Thanks to all the hard work of the Nominating Committee and God's call ... as of October 1, 2007

The Mendocino Presbyterian Church takes great pleasure in welcoming our newly called pastor of our congregation.  The Rev. Dr. Donald W. McCullough has an impressive history as pastor, professor of theology, seminary president and published writer. 
 
            What grabbed our attention and our hearts were these words from his cover letter and application:
            "I have been the pastor of two growing congregations and the president of two seminaries. Although I enjoyed my work in theological education, I have had an increasing desire to return to pastoral ministry.  We go through different seasons in our lives and I have been blessed with many wonderful opportunities to be in congregations around the world and to meet some of the most interesting thinkers of our time. But almost every day I have thought to myself, "Someday, by God's grace, I hope to become a pastor again to pour myself into a small but vibrant local congregation."
           
            Don's heart for pastoral care is but one of the ten required or desired skills we were searching for.  He is also a proven preacher, teacher, gifted writer/communicator, administrator, winsome evangelist, and cares about spiritual and leadership development.  It seems to us that he will draw in many Baby Boomers as well as younger families who are hungry for authentic bible teaching mirrored in a person's life. 
           
            The main theme of his ministry is Grace - God's grace to us in Christ and ours to one another in community. This is a man who has learned about grace not merely as a theological concept, but in the fire and on his face before God.
            The titles of some of Don's books reveal his personal struggles, his sense of humor and his richness of mind. Some examples are: If Grace Is So Amazing, Why Don't We Like It?; The Wisdom of Pelicans -A Search For Healing At The Water's Edge; The Trivialization of God - The Dangerous Illusion of a Manageable Deity; and Waking from the American Dream: Growing Through Your Disappointments.
            He has also written for a variety of magazines and journals, including The Christian Century, Christianity Today, Leadership Journal, Presbyterian Outlook, and Theology News and Notes from Fuller Seminary. 
           
            Don and his wife Shari both have their Master's from Fuller Seminary.  His Doctorate is from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. 
           
            Most of Don's pastoral experience was in San Diego County where the congregation grew from 520 to 2000 members in fourteen years.  He says, "A vital congregation is a center for worship, community, spiritual formation and mission. Mission aims at inviting people to faith in Jesus Christ (evangelism) and embodies God's compassion toward a broken, hurting world (social justice.)" 
           
            "My strategy for advancing these things is to invest myself in the preaching of God's Word, the creation of inspiring worship services, the development of staff and lay leaders, and the cultivation of programs of great diversity.
            "I really do believe that Jesus is Lord of the Church and thus I am happy to 'let a thousand flowers bloom,' allowing the Spirit to work through staff and laity, and to trust that the Lord will hold it all together."
           
            Don feels strongly that the restoration and turn-around that happened at S.F. Theological Seminary while President there was a remarkable moment in the seminary's history, linking it with its future.  He saw God "accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine." 
            His style of leadership is to surround himself with strong people, provide support and encouragement and let them use their gifts.
            When asked what he believes are the central issues facing the church today he wrote, "The Church must learn?
->How to be a community in an individualistic culture,
->How to uphold universal truths in the midst of post-modern relativism,
->How to witness to the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in a pluralistic environment,
->How to hold together evangelism and social justice,
->How to embody God's grace while calling believers to costly discipleship, 
->How to proclaim the truths of Zion in the language of Babylon,
->How to be faithful stewards in an affluent society,
->How to transcend the labels of "liberal," "conservative" and "evangelical,"
->How to articulate a vision of wholeness in a fragmented world,
->How to hope for the Kingdom while staying committed to this world,
->How to laugh,
->How to pray."
 
            Don enjoys reading, writing, the arts, photography, and outdoor activities like hiking and sailing.
 
            He and his wife Shari have been happily married for 8 years and have children and grandchildren with whom they love to spend time. 
 
            Don speaks of Shari as his greatest asset.  She is gifted, has friendships that are deep and close, loves to entertain, loves God and His people, is an ardent reader and a gifted minister of God's grace. 
 
            We are looking forward to the ministry they both will have among us.