We welcome Rev. David Brumbaugh as our 24th senior pastor of First Congregational Church of Tallmadge. Rev. David was educated at Kutztown University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Geography with a minor in Music. He received a Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. He also received Clinical Pastoral Care Education and served at Reading Hospital and Medical Center. Rev. David was ordained with full ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ in November, 1986.
Pastor Dave’s sermons offer an understanding of our faith that is relevant to our lives and issues of today. His ministerial style is one that is focused on a shared commitment to mission outreach, spiritual growth, and the fundamental importance of communicating care and respect for people as gifts of God’s love.
He has served the following UCC organizations: UCC Homes, Inc. – Board of Directors; SE
Conference Board of Directors; SE Conference Personnel Committee; Various conference search committees; chaired two pastoral disciplinary reviews in two Associations. Kutztown University fund-raising committee for the expansion and renovation of Schaeffer Auditorium (a twenty-one million dollar fund raising effort that was completed in 2015. Cocalico Ministerium of Churches-a group of 40 local churches who provide community ministries to the poor, single parent families and to local school students. Speaker at numerous Baccalaureates, Commencements and Memorial Days. Teaching staff member of a local High School Marching Band. Pastor Dave’s achievements at previous churches he has served were; leading a 1.6 million dollar capital campaign to expand the facilities and staff; started an evening praise service; refurbished and modernized the sanctuary, including a power point system; increased financial giving by 25%; received 58 new families and members into the church; expanded worship services to include new forms of worship; increased member training and leadership positions; supported the first domestic violence shelter in the county; started new mission ministries in the community; grew in music and youth ministries. These current and past experiences make him familiar with the gifts and challenges of leading a large congregation.
Pastor Dave will bring many gifts to our church. He has a passion and experience in the following areas: Church Growth and Size Transitions; Conflict Facilitation and Mediation; Consulting and Strategic Planning; Economic Justice; Education Professional; Large Church Leadership; Music; Spiritual Direction; Pastoral Care and Counseling; Public Speaking; Youth Group Leadership; Organizational Ministries; Stewardship Growth and Worship Variety and Vitality.
Pastor Dave will have been married for 20 years on May 16, 2018 to Brenda Fidler, his most trusted friend and confidant. Brenda is currently a Nursing Staff Administrator at a personal care facility. Together they enjoy Florida trips, beach trips, biking, avid readers. Ask him about his favorite books.
Pastor Dave is a joyful and energetic pastor. He has a broad sense of humor-sometimes silly, sometimes sarcastic, mostly off the wall. He is a gifted trumpet player and played under the direction of Dave Stahl, world class trumpet player, big band leader and Grammy winner. Placed 8th in the Grammy nomination for large jazz ensemble. He has been known to do impromptu celebrity impersonations. When asked if he played golf, he replied “I do own golf clubs”.
