New Ripley, pastor of Watts Flats United Methodist Churches is passionate about helping consider the worldview

Pictured is Tyler Nelson, the new pastor of Ripley and Watts Flats United Methodist Churches. Submitted photo

Tyler Nelson recently took on the role of pastor for both Ripley United Methodist Church and Watts Flats United Methodist Church, something he said is relatively new for both him and the churches.

Nelson grew up in the Methodist system and his father was a Methodist pastor, so he is familiar with how the Methodist church works. Nelson studied theology and apologetics at Dallas Theological Seminary and recently earned a Doctor of Ministry degree. A few years ago he moved with his wife and children to Willsboro, New York, where they lived for free in the parsonage of the Willsboro Methodist Church so he could help the church make their music. Although not a pastor at that church, Nelson served as a substitute pastor at a few other places during this time until the district superintendent asked if he would consider becoming a pastor at some other churches that were looking for one. Nelson said those places ultimately didn’t work out, but about six months later they heard that Westfield Methodist Church had an opening.

“My wife grew up in Westfield,” Nelson said. “Her mother lives there, and that’s where we currently live. The district superintendent said he had someone in mind for the church in Westfield, but he would see what else he had, and he found that both Ripley and Watts Flats had vacancies.

Serving as pastor for both churches is something Nelson says is called a “combined assignment,” and something that is new for both churches. He added that it was something he thought about a lot and prayed about before he said he would do it.

Although the two churches are about a half-hour drive apart, traveling between the churches is doable, according to Nelson. He said for many Methodist ministers there are demands on driving back and forth between places and it’s something they just do. He gave an example of a board meeting at a church on Tuesday, adding that he had driven to Jamestown the day before to visit someone in the hospital who had suffered a stroke.

Other past work for Nelson included serving at the CAMP-of-the-WOODS in Speculator, New York, near the Adirondacks. He started there about a decade ago and worked for about eight years as assistant director of the Lift program, teaching theology courses, guiding outdoor adventures and performing other administrative duties.

For his current position, Nelson said his passion is helping people think critically about their faith and their overall worldview.

“I believe our worldview is crucial to how we understand ourselves and the world,” Nelson said. “The worldview is very important. For example, an atheist has a specific worldview, but thinking critically about it can help him see why he believes what he believes, and the same goes for Christianity and any other religion. If we believe this, then this is probably true, and for Christianity I think it is valuable for us to understand why we believe what we believe.

Additionally, Nelson said he didn’t like the idea of blind faith or faith that is culturally inherited or something that is just done because that is how it has always been done. His passion is to help people understand their faith more critically.

Looking ahead, Nelson said he is still in the award process as he does not have an official license yet, although he is working on that. The discernment process occurs when Nelson decides that being a pastor is something he wants to continue doing full-time, as he has only been in the position for a month at this point. His hopes for the future include whether being a pastor is his calling, but also that the churches he serves would feel his fire and passion to think critically about what they believe. He said that while he hopes the churches will grow, he won’t make that his ultimate goal.

“I don’t want to make it my goal to make these churches bigger because that’s too focused on numbers for me,” Nelson said. “I don’t run a company. I want to help people learn together, grow together, and serve together. I focus on teaching and helping people grow.”

Nelson said both Ripley and Watts Flats churches are friendly, non-judgmental places where anyone can come and ask questions. He welcomed all who would come, but especially those who may have questions or concerns, as he would be willing to contact them and talk to them about any questions they may have.

Watts Flats United Methodist Church is located at 850 Blockville-Watts Flats Road in Ashville and has services beginning at 9:00 AM. Ripley United Methodist Church services begin at 11 a.m. at 84 West Main Street in Ripley.