Veterinarian and Methodist Preacher from Arkansas (home, educational, areas)

[Docjimdvm]

My wife has finally convinced me that we would be much happier somewhere in SW Oregon. I am actually going to sell my veterinary practice of 30 years and make the move. However, I am also a part-time pastor in the United Methodist Church and would like to find an area where I can combine part-time veterinary work with pastoring a small church or being associate pastor in a larger church. I have been reading all the threads and have a good list of towns to research now. I doubt there are too many folks like me with such a divergent set of professions. But, on the outside chance that there is a United Methodist or veterinarian out there with just the right advice, I am starting this thread. We are mid 50's, looking to slow down and take time to enjoy the beauty of Oregon. Are small United Methodist churches very common in this part of Oregon?

[Steve97415]

The Pacific Northwest is probably the least "churchy" part of the U.S. Many mainline Protestant churches are having a hard time keeping their doors open. This seems to be the terminal generation for a good number of them: a lot of gray hair in the congregations, not much in terms of youth programs. Fundamentalist churches are common in the RRV as the average level of educational attainment tends to be lower than elsewhere in Oregon. Unitarian/Universalist fellowships are also on the rise. Other than that, organized religion is a hard sell in most of Oregon.

[Gandalara]

If you go to the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church web site:

Directory

There's a list of churches by district that was updated 8/17/09. Good luck!

[malachai23]

Doc Jim, there are PLENTY of UMCs in Southern Oregon. True, there are a lot of non-religious and even anti-religious people in Oregon. "Spiritual, not religious" tends to be a popular rant, especially in the more liberal areas of the state. In Oregon, you will find everything from Pagans to Buddhists to New Agers. But that doesn't mean you won't find your perfect little UMC church. It just means that Oregon is home to a wide variety of people. And they don't all think that fundamentalist = uneducated either. Geesh.