Brian R. Bodager: A visionary leader who invited all in the UCC to ‘imagine’ with him

Where there is no vision, the people will perish.

King Solomon certainly didn’t have Brian R. Bodager in mind when he shared this piece of wisdom in the Book of Proverbs.

Known as a “visionary leader” by friends and colleagues, Brian, who took the helm of the Pension Boards-United Church of Christ (PBUCC) in 2015 as CEO and President, cared deeply for the financial well-being of UCC clergy and their families.

His financial acumen, coupled with a warm and approachable leadership style, marked a decade of exciting transformation for the organization, with many initiatives being implemented from financial webinars to ensuring a customer care team that was proficient in Spanish.

The Ohio native, with an abundance of vision, died Feb.15. He was 69 years old.

“Brian was passionate about the financial viability for ministers,” said Walter A. Reyes, PBUCC Interim President and CEO, adding, “He was a visionary leader who understood clergy and how important it was to have sustainable livelihoods — to not just have a thriving career but a thriving retirement as well.”

Sadly, Brian did not get to enjoy his time of retirement with his wife, Debbie, their three children — Jonathan, Brandon and Lauren — and grandchildren.

Brian announced late in 2024 that he would step down from his position, citing health reasons. He died just two weeks after his official last day with the PBUCC on Feb. 1.

‘Imagine with me’

One of the marks of a visionary leader is that of imagination. But for a true visionary, like Brian, he knew that moving the Pension Boards-UCC forward was not a solo job.

Soon after unpacking his office, he sat his team down and with the words — “Imagine with me” — he set the tone for what would become an inclusive and transformative company culture.

“These were his favorite words,” said Reyes, recalling countless meetings where those three words set into motion what was known as not a brainstorming session, but a brain tornado session, with ideas swirling abundantly about the room.

“He pushed the organization way beyond. He invited all ideas. He wanted to hear from everyone,” remembered Reyes.

Being the visionary that he was, Brian set a date for reaching several Pension Boards’ goals by 2025 and, according to Reyes, “we largely achieved those goals by 2023-24.”

Among those achievements implemented was the 2022 Shared Resource Model, empowering regional account managers and benefit consultants to nimbly assist members and employers with enrollment and investment questions. And in 2023, “Investment Watch” webinars were launched to keep UCC clergy up to date with investment fund performances.

A true culture of diversity

For Reyes, what made those brain tornado sessions even more meaningful were the diverse voices not only sitting at the table with Brian but encouraged — even urged on by Brian — to speak up and imagine alongside him.

“He created a culture of inclusivity. Brian knew how to attract and retain talent, and he welcomed all voices. Every meeting, Brian would be heard saying, ‘I want to hear your opinion,’ or ‘Speak up.’ He encouraged all of us,” Reyes said.

Shortly after Brian’s death, PBUCC employees remembered their visionary leader’s impact on them, with one employee recalling how “during a great, tumultuous time in our society,” Sacred Conversations to End Racism were held.

“The diversity we see in our organization doesn’t happen by accident. That’s leadership,” the employee shared in an online grief forum.

Turning ideas into reality

The Rev. Dr. Rodney Franklin, Board of Trustees Chair of the Pension Boards-UCC, remembers how powerful it was to witness Brian who not only listened and observed, but who was able to take ideas he heard, respond to the times and turn those ideas into reality.

“He set a standard of what an organization could be,” Franklin said. “For Brian, all of God’s children shared in the ministry of financial planning.”

And for Brian, his call to the Pension Boards was indeed a ministry.

“Brian was always concerned for the financial welfare of pastors, especially retired clergy with low-income. So, leading the Pension Boards-UCC was his ministry. It was his dream job,” said the Rev. Dr. Charles (Chuck) Mize, former pastor of the Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Mize came to Green Bay in 1995 and served the congregation for 18 years. It was there he got to know the Bodager family who were members of the congregation while living in Green Bay for Brian’s job with a bank holding company.

During that time, Mize witnessed Brian’s involvement in various church committees, noting how “kind and supportive” the entire family was. It was Brian’s non-anxious presence, though, that the pastor remembers the most.

“Brian was thoughtful. He was also quietly faithful,” Mize recalls fondly.

It was also Mize who played a part in Brian joining the Pension Boards-UCC. When the call from the local conference came inquiring if the pastor had anyone financial savvy who might be interested in serving on the PBUCC Board of Trustees, Mize replied, “I have just the person in mind.”

In true Brian form, after hearing about the board opening, he replied, “Give me a few days to think about it.” A few days later, he called Mize to express his interest — and his gratitude for the pastor thinking of him.

“He always took the time to call me and let me know what was going on in his life,” said Mize.

Gratitude is now overflowing from the hearts of all those in the UCC that Brian touched with his warmth and genuine expressions of care.

At the time of his death, UCC’s General Minister and President/Chief Executive Officer, the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, shared in a PBUCC announcement how Brian warmly welcomed her as she started her new role.

“We committed to talk regularly,” said Thompson, adding, “I am grateful for his quiet and grace-filled presence, his quick wit, and his commitments to collaboration. Brian will be missed.” 

While Brian’s passing leaves a visionary void within the UCC, his legacy will live on each time his three favorite words — imagine with me — are spoken, paving the way to better tomorrows for all God’s children.

A memorial will be held by the Pension Boards at The Chapel of The Interchurch Center, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, on March 26, 2025. The Bodager family is also planning a celebration of Brian’s life on June 14, 2025, in Wisconsin.

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