New Butler pastor acclimating to atmosphere
BUTLER TWP — The Rev. Stephen Smith was happy to follow his calling to Butler First Church of the Nazarene on Oakdale Boulevard, but admits it was a big change from his prior church in California’s Mojave Desert.
“When we first moved here, I felt a bit claustrophobic because out there, you can see for miles,” Smith said. “I felt like all the bushes and trees were closing in on us.”
While he loves his new church, Smith also must adjust to the nearly constant low ceiling of gray clouds that pervade wintertime in Western Pennsylvania.
“In the Mohave, when it would rain, we’d all run outside and run around in it because it might be a couple months until we see rain again,” Smith said.
The affable pastor began his job at Butler First Church of the Nazarene on Sept. 3, having arrived with his young family from sunny Ridgecrest, Calif.
Smith served for three years as youth pastor at Ridgecrest First Church of the Nazarene.
“I really felt it was time to move into a lead position,” Smith said. “I felt my passions were now more in relationship-building with older folks and preaching to a congregation.”
He began looking around for congregations in need of a lead pastor, and reached out to district superintendents in the denomination regarding his plans.
Smith found opportunities at multiple congregations where everything seemed to fit his goals.
“But I felt like God wanted me here,” he said. “I think God places us in positions and has things happening in the time he is supposed to.”
Smith is no stranger to the Church of the Nazarene, as he grew up in the denomination in Reading, Berks County.
“I love that we are an extremely mission-minded church,” he said. “We are the largest global missions church in the world. That is at our core and that is who we are.”
Smith said “Alabaster Offerings” occur twice each year in all Church of the Nazarene congregations, in which members deposit coins into small cardboard boxes over a period of about one month.
The funds are sent to church headquarters in Kansas City to go toward building hospitals, schools, churches and purchasing land.
“These funds are used all over the world wherever they are needed,” Smith said. “I feel it just kind of separates us from other denominations because we are so connected.”
Smith has traveled to Germany a few times, and has friends from New Zealand and Trinidad, among other countries.
He enjoys seeing his global friends at least every four years when Nazarenes gather at the church’s General Assembly, which is usually held in Indianapolis.
“I get to see people from all over who I’ve met,” Smith said.
He said church officials can grant a preacher license that lasts one year to qualified individuals, who can serve as a preacher for that year and every year thereafter that they acquire the license through a board interview with church officials.
Those who receive a preacher’s license have 10 years to complete the courses and requirements to be ordained as pastors.
“It’s like master’s degree work without getting the degree,” Smith said.
Smith was officially ordained on July 1, 2021 at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University in Mt. Vernon, Ohio.
Smith said his new church, which is on a strip of land between Oakdale Boulevard and Route 68 just east of the Meridian neighborhood, averages about 30 worshippers at Sunday service.
“To grow in number,” Smith said of his objectives as new pastor. “We want to be able to reach out to the community and let them know we are not just a building.”
He said few young families with children attend the church, and he would like to more younger members.
“It’s most important that we are really growing in our walk with Christ,” Smith said.
He is spending his first year getting to know his flock and exploring the county, plus making small changes at the church he feels will make it more user-friendly.
Gwen Atkinson, the pianist at Butler First Church of the Nazarene, said the first few months with “Pastor Steve” at the helm have been very positive.
“He has been sharing wonderful Biblical messages on Sundays and spending time getting to know our congregation,” Atkinson said.
She has high hopes for Smith as the church moves forward.
“He shows care and concern for the silver-haired members of our congregation while bringing youthful energy,” she said. “We are looking forward to the future as we work together.”
Smith’s wife, Kitty, is the executive director of the Mt. Chestnut Nazarene Retreat Center.
The couple have four children ranging in age from 5 to 14 who attend classes in the Butler Area School District.
