Rev. Dr. Michael Kurtz

 

Reverend Doctor Michael Kurtz has been the Senior Pastor at Oak Ridge United Methodist Church since 2006. He holds an Associate of Arts from Lees-McRae College (1975); a Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Mennonite University (1977); a Master of Divinity from Duke University Divinity School (1984); and a Doctor of Ministry from Palmer University (1994). Prior to his appointment as Senior Pastor at Oak Ridge, Michael held a number of previous appointments in the Methodist Conference, including: Fairview UMC, Thomasville, NC, 1984-1990; Mitchell’s Grove UMC, High Point, NC, 1990-1994; Milford Hills UMC, Salisbury, NC, 1994-1999;  and Forest Hill UMC, Concord, NC, 1999-2006.

 

In addition to his duties as Senior Pastor at Oak Ridge UMC, Michael serves as a member of the Greensboro UMC District Committee on Ministry and as a Natural Church Development Coach through the Western North Carolina Conference.  He is also a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a trained PREPARE/ENRICH facilitator – a ministry that trains ministers and counselors to help couples.

 

Prior to entering ordained ministry Michael was a high school teacher and coach in Ashe County, NC, where he was raised.  While teaching Michael also raised Christmas trees and has written a devotional book about these tree experiences entitled Lessons From A Christmas Tree Farm.  (Video link). Michael’s hobbies and interests include:  spending time with Karen, Josh, Anna and Tramp (the family dog), jogging, swimming, guitar playing, reading and writing and currently attempting to learn to play the mandolin.

 

Michael and Karen Christy Kurtz were married in 1981. They have two children: son, Joshua, and daughter, Anna.