Serving Congregations

The Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer is the Acting Executive Minister of the United Church of Christ’s Local Church Ministries. 

The Rev. John C. Dorhauer, former conference minister of the Southwest Conference of the UCC, is the ninth general minister and president of the United Church of Christ.

Prior to his role at the Southwest Conference, Dorhauer served as associate conference minister in the Missouri Mid-South Conference, and also served local churches in rural Missouri. He has a Master of Divinity degree from Eden Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary, where he studied white privilege and its effects on the church.

Dorhauer is passionate about justice. Two statements that shape his theology are: “God is love. God is just.” Along with his passion for justice, Dorhauer has a passion for and love of baseball – specifically the St. Louis Cardinals – music, literature and poetry. He has been married to his wife for nearly 31 years and they have three children.

Dorhauer was chosen as the GMP candidate by an 18-member search committee in February 2015. His candidacy was confirmed by the UCC Board of Directors by a two-thirds vote in March. He was elected at the 30th General Synod, which met June 26-30, 2015 in Cleveland.

Local Church Ministries is one of four Covenanted Ministries in the United Church of Christ. Our purpose is to encourage and support the church’s congregations in the fulfillment of God’s mission. Local Church Ministries’ specific thematic areas can be found below:

• Evangelism
• Stewardship and Church Finance
• Worship and Education
• Publications, Resources and Distribution
• Leadership and Ministry
• Church Building & Loan Fund

These teams support local congregations in their concerns about growth, finances, liturgy and education; support ordained and lay ministers in their vocations; and manage with the Office of General Ministries, the UCC’s publishing houses and distribution services.