Reverend Kelly Shiflett
I was born, raised and
trained in the Southern Baptist Denomination (SBD). I felt the call into
full time ministry at the early age of fourteen and went to Ouachita Baptist
University (OBU) to begin my training. Ouachita was a built to train
ministers for the Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana territories back in
the 1880s and still meets that need to this day. That said, getting a BA
in Religion (ministry tract) was in fact seminary training, right down to the
Hebrew and Greek classes.
While attending OBU, religion majors were
encouraged to serve local churches. I pulpit supplied, did Summer youth
ministry and was a chaplain for one of the Arkansas Children’s homes during my
time at OBU. I graduated in 1988 with a BA in Religion/Philosophy and a
minor in Speech.
From OBU I went to Baylor University and
did graduate work in Philosophy (with and emphasis in ethics) and also in
Church/State studies. While at Baylor, I ran in international boarding
house for Seventh and James Baptist Church and was ordained on 31Dec1989.
I then was the Baptist Student Union
Director/Campus minister for 1st Baptist Church in Iowa City for two
years. During this time I found that I was unequally yoked with the SBD
and left the denomination over the issue of women’s roles in the church and
ministry. I then joined the United Church of Christ (UCC) through what is
known as privilege of call and began serving churches in North Carolina. Since I have been in the UCC I have had the joy of serving three of the
four branches of the founding denominations-Reformed, Christian and
Congregational. I have served in North Carolina, New York and now in
Pennsylvania.
I have always been active in ecumenical
activities and worship services. I have chaired in various Councils of
Churches, Ministeriums and community committees in an attempt to build the body
of Christ. Over the past two and a half years, I have had the joy of
worshiping with Kreutz Creek Presbyterian Church and have been able to share in
common ministries, such as the East York Food Pantry, River’s Edge Community
Services and community worship services, etc.
I look forward to embarking on this journey
with you.
Peace,
Rev. Ira
Kelly Shiflett
"For I know the plans I have
for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and
not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you
will call on me and come and pray to me,
and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 20 11-13
