Rev. Joseph M. Payne

Led small, medium, and large churches as part-time, associate, and lead pastor:

• 2018-2023 Lead Pastor, Fairfield St. Mark's UMC
• 2014-2017 Lead Pastor, Defiance St. Paul's UMC
• 2013-2014 Lead Pastor, Hilliard UMC
• 2006-2013 Lead Pastor, Greenville First UMC
• 2001-2006 Associate Pastor, Milford First UMC
• 1998-2001 Student Pastor, Arlington UMC

During this period of ministry:

• Planned and conducted worship services, preached, administered the sacraments.
• Oversaw administration and management of all areas of ministry.
• Officiated special services such as weddings, funerals, baptisms, and nursing home services.
• Facilitated and led Bible Studies, and recruited students into becoming Bible Study leaders.
• Provided spiritual and administrative leadership, while mentoring others into following their calling to ordination.
• Offered guidance and support to children and youth ministry leaders and their teams.
• Led churches toward becoming welcoming, affirming, fully inclusive congregations of mutual love.
• In Milford I simultaneously grew a senior adult ministry program while helping to launch a new contemporary service.
• Led by example by working alongside the laity in serving Christ inside and outside the walls of the churches I served.
• Assisted with organization and implementation of Sunday school activities.
• Interacted with local community, building relationships with civic organizations and other churches.
• Raised congregational awareness of needs and contributions of youth and children to church life and operations.
• Promoted and modeled responsible biblical stewardship including paying Connectional giving in full.
• Navigated the congregational "ship" through a global Pandemic, becoming innovative in utilizing online technology so as to remain connected during a time of separation.

Prior to becoming a pastor, I worked as

• choir director/organist and private voice instructor.
• church custodian.
• Retail Management

In these positions I gained many skills, including interacting with a broad range of people, leading worship, mentoring young high school students, humility, and servant leadership.