the students develop a theology of ministry. Worked with Alton Templin, Larry Graham, Shelia Devaney, Harvey Potthoff, and Mason Willis.
MINISTRY
First United Methodist Church, Fort Collins, Colorado; Senior Pastor (2003 to present)
The primary task has been to bring together a staff and a church program into a solid sense of purpose, and to work with the congregation through a $1.6 million dollar renovation project. The theological constituency is diverse, and the church’s history of outreach ministry is substantial. The major accomplishment is in getting the church to pay 100% of its “Wider Mission”, and helping the church to get on a more solid financial foundation.
Arvada United Methodist Church, Arvada, Colorado; Pastor (1989 to 2003)
Primary responsibility has been to revitalize the church program and maintain the solid theological foundation established by long-standing predecessor. Accomplished significant work in the church including the building of a two million-dollar Fellowship Center and the establishment of the Iliff-at-Arvada Program. The Arvada United Methodist Church is one of the most progressively liberal churches in the Annual Conference with a membership of 1,500 and an annual operating budget of $800,000.
First United Methodist Church, Boulder, Colorado; Pastor (1982 to 1989)
Appointed to heal this parish which had been embroiled in controversy and vast differences of opinion. Sought out active discussions and built consensus within the congregation. Developed the Theological Center with a resident visiting theologian teaching classes in the church. This innovative program was openly appreciated by the community, as well as the church.
Montclair United Methodist Church, Denver, Colorado; Pastor (1978 to 1982)
Worked with a conservative congregation to foster an appreciation for serious scholarship. Iliff faculty members and a diversity of community resource people were brought in to create dialogue and learning. Worship attendance grew 40% and church membership increased by 30% in the three and a half years.
Thornton United Methodist Church, Thornton, Colorado; Pastor (1974 to 1978)
Participated with church members in the rebuilding of the church, which had been seriously and partially destroyed in a fire. The Thornton church attendance grew significantly and church membership grew as well.
Christ Church United Methodist Church, Denver, Colorado; Youth Associate Pastor and Adult Education Coordinator (1970 to 1974)
Developed a church school teacher-training program and a theology of Christian Education program that was considered one of the best in the Annual Conference. The Adult Education program doubled in the four years at Christ Church.
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