Towson United Methodist Church - Ministry

Ministry

Roderick J. Miller is Lead Pastor of Towson United Methodist Church, succeeding David S. Cooney in July, 2011. Miller grew up in Pennsylvania, where he graduated from Allegheny College in 1976, receiving a B.A. in Religion. He then studied at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., earning a Master of Divinity degree in 1982. While ministering at Union Chapel United Methodist Church in Joppa, Maryland, Miller continued his postgraduate studies, receiving a Doctor of Ministry degree in Church Revitalization from Chicago's McCormick Theological Seminary in 1992. He was later Lead Pastor at Bethany UMC church in Ellicott City, Maryland (1994–2005), after which he was named Director of Connectional Ministries for the denomination's Baltimore-Washington Conference, serving in that role 2005–2011.

The mission statement of Towson United Methodist Church is: "To proclaim the Word of God and to make disciples of Jesus Christ". The church's staff of twelve includes assistant ministers, directors of music and education, and building and administrative personnel. It is a part of the denomination's Baltimore-Washington Conference (district). In addition to Sunday morning worship services, the 1,200 member congregation participates in graded Sunday school classes, various adult Bible study classes, youth activities, and a midweek "Praise, Prayer & Healing" service. The music program includes both adult and youth choirs, as well as handbell ringers. The church's Alleluia Singers, a 50–voice ensemble of high school-age young people, sings frequently for weekly worship services and tours the eastern U.S. each summer.