About Max

I was ten years old the first time I remember talking to anybody about feeling called to be in full time ministry. That conversation opened up a wonderful journey for me that continues to fascinate me each day. My ideas about what it means to be a pastor, the joys, pains, celebrations and struggles have certainly changed from that day nearly 30 years ago, but I still feel the wonder, the excitement, the privilege of what it means to be able to devote myself fulltime to God’s mission in the world.

One of the big changes for me has been some of the people who figure more prominently in the journey. My wife and son are two of them. I learn a lot about what it means to journey with Jesus by trying to walk each day with them. The things they teach me about love and growth are the things Jesus has been trying to teach me since I was ten. One of our favorite family activities is to hike together; it’s a wonderful metaphor for me of what discipleship is all about: walking a path with others, exploring the wonder of God’s creation and enjoying each other’s company along the way.

I first started working for churches when I was sixteen years old. I was hired by a church to conduct worship services two Sundays a month. I have held a lot of other jobs since then: choir director, youth minister, pastor, associate pastor, hospital chaplain, but coming to Orange in the summer of 2006, was another occasion when I felt God was definitely directing the path I was walking. I believe God has great things in store for the people of faith at Orange Church. I am glad to be a part of it. I hope you will come join us in the journey!

Peace,
Max

Background:

Native of GA, son of a United Methodist Pastor.

High School: Franklin County 1988
College: Wofford College: BA 1991
Duke Divinity School: Master of Divinity 1995
Duke Divinity School: Master of Theology 1996

While in College worked at the Ashkelon Archeology Site, Israel, summer of 1989.
- Established the student volunteer program for Wofford.

While at Duke Divinity School traveled to Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Greece.
- Studied for a year at the University of Bonn, Germany.
- Served as teaching assistant for the preaching department 1996.
Member of the Order of the Flame, World Methodist Evangelism Council, 2000.