Retiring pastor has been a community advocate

How to go

What: Retirement celebration for the Rev. Robert E. Jones

Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 33 E. Fifth St., Dayton

When: 5 p.m. Friday, March 28

Cost: $65 (RSVP by March 15)

More info: 937-278-4203 or http://collegehillchurch.com

There is a large red banner in the second floor conference room of the College Hill Community Church on Philadelphia Drive in Dayton. The first part reads, “We as an inclusive church, accept our covenant with God to share the ‘good news’ of God’s love and redemption through the gift of Jesus Christ.”

The Rev. Robert E. Jones has been the leader of that church for the past 37 years. From the very beginning, inclusivity has been his main focus. The church is having a retirement celebration for Jones on March 28 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Dayton. James Forbes Jr., the first African-American to serve as senior minister of the Riverside Church in New York City, will be speaking at that celebration. Forbes is widely known in international religious circles as “the preacher’s preacher.”

“The Rev. Dr. Forbes has been a mentor to me. He helped me work on my doctorate when I was attending United Theological Seminary,” said the Rev. Jones. “He included people from all over the world. Because of his inclusiveness, I thought it was appropriate to invite him to this celebration.”

When Jones arrived in that area of Dayton almost four decades ago, the College Hill community was changing from Euro-American to African-American.

“The church made the decision to stay. We began to gather an inclusive congregation, and equality was a major concern,” said the Rev. Jones. “The church struggled with the challenge of including foreigners and strangers who were different. But ultimately, the congregation was willing to accept being inclusive.”

Ironically, since College Hill Community Church is Presbyterian, the ruling Presbytery had to bend the rules somewhat to allow Rev. Jones in as lead pastor.

“My upbringing was in the United Church of Christ. Traditionally, pastors have to give up the denomination that they were part of before. I wanted to hold on to my UCC status, and after a lot of discussions they agreed,” said the Rev. Jones. “Now it seems to be normal within the Presbytery, and we call it full communion.”

It appears that the Presbytery made a good decision to be inclusive regarding Jones; many ruling members of the church had positive thoughts about the Rev. Jones.

“He’s a people person. He manages to make sure he makes connections with people one on one. He leads by example,” said Jefferson Twp. resident Rosalyn Givens, a 10-year church member who is clerk of session, and has served as both a deacon and elder.

One of those ruling members has known the Rev. Jones for a long time. Carolyn Peters has been a member of the church for the past 32 years.

“He’s done a fabulous job and has worked to make this church purposefully pluralistic,” said Peters, who has been a deacon, a ruling elder, and is now a spiritual counselor for the church. “He’s a great pastor, and he’s paved the way for someone else to step in and take over.”

The final part of the banner in the conference room reads, “We accept the responsibility to build a strong supportive community by nurturing one another in Christian love, as we share our unique cultural gifts.”

The church has followed that philosophy for the local community, and another one that isn’t nearby.

The church assisted David’s United Church of Christ with the startup of Habitat for Humanity in the Dayton area. They helped build the first home just a few blocks away from College Hill Community Church. In the 80s, the church funded and built a small children’s hospital in Ghana, Africa.

“Pastor Jones is very easy-going, open and inviting. He wants to be there for everyone and wears a lot of different hats, but he makes it work,” said Terre Myrick, church secretary/administrator, who has worked for Jones over the past six years. “He’s been very instrumental in the community, as a member of many boards and committees.”

The Rev. organized the Interfaith Ministers for Reconciliation, served on the Dayton Human Relations Council, United Way Public Policy Committee, the Dayton Dialogue on Race Relations, and the Montgomery County Homeless Solutions Board. He founded the Dayton Urban Ministry Center just a few blocks from the church.

“We rented an apartment through donations from our congregation for after-school programs and adult programs,” said the Rev. Jones.

After retiring from College Hill, Jones is planning on working as an interim pastor.

“Pastor Jones is a creator of leaders. He knows the capabilities and willingness of his members. He follows through and supports his leaders,” said Givens. “The church is positive and forward thinking. Even though he’s retiring, he’s left genuine concerns behind that the church leaders will continue to work on.”