Dr. John E. Syster Selected as Parish Pastor of the Year 2009
by the Academy of Parish Clergy
In presenting Dr. John E. Syster the Parish Pastor of the Year Award for 2009, the Academy of Parish Clergy continues to recognize outstanding congregational leadership and advancing pastoral excellence. The award was presented Feb. 17, 2009 during the Academy's Annual Conference at the Canterbury Retreat Center near Orlando, Florida. Dr. Syster has been Senior Minister of First Congregational United Church of Christ, Sarasota, Florida, since 1983.
The outstanding dimensions of Dr. Syster's ministry were summarized in the giving of the award. One was the annual leadership retreats of at least 80 members out of the over 700 members of the congregation. The “Construction Zone” leadership training program regularly draws 10 to 12 new people into leadership roles and prepares them for service on boards, committees and ministry teams. All this is part of setting congregational goals and systematic long-range planning, often with innovative approaches to ministry. Dr. Syster is recognized for his ability to enable others to grow and shine in their own way, often in ways they didn't realize might be possible.
Dr. Syster also gives leadership to, and participates actively in, supporting important ecumenical ministries in Sarasota. One is S.U.R.E (Sarasota United for Responsibility and Equity), a grassroots direct action congregational based community organization he helped found and in which he continues to serve. Others include Family Promise, Habitat for Humanity (the congregation has sponsored four houses), a quality preschool and other local ecumenical efforts.
Third, Dr. Syster has been deeply involved in numerous United Church of Christ state and national boards and committees including Moderator of the UCC's Florida Conference, chair of its Budget and Finance Committee, committee for new church development, and the UCC's Pension Board. He was a primary mover in aiding Lifelink, a UCC health and human services ministry, to build and operate a 40-unit apartment building for physically challenged adults and establishing its International Adoption office in Sarasota.
As a pastor to the congregation as well as to individuals, Dr. Syster has led it in compassionate responses to hurricane recovery and other national and international disasters. Peace, social justice and diversity issues were sensitively and biblically addressed to where the congregation is open and affirming to all people regardless of race, sexual orientation, age and ethnicity. In thus bearing witness to the UCC's theme of “God is still speaking,” he has challenged the congregation into higher levels of stewardship. His sensitivity in personal pastoral situations is commended.
Personally, Dr. Syster draws on a rich background of biblical study, history, social and cultural traditions to weave into a highly engaging “storyteller's” mode of preaching. A variety of worship experiences is always anticipated. He participates in mission projects and lives a style of thoughtfulness and dignity, yet always with humor and friendship. In his regular day off, he is physically active through kayaking, bicycling and other outdoor activities.
The Academy of Parish Clergy, established in 1968, is pleased to honor Dr. John Syster as the 2009 Parish Pastor of the Year. Nominations for 2010 may be obtained from the Academy's web site, www.apclergy.org.