Chadron native and former long-time police dispatcher and 911 coordinator Tony Serbousek was ordained Friday night as an elder in the United Methodist Church.
Serbousek, a Native American, was ordained at the denomination’s Great Plains Conference annual gathering in Omaha by Bishop David Wilson, the first Native American bishop in the United Methodist Church.
Elders in the UMC are ordained to a ministry of Word, Sacrament, Order, and Service – which means they preach and teach, provide pastoral care and counsel, and administer the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion wherever their bishop assigns them.
The denomination says the “servant leadership of the elder takes place both in parish ministry, as well as in extension ministries, like chaplaincy, campus ministry, teaching, missionary work, general agency work and other contexts.”
United Methodist elders must have a Master of Divinity degree from either one of its seminaries or one approved by the church.
They must also serve at least 2 years as a provisional elder, a residency program designed by the local conference.
Tony Serbousek had been with the Chadron Police Department for nearly 16 years when he resigned in June 2018 to go into the ministry.
He’d been working on his divinity degree remotely through a UMC seminary in Denver while still employed full-time, but said he wanted to focus completely on finishing the degree so he could pursue ordination and eventually serve as a pastor.
After receiving his degree, he pastored 3 small rural churches in East-Central Nebraska, then in 2020 he became pastor of the UMC Church in St Francis, KS. Within a few months, he accepted an invitation to serve on the Cheyenne County Community Foundation board.
Tony says he’s had a wonderful time in St Francis, but that it’s coming to a close because he’s recently been appointed pastor at the First United Methodist Church in Abilene, KS, a position he begins July 1.
That is so cool! Congratulations, Tony. You look great. We miss you here, however, but understand that you are doing God’s work. Bless you.
I remember when you shared with us that God was calling you to be a pastor. Congratulations on your successful ministry and appointment.
Congratulations Tony!
Congratulations Tony!
So happy for you Tony, I know you will love serving the LORD!
What a nice Guy and so glad he is doing what he wants. CONGRATULATIONS !
Congratulations Tony! An honor well deserved. Wish you were still in our area serving a church, but best of luck at Abilene.
Congratulations pastor. May God guide and protect you.