Bishop Ough, center in white robe, congratulates Rev. Rick Hazen on his retirement in 2017. Photos by jlynn studio.

“Together, you represent over 245 years of service in ministry. Never underestimate that which God has already accomplished through you. Continue to be true to your calling, confident of the ever-present Spirit working through your lives.” These are the words that Bishop Bruce R. Ough, resident bishop for the Dakotas-Minnesota Area, will share with the 2019 retirement class of clergy at the Celebration of Life in Ministry Service on Friday, June 7, 7 p.m., at Legacy United Methodist Church in Bismarck, North Dakota. 

Five clergy of the Dakotas Conference have announced their retirement and will be honored at the worship service on Friday evening, at the twenty-sixth session of the Dakotas Annual Conference, June 6-8, 2019, in Bismarck, North Dakota. The five include Reverend James Konsor, Reverend Gwen Mader, Reverend John Price, Reverend Dick Rinearson, and Reverend Perry Schnabel. The retiring clergy will also be honored at a luncheon for all retired clergy on Friday, June 7 and will speak to the members of the body at 11:30 a.m. the same day. 

Reverend Rick Hazen, a retired elder of the Dakotas Conference, recently interviewed the five clergy who will be retiring from ministry July 1, 2019.  Rev. Hazen asked them about their call to ministry, memories, highlights, and advice they would give to other clergy, especially those entering the ministry. 

James Konsor

James Konsor describes his call to ministry as a “fun ride,” following God’s lead and going wherever God has led him and his wife, Kathie, his partner in ministry.

Way back in high school, he felt a call. He went off to Trinity Bible College, in Jamestown, N.D. While there, the Lord confirmed his call and directed his steps as to where God wanted Jim to be. He worked for three different ministries. He traveled with two gospel singing groups and had a wide variety of ministry experiences.

The memory that means the most to Jim is the time when he accepted the Lord at five or six-years-old. After a church service in which the pastor told everyone that they could ask Jesus into their hearts, Jim went home and asked his mother if he could accept Jesus at home, which he did, kneeling at the living room couch with his mom.

Jim also remembers in 2012, while he was working a secular job in the Bakken, seeing the need and being at a loss. His heart cried out: “God, what can I do?” In 2013, Jim and Kathie were appointed there. He’s prayed for the people who came to Watford City expecting a better life and helped them by providing for their needs and giving them a place where they can come and know they will be cared for. He is grateful for the United Methodist presence there.

Jim’s advice is, “Go with God.” Don’t worry about what other people will think or say. The key is to listen, follow, and seek God’s voice. Take God’s direction so one day you will hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

Jim thanks his wife, Kathie, his “unsung hero,” who has been his loving and supportive partner in ministry. Also, he thanks the bishop, the cabinet, and conference for believing in them to “go figure it out.” Jim says there would not be a ministry in Watford City if it were not for the United Methodist presence. Jim feels that there’s a need in those crisis moments (like two tornado crises where people lost everything and came with just the clothes on their backs). The people in the Watford City area know whom to call and that the Bakken Oil Rush Ministries will be there to help.

Gwen Mader

Gwen Mader was called into ministry in 1975, while she was in school studying Theater and Dance. After talking with Don Veglahn about her call, she attended Scarritt College in Nashville, Tenn. She graduated with a bachelor and a masters degree in Christian Education and then taught for 30 years working with youth and families. She believes she was called into ordained ministry in 2006. She then attended Sioux Falls Seminary, Sioux Falls, S.D. where God helped her to re-direct her call.

Some of Gwen’s special memories include watching people’s lives change when they “got it” and discovered the importance of Christ in their lives — they found and accepted their own calling. Seeing the lives of confirmation youth change when they came to know Jesus Christ is also special.

Her advice: Be teachable, never stop learning. There is always more to learn. Keep your heart open to God and God’s people.

She thanks her husband Rod for his love and support. She thanks those who believed in her, like her mom, and the people of the churches where she served. Also, she thanks the Bishop and the District Superintendents and those who gave her a chance to follow her heart and inspired her in her ministry.

John Price 

John Price was a layperson at the Leola United Methodist Church taking a lay-speaking course when he perceived his call to ministry. After taking the course, Kent Millard told John that he believed John had gifts for ordained ministry. John received affirmations from many other people, too. Later, John went on to Asbury Seminary in Kentucky.

John says he has many wonderful memories of his ministry. He recalls a World War II veteran, Ken Vosper, from the congregation at Neche, N.D. Ken was a bomber pilot who was shot down over Europe. He developed cancer later in life, during the time that John was his pastor. A request was made that John speaks with Ken over the phone. At the time, Ken was in hospice care in Arizona. During their conversation, Ken told John that he felt that God was going to send him to Hell because he thought he had killed someone with his bombs during the war. John says he told Ken about God’s love, forgiveness, and mercy; and Ken gave his burden over to God. Even though Ken had been given four to six months to live, he died later that evening after he’d spoken with John and given his burden over to God. John says Ken’s widow told him that Ken passed away with a wonderful sense of peace on his face.

John’s advice: Don’t sweat the little things, they’re no big deal, let it slide.

Besides being thankful for the love, support, and encouragement from his wife, Loraine, and family, John is very thankful for good friends like Eldon Reich who would stop and see him when John was serving at Faith, S.D. John would take Eldon and his son, John, fishing at some of the farm ponds around Faith. John says he’s also thankful for good friends like Dick Salmonson, Don Hadrick, and Dick Boyd who would also stop and see him when he was out in Faith.

Dick Rinearson

“My call to God was God’s call to me.” That’s how Dick Rinearson describes his call to ministry. Dick’s mom had passed away from cancer while he was in high school. The love and support he received from his family and church family helped him get through a very difficult time in his young life. His call out to God led to answers and to a call to ministry.

The special memory that Dick recalls is the courage and faith of the lay people of the churches where he served who were willing to take risks and move the churches forward for future generations.

His advice: “Recognize that it’s not about you. It’s learning how to serve.”

Dick would like to thank all the people in the churches where he’s had the privilege to serve. He is grateful and humbled for the opportunity to serve them. He also thanks his wife, Linda, for being his partner in life and his partner in ministry, having also helped to make an impact in the churches he’s served.

Perry Schnabel

Perry Schnabel remembers that during his college career at the University of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, S.D., God got his attention. While in college, he made a pact with God to study Greek at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, S.D. Perry states that the Lord must have wanted him in ministry, because Perry got all “A’s” in Greek. After graduation, he went on to attend Sioux Falls Seminary, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Ministry to youth and touching the lives of young people who were brought into the life of the church are among his many special memories.

His advice: There will be difficult days — not all joy. Be in the Lord’s will in all that you do, and just keep at it.

Perry would like to thank his wife, Cynthia, for all her love and support. Also, thanks to people like Doug Diehl and Kermit Culver, who supported and encouraged him.