A key objective of the Call committee was to find a "dynamic leader who values traditional Lutheran worship and also embraces the need for contemporary worship".  The committee believes it has found that, and much more, in Pastor Jim Bliss.

At Ukiah's Grace Lutheran Church, where he has served since 1992, Pastor Jim has introduced a contemporary service, started 8 small groups that are attended by about 70 people, brought some business sense to the church's budget, and helped it grow in outreach. In a community that is growing at 0.5 percent per year, Grace's growth has been 2.5 to 3 percent a year. When he came to Grace there were no Bible studies; now there are five.

"The biggest change at Grace during my ministry has been the deepening spirituality and commitment of the people, Pastor Jim says. "Grace Lutheran Church is truly a place where Jesus Christ changes lives"

A self-described Army brat, Pastor Jim's a Lutheran convert. According to his dog tags he was baptized and confirmed a t his grandmother's Methodist Church, and his early religious upbringing was with Army chaplains. But it was the Inter-varsity Christian fellowship in college that brought him to a strong faith. He attended the Episcopal Church at the time, and worked as a student assistant to college chaplains. It was during this time the he felt called to pastoral ministry.

"This time was when the revival was sweeping the college of our country that we refer to now as the Jesus-people movement," Pastor Jim recalled. "The dedication to Jesus that came from those years is still a major part of my spirituality."

But the dream to be a pastor had to be put on hold.

After living in Europe for six years, Pastor Jim found himself in the Central Valley. He majored in music (voice) and biology at CSU Fresno, and was a computer programmer at a time when computers were not much more sophisticated than the computers you find in toys today. He also worked in outside sales for Graybar Electric. In the meantime, he and his wife, Nancy, developed a ranch from an alkali flat, transforming it to a working vineyard where they made raisins for Sun Maid.

He tried to enter the Episcopal seminary, but his hopes were dashed following a meeting with the bishop. "I was too vocal about women in ministry, among other things, to suit him."

While working the ranch in Kerman, he and Nancy joined a small Lutheran church. Soon Jim was leading the choir. He also served on the church council and served one term as president.

"Becoming a Lutheran was a matter of finding a church where there was a high value placed on communion, and where the priesthood of all believers was a high priority, Pastor Jim says. "The clericalism of most sacramental churches leads to an authority structure that takes away much of the life that God intends for the people of God."

He entered Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in 1988 and graduated with honors in 1992.

For the past four years Pastor Jim, 48, has been working on a Doctor of Ministry degree through a Southern Baptist Seminary in Phoenix. The main emphasis has been on church growth and leadership. He has completed the course work and is finishing up his thesis.

A singer in the Ukiah Civic Light Opera, Pastor Jim also enjoys fly fishing, water skiing, hiking and gardening. He and Nancy have a son Chris, 19, and a daughter Elizabeth, 17. Nancy is a programmer analyst for a medical systems firm with an office in Oakland.

Jim is not stuffy about titles. Call him Jim or Pastor Jim.

To contact Pastor Bliss:
       Phone: (925) 828-1580.
       FAX Line: (925) 828-2164
       Email: jbliss@resluthdublin.org