Rev. Chris Seifert
Associate Pastor
Pastor Chris Seifert served as a Missile Technician in the U.S. Navy from 1990 until 1996. He was posted on a submarine! After leaving the Navy, he began a career as an electronic technician, where he routinely traveled throughout North and South America.
It was while working in the electronic industry that Chris was called into ministry. He continued working his full-time job, but also accepted the position of part-time youth minister at Good Shepherd in Hendersonville. Chris continued in this role until 2001 when, due to the growth of youth members and activities, he began youth ministry full-time. He planned to stay in this area of ministry, but could no longer ignore God calling him into pastoral ministry.
In 2002, Chris was appointed to Fall River and East End United Methodist Churches in Lawrenceburg. While living there, he attended Martin Methodist College and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in the Pre-Seminary program. In 2005, he was appointed to St. Andrew UMC in Pulaski. In 2009, Chris received a Master’s of Divinity from Vanderbilt University, and was commissioned as a Provisional Elder.
The last couple of years have been eventful for Chris and his family. He joined HUMC in June of 2009, and was married in October of that year. His wife, Cynthia, is an Episcopal Priest at Church of the Good Shepherd. In November of 2010, they welcomed their daughter, Abigail Lynne Seifert. This made daughter number three for Pastor Chris. His two older daughters, Ashton (15) and Cassi (12), attend HUMC whenever possible. They are sweet young ladies, and are true blessings to our church.
Since his commissioning in 2009, Chris has continued the process of ordination, which is a three year progression. This is a very intense and detailed process which includes residency group meetings, continuing education retreats, required papers on theological topics, and taped sermons. He also meets regularly with a mentor.
In 2012, ten years after answering God’s call to ministry, Chris is scheduled to become an Ordained Elder in Full Connection. He hopes to be ordained at Annual Conference in June of 2012. At the ordination ceremony, the bishop will lay hands on Chris and say a prayer of Apostolic Succession, which is how Jesus anointed His disciples. At this time, Chris will also be given his stole. When asked why he doesn’t wear a stole with his robe at this point in his ministry, he said, “Traditionally, one does not wear a stole until the ordination process is complete. I look forward to the bishop placing my stole because not only is this a tangible sign of my ordination, but it also symbolizes the years of hard work and provides me with a greater understanding of what this ceremony truly means.”
The really cool part of this is that Chris’ church family is encouraged to attend this ceremony, and we’ll definitely want to show him how much we love and appreciate him. Mark your calendars now for Sunday, June 10, 2012 when we will join with Chris and his family to observe this special ceremony!