Today we’d like to introduce you to Sean McDonald.
Hi Sean, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I first felt a call to ministry when I was a sophomore in high school. I was riding home with a friend, and we were conversing about where his pastor went to college. I struggle to explain it, but something about that conversation made a connection for me, and I had an overwhelming sense that that was what I was supposed to do. And I began to pursue a life in ministry.
That led me to Randolph Macon College, where I majored in religious studies. I was also a member of the Purnell Bailey Scholarship program, which aimed to develop college students who are discerning a call to ministry. Here, I got my first internship position at Kenwood UMC under Rev. Dan Kim. Kenwood was a tiny church mainly consisting of senior citizens. Still, they welcomed me with open arms and were very forgiving of a green college student trying ministry for the first time.
After graduation, my wife and I moved to Dallas so I could attend SMU for seminary. At the start of the semester, I got an internship at Highland Park UMC in their college ministry. I grew up in a small, rural church, so Highland Park was a culture shock, to say the least. I felt out of place but worked hard to try to prove myself and learn everything I possibly could about ministry. Eventually, there was an opening for the High School Pastor role at HPUMC, and I was offered the role, which I graciously accepted. I never pictured myself in youth ministry, but I am so thankful that is where I ended up because it was during my time as the high school pastor that I learned so much about ministry. I had so much fun with the students and they pushed me to grow as a pastor.
Then, last January, I was offered the role of Youth Director and Associate Pastor at Munger Place Church, the East Dallas campus of HPUMC. It was a big step for me but one I felt I was ready for. It was also at this time that I passed my interview with the Board of Ordained Ministry to become an Elder In the UMC. For the last year, I have been working with the students and congregation at large at Munger, and it has been an exceptionally fruitful year. Our youth ministry is growing, and I am excited to watch our students continue to develop into young leaders in their communities.
When I first got to Munger, there was already an established youth ministry. However, it was made clear to me by the parents, students, and staff that they were ready for the next step. I made my emphasis for the first year all about consistency. We needed consistent programming, presence, expectations, and everything in between. At the time the youth ministry was focused on fun events, but I wanted to provide more than that for our students. We, of course, want our students to have fun, but it is also necessary that we create opportunities for growth when they are with us. Students can stay home and have fun, so what we offered had to be more than that. I believe that this generation of students is hungrier for community and genuine connection than any generation before them. This is also a generation that heavily believes in serving. Our youth ministry needs to reflect that. In the last year, we have implemented a student band, a student leadership team, a student takeover service in our sanctuary, a tech team, multiple mission trip opportunities, and much more. Most recently, we had our very first Winter Worship Festival, which hosted students from 23 churches in the DFW area for a night of worship, service, and community. The way I see it, our youth are not the future of the Church; they are the Church. That means we need to invest heavily in youth ministry in order to give students the tools for continuing their lifelong journey of faith.
I would not be here without the support of my wife Sheridan, family, and so many mentors.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Ministry always comes with challenges. It requires trial and error and being willing to make mistakes. But it also requires learning from those mistakes in order to grow. One of the largest obstacles I have faced in my journey was being deferred by the Board of Ordained Ministry in January 2022. This is where you go before a large number of clergy from the conference, and they interview you on theology, your call, and your understanding of word and worship. It takes a lot of preparation and energy, and following my interview, I was given a list of things to work on and told to try again the following year. I was crushed. It was the first time I had hit a significant roadblock in my ministry journey. But I knew I had a choice to make. I could either dig my heels in and insist that the Board made a mistake, or I could work hard to make the improvements they wanted to see from me. So, I committed to growing and stretching myself to become a better pastor. Looking back, that was a year of growth unlike any other in my life. I expanded my understanding of justice ministry, theology, pastoral care, preaching, and more. When I interviewed a year later and passed, it meant so much more than I had passed the year before. And this time, I knew I was ready to become an Elder.
We’ve been impressed with Munger Place Church, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Munger Place Church is a church in the heart of East Dallas. We are a place of the “radical welcome” where we believe that whatever your life has been like, whatever you look like, whether you believe what we believe or even if you vehemently disagree, you are welcome. We are unwavering in our commitment to love all people and help them understand the depth of God’s love for them. Every Sunday, we have people of different backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, and races, which is precisely how we like it because we think that reflects the Kingdom of God. Munger is not a church where we expect our members to accept information without question. We welcome and encourage all questions because we know that questions lead to a deeper understanding of God. At our heart, Munger is a community church focused on welcoming East Dallas into a relationship with Jesus, connecting them with the church community, and equipping them to serve.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Firstly, my wife Sheridan. She has supported me and loved me in more ways than I could ever write down. She provided for our family while I was in seminary and was always there to encourage me when things got tough. I would not be where I am without her.
I have also had many different clergy and professional mentors who have helped me grow into the pastor I am today. People like Rev. Dan Kim, Rev. Jeff Witt, Rev. Chelsea Peddecord, Andrew and Sarah Beard, and so many more.
Also, my parents who have supported my call to ministry from the very beginning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mungerplace.org/
- Instagram: mungerplace.church
