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BY LINDA WORTHINGTON
UMCONNECTION STAFF

With seminary-trained pastors leading United Methodist congregations, it may seem redundant for churches to hire a theologian. But Metropolitan Memorial UMC is doing something unique.

Last month the Washington. D.C.-based congregation hired a theologian-in-residence. It is one of few churches in the nation to have one.

The church brought in the Rev. J. Philip 'Phil' Wogaman as theologian-in-residence.

Like many clergy serving churches, large and small, the Rev. Frank Trotter, senior pastor at Metropolitan, said he is so busy he often doesn?t have time to think 'theology.' Instead he is writing next week?s sermons, administrating a large staff, overseeing church renovations, attending meetings of the multi-dimensional program the church carries out, and participating in or leading district, conference and denominational programs.

During an installation service for Wogaman Nov. 19, Trotter introduced his old friend and professor. 'He was a member of this church while he taught at Wesley so when I got my degrees, he was standing right here,' Trotter said. 'He was a member of this church until 1992, when he became senior pastor at Foundry in 1993. He retired in 2002.'

After that Wogaman spent two years as interim president of Iliff School of Theology in Denver, where he was brought in to address the fallout from the Hispanic president?s departure.

When Wogaman returned to Washington this past July and returned to the church he?d been part of for 19 years, Trotter said, 'We asked ourselves, ?What can we have him do??'

What does a theologian-in-residence do? He speaks theology.

Wogaman made his first theological statement just after Trotter introduced him to the congregation, with the words, 'And now, he is going to say something theological to you all.'

Wogaman replied, 'God is good.'

The congregation laughed, Trotter said thank you, and they sat down.

In an interview, Wogaman, who taught Christian ethics at Wesley Theological Seminary, explained more fully: 'It?s an opportunity to highlight Christian faith with church activities,' he said. 'It?s a way of highlighting theological aspects of all we do.'

This newly created position will follow a three-step process.

First, he will be available to any of the church?s committees, commissions or boards to discuss their work in the context of the Christian faith. For instance, Wogaman said, what does Christianity or the Bible have to say about finance, or about evangelism?

'Good Christians aren?t necessarily good theologians,' he said, and added, 'nor are theologians necessarily good Christians.'

Second, Wogaman is committed to teaching a series of adult studies on issues of faith. These will probably begin in the spring. He discovered while he was at Foundry, he said, that there are a lot of thoughtful Christians who haven?t 'scoped out yet' concepts such as the Trinity, incarnation, the authority of the Bible, divinity of Christ, and the perennial question of why good people suffer.

Third, he will be available for preaching, though he doesn?t expect to do that very often. His inaugural sermon was on 'The Mystery of Creation.'

Wogaman?s new job isn?t the best paying one around. He will get $1 a year. 'It?s my contribution to the life of the church,' he said.

He has been a regular contributor to Zion?s Herald magazine, now called The Progressive Christian, and will continue that writing. He also expects to preach at churches other than Metropolitan from time to time.

Sarah Alsgaard contributed to this story.