Current Position
Since 1994, David has served as the Senior Minister of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ in Des Moines. "As a rule, ordained ministers are generalists. We are expected to be orators, teachers, administrators, motivators, counselors, spiritual directors, financial planners, and maintenance engineers. Musical background doesn't hurt. The church's doctrine of 'vocation' says that ministry is a calling, not an occupation; and that we are called to use our peculiar gifts to serve God through the Church.

"The congregation I currently serve skews this picture a bit because of its size. With more than three thousand adult members, Plymouth Church requires a professional staff that is big enough to allow us to specialize. As the Senior Minister, my job is mostly to surround myself with specialists in music, education, administration, community services, and so on, and then help them succeed."

Career Path
David holds a Master of Divinity from Yale and a Doctor of Ministry from Eden Theological Seminary. "At seminary I did major elective work in Christian Education. This was a huge help in being called to a larger congregation in a staff position. My entire ministry has been served in various capacities in these larger churches. After I had been serving in the parish for about ten years, I returned to school on a part time basis to earn a Doctor of Ministry degree, focusing on work in Scripture."

Before joining Plymouth Church, David "was in Omaha for seventeen years, serving a congregation of about 900 members, also as head of staff. I began in ministry as the guitar-toting-retreat-leading minister of Christian Education and Youth in two different Connecticut Churches."

Grinnell Experience
A philosophy major at Grinnell, David comments that "the atmosphere of free inquiry and, frankly, the powerful skepticism regarding 'organized' religion were of great help to me. My faith pilgrimage has included a growing appreciation for the depth and power of tradition. But I thank God that I had the opportunity to begin at Grinnell, where I was trained to think critically and to challenge everything."

How He Can Help
David was involved with the design of the Lilly Program at Grinnell and continues to be willing to help as needed.

Contact the Career Development Office if you wish to get in touch with him.