Leadership

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Meet our Pastor

Rev. Michael E. Shields is the pastor of Appalachian Metropolitan Community Church. Rev. Shields was called to the ministry of AMCC in 1998. Pastor Mike has a BA and an MA in Biblical Studies with a minor in Biblical Languages. Pastor Mike's background is unique in that he has been a member or friend of various churches throughout his lifetime. He has served in churches as small as 12, and as large as 1500. He has also attended and served in many different kinds of churches of many different kinds of denominations. This has given him the ability to be able to relate to and talk to the variety of different people who come from a variety of different backgrounds in MCC. He is just as comfortable talking to someone from a Pentecostal background as he is talking to someone from a more high church liturgical background.

Because of this variety that he has been able to experience in his life, he is able to bring a unique preaching style to the pulpit of Appalachian MCC. While there is room to explore the emotional side of Scripture and worship that some parishioners seek; because of his own training and background, he is able also to use the sermon as a vehicle for teaching and training the body of Christ. Preaching and teaching the Word of God from the pulpit is a passion for Pastor Mike.

Pastor Mike began his journey in MCC in 1990 at MCC of the Spirit in Harrisburg Pennsylvania. It was while he was attending MCC of the Spirit that he became very involved in the ministries of the church. He served in various capacities including the worship committee and also as a deacon of the church. It was during this time of service that God moved upon Pastor Mike's heart to seriously consider following full-time ministry within MCC. He did his student internship at MCC of the Spirit and was ordained to Christian ministry of preaching the Word and Sacrament in July of 1998.

Pastor Mike has a heart and love for the Ministry of Appalachian MCC. In accordance with our by-laws, the role of pastor is as follows: The Pastor is the UFMCC clergy person with a license to practice who has been called by God and elected by the church to be responsible for the duties of teacher, preacher, and spiritual leader until such time that the relationship is terminated. The Pastor shall also fulfill such other roles and responsibilities as are stated in the UFMCC Bylaws and the policies of the church. The Pastor shall have authority for ordering all worship services of the church; determining when other worship services will be held, subject to approval of the Board of Directors; appointing compensated and uncompensated church staff, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors; and determining compensation, vacation periods, and titles of office of the church staff, subject to approval of the Board of Directors. The Pastor shall serve as a voting member of the Board of Directors, Moderator of the Board of Directors and of Congregational Meetings, personnel director, and as the primary spokesperson of the church to the community.