Church welcomes new senior pastor

Mark R. Madler

While waiting to talk to a visitor recently, the Rev. Greg Batson and

the Rev. Larry Stamper stood together near the pulpit of the First

United Methodist Church with Batson holding a large black Bible with

a loose back cover.

“I wore out that Bible,” said Stamper, who left the church as its

senior pastor at the end of June after 32 years. He won’t need it to

lead this Sunday’s services, though.

Batson, his replacement, will lead his first service at the church

Sunday. It’s a daunting challenge to replace a man who has served the

church for so long, he said.

“My fears were assuaged when I met Larry and found how open and

welcoming he was,” said Batson, 39.

Before turning full time to the church, Georgia native Batson was

in commercial banking for 11 years, but he found that career

unfulfilling.

Before joining the clergy, he had been volunteering with churches

in Nashville and New York City. He received his divinity degree from

the Union Theological Seminary in New York in 2000.

Batson’s first appointment was at the First United Methodist

Church in Santa Monica, where he was an associate pastor for four

years.

The Rev. Patricia Farris, senior pastor at the Santa Monica

church, said Batson received a well-rounded experience there, working

in the nursery school and assisting her with pastoral care.

Farris said the Burbank congregation is fortunate that Batson is

the pastor and that her congregation will miss him, adding, “He’s

very well suited for the move.”

As pastor, his main duties include organizing and preaching at

worship services, teaching, visiting hospitals and the homebound, and

counseling. Because of his age, he’s also interested in serving young

families and children. Batson said.

“This should be a place of fellowship for every age range --

families, young single adults, children, and people who have been

here all their lives,” Batson said. “That’s my vision of what a

church of this size should be able to offer.”

Batson has two sons with his wife, Tania, a classical singer with

the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

While his retirement plans include some traveling, Stamper won’t

stray too far. He will be pastor emeritus with the Burbank church. He

will officially be named to that position July 18.

Being named the pastor emeritus recognizes his strong ties with

the congregation and community, Stamper said.

“Greg has informed me that when I’m in town, he’d like me to be

here,” Stamper said. “He’s leaving the door open for me, and he’s

comfortable with that.”