Sonja E Tobey
Ordained Clergy
Lawton,OK
Summary
Accomplished ministry professional familiar with ministry and church organization. Skilled at coaching churches and clergy through conflict, mediation, times of transition, and board leadership. Known for creative problem solving.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
24
24
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Lead Pastor
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
Lawton, OK
06.2018 - Current
- Led programs such as worship, study, fellowship and community service opportunities.
- Supervised paid and unpaid staff leading children, youth, pastoral care, and church finances.
- Provided administrative leadership to church and managed daily operations.
- Led renovation project, successfully renovating or remodeling existing sanctuary, atrium, children's ministry area, and classrooms.
- Resolved problems, improved operations, and provided organizational leadership.
Clergy
Oklahoma Conference United Methodist Church
Oklahoma City, OK
06.2000 - Current
- Coach clergy and churches in conflict transformation and communication skills in conflict.
- Work with churches and staff through mediation process.
- Clergy coach for greater productivity and career fulfillment.
- Provided leadership development training to churches and districts.
- Coach churches and clergy on simplified accountable structure of leadership boards.
Pastor
Prague/Arlington United Methodist Church
Prague, OK
09.2016 - 05.2018
- Led programs such as worship, study, fellowship and service opportunities.
- Provided spiritual and administrative leadership to church and managed daily operations.
- Raised congregational awareness of needs and contributions of youth to church life and operations.
- Managed team of 5 paid employees, overseeing hiring, training, and professional growth of employees, as well as unpaid staff.
Senior Pastor
Vinita United Methodist Church
Vinita, Oklahoma
06.2012 - 08.2016
- Coordinated and spearheaded programs to increase church members' service throughout community.
- Led programs such as worship, study, fellowship and service opportunities.
- Planned and conducted worship services, wrote sermons and worked with key church leaders to carry out church mission.
- Partnered with community churches, non-profit resource organizations, civic groups, and members of public to develop a literacy program for second and third grade children.
Pastor
First United Methodist Church
Cushing, OK
06.2010 - 05.2012
- Led programs such as worship, study, fellowship and service opportunities.
- Provided spiritual and administrative leadership to church and managed daily operations, as well as hiring, training, and professional growth of employees.
- Oversaw the director and staff of the child care center.
- Served on the board for section 8 housing in the community.
- Launched ministry expansion program, resulting in an addition of a new service and new feeding program for the community.
- Organized and spearheaded capital campaign to raise half a million dollars for renovation.
Pastor
Pond Creek United Methodist Church
Pond Creek, OK
06.2006 - 05.2010
- Officiated special services such as weddings, funerals, baptisms and nursing home services.
- Led programs such as worship, study, fellowship and service opportunities.
- Worked with stewardship to promote responsible biblical stewardship increasing giving 64% over four years.
- Over saw funds of ministerial alliance to provide assistance with utilities and food for people in the community.
Pastor
Union City/Cogar United Methodist Church
Union City, OK
01.2002 - 05.2006
- Officiated special services such as weddings, funerals, baptisms and nursing home services.
- Led programs such as worship, study, fellowship and service opportunities.
- Planned and conducted worship services, wrote sermons and worked with key church leaders to carry out church mission.
Pastor
Canton United Methodist Church
Canton, OK
06.2000 - 12.2001
- Officiated special services such as weddings, funerals, baptisms and nursing home services.
- Led programs such as worship, study, fellowship and service opportunities.
- Planned and conducted worship services, wrote sermons and worked with key church leaders to carry out church mission.
Education
Doctor of Ministry - Church Leadership in Homiletics
Phillips Seminary
Tulsa, OK 06.2011 - 05.2015
Master of Divinity - Theology
Phillips Seminary
Tulsa, OK 01.2002 - 05.2006
Bachelor of Science - Organizational Leadership
Southern Nazarene University
Bethany, OK 08.1998 - 12.1999
No Degree - Secondary Education
University of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, OK 08.1995 - 05.1998
Associate of Science - Pre-Education
Rose State College
Oklahoma City, OK 08.1983 - 05.1995
Skills
Public speaking
Training
Clergy Coaching (working toward PCC)
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, Clergy Clinic in Family Systems (Conflict Management), Lombard, Illinois 2015-2016
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center Mediation Skills Training Institute, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Aug 2015
Critical Incident Stress Management Training, Newton, Kansas Feb 2008
Certification
Simplified Accountable Structure Coach
Timeline
Simplified Accountable Structure Coach
08-2021
Lead Pastor
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
06.2018 - Current
Pastor
Prague/Arlington United Methodist Church
09.2016 - 05.2018
Transitional Intentional Interim Ministry Specialist
08-2016
Senior Pastor
Vinita United Methodist Church
06.2012 - 08.2016
Doctor of Ministry - Church Leadership in Homiletics
Phillips Seminary
06.2011 - 05.2015
Pastor
First United Methodist Church
06.2010 - 05.2012
Pastor
Pond Creek United Methodist Church
06.2006 - 05.2010
Pastor
Union City/Cogar United Methodist Church
01.2002 - 05.2006
Master of Divinity - Theology
Phillips Seminary
01.2002 - 05.2006
Clergy
Oklahoma Conference United Methodist Church
06.2000 - Current
Pastor
Canton United Methodist Church
06.2000 - 12.2001
Bachelor of Science - Organizational Leadership
Southern Nazarene University
08.1998 - 12.1999
No Degree - Secondary Education
University of Central Oklahoma
08.1995 - 05.1998
Associate of Science - Pre-Education
Rose State College
08.1983 - 05.1995
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