Pastor Larry Norris

Meet Pastor Larry Norris

The following is a short 5 minute introductory video to briefy introduce you to Pastor Larry.

The journey of my life has involved many transitions. There have been many “good byes” and “hellos,” always filled with mixed emotions. However, with all the uncertainties and adjustments that must be made, there has also been the stirring of many new beginnings and fresh possibilities. Here is a brief summary about my background, education and experience.

I was born in Midland, Texas on November 2, 1944, and grew up in many places but called "home" Lansing, Michigan. My father was in the Strategic Air Command and, therefore, much of my early life was spent living on Air Force bases in many different states. My twin brother, Terry, and I attended a dozen different schools by the time we were in junior high school. We graduated from Lansing Eastern High School in 1962.

When my father tragically lost his life in a mid-air plane collision in 1957, our lives were dramatically changed. We moved from Homestead, Florida to Lansing, Michigan, the hub of my family clan. My mother became the breadwinner but my grandparents played a crucial role in nurturing and guiding the family, especially for my younger brother who was one-year-old at the time of the accident. Our family attended a Wesleyan Methodist Church, and this faith community had a major impact on shaping my early understanding of God’s grace and forgiveness in my life. In fact, I can say that the influence of this small church, through the guidance of its pastors, lay leaders, and my family, became the bedrock of my experience of Christ, and the place where I first heard God’s call to ministry.

After high school, I attended Michigan State University (BA-’66), Asbury Theological Seminary (MDiv-’70), and Michigan State University (PhD-’79). My doctoral degree is in higher education with an emphasis in adult education and learning theory. My doctoral work grew out of wanting to become an effective leader in the design of Christian education resources for adult ministry. In 1986, I completed a full-time, two-year clinical internship with the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) through Interfaith Counseling Service in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to be involved in many wonderful ministries. The first church I served was Velda Rose UMC as an associate pastor ('71-'76). I was ordained an Elder in the United Methodist Church in 1973 in the Southern-California Arizona Conference. I was the Director of Education at Plymouth Congregational Church in Lansing, Michigan ('76-'79), while I was doing my doctoral work. Returning to Arizona, I served as Youth and Education Director at First United Methodist Church in Mesa ('79-'84). Later, I was a part-time senior pastor for two years appointed to serve Christ United Methodist Church in Phoenix ('02-'03). Also, I served the Phoenix UM Native American Fellowship as a part-time pastor on two different occasions.

At various times since 1985, I have taught part-time in several disciplines for the Maricopa County Community College District (Rio Salado). This included courses in sociology, psychology, philosophy, and religion. My longest professional tenure was twenty-five years (August, 1984 – June, 2010), when I was appointed by the Bishop of the Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church to serve at Cook Native American Ministries in Tempe, Arizona (CNAM). The mission of Cook College grew from the missionary work of Charles Cook in central and southern Arizona from 1870 – 1917 with the Pima Indians. He sought to educate, empower, and equip Native people for leadership in their churches and communities.

The many years I spent working in the ministries of Cook have sharpened my sensitivities to racial-ethnic minorities. I have developed a passion for those in our world who have borne and continue to bear the brunt of discrimination and prejudice. Cook Native American Ministries is recognized as one of the seven historic racial-ethnic schools of the Presbyterian Church (USA), and was founded in 1911.

I believe that it is important in the Church to give both prophetic and pastoral voice to our brothers and sisters who have been marginalized by race, color, ethnicity, gender, and religion. Over time, my tenure at Cook encompassed many roles: counselor, chaplain, director of religious studies, academic dean, vice president, and during the last five years, president. In these roles, I was privileged to travel widely throughout both the USA and Canada, preaching and teaching on reservations and in both Native and Anglo churches

After retiring from CNAM, I was appointed by my bishop to serve as senior pastor at Central United Methodist Church in Phoenix. I served in that appointment from 2010-2015. After that wonderful experience, the bishop asked me to serve at Velda Rose United Methodist Church in Mesa. I completed my seventh year as senior pastor in June, 2022, and retired from full-time ministry.

My lovely wife, Deb, is a native Californian who was born in Long Beach. We have been dear friends since 1971. Deb and I met when I received my first appointment to Velda Rose. She was one of my Church School teachers. Over the years, Deb has been involved in church music and worship. She was a member of several handbell choirs, was a liturgist, and assisted with communion. She received her PhD in educational psychology from Arizona State University and retired from Red Mountain High School within Mesa Public Schools as a school psychologist in May 2026. Before becoming a school psychologist in 1987, she was a high school teacher. We have eight wonderful children, of whom six are married. Our children are Larry Jr. (Delaney), Lauren (Greg), Erin (Kyle), Ashley (Jason), Jonathan, Deanna (Mike), Amy (Kevin), and Chad. We have seventeen beautiful grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Together, Deb and I enjoy travel, hiking, music, concerts, collecting art, and just being together!

My approach to ministry is that as a servant of Jesus Christ, a pastor must be open to the rich experiences and diversity of people in our world. I do resonate with the United Methodist motto: "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors." If we take that seriously, it "opens" both great possibilities and challenges. Social holiness is at the heart of my understanding and interpretation of Scripture. That springs from the heart of Wesleyan theology and the heart of John Wesley, himself. Thus, my style of preaching is prophetic yet centered on the grace of God. Preaching must be strong and relevant to where people live. I believe it is important to remember that as Christians we are a community. We do not live in isolation but are here to serve one another and also to reach out to the local community in ministries to proclaim the love of God in Jesus Christ.