Rev Clara Reed, D. Min., 54th Anniversary Speaker

Meet the speaker for Bethany Church's

54th Anniversary Celebration

Rev. Clara M. Reed, D. Min.

Dr. Reed is an Elder in the United Methodist Church and member of the North Texas Conference.  Currently Dr. Reed serves as the District Superintendent for the Metro District. In this capacity, she provides spiritual and administrative oversight for the 78 churches and all the clergy members in her district.

 At the 2003 North Texas Annual Conference Dr. Reed was elected to serve as a delegate to Jurisdictional Conference.  She has also served her home conference as Chairperson for the Board of Ordained Ministry, by leading seminars and workshops, as well as preaching for revivals and other worshipful occasions. Dr. Reed has served as Adjunct Professor of Homiletics at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. In addition she has served beyond the local church as Chaplain/ Bereavement Coordinator for Vitas Hospice Care in Dallas, TX.

Throughout her Christian journey, which began as a member of the Pentecostal church, Dr. Reed has served the church in numerous capacities which include pastoring, directing community outreach ministries, serving as minister to children and youth and as a frequent facilitator for Disciple Bible Study.

Dr. Reed was the founding pastor for All Nations United Methodist Church in Plano, a multi-ethnic congregation where she pastored for eight years.  She also served as Associate Pastor at St. Luke Community United Methodist Church, in Dallas, TX.  As a native Kentuckian, Dr. Reed received her Bachelor of Science (1975) from Cumberland College, Williamsburg, KY and graduated Summa Cum Laude.  Her other educational credits include: Master of Arts (1977) – University of Pittsburgh; Master of Divinity (1986) – Southern Methodist University; Advanced Clinical Education (CPE) – Children’s Medical Center of Dallas; and the Doctor of Ministry, conferred with honor, by Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University (1992).

Dr. Reed is active in the broader community through affiliation with civic and volunteer organizations. Currently she serves on the boards of the Dallas Bethlehem Center, Wesley Rankin Center, Project Transformation and Vision Africa.  Other organizations in which she has served include the Perkins Doctor of Ministry Committee, Perkins School of Theology Mentor Pastor Program, the Plano Ministerial Alliance, the board for Plano Habitat for Humanity, and Plano Community Forum.  She has been the recipient of several honors and awards, including the Texas Business Trailblazer Award (1993) and the Award of Distinction (1997) and the Plano Community Forum’s Community Service Award.

Dr. Reed resides in Carrollton, TX with her husband Charles.  They are owners of the Schlotzsky’s Deli franchise in Collin County.  They have one daughter, Crystal, and one granddaughter, Camryn.