Rev. Robert Schoenhals feels he offers a wealth of experience to our congregation. Pastor Bob is now in his second year at St. Matt’s and looks forward to more good times ahead, working in cooperation with our own leadership. He has recently been reappointed to continue serving as our pastor for the foreseeable future. He sees St. Matt’s as both God’s church and the people’s church — a congregation for all people, regardless of any human differences. We celebrate God’s love of diversity in the way we welcome all.
Bob began ministry as a part-time student pastor in 1970 and entered full time pastorates in the United Methodist Church in 1975, retiring in 2022. During those years he served a wide variety of appointments — small town; campus minister at U of M; an historic urban mission in downtown Indianapolis; the northern Michigan river community of Grayling; Vancouver, BC, in the United Church of Canada; and several congregations around the greater Detroit area, concluding with notably diverse Ferndale First UMC, known for its social outreach.
Educationally, his training is in biblical studies and preaching, so preaching and teaching are twin loves. In his personal time Bob especially enjoys golfing, always pursuing that elusive better score. His other interests include art (both graphic design and painting) and music (both vocal and instrumental). Travel is something the whole family enjoys.
Bob is married to Jill Warren, a former non-profit executive and college instructor, who divides her time and energies between being “Amma” to grandson, Rhys, and doing social activism. She still does training and teaching, keeping her skills up to date and teaching labor history and relations, finance and management for WIST (Women in Skilled Trades). Pastor especially enjoys it when our family — Jill, daughter Alison and grandson Rhys — are able to worship together.
Pastor Bob thoroughly enjoys ministry at St. Matt’s and trusts that his time with us will continue to be a blessing as we serve God together in this community.