Meet our Pastor
Rev. Jonathan Arnpriester
Getting to know the pastor of a church is a rather large challenge. One idea is to prepare something of a biography that can be shared. Even that, though, presents some challenges.
What life events should be included? Skills and gifts or struggles? Accomplishments or failings?
Should we tell you Rev. Arnpriester was an Eagle Scout, member of the Order of the Arrow, learned how to sail on the Mississippi River, and was certified in CPR and as a Lifeguard through both the Boy Scouts and the Red Cross? Or should we tell you that every summer as a boy he seemed to break, bang, scrape or seriously cut something, often his head, by testing the limits of gravity?
Should we tell you Rev. Arnpriester grew up in small towns of rural Iowa and worked jobs walking beans, bucking hay bales, delivering newspapers and stocking shelves at a pharmacy? Or should we tell you he was on a Little League Baseball team that did not win one game?
Should we tell you Rev. Arnpriester completed his undergraduate work at Arizona State University and his seminary work at St. Paul School of Theology and is an accomplished pastor with 30+ years of experience in starting, shaping, leading and growing churches? Or should we share he has survived burnout and regards a balanced life as a spiritual discipline. And should we tell you that while quite adept at pastoral care, recovery or loss and grief support, Jonathan does not take loss or death well and is known to cuss in hospital and hospice rooms.
Should we tell you Rev. Arnpriester has been married to Sue for 32 years and they have four grown kids? Or should we tell you as a pastor’s son he knows firsthand the stress and sometimes unreasonable expectations placed on the pastor’s family amid fishbowl expectations?
Perhaps we should tell you Rev. Arnpriester is a fan of the Arizona Wildcat Football team, mostly because unlike other college teams, it is a low stress event. There is no wondering if it will be a winning season. There is no worry about bowl games. Also the marching band plays music by The Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Should we tell you Rev Arnpriester has an immense sense of humor and an established history of leadership? Or should we tell you he is rather intentional in his ways, as well as very clear where the focus of the church needs to be and thus, he is entirely uncomfortable with it being on him? He cautions strongly about worshipping the wrong J.
Perhaps we should begin at the basics. Rev. Arnpriester prefers to be called Jonathan. And we will get to know one another from there.