Shannon has been Pastor of Ashland since 2012. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a minor in Religious Studies from the University of Louisville and a Master’s of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary.
Before coming to Ashland Shannon served churches in Kentucky and New York. Pastor Shannon is also a Pastoral Leadership Coach and uses her skills to help the church discern and move God’s vision in our community. Shannon enjoys her time at Ashland joyfully celebrating faith through mission and ministry and collaboratively discerning the will of God for the church.
Ideally, “worship is not just about Sunday morning but extends to each part of our lives.” As a worship leader, Shannon focuses on the Word, relating it to contemporary life. With her music degree, she enjoys including music for a cohesive worship theme. She also uses art, photography, and has a cohesive worship style. Shannon’s approach to leadership is that “Jesus teaches us that we are better together.” She works as a servant leader, helping others to discern their gifts and empowering them to use these gifts. She strives to ensure every voice is heard and met with a willingness to listen. Shannon has a deep passion for mission and serving others within and outside the church walls. Shannon is known to say, “if we can agree to love God and our neighbor, surely we can figure the rest out!”
In addition to her time at the church, Shannon is a co-host for the podcast Pub Theology, an associate coach for the Holmes Coaching Group, and blogs regularly for RevGalBlogPals. Pastor Shannon lives in Lutherville with her husband, Derrick, and their children.
Learn more about Rev. Shannon
What do you do at Ashland?
As a pastor, I share the message of God’s love for all through worship, ministry, and mission. I am here to foster spiritual gifts and facilitate discernment. It is my great joy to empower the people of Ashland to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. Faith is about vulnerability and love, on my best days I seek to love God and neighbor and help others do the same. I believe that if we do this, we can figure the rest out together.
Why do you do what you do?
It was the great theologian, Howard Thurman who said, “Don’t as what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Being a pastor makes me come alive, living my faith through my work can be challenging but necessary. I am privileged to walk through life with a diverse group of people and be there with them during their great joys and deepest sorrows. No one is alone because all are loved by God, it’s a good day if I can help remind someone of that.
Why Ashland?
I became pastor of Ashland in 2012 and have served proudly as her pastor ever since. Ashland has a true heart for mission, a love for music, and a desire to seek the face of God in all they meet. They are a kind and generous congregation who seek to grow spiritually and stay authentic to who God has called them to be. I find Ashland to be a unique congregation in this way and am grateful for them.
Talk to Me About…
Take your pick! I love to travel, listen to live music, binge tv, and read a good book. We can talk about any of these things over coffee, beer, or bourbon. I dabble in photography and love a great hike. Is there a restaurant you can’t stop thinking about? Tell me! What about your favorite dish to cook? Do share! If you want to ask me something ask about my husband and kids, but be warned, I may not stop.
When I’m Not at Ashland, You’ll Most likely Find Me…
At home on my patio or in front of my fireplace (weather depending) listening to music. You may also find me at Oregon Ridge hiking the orange, yellow, and blue trails. If I’m not in either of those places then hopefully I’m sitting by a large body of water, waves preferred.
