News & Links > News
Archive > Hal Youngblood
  
Q&A with Hal Youngblood
Insight from the newest member of Rocky Mountain
Conference Office...
RMC: What brings you here to Colorado?
HY: That's easy to answer! Tom Rehling! I have held Tom in high respect
for a lot of years. I respect his commitment to the church and the growth
of churches. When he asked me if I would come to the Rocky Mountain Conference
to spend some time, I quickly said yes because of Tom, but also because,
if he felt that I had something to offer churches then I wanted to do
that in appreciation for him. I am hopeful that I don't disappoint the
Conference for his sake.
RMC: What is your background with the UCC?
HY: I grew up on the South Side of Chicago and got involved in a UCC
church there at about the age of 13 or 14 and have been a part of the
UCC ever since. I graduated from Eden Theological Seminary, a UCC related
seminary, and have served UCC churches ever since.
RMC: What will be your responsibilities while you are here?
HY: It is my understanding that I am here to work with churches and pastors
around the issues of church growth. I began my ministerial career as
a Youth Minister but gravitated toward serving as a new church start
pastor and a Transitioning Church pastor for the past 28 years and
have always focused around helping churches grow both numerically and
spiritually. It is my hope that some of my experience will be helpful
to the churches in the conference as they address the issues of growth
and increased worship attendance.
RMC: What are some of your fondest memories working with the UCC?
HY: Wow! I would have to say most of my fondest memories in the UCC have
been working with churches and people in the churches of the UCC. I
have loved the opportunity that has been provided for me, in the UCC
churches that I have served, to take risks. In that risk taking there
have been many exciting adventures and people that I have had the pleasure
of working with or participating in ministries. To pick out any one
or two is very difficult. I have had the most fun and personal growth
in the last church that I served as pastor, and that was Longwood Hills
Congregational in Florida. With a great deal of trust and freedom the
community that has formed there is one of the most creative and exciting
places I have ever been, and the stories are endless.
RMC: What do you see is the biggest problem facing our churches today
and what is your solution?
HY: Obviously, I am a little bias and one-sided and I believe that the
biggest problem we face is growing as churches and helping folk in our
communities discover the wonderful alternatives that UCC churches provide.
We are all different, yet the flavor or spice that the UCC brings to
any community enables many to find a home and an opportunity for ministry
and growth.
RMC: What is the most important message to give our youth about religion?
HY: The freedom to explore and ask the hard questions, to focus on mission
and servant hood as one grows and learns, and that life is good and
meant to be used with purpose and meaning.
RMC: What are the challenges that churches need to address to promote
their growth?
HY: You have to really want to grow, and that can sometimes be very painful.
We are comfortable with what we have done, otherwise we would not be
doing it, but there is a need as well to change and do new things as
well and that means there are times we must give
up some of the old. That can be very painful!
RMC: What are your hobbies and interests outside the office?
HY: My family is my greatest interest and love outside of the church.
But I love baseball and particularly the Chicago Cubs. I played a year
and ½ of professional baseball and have never been able to quite
get it out of my blood. Sports are always of interest to me but as
I have grown older I am more of a fan as opposed to a participant.
I love working with my hands and am a master cabinet maker. Art is
one of my great loves.
RMC: Coming from Florida, are you ready for working at a mile above
sea level?
HY: I believe so….. but as a flatlander I am sure I will have to
make a great deal of adjustments! At home I am just 5 feet above sea
level!!!
|
