Roger Quillin has become a staple of the Lakewood community during his 32-year stint as senior pastor of Northridge Presbyterian Church, an organization that spends 22 percent of its income and untold hours on missions and outreach. Now he is planning to retire, and while that might seem like a big deal to him, he says his absence won’t change the church much, because it’s the people, not the pastor, that make it such an enduring and special entity.
What led you to the ministry?
I grew up in the Presbyterian Church, raised by parents who were very active in the church, and I knew I liked it. Some college friends were looking toward seminary school, and they influenced me, too. It was the combination of things that shaped me and led me in that direction.
How long did it take you to end up here?
In the late ’70s I worked in New York City for three years, then in Oklahoma City and in Tulsa for five years before coming here.
Is it normal for a Presbyterian pastor to stay at one church for 32 years?
No, in fact it’s rather unusual. The average length is six to seven years. There are pluses and minuses about being there so long. On the plus side, it means there is a good relationship between the pastor and the people, and it offers stability. The drawback is that nobody remembers how to call a new pastor.
What does “call a new pastor” mean?
It’s basically the formal process of matching up a pastor with a church.
What’s special about Northridge?
The people. The members are interested in reaching the community and the world. They are bright, highly educated, thinking people — compassionate people — who spend a lot of time serving.
Do you work in the community, too?
I get out there sometimes, though I see my job more as preaching and teaching, and hopefully stimulating that mentality to get involved.
What do you say to people who might be turned off by organized religion or churches?
I think the reason some people avoid religion is that they expect a lot of rules that they’ll have to follow. Here, we are far more focused on service than rules, and the members share a wide diversity of theological opinion.
The church itself is pretty old, no?
Yes, we celebrated a centennial in 2005. The physical building has changed over the years, we’ve moved — even got a new building with a new fellowship hall in 2001 — but the church itself has existed with an unbroken line of service since 1905.
When you retire near the end of summer, what will you do?
Slow down and take it easy! My children and three grandchildren are here, and I hope to spend time with them.
Is your wife glad you are retiring?
My wife, Florence, understands that it’s time. She is a psychologist, and she plans to keep practicing a couple more years. I expect she’ll want me to start cooking dinner now.
Any other hobbies on which you hope to spend time?
Biking, gardening and reading.
For anyone interested in checking out Northridge church, you know it better than anyone — tell us the basics.
The church has about 650 members, all ages. We are in a new building [6920 Bob-O-Link] and we meet at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays, with Sunday school in between. As I’ve tried to get across, it is a special community that will remain that way after I’m gone.
