Clergy of the California-Pacific Annual Conference,
As the Cabinet and I begin the season of appointive decisions, we are continuing the practice of posting our clear appointment openings. We do this to provide transparency and to have creative flow and collaboration in the appointment process.
Clear appointment openings are listed below for churches that need a new pastor due to retirement, the ending of an interim period, or a change in status of the previous pastor. Each church includes brief descriptions of its ministry settings and a link to its website, if available. Specific statistics about the churches are available through the Annual Conference Journal, and demographics of the surrounding communities are available through MissionInsite.
Clergy members interested in putting their names forward for specific openings should contact both their current District Superintendent and the District Superintendent of the district with the church opening. In some cases, it might be the same D.S. who supervises both appointments. As a courtesy, if the D.S. is not the same, notification to both is required. There is absolutely no guarantee that the clergy member will be selected for an appointment based solely on the request, but the Bishop and Cabinet will deeply discern the gifts and graces of the clergy members putting their names forward and the needs of the mission fields and the local churches. We are committed to making appointments based on the match between what is needed in the local communities and churches, and the gifts and skill sets of the potential pastors.
All inquiries will be held in strict confidence. Pastors wishing to put their names forward are not to contact their own local churches, nor the pastors or laity of the churches in which they have interest, as this has the potential to harm their current church appointments. The Cabinet will not release any information regarding those who put their names forward.
We do ask that clergy who plan to put their names forward enter into a prayerful discernment before contacting their District Superintendents. Consider taking part in the process only after careful consideration of where God is leading you, and be affirmed by God that this is both realistic and a true calling. For those the Cabinet eventually asks to move to new appointments, we are committed to providing the specific reasons why we are asking for this new opportunity. There is also the expectation of an open itinerancy, and if one cannot move because of grave family issues, we will enter into a “covenant of limited itineration,” whereby full-time appointment may not be granted, as we see what is available in any given local area. We hope and pray that this way of appointment-making will continue to be both liberating and helpful to our annual conference and God’s Kin-dom that we are pledged to serve.
Grace y paz,
Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank
Los Angeles Area Resident Bishop
The United Methodist Church
Palmdale First United Methodist Church – 100% Lead Pastor Appointment
39055 10th St W, Palmdale, CA 93551
Current Pastor: Rev. Jim White
Membership: 291 | Average Worship Attendance: 274 (123 in-person, 151 online)
Palmdale United Methodist Church, located in Palmdale, California, lives their vision to be a people who are ‘inspired by Jesus to love’. There are two distinctive Sunday worship services – 9 am traditional with hymns and 11 am modern with a band. A vibrant small group program keeps members involved and engaged, plus eager to test and launch new programs. Current plans are underway to create a senior housing development over the next 5-6 years on 14 acres of vacant property.
Scott United Methodist Church – 100% Lead Pastor appointment
444 N Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91103
Current Pastor: Rev. Alma Johnson-Hawkins
Membership: 129 | Average Weekly Worship: 35
Scott United Methodist Church, located in Pasadena, California, embraces the call to be Christ’s hands and feet in the world through a variety of ministries and outreach efforts. A traditionally Black church, Scott UMC engages in and supports programs in the Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley that care for all by being a compassionate, caring presence. The congregation is predominately older but engages in intentional outreach to connect with college students and neighborhood families. Losses due to the Eaton fire have impacted the church greatly, yet the church faithfully answers the call to serve others.
St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church of Newbury Park – 100% Lead Pastor appointment
1360 S Wendy Dr., Newbury Park, CA 91320
Current Pastor: Rev. Jim Powell
Membership: 143 | Average Weekly Worship: 135 (65 in-person; 70 online)
St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, situated in Newbury Park, California, embraces its Mission: “Love God, Serve Others, Embrace Community!” The church cares for the community through many healing ministries that focus on providing security – food, clothing, essentials, rescue from human trafficking. Intergenerational worship has led to new programs that celebrate and support young families & mothers. This church also enjoys thriving weekly bible studies. St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church strives to be a supportive haven for all, encouraging members to live out their faith through acts of love and service.
Covina UMC – Less than full-time
437 W. San Bernardino Rd, Covina, CA 91723
Current Pastor: Rev. Lily Villamin
Membership: 107 | Average Weekly Worship Attendance: around 55
Covina UMC is a church on the move for Christ with 40-50 worshipers in attendance and 15-20 online. The congregation has a 130 year history in Covina, a strong leadership team, and ties to city and community programs. Covina UMC is repurposing a portion of their 4.7 acre campus for low income senior housing while maintaining a decade old connection to a non-profit preschool serving typical and special needs children.
A pastor who is able to cast clear vision for a new beginning, while guiding the congregation to take its next faithful step in mission and ministry would be an asset to this church.
Yorba Linda UMC – 100% Appointment
19002 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, CA92886
Current Pastor: Rev. William deBos
Membership: 117 | Average Weekly Worship Attendance: around 60
This faithful and resilient congregation is ready to enter a new chapter in its life and ministry. Under the leadership of the current pastor and leaders, a sense of peace and stability has been restored.
As the church looks toward the future with hope, a pastor with strong pastoral and relational gifts would be a great partner in ministry. Someone who can help the congregation discover its gifts and graces and build stronger connections within the local community.
Honoka’a UMC – 25% Appointment (includes a parsonage) – English-speaking
45-3525 Mamane St, Honokaa (on Hawaii Island, colloquially known as the Big Island, HI 96727
Current Pastor: Rev. Rich Garner, serving in retirement at 50%
Membership: 56
Average Weekly In-Person Worship Attendance: 30
Located Hamakua coast of Hawaii Island, Honoka’a UMC is located in a small town between Kona and Hilo. Most of the members are older, with a majority who are Anglo. They are a closeknit congregation. They have a choir that is small but quite good. They have a thrift store that is well-known in the community. As it is a quarter time appointment, the best fit probably is a bi-vocational pastor or one serving in retirement.
Kam-Nam UMC – 100% Appointment (church owned condominium provided as a parsonage) – Korean speaking
1650 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96826 (on the Island of Oahu)
Current Pastor: Rev. Dohmin Kim, elder in full connection
Membership: 87
Average Weekly In-Person Worship Attendance: 90
Kam-Nam UMC is a well-established congregation with faithful members. The church is located just outside of Waikiki and near several Korean businesses and restaurants. An ideal pastor would be one with strong preaching, pastoral and administrative skills, with the ability to provide strong leadership and cultural competency to pastor to a first generation Korean congregation.
Laguna Country UMC – 100% Appointment
24442 Moulton Pkwy, Laguna Woods, CA 92637
Current Pastor: Rev. David Atkins – Serving 100% in retirement
Membership: 115 | Average Worship Attendance: 105
Laguna Country UMC is a “small but mighty” parish. It is located in a retirement community and although the average age of members is around 70, and the membership is 115, the laity and retired clergy (five) are very active in providing and participating in worship, fellowship, education, and mission ministries. Also, the is an opportunity to extend their ministry to a younger population from the nearby campus.
In-person worship averages 65 Sunday, and the live stream worship averages 40 viewers per week. The music program is especially strong. The large size of the facilities provides space for many community groups. We have been sharing with Laguna Hills Korean UMC for 27 years.
Laguna Hills Korean UMC – 100% Appointment
24442 Moulton Pkwy, Laguna Woods, CA 92637
Current Pastor: Pastor Yongsam Park – Serving 50% in retirement
Membership: 238 | Average Worship Attendance: 70
Laguna Hills Korean UMC is going through a time of pastoral leadership transition as their founding pastor just retired. Sunday worship attendance is 70 on average with an active music ministry and a strong prayer ministry. The leadership of the church led by the interim pastor is actively working to provide the vision for a new era of the congregation. The members of the congregation live in the retirement community and plans include to expand the ministries to the next generation in the community.
Rolling Hills UMC – 100 % Senior and Associate Pastor Appointments
26438 Crenshaw Blvd, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274
Current Pastor: Rev. Jonathan Chute
Membership: 795 | Average Worship Attendance: 511
Senior Pastor, 100% Appointment – focusing on helpful preaching, pastoral care, team leadership and availability to the wider community.
Associate Pastor, 100% Appointment – focusing on adult Christian education and faith formation, pastoral care, worship leadership and preaching.
Rolling Hills United Methodist Church is a stable and growing faith community with a mission focused on the needs and hopes of children and families. The church serves a broad range of persons from across the South Bay, including families of all ages and a diversity of cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. They offer three worship services each Sunday – 8:30 and 10:00 am, and 5:30 p.m. Morning worship is led by an excellent chancel choir and the evening service by a talented and eclectic ensemble. In person worship each week averages 318 persons, with another 193 on line. Membership is 795.
Compton First UMC – 50% Lead Pastor Appointment
1025 S Long Beach Blvd, Compton, CA 90221
Current Pastor: Rev. Dr. Arnetha Inge
Membership: 140 | Average Worship Attendance: 120
This predominantly African American church, located at the heart of Compton City serves all persons of any culture, language, or sexual orientation and more. There are two services. The English is at 10am and a Tongan language ministry under the leadership of the Lead Pastor is at 1pm. The members of this congregation are looking for young generations to boost and aid the current aging members.
La Palma United Methodist Church – 50% Lead Pastor Appointment
8111 Walker St, La Palma, CA 90623
Current Pastor: Rev. Paul Kim
Membership: 40 | Average Worship Attendance: 25
This is an aging but vibrant Caucasian congregation located at the heart of La Palma City. They are in need of a 50% lead pastor. They are looking for a pastor that will connect them with the surrounding and changing neighborhoods. They are open to partnerships with other entities that will help with their membership and also with their witnesses to the community at large.
Trinity United Methodist Church of Lakewood – 50% Lead Pastor Appointment
5730 South St, Lakewood, CA 90713
Current Pastor: Rev. Paul Kim
Membership: 39 | Average Worship Attendance: 17
This predominantly Caucasian congregation is located in the middle of Lakewood City, California. They are a small but vibrant congregation. They are seeking a 50% Lead Pastor that will connect them with the community and increase their outreach to the community.