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 believes this is first of all God’s church and secondly the church of those who attend or call St. Matt’s “home.” Beyond that, he is here to help facilitate and teach as we move into what God has in store.
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, keeping her skills up to date and teaching labor history and relations, finance and management for WIST (Women in Skilled Trades). Their daughter, Alison Warren, is a development officer for a non-profit organization. She is Rhys’s mother and will be present with him from time to time as well.
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.