The Rev. Dr. Brian R. Bodt
Office Home
1100 Boston Avenue, Building 5A54 Dogwood Drive
Bridgeport, Connecticut 06610Shelton, Connecticut 06484
(203) 334-1121, ext. 233(203) 944-0725
Email:
Website:
CHURCH APPOINTMENTS
2006 – Present: President and Chief Executive Officer, The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, Inc., Bridgeport, CT
Responsible for the overall leadership, program and development work of The Council, a membership ecumenical and social service agency of 90member congregations and agencies. Current operating budget $1.5 million and staff of 15. Details on website.
1995 – 2006: Pastor, Golden Hill United MethodistChurch, Bridgeport, CT
Expanded congregation’s diversity (racially, culturally, sexual orientation, socio-economically, geographically). Newmission and community outreach built on existing history. Strengthened music program despite turnovers in professional leadership. Annual budget and income growth.
1987 – 1995: Pastor, Huntington United MethodistChurch, Shelton, CT
$400,000 exterior and interior renovation of existing church and doubled Christian education wing while growing church in membership, attendance, budget and mission outreach.
1982-1987: Pastor, United Methodist Church of Glendale, Queens, NY
Grew a neighborhood church through programs aimed at multi-generational families. Kept a social and ecumenical witness through the Queens Federation of Churches despite entrenched parochialism. Reactivated Ridgewood-Glendale Clergy Association. Capitalized on heritage to welcome two German United Methodist bishops as preachers and worship leaders.
1977 – 1981: Associate Pastor, Asbury United MethodistChurch, Yonkers, NY
Participated in interfaith Clergy of Yonkers. Preached at predominantly African-American worship for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Protested racial discrimination in housing and schools. Grew 1977 part-time youth minister position to full-time Associate Pastor by 1980.
DEGREES
1994: Doctor of Ministry (with distinction), Hartford Seminary, Hartford, CT
Project: “Education for the Transition from a Pastoral to a Program Centered Church”
1979: Master of Divinity (summa cum laude), DrewUniversity, Madison, NJ
1976: Bachelor of Arts, WesternMarylandCollege, Westminster, MD(now McDanielCollege)
Senior Thesis: “The Historiography of Reinhold Neibuhr,” departmental honors
ADDITIONAL EDUCATION
1985: Pastoral Studies Program, Blanton-Peale Graduate Institute, New York City, NY
Two year introductory program to clinical pastoral counseling
COMMUNITY AND CHURCH SERVICE (current)
Board Member (and member agency), Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition
Participant (and member agency), CONECT (Congregations Oranized for a New ConnecticuT)
Clergy Mentor, New York Annual Conference
Member, Greater Bridgeport Cluster, United MethodistChurch
Leader, New Consecration Sunday stewardship program
AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS
Life Member and Great Friend, The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, 2003
Community Service Award, Greater Bridgeport Interfaith Action, 2001
Presentation to the Association of Unity Churches, Kansas City, 2001
PUBLICATIONS
“Educating for the Transition from a Pastoral to a ProgramChurch: A Leader Development Model,” OD-113, Alban Institute, 1995.
Contributor to the Connecticut Post newspaper in Letters to the Editor and occasional quotes (last quoted 4/4/12). Previously wrote “Reflections” column before column’s discontinuance
FOR FUN
Running (6 marathons, 5 half-marathons, innumerable shorter races)
Alpine and Nordic skiing
Model and full-size trains
Occasional hiking and cycling
IMMEDIATE FAMILY
Carol Galloway, fiancé, to be married June 23, 2012
Two adult sons: Daniel Schofield-Bodt, living and working in Cambridge, MA
Adam Schofield-Bodt, living and working in Manhattan
Two teen step-sons: Aaron, a freshman at AmityHigh School, Woodbridge
Ryan, a 7th grader at AmityMiddle School, Bethany
(over, please)