Interim Pastor Appointment Update
“It is the intention of Bishop Lanette Plambeck to appoint the Reverend Dan Johnson as interim pastor of the Park Avenue United Methodist Church, and acting on behalf of the congregation, the Staff/Parish Relations Committee has affirmed the Bishop’s intention. Each church member’s supportive prayers and acts of kindness during the transition period will be greatly appreciated by all of the involved persons.”
Dear Park Avenue,
We're pleased to share that we've received an official statement from the Bishop announcing the intent to appoint Rev. Dan Johnson as our Interim Pastor. We are excited about this choice and all the skills and gifts he will bring to Park. This role is a temporary one, designed to give us space to reflect as a community and discern what we're looking for in our Senior Pastor. As a board, we feel it's essential to use this time to listen deeply to the congregation and understand the hopes and needs of our church. Rev. Dan's appointment will be for up to one year, allowing us the time and clarity needed to prepare for our next chapter with intention and care.
Rev. Dan Johnson comes to Park with deep experience, steady leadership, and a heart for inclusive ministry. He knows our church, having previously served as our District Superintendent, and brings a strong background in both preaching and church operations. His recent work with diverse congregations and interim teams has demonstrated his ability to help churches navigate transitions with grace, clarity, and compassion. Rev. Dan is deeply committed to creating a sense of belonging and walking alongside congregations as they listen to God's call. We're grateful to have someone so thoughtful and capable with us in this season.
Since retiring in 2023, Rev. Dan has worked alongside other experienced pastors to provide interim leadership to congregations in transition. Most recently, he served at Brooklyn UMC in Brooklyn Center, MN as part of a three-person interim pastoral team with Rev. Cynthia Williams and Rev. Gloria Roach Thomas, both of whom know and love our church community.
In his own words, Rev. Dan describes his passion for ministry this way: "I celebrate the spectrum of God's light and love as reflected uniquely and authentically by every one of God's people. I am thrilled when I can help people and congregations discern who they are, where they fit in, and what God is calling them to become—all the while lovingly accompanying and encouraging them on this individual and collective journey."
The Board values his deep commitment to standing up for all of God's people, especially those marginalized by society. He has long been recognized as a strong advocate for social justice and inclusion.
Rev. Dan brings the kind of experience and commitment that aligns closely with the missional priorities our Board named for this interim season. These include:
Fostering wellness, wholeness, and a sense of belonging for all members and visitors
Rebuilding and deepening relationships, especially with new members
Re-engaging the congregation and staff around a shared focus
Helping us discern what matters most for our future and the appointment of our next Senior Pastor
Supporting the process of hiring the right youth leader and continuing to build our youth program
Providing care for both the organizational and personal needs of our staff
Contributing to financial stabilization and growth
We're also glad to have him join our talented and deep preaching team. Rev. Dan brings a wealth of qualities we believe are critical for this moment:
Experience in diverse, multicultural, and LGBTQ+ churches
Familiarity with large, urban congregations and their operations
Servant leadership that is both empathetic and assertive, with a focus on wellness, wholeness, belonging, and grace
Visibility and availability—he's comfortable being present, accessible, and responsive to needs
Strong understanding of church finances during challenging times
Excellent administrative, managerial, and team-building skills
A leadership style that is hands-on without micromanaging
Ability to give clear direction and hold others accountable with care
He will be working part-time (approximately 24–25 hours per week) starting on July 8, with his first Sunday in worship scheduled for July 13. As soon as he begins, Rev. Dan will collaborate with the staff and Board to identify any additional skills or resources needed for the year and will help shape a plan to address them. Our preaching schedule is already set through July 20, and we'll continue to be blessed by many gifted voices in the pulpit. Once Rev. Dan is settled, he will keep the congregation updated through our usual communication channels, sharing his priorities, ways to get involved, his office hours, and how best to reach him. We'll also continue to send updates through the Park Avenue Newsletter.
If you have questions or thoughts to share, you can reach the leadership board at leadershipboard@parkavechurch.org. And above all, we invite you to join us in prayer, asking for a blessing over this interim season and the journey ahead.
Sincerely,
Sara Schulz & Karen Johnson
Park Avenue Leadership Board