Gary B. Reierson
The Reverend Dr. Gary B. Reierson (Ry'-er-son)
President
Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches
1001 East Lake Street, P.O. Box 7509
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55407-0509
612-721-8687, ext. 333
Fax: 612-722-8669
Email: reierson@gmcc.org
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts (magna cum laude), College of Liberal Arts, University of Minnesota, 1977.
Master of Divinity (with honors on Integrative Examinations), United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, 1978.
Doctor of Ministry (with distinction), United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, 1986.
POST-DOCTORAL STUDY
University of Oxford (Reader in the Bodleian Library: Fall 2007, Fall 2006, Summer 2000), (North American Summer Session: July 1992).
Bossey Ecumenical Institute of the World Council of Churches, Geneva, Switzerland, Fall 2006.
Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome, Fall 2001.
Centro Pro Unione, Rome, Fall 2001, December 1997, and July 1995.
Mini MBA for Nonprofit Organizations, University of St. Thomas, 1991.
EMPLOYMENT
1989 to present, President, Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches
Chief Executive Officer for the largest local council of churches in North America and the largest volunteer organization in the State of Minnesota, with $8 million annual expenditures, 25,000 volunteers, 700 member congregations, 31 programs, and 95+ staff impacting 358,000 people each year.
Positioned the Council as a major player in the national emphasis on faith-based initiatives. In 2003, GMCC became one of only ten agencies in the nation—and the only one in Minnesota—to receive a three-year federal Compassion Capital Fund intermediary grant to increase the capacity of grassroots groups in addressing human needs in their communities. In 2006, GMCC was one of only a few agencies in the nation to receive a 17 month extension grant from this program. In 2007, this was extended once again—for three years. The total received from the Compassion Capital Fund over the entire 7 years of this funding is $3.9 million plus $1.7 million in foundation grants to meet the match requirements—$5.6 million total invested in the community.
Focused the Council's efforts on mobilizing the faith community to be a leader in welfare reform, addressing child care, informal support networks for those making the transition from welfare to work, and affordable housing.
Led the design, management, and evaluation of results-oriented programs that moved from a focus on service statistics to outcome-based management.
Built effective bridges with communities of color:
- Ecumenical Partners Program overcame racial isolation in the community by joining together predominantly African-American and predominantly European-American congregations in partnership. This program received the 1992 Ecumenical Recognition Award from the National Council of Churches for its work in "mending torn places in the human community." The program, which was featured in the New York Times and on CBS Sunday Morning, has been replicated in five U.S. cities.
- Transformed a paternalistic relationship with the Division of Indian Work into a strategic alliance that emphasizes American Indian empowerment; cost-effective efforts to share back-office functions in finance, administration, and fund-raising; and exemplary program outcomes.
Ensured the raising annually of $8 million through a complex mix of funding sources, including Federal, State, County, and City governments; United Way; corporations; foundations; congregations; service organizations; individuals; and program fees.
Strengthened the organization so that it has received unqualified financial audits and balanced budgets for twenty-one consecutive years.
Developed and expanded the Board of Directors to include representatives from a cross section of the community, including key community leaders. Persons of color make up 39% of the Board of Directors and 50% of the staff.
Guided three successful capital campaigns raising over $16 million.
2007 to present, Recurring Visiting Faculty Member, School of Theology•Seminary, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota
1987 to 1989, Vice President for Community Relations, Greater Minneapolis Girl Scout Council
Senior manager for an organization with a $2.9 million annual budget. Responsible for the setting of goals and objectives, development and monitoring of budgets, supervision of three departments (Development, Public Relations, and Marketing), and accountability to the chief executive officer. Helped this predominantly white, middle-class, suburban organization secure the resources to focus its services on inner-city, low-income girls of color.
1986, Adjunct Professor of Theology, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
1977 to 1987, Associate Minister, Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota
1975 to 1977, Associate Minister, United Church of Christ, New Brighton, Minnesota
1973 to 1975, Teaching Specialist, College of Liberal Arts, University of Minnesota
PUBLICATIONS AND PUBLIC RECOGNITION
Books:
The Art in Preaching: The Intersection of Theology, Worship, and Preaching with the Arts. Lanham: University Press of America, 1988. (Listed by the Center for Pastoral Liturgy at the University of Notre Dame.)
The Gift of Administration, with Thomas Campbell. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1981. (Named one of the top ten books of 1981 by the Academy of Parish Clergy, and cited by one author as “one of the few ‘classic’ texts in the field of church administration” [Thomas Edward Frank, “The Discourse of Leadership and the Practice of Administration,” Journal of Religious Leadership 1 (Fall 2002): 7-30].)
Articles:
“To Lent or Not to Lent.” The Oblate 54 (Summer 2010): 1, 5-8.
Pastoral perspective on “Holy Thursday,” “Good Friday,” and “Holy Saturday.” In Feasting on the Word: Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary; Lent through Eastertide, year A, vol. 2, ed. David L. Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010.
“’Colloquium’: Conversations between Abbot Primate Notker Wolf, OSB, and Representatives from Various Communities.” In One Heart, One Soul: Many Communities, ed. Mary Forman, OSB. Collegeville, MN: Saint John’s University Press, 2009.
“An Innovative Response to the Challenges of Dramatic Increases in Immigration from Africa to the Twin Cites of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.” In Proceedings of the 18th International Conference of the Global Awareness Society International, ed. James C. Pomfret. 2009. http://organizations.bloomu.edu/gasi/2009ProcContent.html.
“A Sermon Preached at Saint John’s Abbey.” The Oblate 53 (Fall/Winter 2008/2009): 4-6.
“Sign Us Up.” President’s Letter, November 2008.
“Coming Home: Opening Our Eyes, Ears, Hearts, and Minds.” President’s Letter, October 2008.
Regular contributor to Lectionary Homiletics:
“Lesson and the Arts [Year B: Second Sunday after Christmas, Baptism of the Lord, Second and Third Sundays after the Epiphany].” Lectionary Homiletics 20 (December 2008/January 2009): 41-42, 51, 59-60, 67-68.
“Lesson and the Arts [Year A: Advent 1, 2, 3, 4; Christmas 1].” Lectionary Homiletics 19 (December 2007/January 2008): 7-8, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30.
“Lesson and the Arts [Year B: Lent 1, 2, 3, 4].” Lectionary Homiletics 17 (February/March 2006): 40, 49-50, 58-59, 67.
“Lesson and the Arts [Year A: Propers 18, 19, 20, 21].” Lectionary Homiletics 16 (August/September 2005): 48-49, 55-56, 64-65, 72-73.
“Lesson and the Arts [Year B: Propers 9, 10, 11, 12].” Lectionary Homiletics 14 (June/July 2003): 42-43, 51, 59, 65-66.
"Working for Justice in the Criminal Justice System." President’s Letter, October 2006.
"Does Goodness Really Matter?" Ecumenical People Programs Papers, November 2002, 11-14.
"Ecumenism from 'The Bottom Up'." Ecumenical Trends 31 (March 2002): 11-15.
"Transforming Do-Gooders into Good-Doers." President’s Letter, Winter 2002.
"Faith in Government?" Northern Spirit, July-August 2001, 35.
"Art and Ethics in the Novels of Iris Murdoch." ARTS (The Arts in Religious and Theological Studies) 13 (Summer 2001): 10-12.
"What's not new about government funding for faith-based projects." MetroLutheran, May 2001, 4.
"Faith in Government? A Look at President Bush and Faith-based Initiatives." President’s Letter, Winter 2001.
"Being Good for Nothing." The Clergy Journal 77 (October 2000): 12-14.
"What Indians, Palestinians have in Common." Minneapolis StarTribune, June 8, 1998, sec. A, 9.
"Welfare-to-Work: What Churches can Do." Minneapolis StarTribune, July 24, 1997, sec. A, 25.
"As Government does Less for Poor, Can Churches Give More?" Minneapolis StarTribune, January 28, 1997, sec. A, 11.
"Rekiindling the Gift: Administrative 'Gifts' Help Clarify Your Clergy Role." The Clergy Journal 72 (November-December 1995): 8-11.
"Preaching Artful Sermons." The Christian Ministry 19 (May-June 1988): 20-22.
"The Minister and Organist as Colleagues." The American Organist 20 (October 1986): 64-67.
"Special Sunday Series on Touch." Preventing Sexual Abuse 1 (Summer 1986): 5-6.
"It's Ulrich's Birthday Too." The Congregational Journal 11 (September 1985): 51-58.
"Biblical Archaeology." Reality. Minneapolis: Winston Press, 1973.
Unpublished materials:
The Plymouth Heritage, with Elaine Marsh. Minneapolis: Plymouth Congregational Church, 1979.
A History of the Attitude of the University of Minnesota Toward Religion. Minneapolis: 1973 (Bachelor of Arts honors thesis).
Public recognition:
Biography included in Contemporary Authors, a bio-bibliographical guide to current writers published by Gale.
Recipient personally of the following awards:
- Outstanding Unity Award, Minnesota State Baptist Convention (2006)
- Recognition Award, Ogoni Youth Leadership Forum (for advocating for the resettlement of Ogoni Nigerian refugees and the development of services for West Africans in the Twin Cities) (2006)
- Distinguished Alumnus Award, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (2003)
- David W. Preus Leadership Award (2002)
- WCCO Good Neighbor Award (2002)
- International Leadership Institute Award (in recognition of a decade or more service towards the elimination of social injustice and intolerance in the world community) (1999)
- Ecumenical Partners Award from Urban Ministries (1994)
Under his leadership, the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches received the following awards:
- Top Workplace (WorkplaceDynamics and StarTribune) (2010)
- Award of Excellence of the National Council of Churches (for long and distinguished history in furthering ecumenical life and ministry) (2009)
- Volunteer Service Award of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation (for Urban Immersion Service Retreats) (2008)
- Honor of Hope Awardee of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (for the Compassion Capital Fund Program) (2008)
- Best Practices Award of the Governor's Council on Faith and Community Service Initiatives (for the Community Justice Project) (2008)
- Recognition by the U.S. House of Representatives for Minnesota FoodShare’s twenty-five years fighting hunger in Minnesota (2007)
- Recognition by the U.S. Department of Justice of the Division of Indian Work’s Family Violence Program for work on behalf of crime victims (2007)
- Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition presented to Minnesota FoodShare (in recognition of outstanding and invaluable service to the community) (2005)
- African Award from the Consortium of African Community Organizations (in appreciation for the welcome and support given to African immigrants and refugees) (2004)
- Partnership Award presented to Minnesota FoodShare by Second Harvest Saint Paul Food Bank in recognition of outstanding and sustained support (2001)
- Committee on Urban Environment Award for partnership between Metro Paint-A-Thon and Hirshfield's Paint Recycling Program (2001)
- Ecumenical Service Awards from the National Council of Churches:
For Welfare Reform Programs (1999)
For Minnesota Churches Anti-Racism Initiative (1997)
For Indian Work Ministries (1993)
For Ecumenical Partners Program (1991)
- Minnesota Churches Anti-Racism Initiative recognized nationally as a model project by the White House Initiative on Race (1997)
- Samuel H. Scheiner Human Relations Award for Minnesota FoodShare from the Jewish Community Relations Council (1994)
Recipient of national preaching awards:
- Joseph Jones Russell Sermon Award (1986)
- Award for Preaching of the Christian Sermon Society (honorable mention) (1976)
Memberships:
Board of Directors and Executive Committee, Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches
Board of Directors and Executive Committee, Division of Indian Work
Council of Sponsors, Minnesota FoodShare
Board of Directors, Franklin National Bank
Board of Directors (Chair), Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research
Board of Trustees, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
Youth Violence Prevention Executive Committee, City of Minneapolis
Board of Directors, Saint Paul Area Council of Churches
Advisory Board of Directors, Peace Foundation
National Association of Ecumenical and Inter-religious Staff
Iris Murdoch Society
The Minneapolis Club
Personal:
Married to Pamela ("Pam") Matson Reierson
Two adult daughters: Katharine ("Katy") and Elizabeth ("Beth")
One grandchild: Levi Christopher Coffin
Ordained minister of the United Church of Christ (1978)
Oblate, Saint John’s Abbey, Collegeville, Minnesota (1999)
See ”Sign Us Up!” President’s Letter, November 2008
See “Coming Home: Opening Our Eyes, Ears, Hearts, and Minds”, President’s Letter, October 2008
See "Ecumenism from 'The Bottom Up,'" March 2002 (reprinted with permission of Ecumenical Trends)
See "Transforming Do-Gooders into Good-Doers," President's Letter, Winter 2002
See "Art and Ethics in the Novels of Iris Murdoch" Summer 2001 (reprinted with permission of ARTS: The Arts in Religious and Theological Studies)
See "Faith in Government? A Look at President Bush and Faith-based Initiatives," President's Letter, Winter 2001
See "Being Good for Nothing," September 2000 (reprinted with permission of The Clergy Journal)
