Leadership

Rev. Gary Butterworth now serves as Priest-in-Charge at St. Paul's Episcopal in Morganton. Within the diocese he serves as Chair of Congregational Vitality, was Chair of the Bishop’s Search Committee and is an Episcopal Search Consultant, and currently working with the diocese of West Virginia as they search for their next bishop. His first call was in The Diocese of Southern Virginia where he served three rural parishes and was Chair of The Liturgical Commission, Spiritual Director for Cursillo and served on the Executive Board. Prior to his ministry at Grace, Asheville he also served at All Saints, Gastonia.  Rev. Butterworth has been a Deputy to General Convention three times and will serve as First Alternate next year. He currently serves on The Episcopal Church’s Board for Transition Ministry, is a Trustee for The University of the South and served on The Alumni Council at Sewanee.

He earned his Doctor of Ministry (DMin) from Sewanee writing on Family Systems and the Colonial Church and its impact on colonial dioceses.  He has an MBA in Negotiation and Conflict Management, a Masters in National Security Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Organizational and Leadership Management.  He served as a Naval Officer for over 30 years leading Sailors throughout the world.

He is a practitioner of the Jesus Movement, serving as pastor, priest and teacher alongside the priesthood of all believers, acting in concert to Gather, Transform and Send Christian servants into the world to act and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Gary is married to his bride, Christina. They have been married for 37 years and have two children, who were both married during this past year. Justin, who lives in Iowa City and Emma, who is pursuing her PhD studies at University of Massachusetts Amherst.t.