Introducing Rev. Sam Kautz
Pastor Sam Kautz will begin his ministry here at Breckenridge UMC and Fairmount UMC on Sunday, July 5th.
Rev. Sam Kautz - Senior Pastor
Call to Ministry
I’ve been part of a church community for most of my life and throughout those connections they affirmed my calling to ministry and built leadership skills within churches and communities.
After 10 years of youth ministry leadership (UMC of Anoka), I sensed a calling to ordained ministry to help expand leadership responsibilities within local church settings.
I was ordained an elder in the UMC (May 2015). This furthered my identity, calling, vocation, and passion for reaching people with the good news about the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I’ve furthered the call into “the community” by being a substitute teacher in local school district (since 2022-2023 school year).
Leadership Style
I’m capable of casting a vision and leading around such movements. I seek to help people recognize the traits and spiritual gifts within themselves to share with the community. Challenging self and others are part of my leadership persona. Others have mentioned that my leadership style is one of relationship-building, confidence, focus, and organization.
Theological Perspective
Centered in the transforming love of God revealed through Jesus Christ, I
believe faith must be lived with integrity—where belief, community, and service
are deeply aligned to the witness of Jesus. I am called to carry the truth of Christ
into the world by bearing witness to God’s love for all people, honoring the
depth of each person’s spiritual journey. I trust in the active power of the Holy
Spirit to guide, shape, and renew both individuals and communities.
Passion for Ministry
I am passionate about small group studies, worship leadership & preaching, and service participation.
Have experience of ministry leadership across all ages of life (children, youth, young adults, and adults of all ages). Concentration upon years of youth and recent children’s ministry development.
The passion to help people/communities grow in faith and their relationships with God has fueled my calling.
Family
Single clergyperson. Family of origin all live currently in North Dakota. Parents and older brother (along with wife/oldest daughter) live in Jamestown. Sister (along with husband) lives in Cavalier. Three additional nieces (two in Fargo and another in Thompson).
My Vision for the Church
Aspirations for Ministry and for Serving the Local Church
I believe the most transformative ministry happens in relationships, especially
through small groups and one-on-one discipleship, where faith is shared,
formed, and lived.
I love serving the church in my role as pastor, preacher, and prophet. We can be
transformational witnesses for lives, communities, and the world. I believe that
the church provides a message of grace, love, and reconciliation to the world.
We have a blessed opportunity to help people navigate life and connecting those experiences to the message of Jesus Christ. The church plays a vital role in transforming culture by affecting hearts, minds, and spirit. I believe in the power and possibilities of the Wesleyan expressions of grace, social action, and connectionism.
Vision of the Church
I envision the Church as a Spirit-led community rooted in the grace of God,
centered in Jesus Christ, and sent into the world to embody love, justice, and
hope. In the Wesleyan tradition, we are a people of both personal and social
holiness—growing in faith while actively participating in God’s work of healing
and restoration in the world.
The Church is not simply a place we gather, but a people formed in Word and
Sacrament, shaped by worship, and sent to serve. It is a community where all are
invited into relationship with Christ, where diverse stories are welcomed, and
where lives are transformed through discipleship, connection, and service.
I believe the Church is at its best when it builds authentic relationships—walking
alongside one another in faith, asking honest questions, and encouraging one
another toward deeper trust in God.
Gifts for the Ministry
It is rewarding to help form and transform faith lives of all ages. In addition, I enjoy the leadership responsibilities to take a project/idea from vision to completion.
I feel that I provide energy, passion, dedication and integrity to the ordained minister role.
My heart advocates for mission/service and am seeking growth around justice issues.
