BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

FOR

LUONNE ABRAM ROUSE, D. Min.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:

High School Diploma, Kingstree High, Kingstree, South Carolina

B.S. Psychology, South Carolina State College, Orangeburg, South Carolina

M. Divinity, Interdenominational Theological Center & Candler School of

Theology at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia

Clinical Pastoral Education at Georgia Baptist Medical Center

· Certified Pastoral Counselor , Fellow - AAPC

Doctor of Ministry at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina

Trained Professional in the area of In-patient Treatment of Addiction, Greenville Hospital System and United States Navy

CREDENTIALS:

Ordained Elder, S.C. Conference United Methodist Church, founder and first pastor of Joseph B. Bethea United Methodist Church (a multi-racial/inclusive congregation), Conway/Myrtle Beach Area, South Carolina

Associate Professor at Erskine Theological Seminary (United Methodist courses)

Fellow of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors

Lieutenant Commander U.S. Naval Reserve Chaplains Corps

Certified Stephen Leader in the Stephen Ministries Series

Chaired the Psychological Testing Committee for Board of Ordained Ministry,

(BOM) South Carolina Conference United Methodist Church

Chairperson of Division of Elders (BOM)

Dean of the Local Pastors Licensing School, South Carolina Conference United Methodist Church

Member of the Wofford College Board of Trustees

· Instructor and Consultant in the Leadership and Training Institute of the East Africa Conference of the United Methodist Church

Certified Youth Leader and Consultant

Certified Church Growth Consultant

New Church Developer and Mission Partner, General Board of Global Ministries'

National Program Division's Office of New Church Development

Race Relations Consultant

Prison Fellowship, USA, Prison Seminar Instructor

Television Ministry (1993-94) on Channel 43, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Periodic Host of Coastline Niteline (1991-94) on Channel 43, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Chairperson of the Sun News Diversity Committee, 1992-1994

Served on various boards and agencies in Conway/Myrtle Beach Area, South Carolina, 1991-1994

Currently serves on various boards and agencies in Greenville, South Carolina including the

Community Planning Council, the YMCA Board, and the Greater Greenville Forum

Member Greenville County Council appointed ML King, Jr. Holiday Task Force

ACCOMPLISHMENT AND HONORS:

Appointed to Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church in Harlem, New York, Senior Minister of Revitalization Project for Historic Church of Black Methodists, 2003; A cross annual conference appointment

· Olympic Torch Bearer, 2001

· National Register’s WHO’S WHO in Executives and Professionals, Published in 2001-2002

Who's Who Among Executives and Professionals Award 1996

S. C. Jaycees' Outstanding Young American Religious Service Award 1994

Myrtle Beach Jaycees' Distinguished Achievement Award 1993

National Denman Evangelism Award 1992

Barbara Boultinghouse Bridgebuilder Award 1991

Appointed to Buncombe Street United Methodist Church in Greenville, 2500 member predominantly White congregation, 1986; marked first cross-racial appointment in South Carolina Methodism since Reconstruction

Guest Chaplain at U.S. Senate, Washington, DC, 1983

Regional Finalist, White House Fellows

National Council of Negro Women's Man of the Year

Outstanding Young Man of America

Who's Who in American Christian Leadership, The American Christian Leadership Council

Visionary and Co-organizer of Greenville Neighborhoods in Action

Guest Chaplain at the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals at Investiture of the Honorable Judge Dennis Shedd

Author of numerous published articles

PERSONAL DATA:

Born in Greenville, South Carolina on June 22, 1955

Youngest son of the late Reverend Bishop C. (1920-2003) and the late Diaconal Lula W. Rouse (1928-2002). Brother of Bishop C. Rouse, Jr., lay leader of a United Methodist church in Danbury, Connecticut and Bernard J. Rouse, member of Hyattsville United Methodist Church in Hyattsville, Maryland

Married to former Connie Davis of Camden, South Carolina

Devoted father to two daughters, Lanecia Anee Rouse (graduate of Duke Divinity School), who serves as visiting minister at three (3) British Methodist Churches in England. and Ciona Denee Rouse (graduate Columbia College), who works for the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church in Nashville, TN..

APPOINTMENTS:

Orangeburg Parish United Methodist (3 churches), Orangeburg, South Carolina, 1976-1980

Dillon Parish United Methodist (3 churches), Dillon, South Carolina, 1980-1985

Middleton-Rosemond United Methodist Church, Columbia, South Carolina, 1985-1986

Buncombe Street United Methodist Church, Associate Minister, Greenville, South Carolina, 1986-1991

Joseph B. Bethea United Methodist Church, Conway/Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, 1991-1994

Disciples United Methodist Church, Greenville, South Carolina, 1994-2003

Erskine Theological Seminary, Due West, South Carolina, 1997- 2004

Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church, Harlem, New York, 2003-

PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL REFERENCES:

· Bishop J. Lawrence McCleskey, Charlotte, NC

· Bishop Marshall L. Meadors, P. O. Box 931, Jackson, MS 39205-0931

· Bishop Ernest Newman, 3636 Carriage Way, Eastpoint, GA 30344

· The Rev. Dr. Clyde A. Anderson, General Board of Global Ministry, 475 Riverside Drive

Room 1318, New York, NY 10115

PUBLICATIONS:

"Where We're Going...Mending the Crack in the Rock"

Moving toward a church that is racially inclusive ought to be our (United Methodist) priority and our mandate for the 21st century.

March 1993/Circuit Rider

United Methodist Publication for Clergy

“A Loving Agenda”

Love is the key to intentional racial reconciliation.

May/June 1997 The Upper Room

United Methodist Church Publication

Upper Room Ministries, Nashville, TN

"Crossing the Line"

The consequences of clergy sexual misconduct have damaging effects on clergy colleagues and other covenant relationships.

1998-99 United Methodist Study on Sexual Ethics

General Board on Higher Education and Ministry

The United Methodist Church, Nashville, TN

"Building the inclusive Community of God...

Cross-Racial Appointments: Enabling Inclusiveness In The Local Church"

The ethics of inclusiveness restores the essentiality of the church when the local church permits Christian factors and not racial factors determine their pastoral leadership. Rooted in the image of God Christians transcend racial lines.

Anti-Racism Study Action Guide on Cross Racial Appointments, 1999

General Commission on Religion and Race

The United Methodist Church, Washington, DC

Return to: MetroHome