We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Quentin Dickerson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Quentin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you have any thoughts about how to create a more inclusive workplace?
I am honored to pastor two unique churches, each with its own background and distinct style. This journey has been one of the greatest highlights of my life, though it has come with its own set of challenges. Each church came with pre-existing, effective staffs, and the real test began when I was appointed to lead a nearly 200-year-old congregation while already managing United Family Fellowship. There was no time for these two congregations to slowly get to know each other; it was more like an arranged marriage, and we had no choice but to make it work.
I have always felt called to lead a multicultural ministry because I believe that heaven will be filled with people of all backgrounds who absolutely love God. Regardless of racial, ethnic, or financial backgrounds, and irrespective of upbringing, we will all worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, together. This belief was shaped by my upbringing in a diverse neighborhood, which influenced my worldview significantly.
In a church setting, everyone brings their own theologies to the table. Tough conversations have been necessary and continue to be, allowing us to focus on our ultimate mission as followers of Christ: to lead others and live a Christ-like life. Initially, the workplace was not entirely inclusive, but God has given me the grace for this assignment. Recently, we adopted a one-board leadership model with equal representation from both congregations, a significant step toward ensuring all voices are heard and making our churches feel like one inclusive community.
My advice to anyone seeking to make their workplace more inclusive is to embrace the hard conversations, listen to all feedback, get to know your team members to understand their hearts, and lead without fear. You won’t make everyone happy, but stay focused on the path you are called to lead, no matter the opposition.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I wear many hats in my professional life. I am the proud pastor of two churches in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee—United Family Fellowship and Hamilton Church, both located in the Antioch community. Additionally, I am a professional piano player, producer, and arranger. Beyond these roles, I am also an entrepreneur who enjoys blessing others through consulting and connecting people.
I am proud of the work I do because it allows me the freedom to be myself and to bless others.
What sets me apart is my positive heart and unwavering determination. I am committed to helping others while continuing my own journey of growth and service.
Every Sunday you can find me at United Family Fellowship | Hamilton Church spreading the message of Jesus Christ.
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
In our ministry, we refer to our clients as members or partners. To stay connected with them, I use a variety of methods, including phone calls, FaceTime, and text messages. Our text message blast system and social media platforms have proven highly effective in maintaining communication and fostering brand loyalty. While I absolutely love technology, I genuinely prefer face-to-face meetings with our members and partners. There’s something uniquely valuable about in-person interactions.
To enhance our brand loyalty, I have consulted a brand specialist to help us stay true to our mission. Additionally, we are in the process of bringing on interns to assist with our virtual outreach and brand loyalty efforts. I believe it’s essential to have fresh perspectives and professionals who can offer insights beyond what our current leadership might see.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Integrity is the most important quality or characteristic that has help build my reputation. Without integrity you don’t have anything else. In addition to integrity I am a very big networker. I love meeting people from all around the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.unitedfamilyfellowship.org | www.hamilton-umc.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/quentinmichael
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorquentinmichael/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quentin-michael-dickerson-m-a-17985065
- Twitter: https://x.com/quentinmichaeld
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@quentinmichael?si=EFVomOlHcqJSj9Bf
Image Credits
@photosbyclw