LAKELAND — Florida Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker announced this
month the appointment of the Rev. Richard W. Neal as superintendent of
the Jacksonville District effective June 1. Neal succeeds the Rev.
Thomas L. Shafer.
“The Rev. Rick Neal has demonstrated the integrity, faithfulness
and competence that will enable him to serve effectively as the new
superintendent of the Jacksonville District,” Whitaker said in a
message to the Florida Conference. “…he brings to the cabinet an
ability to reflect theologically upon the current life and mission of
the church in the world.”
Neal is currently serving at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church
in St. Petersburg. He has also served churches in Spring Hill, South
Miami and Jensen Beach. Neal was the chairman of the Miami District
Council on Ministries and Conference Committee on Health and Welfare
Ministries. He served as a Civil Air Patrol chaplain.
Neal is currently chairman of the Committee on Congregational
Transformation.
“His experience as a former member of the Committee on New Church
Development and as the original chair of the new Committee on
Congregational Transformation will be valuable as he leads the
Jacksonville District, which has one of the most effective strategies
for new church development and congregational transformation,”
Whitaker said.
Shafer will receive an appointment as senior pastor of a local
congregation, according to Whitaker. “I am very grateful for the
creative and capable service that the Rev. Thom Shafer has given to
the cabinet and the Jacksonville District,” he said. “Thom will be
missed, but his gifts and vision for ministry are needed to provide
leadership to one of our important congregations.”
