About Blake


Rev. Blake Bradford, D.Min.

District Superintendent and Author

Short Biography for Printing and Event Introductions:

Blake Bradford is passionate about coaching and encouraging Christian leaders in our common mission of making disciples and transforming the world. Blake is a District Superintendent in the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church and Dean of the Appointive Cabinet. A co-author of Mission Possible: A Simple Structure for Missional Effectiveness, Mission Possible for the Small Church and IMPACT! Reclaiming the Call of Lay Ministry and author of Strengthening Decision-Making and Governance, Blake has pastored churches of different sizes and contexts, including serving as executive pastor of a 3500-member congregation in Little Rock. Before his appointment to the Cabinet, Blake served the Arkansas Conference Center for Vitality as a congregational coach, consultant, and conflict transformation mediator. Dr. Bradford, a graduate of Hendrix, Vanderbilt, Iliff School of Theology, and Perkins School of Theology at SMU, has taught at conferences and trainings across the country. Blake also holds a second-degree black belt, which he believes might possibly have been his best training for ministry. Learn more and download resources at www.blakebradford.org.


Curriculum Vitae

Rev. Dr. Blake Bradford is passionate about coaching and encouraging Christian leaders in our common mission of making disciples and transforming the world. An ordained Elder in the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church, Blake was appointed by Bishop Gary Mueller as a Chief Mission Strategist and District Superintendent in the Arkansas Conference of the UMC in July 2018, serving three years in the Central District and beginning service in the Northwest District in July 2021.  As an extension of the episcopal office, Blake leads the Northwest District congregations of the Arkansas Conference to take the next steps to become vital congregations that make disciples of Jesus Christ, who make disciples equipped and sent to transform lives, communities and the world.  

Blake has recently co-authored two books with Kay Kotan.  IMPACT! Reclaiming the Call of Lay Ministry was written to encourage and equip lay leaders take ownership of Christ's mission and vision of the congregation as it seeks to engage their neighborhood and community. Mission Possible: A Simple Structure for Missional Effectiveness is designed as a handbook for churches seeking to use the simplified accountable leadership structure often called the “one board model.” Mission Possible for the Small Church expands on his previous work with simplified leadership, along with chapters on small church ministry planning and “leading from the porch swing,” He is also the author a volume in The Greatest Expedition Series, Strengthening Decision-Making & Governance for New Expeditions.

Joining the church as a young adult, Blake was baptized at Highland Valley UMC in Little Rock as a college student. He grew up in Little Rock and attended Hendrix College in Conway (B.A., Religion, 1996). After graduation, Blake studied in England at Oxford University’s Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies. He read Medieval and Reformation theology for his first master’s degree at Vanderbilt University (M.A., History of Christian Thought, 1998), with a focus on sacramental theology.  Blake then earned his Master of Divinity degree at Iliff School of Theology in Denver (M.Div., 2000). Blake holds a Doctor of Ministry degree in parish leadership from SMU’s Perkins School of Theology in Dallas (D.Min., 2014), where his doctoral project, “Passing the Mantle,” studied the use of peer groups and continuing education in pastoral formation. After earning his doctorate, Blake continued training with Dr. Craig Gilliam, a nationally recognized expert in facilitating conflict transformation in congregations, communities, and organizations.

Blake has served in churches of different sizes and contexts in Denver, Texarkana, Russellville, and Little Rock.  Blake came to the cabinet after serving three years as a coach and congregational consultant for the Arkansas Conference's Center for Vitality.  His most recent parish appointment has been as executive pastor of St. James United Methodist Church in Little Rock, a 3500-member congregation where he worked with clergy, staff, and lay leadership to align and coordinate the church’s ministries.  Dr. Bradford has served on the executive committee of the Arkansas Conference Board of Ordained Ministry for several years, organized and directed the Residency In Ministry Program for those seeking ordination, served as the Annual Conference Parliamentarian, and teaches pastoral leadership and administration for the Arkansas Course of Study School. He also previously served on the board of Connected In Christ (a conference-wide congregational vitality ministry), the Arkansas Conference Committee on the Status and Role of Women, and on various District Boards of Ordained Ministry and Superintendency. Blake has been a keynote speaker at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry's Quadrennial Training for Boards of Ordained Ministry, led workshops at the Church of the Resurrection's Leadership Institute, and has served on GBHEM's Advisory Panel for Residency In Ministry.

A second-degree black belt in Taekwondo, Blake’s passions include family, the study of history, and martial arts.  Blake and his high school sweetheart, Kerri, were married in 1997. She has worked at the Historic Arkansas Museum and taught in the art departments of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Arkansas Tech, and Texas A&M Texarkana.  They have two adult children: Bailey and Micah.


ACADEMIC WORK

  • Master of Arts, History of Christian Thought, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee (M.A., 1998)

  • Graduate Student, Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Keble College and Wycliff Hall, Oxford, Great Britain (1998)

  • Bachelor of Arts, Religion, Hendrix College, Conway, Arkansas (B.A., 1996)

  • Doctor of Ministry, Parish Leadership, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas (D.Min., 2014).

  • Master of Divinity, Iliff School of Theology, Denver, Colorado (M.Div., 2000)


Ministry History

Arkansas Conference Cabinet

Chief Mission Strategist and District Superintendent

The Central District, 2018-2021

The Northwest District, 2021-Current


 

The Center for Vitality

The Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church

Assistant Director, 2015 - 2018

Resourcing vital congregations that make disciples of Jesus Christ, who make disciples equipped to transform lives, communities, and the world.


St James United Methodist Church

Little Rock, Arkansas

Executive Pastor, 2011-2015

At St. James, a 3500-member congregation, Blake worked with clergy, staff, and lay leadership to align and coordinate the church’s ministries so that St. James could be a vibrant, growing church, changing lives and reshaping futures for Jesus Christ. During his tenure, he led a $5 million capital campaign that involved a new youth wing, remodeled children's area and other facilities, and debt reduction.


ST Paul UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Little Rock, Arkansas

Senior Pastor, 2009-2011

Blake served as the centennial pastor at this multi-staff congregation nestled in the Kingwood neighborhood of Little Rock.


Wesley UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Russellville, Arkansas

Pastor, 2005-2009

During Blake's tenure, the congregation entered into a new season of visioning and missional planning, and the church doubled in small groups and worship attendance.


TEXARKANA FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Texarkana, Arkansas

Associate Pastor, 2000-2005

In his first appointment following seminary, Blake served this congregation following a fire that destroyed the historic sanctuary. He assisted in leading the staff and lay leadership ministry planning team, and he was part of a building committee that funded and built a new sanctuary.


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UNiversity Park UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Denver Colorado

Student Associate Pastor, 1998-2000