Rev. Dr. Brian James Tipton
Rev. Dr. Brian Tipton is the Teaching Pastor here at Mesa Verde UMC, sharing his gifts with us alongside Christ Church by the Sea in Newport Beach, Community UMC in Huntington Beach, and First UMC of Costa Mesa.
He sees his call as a guide to others both within and outside of the Church. An academic guide. A theological guide. An emotional guide. A spiritual guide. A life guide. He has been a guide for many folks over the years, helping them navigate their own life journeys, their own travels, the bumps in the road along those journeys, but also the moments of celebration, the moments of theological reflection, and the moments of asking hard questions. In each of these he has felt called to remind folks that they are loved – that they are God’s beloved made in the image of God.
Pastor Brian lives out his call both within and outside of the Church. As an adjunct faculty teaching New Testament courses, he recognizes that there are various aspects to being a guide within his academic vocation, not least of which is being a guide in the art of biblical interpretation, being a guide in the theological/faith lives of his students and thus their future congregations, but also a spiritual and emotional guide in the midst of seminary and life’s journeys that occur during studies. Following his call as a “professing Professor” provides a unique connection to those that are in the midst of seminary and the ordination process themselves – a type of connection, relatability, and authenticity that allows for stronger connections and deepens and authenticates his role as a guide within that setting and within their lives.
