Rev. Richard Bensinger. File photo.

"Being a Christian isn't just about going to church and believing. We have got to walk the walk, not just talk the talk," said Rev. Rich Bensinger, one of the retirees who will be recognized at this year's Annual Conference. 

Bensinger was introduced to the Methodist tradition at an early age. His father and grandfather were Methodist pastors, which played a significant role in his faith journey.

"There was never a time I can remember that I was not engaged in church. I was involved in Sunday school and all the other activities that you might think about as a preacher's kid," said Bensinger. 

When Bensinger was six, his father joined the U.S. Air Force as a chaplain. As a child, he spent a lot of time in chapels worldwide, learning about different denominations and faith practices.

"I grew up in a chapel instead of a Methodist church. I was exposed to a broader view of religion. I experienced the Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish faiths, and all the different traditions that would meet in a military Chapel," recalled Bensinger.

After high school, Bensinger decided to follow in his father's footsteps and enlisted in the Air Force. He was selected for a program and commissioned as an officer. After twenty-five years of service, including nine years of service overseas, he retired from the military. 

"When I retired from the military, I had wanted to go to seminary. I knew I was feeling called to be a pastor," Bensinger remembered. Ultimately, he ended up using his gifts from the military and going into industry work. 

Although Bensinger didn't immediately go to seminary after retirement, a big part of his life was still rooted in the church. Bensinger was involved in his church through lay ministry, as church council chairman, and even as treasurer. 

"I had a great industrial career, but on the side, I was serving the church," Bensinger shared. "It wasn't very much. I would say I invested 75% in my industry, and 25% at church. It wasn't until I went to seminary that I committed to transitioning to 75% ministry, 25% industry, and eventually 100% ministry."

Pastor Richard and his wife Rebecca. Photos courtesy of Richard Bensingner.

In 2020, Bensinger began attending Sioux Falls Seminary and was in the beta group for the Kairos Project, graduating in 2022. Pastor Rich served at three conferences on his ministry journey before receiving a call about serving at the Dakotas Conference. In the Oklahoma Conference, he served at the Church of the Servant United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City. In the New England Conference, Bensinger served at the Londonderry and Arlington Street United Methodist churches in New Hampshire. He served at Howellsville United Methodist at Fort Royal, Cool Spring United Methodist Church in Delaplane, and Linden United Methodist Church for the Virginia Conference.

In 2022, after receiving a phone call from Rev. Steve Trefz, his faculty mentor, while attending Kairos, Bensinger visited Rapid City First United Methodist Church.

"I was happily serving in Virginia when I got a call from Steve Trefz. He said, 'Hey Rich, there's a church here in the Dakotas that with your Air Force background, your industry background, and your ministry background, might be a good fit for you.'"

Trefz had been Bensinger's faculty mentor while he was attending Kairos, but he had no other connection to the Dakotas Conference. Once Bensinger visited Rapid City First United Methodist Church, he knew he was being called to serve in that community. 

Bensinger lives by a verse from Jeremiah— "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Moving to the Dakotas Conference was a big change for Bensinger. He followed his calling and found his place quickly. Pastor Rich became involved with the Rapid City Interfaith Council. He began meeting with the area pastors once a week and truly connected with the Rapid City community. 

"It's been something to be part of a bigger faith movement, making disciples for the transformation of the world. We claim that as our mission as United Methodists, but I have been living in a community that claims that as their mission too," Bensinger acknowledged. 

Bensinger was elected president of the Interfaith Council. Recently, the council sponsored a youth event hosted at Rapid City First UMC called "Global Youth Service Day." Seventy youth from 12 different churches spent the day completing service projects for the community.

"They participated in everything from painting and cleaning up yards, to preparing bags for veterans, or making blankets for the women and children shelter. There were all kinds of service activities," he commented. "It was not just our church, in our denomination, but a whole community working together."

In retirement, Bensinger is looking forward to finding a place where he can fill the pulpit. 

"I haven't made any final determinations yet, but I know retirement will involve ministry in one form or another," Bensinger said. "I'm keeping my mind open and listening to that small voice."

When asked what advice he would give other clergy, he stated that ministry is about building and maintaining relationships. 

"It's all about relationships, which starts with your relationship with God. It then flows into the relationships in your family and the relationship with your congregation," he described. "Establishing those relationships and listening to people, really hearing them, and meeting them where they are. There is no higher calling."

Although his time at the Dakotas Conference was short, Bensinger is grateful for the embrace he has felt during his ministry from the Rapid City community and the Dakotas Conference. 

"Connectionalism within the Dakotas Conference takes on so many different facets. You have support at every level of what you're trying to do, from clergy well-being to ministerial support, and the local level," he noted. "It's just been a real positive experience with the connection from the bishop, conference staff, district superintendent, and pastors."