The Reverend Dr. Justin W. Tull is a retired ordained United Methodist minister having served 37 years in the North Texas area. During this time he was senior pastor of nine churches ranging in membership from 274 to 2200. He retired from active ministry in 2006. In December, 2008, he was asked to serve six months as interim senior pastor of Suncreek UMC, Allen, Texas. In 2010 he became interim senior pastor of Vista Ridge UMC in Lewisville, Texas.
After being graduated from Hendrix College with a major in literature and philosophy, Dr. Tull attended Perkins School of Theology at SMU. During the next sixteen years he would receive three advanced degrees: a Master of Theology degree (1970), a Master of Sacred Theology degree in Old Testament studies (1971), and a Doctor of Ministry degree in preaching (1985).
Dr. Tull is the author of seven books: Wrestlings, Wonders, and Wanderers; Why God Why?: Sermons on the Problem of Pain; Why God Why? A Study Guide; Christmas Journeys: Finding Joy Along the Way; Interim Ministry: Positive Change in Times of Transition; Surviving and Thriving in Ministry and Vital Preaching; Vital Preaching: the Art of Sharing God’s Word (2015). All are available through Amazon.com.
Since retirement Dr. Tull has been teaching a course in preaching to United Methodist pastors in Texas who are taking the course of study curriculum offered by the United Methodist Church. He has also taught eight times an intensive nine-month Disciple Bible Study course which covers eighty percent of the scriptures. Various classes, lectureships and seminars round out Tull’s teaching repertoire including a six-session seminar dealing with human tragedy using his book, Why God Why? Sermons on the Problem of Pain.
Dr.Tull has been actively involved in mentoring pastors over the past twenty-five years. He has supervised eight Perkins interns, worked closely with nine associate pastors and mentored countless others by serving as their supervising pastor. For seventeen years he served on the Board of Ordained Ministry of the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist church, chairing both the conference and district committees.
In 2013 he began his work as a clergy coach and received his ACC accreditation from the International Coach Federation in January of 2015. He also serves as clergy coach for the Healthy Church Initiative of the United Methodist Church.
Always involved in community outreach programs, Dr. Tull was the founding president of two non-profit organizations: The DeSoto Community Outreach Council and the Interfaith Ministries of Denton, Inc., the later offering emergency help to people in need. In 2000-2001 he served as chair of the Board of Pastoral Care and Education Center. Concerned about the shortage of low-income housing in the area, Justin has been an active participant in the Habitat for Humanity program having worked on the construction of nine homes and helped construct the 700th Habitat house built in Dallas County.
In his spare time Justin enjoys writing, travel, playing racquetball and tennis, doing grandfather duties, and spending time with family and friends in Cuchara, Colorado. He and his wife Janette live in Carrollton, Texas. They each have two children and enjoy six grandchildren.
