Howard Miller
Newport News,VA
Summary
Experienced pastor with 36 years of leadership and community-building expertise, dedicated to fostering thriving communities and guiding individuals on their spiritual journeys. Equipped with a strong background in understanding diverse perspectives, excels in bridging gaps and promoting peace. Known for creative and adaptable problem-solving approach, comfortable collaborating with a wide range of individuals. Philosophy centers around accepting people as they are, allowing for meaningful connections and growth.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Pastor
Huntington Mennonite Church
10.2018 - Current
- Officiated weddings and led funeral services for church members.
- Provided spiritual guidance and leadership to church members.
- Created sermon outlines and delivered inspirational sermons on Sunday mornings.
- Led outreach initiatives to reach out to unchurched, inactive or new residents in community.
- Organized weekly worship services, Bible study groups, prayer meetings, and other special events.
- Collaborated with music directors and choir leaders to create inspiring worship experiences.
- Attended conferences related to religious topics or current issues facing churches.
- Visited, counseled, and prayed with church members to provide pastoral care.
- Engaged in interfaith, community and recreational activities for religious programs.
Lead Pastor
Waynesboro Mennonite Church
06.2005 - 07.2018
- Led programs such as worship, study, fellowship and service opportunities
- Led outreach initiatives to reach out to unchurched, inactive or new residents in the community
- Organized weekly worship services, Bible study groups, prayer meetings, and other special events.
- Collaborated with music directors and choir leaders to create inspiring worship experiences.
- Engaged in public speaking engagements regarding topics relevant to faith-based organizations.
- Planned and conducted worship services, wrote sermons and worked with key church leaders to carry out church mission
- Officiated special services such as weddings, funerals, baptisms and nursing home services
- Provided pastoral care through home and hospital visitation, counseling, and prayer
- Represented the congregation at community and professional meetings
- Developed innovative programs and activities based on analysis of community needs and interests. Specifically I developed a 12 recovery program for men and women struggling with a variety of addictions. Following that I was asked to chair a start-up task force to develop and implement a homeless program for cold weather months
District Minister
Southern District of Virginia Mennonite Conference
01.2004 - 08.2006
- Served 7 congregations providing spiritual oversight for the life and ministry of the congregation and pastoral care for leaders
- Encouraged congregational growth in vision and mission, specifically in growth of local mission
- Met one on one with pastors to listen, support and advise
- Led pastoral reviews seeking to develop appropriate job descriptions and reasonable expectations
- Assisted with search committee work leading in spiritual discernment and working within established guidelines
Associate Pastor
Lindale Mennonite Church
01.1995 - 05.2005
- Led the ministry of Christian Education by evaluating curriculum, purpose and structure of the program and helped recruit new teachers and leaders
- Started 3 young adult Sunday School classes in the 10 years of service
- Strengthened small groups by defining their purpose and providing resources
- Led the pastoral care of the congregation, including a 'Nurse in the Congregation' ministry
- Led visitation with elderly members in their homes and hospitalization
- Participated and led numerous funerals and weddings
- Actively participated in the Elders and Deacon ministry of the congregation.
Adjuct Faculty Bible Department
Eastern Mennonite University
09.2001 - 05.2004
- Developed and taught 2 courses for youth ministry in the congregation
- Lectured and communicated effectively with students from diverse backgrounds.
- Maintained accurate records of grades and attendance.
- Provided letters of recommendation and other referrals to students pursuing further education programs or postgraduate employment.
- Developed syllabus of lectures, classwork and assignments and distributed to students on first day of class.
- Provided guest lectures/speakers to enhance the coursework through expert practitioners
- Built foundational theological and philosophical framework for youth ministry
Education
M. Div. - Theology
Kairos Seminary
Souix Falls, SD02-2023
Master of Arts - Christian Leadership
Eastern Mennonite Seminary
Harrisonburg, VABachelor of Science - History/Secondary Education
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, VAAssociate of Arts - Liberal Arts
Hutchinson Community College
Hutchinson, KSSkills
- Congregational care
- Preparing Weekly Sermons
- Biblical Knowledge
- Inspirational Leadership
- Crisis Intervention
- Teaching
- Community Service
- Preaching
- Public Speaking
- Spiritual Guidance, Instruction, Formation
Hobbies and Interests
- Reading
- Fly-fishing
- Birding
- Kayaking
- Roasting coffee
Affiliations
- Active participant in Peninsula Master Naturalists
- Trained in Chesapeake Bay Foundation Voices program designed for further volunteer assignments
- Taught a popular course (Amish, Mennonites and Their Cousins) for two years in the Osher Life Long Learning Institute through the University of Virginia
- Amateur conservationist specializing in water quality, bird life, and fish habitat
Certification
- Received training as a Life Coach
- Racial Reconciliation training through Mennonite Church USA
- Served on numerous Boards and committees including the Augusta Health Mental Health Task Force and the Community Health Forum, Waynesboro, VA.
References
References available upon request.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimePart TimeWork Location
On-SiteHybridImportant To Me
Work-life balanceCompany CultureQuote
I am a living commitment to engage a deeply divided world through spiritual friendship. As a follower of Jesus my promise is to live out Gods deep love for all by:
• Listening and responding carefully to questions or objections of others
• Respecting each person regardless of culture or religion
Howard Miller
Timeline
Lead Pastor
Huntington Mennonite Church
10.2018 - Current
Lead Pastor
Waynesboro Mennonite Church
06.2005 - 07.2018
District Minister
Southern District of Virginia Mennonite Conference
01.2004 - 08.2006
Adjuct Faculty Bible Department
Eastern Mennonite University
09.2001 - 05.2004
Associate Pastor
Lindale Mennonite Church
01.1995 - 05.2005
Master of Arts - Christian Leadership
Eastern Mennonite Seminary
Bachelor of Science - History/Secondary Education
Eastern Mennonite University
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts
Hutchinson Community College
M. Div. - Theology
Kairos Seminary
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