David Mehl

Doctor of Ministry graduate

David grew up at Eden slowly—his dad was on the faculty—and as a child, David noted how Eden people integrated faith issues with everyday life. He recently completed the Doctor of Ministry degree (2003), and over the five years of study he tried to balance the study program, marriage, four children from early elementary school to college and his pastoral ministry on a team at Hope United Church of Christ in St. Louis.

Eden broadened my sense of ministry and strengthened my calling to serve.

“I vividly recall that most of us in the doctoral program were engaged in the daily practice of ministry; we lived it as we studied. To hold that all together was a marvelous challenge—in a way, it was the best part of the program and the most complicated. You try to step back and see ministry with some perspective and depth even as you’re up to your ears in it! Most of us couldn’t just pull away for several years and go study; so we tried to balance, reflect, read, listen and all the while engaged with people everyday in the local congregation. And that’s where I discovered that the real learning happens, with all the forces pushing and pulling against each other.

“Eden has been more than a place to train for ministry. It has been a place where people live their faith, think deeply about church and world and apply learning in real contexts. Eden is deeply rooted in a particular tradition, but it’s also dynamic, ever changing, affected by the world and speaking to the world in constant conversation. Over the years of study, I learned to think more clearly about scripture, ministry and congregational life—to become more critical in the best sense. I’ve become more committed to the ecumenical cause because we cannot afford to be silent or isolated in local congregations or even denominations. Eden broadened my sense of ministry and strengthened my calling to serve.”