STAFF SPOTLIGHT

MEET DAVID HODGSON

Desert Palms’ Interim Pastor Head of Staff

I. General Job Description: Pastor David's role as Desert Palm's Interim Head of Staff encompasses the same broad, general responsibilities, both pastoral and administrative, that are held by a permanent pastor. Plus, he has the added responsibility to help Desert Palms’ transition from the past to the future. Some of his pastoral duties include preaching and teaching the Word, administering sacraments, and being involved in congregational care. Administrative responsibilities include working with other staff members, fostering effective planning and communication, serving as moderator of the session and congregation, and representing the staff on several standing committees. David interprets his responsibilities related to transitioning to mean he is to help Desert Palms work through a healing and dreaming process that involves his facilitating the resolution of any existing woundedness, and to help awaken new dreams that will propel Desert Palms into a meaningful, productive future. In sum, David's responsibilities as our Interim Head of Staff place a full plate before him, but he enthusiastically embraces the opportunity to fulfill the leadership roles of this position.

II. Most Rewarding Part of Job: Pastor David has been on the staff officially a short time (as of May 1), but has taken advantage of opportunities to become involved in his work. He has especially enjoyed getting to meet many new people, and says he has been thrilled to discover God's joy in them, and they in one another. 

III. Most Challenging Part of Job: While most of the churches David has been associated with differ from Desert Palms in several ways--fewer members, smaller staffs, and multigenerational congregations--he sees these differences as both positive and challenging, and as providing opportunities for him to grow professionally.

IV. Work Experience/Training: David's formal higher education began at Gettysburg College in PA where he majored in Philosophy, minor in Bible. He is a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, and earned a Doctorate of Ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary. He continued his studies at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and also completed Interim Ministry Training. He was ordained in 1967 by Newark Presbytery. He served three long tenured pastorates in New Jersey and Arizona, plus guided three additional congregations through transition as an interim pastor. He is honorably retired from the PC(USA), and recently served as pastor of the Congregational Church of the Valley in Scottsdale where he served 14 years. As many may recall, he was moderator of Presbytery of Grand Canyon in 2006, and chaired Presbytery Council in 2007.

V. Off-job Interests: David's off-the-job interests and activities have varied through the years. Currently, the Hodgson's head to their hideaway in Heber, AZ on Sunday afternoons when their schedules permit. This second home serves as their spiritual retreat and provides a chance for some quality R & R. Travel, politics, and family get-togethers provide interest, enjoyment, and challenges when "off-the-job." While living in a small town near Atlantic City, NJ, David became involved in politics and was elected mayor for one term. He was challenged to meet his pastoral and political obligations, but he managed to blend the two. This experience as well as others which have followed has given him an opportunity to translate his faith values into the public domain, and to gain valuable experiences in creating social change. It's not surprising his doctoral dissertation focused on theology and public policy. His travels have taken him to several countries, including such places as the Ukraine, Guatemala, and Uganda, and have provided opportunities for him to become involved in helping create some sort of positive change in many of the countries he visited. Also, he had a pilot's license in the past, and enjoyed flying.

VI. Personal Notes: Montclair, NJ is David's birthplace, and he continued to live in NJ until he moved to AZ in 1989. He has a twin sister in PA and two younger brothers in VT. While in NJ he raised three children as a single parent, and those children now reside in California, Georgia, and New Jersey. He became the proud grandfather of a granddaughter last September. His wife of twenty years, Deanne, has two children who live in NJ. Deanne is an ordained Presbyterian minister, and is a trained nurse. Currently she is involved in various aspects of holistic medicine.

When asked what his hopes and aspirations are for his future, David said he hopes to stay in ministry in some capacity as long as his health permits. One idea he has considered for his future is to fill a pulpit in an English-speaking church outside the U.S., such as a church that serves persons living abroad. This would blend his love of travel; provide opportunities to continue spreading God's word; and to become involved in international happenings. 

The Desert Palms family is pleased that Pastor David has joined our church family as the Interim Head of Staff, and we look forward to his leadership as we "dream" with him about our future, plan, and then act to fulfill the mission our Lord sets before us. Let's all extend a hearty welcome to Pastor David, and enthusiastically support him as he works with us!