Home » Saying Hello to John Allen
Saying Hello to John Allen
My passions and gifts for ministry include preaching and leading worship, teaching the Bible, training laity for ministry, leading staff, and stewardship development. Over the past ten years my call to ministry has become more defined and focused in the area of spiritual leadership. More than ever I feel called to seek God’s will for my life and the church I have been called to serve. As such, prayer and the study of scripture are of great importance in my life, faith, and vocation.
Working with people
I feel comfortable working with people of all ages and theological perspectives. I believe I am able and willing to speak the language of most individuals no matter where they are in their faith journey. I find the complexity and diversity of ministry to be fun, exciting and intellectually stimulating.
Organization and Administration
I believe my primary gift for ministry is leadership. My goal is to concentrate on the mission and vision of the church, while empowering other staff to work independently in their area of expertise. The challenge is to communicate the vision and mission of the church to the leadership and staff so they feel ownership in the “big picture” movement of the church into the mission field.
Personal and spiritual development
I have been so blessed as a United Methodist pastor. God has exposed me to great opportunities to grow spiritually and professionally. In 1988, I began to teach Disciple Bible study. I have found Disciple to be foundational in developing growing disciples for Jesus Christ. In 1993, I was introduced to the Emmaus movement. As a spiritual director, I have seen God working through the Dallas and Texoma Emmaus communities to bring individuals closer to Christ. In 1995, I started attending the Annual Large Church Initiative Conferences. Through these conferences I began to network with other pastors around the country concerning the significant issues for developing disciples in an increasing complex society. I believe these three movements in our denomination are key ingredients to renewal and revival for our churches.
In the past ten years, I have come to rely on Christ more personally and intimately than any other time in my life. In 2000, I buried my stepfather, father-in-law, and helped my son move to college. It was one of the most painful and agonizing times in my life. 2002 brought the great challenge of moving to another charge of ministry after serving the same church for 16 years. During these periods, I spent time with spiritual friends and mentors who have given me wise counsel and guidance. The challenge of these transitional periods enabled me to see more clearly the love of Christ that transcends both joy and heartache.
In June of 2004, I buried my long time spiritual mentor and moved my daughter to college. This was an equally challenging time and in some ways more painful. Unlike 2000, this time period came not so much as a crisis as a time of transition and submission to God. I had come to embrace the lost of control that I felt in 2000 and now felt the empowerment of Christ’s presence as I relied more fully on God. The nearly life long faith that I had carried and nurtured since I was ten was taking a new course as God, through my submission to Christ, was more clearly calling me to lead others spiritually.
Professionally, in the past five years I have spent time training with Bill Easum and Dr. Clif Christopher in the area of stewardship development and church redevelopment. Through their contacts I have worked with several churches consulting on stewardship and church development issues.
Pastoral Experience
- Pastor of First United Methodist Church of McKinney from September of 2002 till present. While pastor the church has grown from 1740 to 2441 members. Average attendance in worship has grown from 400 to over 990 and Sunday school attendance has grown from 372 to 658 during the same period.
- Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Rowlett from 1986 to 2001. While pastor the church grew from 400 members in 1986 to 2300+ members in 2002. Average attendance in worship grew from 130 to over 1100 in four worship services on Sunday. Average attendance in Sunday school grew from 80 to over 600. By 2001, it had grown to be the largest church of any denomination in Rowlett. While pastor of FUMC Rowlett, the church received the North Texas Conference Marvin T. Judy award to town and country ministry.
- Founder and director of the Hopkins County Cooperative Parish. Nominated twice for Rural Pastor of the Year in Texas. Recognized by Texas A&M University for excellence in rural ministry. While pastor of HCCP, the HCCP received the North Texas Conference Marvin T. Judy award for town and country ministry.
- Associate Pastor, FUMC, Wichita Falls, Texas. Responsible for young adult ministries, worship planning, and small groups at this historic 3000 member church.
Education
- Doctorate of Ministry, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, 1989
- Master of Theology, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, 1981
- Bachelor of Science, Southern Methodist University, 1977
Personal
Married to Tanya, who is currently minister of music and arts at First United Methodist Church of McKinney. Tanya has a Master of Music in conducting from Southern Methodist University and a Master of Sacred Music from Perkins School of Theology.
They have two children, Kaley who is a senior at Texas Tech University and John who is assistant baseball coach at Richland College and plays professional baseball for the Fort Worth Cats.
John's hobbies include golf, coin collecting, baseball, reading and watching movies.
