Who We Are
Our Church Leadership
Ministers
James D. Miller, Ph.D.
Pastor
Dr. Miller grew up in Wilmington, Delaware. He’s a graduate of Wheaton College (IL), and Princeton Seminary. In 1989, he received his Ph.D. in New Testament studies from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. His dissertation on the Pastoral Letters (I&II Timothy and Titus) was published by Cambridge University Press.
Following seminary, Jim served as an adjunct professor of Greek at Wheaton College for four years. He began his pastoral ministry in 1981, serving as an associate pastor at the Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. While living in Scotland, Jim served part-time at St. Michael’s Kirk (Presbyterian Church of Scotland) in Linlithgow.
In October of 1992, Jim was called to be the sixth Senior Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Tulsa. He serves on the Board of Trustees at the University of Tulsa, the largest Presbyterian-affiliated University in the country. He is also currently serving on the Board of Trustees at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, PA.
Rev. Rick K. Davis, M.Th.
Senior Associate Pastor
Rev. Davis was born in Colorado and spent most of his early life in oilfield communities. He was born a Presbyterian and baptized in a small Baptist Church in Rangeley, Colorado, at the age 9. He still remembers well being asked, “Is Jesus your Lord and Savior?” and excitedly saying “YES!”
Rick graduated from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, with a B.A. in Religion and a minor in Theatre Arts. He performed as the infamous “Inchworm” in PBS’s “Metric Man” series. Rick worked as a mudlogger for Halliburton and later attended Perkins School of theology at Southern Methodist University where he graduated with a Masters in Theology. While doing youth ministry in the Dallas area I worked for six years with Frank and Darrel Kuntz at CBN on a Christian children’s television program called The Good Time Gang and The Whistlestop Theatre.
After ordaination in 1983, he served as Associate Pastor for Youth ministry and Christian Education in Tucson, Arizona (eight years), and then as Pastor at FPC in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, for 11 years. While in Tahlequah, he taught speech and religion classes at NSU for seven years and directed and performed in over 12 community theatre presentations. Rev. Davis was called to serve as an associate pastor at FPC Tulsa in 2001 with responsibilities in pastoral care and with responsibilities in spiritual development added to this position in 2006. In the summer of 2006 Rick completed his certificate in Spiritual Development from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Rev. Elaine H. Cervini, M.Div.
Associate Pastor for Mission & Outreach
A First Church pastor since 2000, Elaine Hedgecock Johnson is a native of Houston, TX, but has lived in Tulsa for most of her adult life. After about five years in hospital public relations, she stayed home to raise her children, Grant and Sally (Patterson), and to serve her church and community in various volunteer roles. A longtime member of First Church, she was Director of Evangelism at First Church prior to attending Phillips Seminary in Tulsa and receiving a Master of Divinity degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Elaine’s call home to First Church after came as a welcome surprise.
Elaine works with the Mission Committee of Session, equipping members to reach into the world, both locally and globally, with gifts of mercy and compassion and with ministries that have the power to transform lives. She works with the Outreach and Growth Committee to equip members to witness to the power of Jesus in their own lives, to encourage them to invite friends and neighbors to come to church, to welcome new worshipers when they come, and to help them grow as followers of Jesus. Elaine also works with the women of the church, including Presbyterian Women, to provide annual retreats, women’s Bible studies and mission opportunities. And she works with the Communications Committee, finding creative ways to let members and neighbors know about First Church’s ministries.
Elaine enjoys sketching and painting, cooking and gardening, and going to the dog park with her dachshund-mix, Sunday.
Rev. Michael Homan, M.Div.
Associate Pastor for Next Generation Ministries
“Identity is a big deal. Who you are and whose you are sit at the heart of the Gospel. Among many things, I am a husband, father, son, friend, follower, leader, pastor, and musician. These roles describe the most important relationships in my life and community. Before I am any of these, however, I am a child of God and a follower of Jesus who yearns to be lead by the Holy Spirit. My role at First Presbyterian is to help our community live into our calling as we seek to "make fully-devoted followers of Jesus; inwardly strong and outwardly focused."
Michael’s journey into the Reformed tradition, by his own account, is anything but “typical.” He was raised in Minnesota, growing up in the Roman Catholic Church. While attending the University of Minnesota he became involved with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and a local non-denominational congregation, both of which played a significant role in his desire to become a more faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. A sequence of events led him to transfer to Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK where he completed a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education in ‘99 and later a M. Div. degree in ‘04 while also working full-time for the office of Student Development. Michael found his “home” in the Presbyterian tradition when, in 2004, he was hired as the Director of Student Ministries here at First Church, Tulsa. He was later ordained and installed as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in and has taken on pastoral oversight for children and family ministries in addition to youth and college ministries. Michael’s musical gifts are also put to good use as he coordinates and leads the 9:30am contemporary worship service and music team. He is married to Heather and together they have three children, Sarah, Andrew, and Samuel.
Deacons
"Each person is given something to do, that shows who God is. Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits." 1 Corinthians 12:8
Deacons extend the love and support of First Church to those in need, the sick and to any who may be in distress, within and beyond the community of faith.
Primary Ministries:
Camp Sunshine: Host young oncology patients from an area hospital and their families for a day of fun, swimming, canoeing, and food at Camp Loughridge in August (97 in 2008).
Communion: Serve communion to homebound members four times a year (Lent, Pentecost, World Communion Sunday, and Advent) with Elders and pastors.
Christ in Action: Travel with other volunteers and First Responders to the homes of seniors, homebound and single parents to help with minor home repairs (change light bulbs, fix doors, plant flowers, clean gutters) during Day of Care in May and through the year.
Choir Brunch: Sponsor a breakfast break for the choir members, musicians, and pastors who participate in the four Easter Sunday worship services.
Flower Ministry: Deliver flowers from the worship service to First Church members in area hospitals and care facilities on Sunday afternoon. Lilies (Easter) and poinsettias (Christmas) are delivered to all homebound members.
Bereavement: Host receptions following memorial services and funerals. Assist in conducting an All Saints Day worship/memorial service for those who have experienced loss.
First Friends: Call on homebound members throughout the year (personal visitation, phone calls, and notes).
Thanksgiving: Sponsor a worship service and Thanksgiving dinner at Camp Loughridge designed for those who are alone or away from home.
Angel Project: Lead members of First Church and other volunteers to work with Alcott School and social service organizations to provide area families with food and other items at Christmas.
Hunger/Thirst: Participate with Day Center for the Homeless, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, and the H20 Project.
Bluegrass and BBQ: Sponsor an afternoon of great music and food at Camp Loughridge each spring for fellowship and outreach.
**If you are interested in additional information or would like to help on any activity, please contact any deacon or email Sara Studenmund (sstudenmund@firstchurchtulsa.org).**
Members:
Ten new members are nominated and elected by the congregation each year to serve three-year terms.
Class of 2009 Lori Kanitz |
Class of 2010 Nelda Brown |
Class of 2011 Lynda Alford |
Session
As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament Church provided persons with particular gifts to share in governing and ministry.Elders are chosen by the people.Together with ministers of the Word and Sacrament, they exercise leadership, government, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a particular church as well as the church at large, including ecumenical relationships.
Elders should be persons of faith, dedication, and good judgment.Their manner of life should be a demonstration of the Christian gospel, both within the church and in the word.
It is the duty of elders, individually and jointly, to strengthen and nurture the faith and life of the congregation committed to their charge.Together with the pastor, they should encourage the people in the worship and service of God, equip and renew them for their tasks within the church and for their mission in the world, visit and comfort and care for the people, with special attention to the poor, the sick, the lonely, and those who are oppressed.
Recent Session Action:
Session Members:
Andy Allen
Shannon Bair
Robbie Burke
Dr. Joe Cole
Cheryl Crane
Bob Curtis
Linda Greaves
Dana Grogan
Andrew Jenkins
Levan Kelly
David Kern
Ken Klein
Jan Lee
Dr. Walt MacMillan
Ed Majors
Gary Mathews (clerk)
Anna Milligan
Pat Morris
Jana Neal
Duff Points
Jennifer Rodehaver
Dr. Ed Seaberg
Patty Seibert
Bob Simmons
Charlie Stephenson
Kert Surface
Dan Thomas
Amy Tingleaf
Dr. Rieger Wood
Committees
Committees
Budget and Finance: Carole Harber
Building: Bob Pielsticker
Building and Grounds: Will Keith/ Bob Curtis
Christian Education, Spiritual Formation & Discipleship: Ed Majors
Communication: Dan Thomas
Member Care: Holbrook Lawson HolderPat Morris
Next Generation Ministry: Shannon Bair
Nominating: Jennifer Rodehaver
Personnel: Jan Keene
Representation: Robbie Burke
Scholarship: Pat Morris
Stewardship:
Strategic Planning: Amy Tingleaf
Women's Ministry Council: Duff Points
Worship & Music:
Session Representatives to Camp Loughridge Board: Bob Simmons
Trustees
Giving is Foundational
By Laurie Winslow
Every year the church invites us to recall our blessings and come forward on Commitment Sunday to make a financial pledge. This annual passage is one way we can show our appreciation to God and support the church.
But there is another way to leave a legacy.
The First Presbyterian Foundation, established in 1962, oversees five endowment funds that support the church’s various missions and activities, including worship, study, fellowship, service, and stewardship.
Al Bush, a longtime church member and trustee of the Foundation, sees his gift to the Foundation as an investment in the future. But, foremost, it’s a gift to Christ.
“I give to Christ. I’m really just a manager. I’m a holder of my goods, they’re not going to go with me. I’m a custodian of sorts, so I’m trying to make what I have grow,” Al says. “I’m recognizing the Creator. It’s not a debt; it’s my expression of love and wanting to be part of a bigger world.”
The church is extremely important to Al, who has served as elder, deacon, and trustee multiple times over the years. He first learned about First Presbyterian in 1957, shortly after moving here from Des Moines, Iowa. While playing handball one day at the Tulsa Club, Al met the Rev. Bryant Kirkland, who invited him to visit First Presbyterian. The rest is history.
Giving to the Foundation, for Al and others, is an important part of stewardship and necessary to ensure that future generations will be able to do God’s work. Not only does it give church members an opportunity to make a difference in their lifetime, but in the lifetimes of those to come.
The Foundation’s mission is to manage the funds and grow them so that interest off the fund can be used to do God’s work. In the last five years, the Foundation has given $1.2 million to church operations. Last year, it provided $20,000 in college scholarships to 30 church members. Currently, the Foundation has approximately $11 million, with a goal of reaching $30 million by 2010.
You can give to the Foundation one of several ways, including making a cash donation, listing the Foundation in your will, or naming it as a beneficiary of your life insurance or retirement account. You also can set up gift annuity plans and trusts.
“It’s easy. People have a tendency to think that trusts and the like are very complicated, but it really isn’t,” Jim says. He encourages people who are interested in learning more to get in touch with any of the Foundation’s trustees, who can help direct them and provide options.
Sometimes a chance comes along that enables a person to do one big thing for the church. For Al, that chance came back in 1994 when he sold a company, Crop Production Services Inc., and used some of the proceeds to set up a charitable remainder trust. Not only does it provide a tax benefit, but the church benefits hugely.
“I like to believe that it solidifies my commitment. I want to believe that God smiles at me a little bit,” Al says.
To learn more, call Steve Caldwell the church’s director of operations, at 584-4701, ext. 241.
Trustees:
Robbie E. Burke (chair)
Frank McDonald
Jane E. Crain
James R. Eagleton, Jr.
A. Wayne Ward
Geordie Matson
Dennis S. Lee, Sr.
Stephen Wright
Dixie A. Reppe