When the Rev. Michael Murphy travels to Washington, D.C., for the inauguration, he won’t just be celebrating. He will be preparing for a new job.
In late February, Murphy, founder of St. Stephen’s Community Church, 1007 Kimberly Drive, in Lansing, will become the ninth pastor at Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ, a multiracial congregation in D.C. Although he will visit the church during his trip, Murphy said he would have gone to the inauguration even without the new job. “I was there when former President Clinton was sworn in 1993,” he said. “That was a very exciting experience, and I’m looking for the same thing with this one.” In addition to his work at St. Stephen’s, Murphy has served on the Lansing City Council and in the state Legislature. “My ministry is both within the church and within the community,” he said.
Rubin Tendai, Interim Minister for Peoples Church, said Murphy was among about 40 candidates for the position. He underwent a lengthy interview process, but after teaching a sermon on Nov. 22 at the church, Murphy won over the congregation, Tendai said.
“He’s a very affable person, and the congregation felt very good about him,” he said.
It was reported in the Nov. 14 issue of TIME magazine that President-elect Obama was considering Peoples Church as his family’s congregation of choice.
“It’s the type of church that they’re welcome to come and visit … and hopefully seriously consider,” Murphy said. “Peoples Church is a leading church in D.C., and he’s part of the United Church of Christ. If they consider staying with (the denomination), Peoples would be a good choice.”
Murphy did not come to the decision to leave Lansing quickly. It was something he considered for a long time, said the Rev. Shameerah Shareef, assistant pastor of St. Stephen’s.
Shareef is transitioning to fill Murphy’s position.
“I have no doubt in my mind that he will continue to be the kind of pastor he’s always been, and it will give him an opportunity to do things in a new venue,” Shareef said. “I’m absolutely thrilled for him.”
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