Christ UMC is led by a combination of pastors, staff, and ministry leaders, as well as council leaders and congregation members.

Pastors

Rev. Russell (Rusty) Butler
Senior Pastor

I grew up United Methodist in Pierre, South Dakota. My folks were youth workers in the church so I have a special place in my heart for all the people who work with youth! I graduated from the University of South Dakota with a degree in Business and worked for Standard and Poor’s in Denver for 10 years. I attended the Iliff School of Theology in Denver and received a Master’s of Divinity in 1996. I’ve served in ministry at Arvada UMC, Rocky Ford UMC, and worked for First UMC in Longmont during my seminary years.

My theological perspective is strongly influenced by Religious Naturalism, Religious Empiricism, Creation Spirituality, and Process Theology. I have long appreciated the Wesleyan Quadrilateral which emphasized Scripture, Tradition, Experience and Reason as a way of doing theology. While these influences are important to me, I’m convinced that each person is on their own unique spiritual journey. As one of my mentors suggested, “We cannot hitchhike on another’s journey.” We have to chart our own course but we can share our ideas with others and be respectful of their journey.

Currently I serve on the Board of Directors for Family Promise SLC, District Committee of Ordained Ministry for the Mtn. Sky Conference of the UMC, and have found myself working for the passage of the ERA Amendment in Utah!

My favorite hobbies are golfing and hiking, and attempting to play guitar. I have two sons, David & his partner Justine, who currently live in Singapore, and Jared & his wife, DanYelle, who live in Greeley, Colorado.

Rev. Bruce Kolasch
Pastor of Congregational Care

This is a picture of Reba and me at Yachats, OR, which is one of our favorite places to be. Our six grandkids here in Utah make life good! I love serving God’s people at our church through visits, music and the little services we do at Highland Cover and the Wellington. I enjoy good food and a good glass of red wine.