Instead of letting any obstacles deter her along the way, Miller has held steady to being “game to grow at any point.”
Challenges do not deter Rev. Dr. Mary Miller S’80. She was among the first five women to enroll in 1977 at North Park Theological Seminary (NPTS) to pursue a master of divinity degree. It was a commitment that also involved an 89-mile commute between her home in Rockford and Seminary classes in Chicago, along with a fear of studying Greek.
Following Seminary graduation and for the last 40 years, Miller has pioneered the way for women in ministry, serving as a pastor and as denominational vice president. Instead of letting any obstacles deter her along the way, Miller has held steady to being “game to grow at any point.”
Her leadership and accomplishments were recognized by North Park in January at the Midwinter Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) in Louisville.
Seminary Dean Rev. Dr. David W. Kersten C’77 S’82 S’97 presented Miller with the 2017 Seminary Alumni Award for Distinguished Service, saying: “I want to celebrate a deep and rich pastoral imagination that has allowed for growth, and invention, and an imagination that has taken on many creative pastoral roles in our midst and our community.”
What Really Matters
Miller’s calling to serve the Lord and the church came early: She “loved the church to start with” and “absolutely loved confirmation.” The love of the Lord and people has been important to her as long she can remember.
After her undergraduate years at Western Illinois University, Miller began her MDiv studies at the Seminary where, she says, North Park’s commitment to hospitality and educational access empowered her. Fellow classmates welcomed her into their homes to lessen the frequency of commuting. “I slept on my friends’ couches,” recalls a grateful Miller.
At NPTS, Miller thrived—and reveled—in the variety of Bible courses available to her. “It was like being in a deli—after state school, where there were no Bible classes offered,” says Miller, who still has all her lecture notes. When Dr. C. John Weborg retired from teaching at North Park, Miller was able to send him a copy of the notes she took on her very first day of his class.
After Seminary graduation, Miller was propelled into a career in ministry. “North Park prepared me for different ministry roles—in practical ways and of course through lifelong friendships,” she says. In her first call after Seminary, Miller served as associate pastor at Faith Covenant Church (Farmington Hills, Mich.). She went on to serve the congregations of First Wayne Street United Methodist Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.), Evangelical Covenant Church (Donaldson, Ind.), and Bethel Evangelical Covenant Church (Flossmoor, Ill.). In addition, Miller contributed as a writer for The Covenant Companion and authored Devotions for Those Living with Loss (Covenant Publications, 1991).
When asked how she has navigated different roles and served congregations ranging in size from 110 to 1,500, Miller explains, “It’s about drilling down into what really matters and not just focusing on what’s demanding your attention.”
She went on to be the first female vice president of the Evangelical Covenant Church and the co-chair of the Biblical Gender Equality Commission. Miller received the Evelyn M. R. Johnson Leadership Award from the Association of Covenant Clergy Women in 2008. Miller also has served North Park on the Board of Trustees and on the Seminary Board of Advisors.
Grow Into It
Today Miller is the Chaplain at Covenant Village in Cromwell, Conn., where she preaches to congregants ages 64 to 107. Referring to this stage of her life as “an interior journey,” Miller teaches “Aging as Spiritual Journey,” while making time to garden, volunteer regularly in her community, read Christian classics, which she calls “food for the soul,” and be with her two dogs.
Reflecting on a career serving the church spanning close to four decades, Miller advises those who are interested in going into ministry: “Pursue ministry if God won’t allow you to let that calling go.” She also encourages those she mentors to take on challenges that might feel daunting, as she was advised early in her career. “Put on a suit that’s too big for you and grow into it,” asserts Miller.
Calling Miller a “learned, and learning, pastor,” Dean Kersten expressed appreciation for her legacy: “Mary’s lifelong dedication to ministry and leadership is important to recognize and on behalf of North Park Theological Seminary, North Park University, and the Evangelical Covenant Church, we are thrilled that she has been selected to receive this award.”
In accepting the award “with humility,” Miller recalled: “When I entered Seminary, I could not believe the Christ light was shining in such a way that it was warm and illuminating and directive. It was a fabulous experience for me and a tremendous opportunity to grow into Christ. I believe it gave me such wonderful gifts preparing me for being a good generalist.”
Mary K. Surridge, Vice President for Advancement, adds, “On behalf of the entire alumni community of North Park Theological Seminary, we congratulate Rev. Dr. Miller and offer our deepest thanks for her extraordinary life of service and leadership.”
The Seminary Alumni Award for Distinguished Service, established in 2014 and delivered annually at the ECC’s Midwinter Conference, recognizes Seminary alumni who have made significant contributions in their field while living a life reflective of the core values and mission of North Park Theological Seminary.