Laquaan Malachi
Lead Pastor
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Call to Ministry
I discovered my call to ministry through the Wesley Foundation in college. I was drawn in by the three general rules and this is what led me to become Methodist and to serve here.
Gifts for the Ministry
I am very good at talking to and understanding people, even when I disagree with them. I am also a good preacher. I understand the power effective sermons can have to produce change. I also work extraordinarily well with youth and children. I have a lot of experience with funerals and pastoral care.
Aspirations for Ministry and for Serving the Local Church
I have always felt a call to connecting the local church with the people around them. This means both church members and the local non church community.
Passion for Ministry
My passion for ministry stems from my passion for caring about people. My call is rooted in a theology of love and inclusion, and I am passionate about creating those spaces, so that all may feel welcome in the Kingdom of God.
Vision of the Church
An ideal church would be one where people of all walks join together to contribute to realizing God’s kingdom on Earth. Church should be communal and safe for all people. A recharging station for our work in the community and world.
Leadership Style
I prefer to lead through collaboration and inspiration, with an overwhelming amount of love and grace. I prefer to be honest and upfront with people as a means of building trust. I always seek to be fair with people.
Theological Perspective
My theological perspective can most easily be described as Wesleyan. It can be summed up by the General Rules of the United Methodist Church. 1) Do No Harm 2) Do All the Good You Can 3) Attend Upon the Ordinances of God. These rules are the core principles of my belief system.
Rev. Dan Johnson
Pastor
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Call to Ministry
Brunswick UMC was foundational for my call to ministry through the 1970’s including: youth group, Camp Kingswood, Boundary Waters trips, a spiritual vision of God’s claim on my life, employment as a youth director, and the initial steps on my journey toward ordained ministry. A deep internal call confirmed by external feedback from others, with the catalyst of key life events, all compelled me to leave employment with Honeywell and pursue pastoral ministry. In retirement this calling does not wane but shifts to different timelines and expressions with greater margins to invest more deeply and broadly in all the precious covenants of my life.
Gifts for the Ministry
• Preaching and worship leadership
• Organizational system assessment and intervention
• “Imagineering” and vision casting
• Staff and lay leadership development
• Discipleship and stewardship cultivation
• STRENGTHFINDERS: Strategic, Responsibility, Ideation, Achiever, Maximizer
Aspirations for Ministry and for Serving the Local Church
At this stage of life and career, my aspirations focus on bridging the Church that filled and formed me with the Church that might fill and form my children, grandchildren, and generations yet to come. I serve with a spirit of grateful indebtedness to local church heritage and a posture of curious experimentation with fresh expressions of ministry.
Passion for Ministry
I celebrate the spectrum of God’s light and love as reflected uniquely and authentically by every one of God’s people. I’m thrilled when I can help people and congregations discern who they are, where they fit in, and what God is calling them to become – all the while lovingly accompanying and encouraging them on this individual and collective journey!
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Vision of the Church
The Church is the Body of Christ that heals us of that which cripples individually and collectively, nurtures our spiritual and behavioral growth, and fills us with such joy that our faith overflows in reaching new people. The Church is not a fixed location nor a stagnant institution, but a movement that invites belonging, engenders purpose, and engages us in building God’s “kin-dom” on earth.
Leadership Style
I bring creativity and initiative to collaborative planning and decision making. I am stimulated by the synergy of high functioning teams and value both the process and product of shared ministry. I recognize however, that leadership style must also be adaptable, and I can shift roles as the variables of relationship, task, and context require.
Theological Perspective
I am evangelical in the sense of offering “good news”, trusting in God’s Word, and living more fully in relationship with Jesus Christ. I am progressive in how scripture is interpreted, who faith community must include, and where the Church needs to evolve for relevance and efficacy. I am Wesleyan in my embrace of prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying expressions of grace, and my process of discernment that is rooted in Bible, Experience, Reason and Tradition.
Christine Laughlin
Organist/Accompanist
Christine loves to bring music to life through her music. Christine leads the congregation on organ and piano alike. She is also a wonderful flutist, playing special music and accompanying other groups. Christine has a Master of Arts in Theology (LSTC, 2005) and a Master of Arts in Sacred Music (Seabury Western, 2006).
Denise Berrington
Office & Communications Coordinator
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Denise joined the Brunswick staff in 2015. She enjoys working on the church's communications and media. A Canadian expatriate of over 25 years, she resides in Dayton with her husband, two daughters, a Labradoodle, and two cats.