Rev. Paul Kottke to be new Metropolitan District Superintendent on July 1

Bishop Elaine Stanovsky has appointed the Reverend Paul Kottke, currently serving University Park United Methodist Church in Denver, to the Rocky Mountain Conference cabinet as superintendent of the Metropolitan District effective July 1, 2015. Kottke said while he was anticipating retirement from University Park UMC, that "this was a 'God moment'" for him to become a district superintendent.

"It was a surprise," Kottke said about the appointment. "But I realized University Park was at a place of strength we haven't seen for many years. I can do this."

As for the opportunities and challenges the Metropolitan District will bring, Kottke said the "metro area is a great location" but there will be some hard decisions to be made.

"I've said for many years The United Methodist Church should be on the cutting edge," Kottke said, adding that he firmly believes "the place to rebuild society" is within the church. "Churches have to be on the forefront, no matter location or size. We need to identify purpose and live into it," he said.

Bishop Stanovsky said, "Paul's wise spirit, even manner and prophetic vision have been a blessing to University Park, the Rocky Mountain Conference and the greater Denver community."

Kottke graduated from the Iliff School of Theology in 1981 and was ordained Elder in 1982. He was the founding director of Denver Urban Ministries in 1981. He served as Director of Development at Iliff from 1985 to 1988 and as pastor of Warren UMC from 1988 to 1995. Kottke has been serving University Park since 1995.

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