Staff
Dennis believes that it has to be God calling him to be a pastor, because he's a normally shy person that hates public speaking and yet, he does it on a regular basis. Dennis hails from Flint, Michigan and is a 1991 graduate of Michigan State University (go Spartans!) with a degree in Journalism. Dennis has put his degree to good use as a freelance writer for various groups like the Minnesota Timberwolves and various non-profits.
Dennis finally decided to listen to God's prompting and went to Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1997, not expecting go into parish ministry because of that shyness thing. While there, he interned at Lake Harriet Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Linden Hills United Church of Christ, both in Minneapolis. Both of these experiences helped him see that working in a local church was exciting, even for an introvert like himself.
Dennis graduated from Luther in 2001 with a Masters of Divinity and was ordained a minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 2002.
When Dennis isn't planning worship services, leading Christian formation classes or writing sermons (all of which he loves doing), you might see Dennis talking a walk, reading the latest Star Trek novel (he's even trying to write one himself), chatting with friends, hanging out coffeeshops throughout Minneapolis and watching sci-fi series like Dr. Who, Star Trek and Stargate. Oh yeah, and he has a "day job" as a Database Administrator.
Dennis lives in North Minneapolis and is the faithful servant to two cats: Felix and Morris.
2006 marks an important milestone for Dan Adolphson – 25 years of serving God though music! It all began when he was a child. His family would travel from Washington state to South Dakota during the summer to visit Dan's grandparents. During their stay, of course, the entire family would go to church on Sunday, where Dan was first exposed to the great hymns of the faith.
Starting at age 14, Dan has been involved in music ministry in 4 states: Washington, South Dakota, Nebraska and Minnesota. This ministry has included singing in the choir, soloist, worship leader, choir director, handbell choir, handbell director, and minister of music. He has served churches in both the rural and urban setting, in congregations ranging from 30 to 3,000. Some of the highlights include leading worship at regional denominational events, singing in Billy Graham crusades, and being a member of the mass choir that premiered jazz great Dave Brubeck’s mass To Hope! A Celebration at St. Cecilia’s Cathedral in Omaha. He also spent 4 summers helping run the Missouri Valley Gospel Sing, a Southern Gospel music event held every June in western Iowa.
His music experience outside the church is just as broad. Vocally he has sung under some of the nation's premier choral conductors in education and convention settings including Jester Hairston, Jerry Rubino, Weston Noble, Craig Jessop, Rod Eichenberger, Don Moses, Dr. Ralph Manzo & Dr. Maria Manzo. Dan sang 2 seasons with the Clarion Chamber Chorale under the direction of Stan Schmidt, President of Collegium Records USA; and 2 seasons with the Nebraska Choral Arts Society Masterworks Chorus. His conducting experience includes 2 seasons as Founder/Artitsic Director of timbre, a small men's ensemble; 2 seasons as Associate Artistic Director of The Voices of Omaha and 4 seasons as Assistant Director at Grace University (Omaha , Nebraska). From 1992-1997 he was a vocal & instrumental music teacher in both Nebraska and Minnesota. he is currently being mentored by Dr. Chris Aspaas at St. Olaf College.
From 1996-2002 Dan served on the Executive Board of the Nebraska Choral Directors Association as Editor of Short Notes and Public Relations Manager. In 2002 he received a special citation from the American Choral Directors Association National Newsletter Chair for his work in making Short Notes one of the premier state newsletters in the nation. From 2003-2006 he served as Co-Publicity Chair for Celebrate the Process!, the North Central ACDA Regional Convention, and also was a listening judge for the 2005 MN-ACDA Anacrusis 7th & 8th Grade Boys Honor Choir selection.
In addition to his duties at Community of Grace, he is the Parish Music Associate at Lake Harriet Christian Church in Minneapolis.
