Rev. Robert Schoenhals feels he has a wealth of experience to offer our congregation, so he chose to come out of retirement for a year (his intent) to provide the kind of pastoral leadership that can help our church discern God’s path to a faithful future. He wants to help prepare the way for a pastor who will be free to commit to leading us for several years.
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 illusive 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 now focuses her energies mostly on being “Ama” to grandson, Rhys. She still does training and teaching occasionally, keeping her skills up to date. Their daughter, Alison Warren, who works for Michigan Public Radio, is Rhys’s mother and will be present with him from time to time as well. Pastor Bob thanks our congregation for the kind welcome and our understanding in accepting a part-time minister. He’s looking forward to a really great year!