About the Institute

Staff

Rev. Jim Turley

President of the Institute

photo of Rev. Jim Turley

In 2003, Jim Turley joined the staff of Texas Methodist Foundation, and he is now serving as President of TMF’s Institute for Clergy and Congregational Excellence. Jim and Susan live in Georgetown and have been married for forty-two years. Their three daughters and their husbands have blessed Jim and Susan with two granddaughters and four grandsons.

Jim did most of his growing up in the small West Texas town of Grandfalls. He graduated from Texas Tech University with an accounting degree in 1965, and from The University of Texas Law School in 1968, when he began practicing law with the Houston law firm of Baker Botts. He became a partner in the firm in 1976, and practiced tax and corporate law there until 1992, when he resigned his partnership in the firm.

Jim and his wife, Susan, moved to Dallas where Jim entered Perkins School of Theology at SMU to prepare for full-time ministry in the United Methodist Church. While attending Perkins, Jim served on the staff of Highland Park United Methodist Church as Minister of Evangelism.

Jim was ordained in the United Methodist Church and graduated from Perkins in 1994. He returned to his home church, Chapelwood United Methodist Church in Houston, where he served as Minister of Discipleship and Evangelism from 1994-1997, when he was appointed as senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in Henderson.

Dr. Gil Rendle

Senior Consultant

photo of Dr. Gil Rendle

Gil Rendle serves as Senior Consultant with The Institute for Clergy and Congregational Excellence of The Texas Methodist Foundation in Austin, Texas and as an independent consultant working with issues of change and leadership in denominations and large churches. Prior to this position he served the Alban Institute as an author, seminar leader and senior consultant for twelve years. An ordained United Methodist minister, Gil served as senior pastor of two urban congregations in Pennsylvania for sixteen years and as a denominational consultant for The United Methodist Church for nine years.

Gil graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania, did his seminary training at Boston University School of Theology and earned a Ph.D. in Psychoeducational Processes from Temple University in Philadelphia. Gil has an extensive background in organizational development, group and systems theory, and leadership development. He works with leaders on planning, staff and leadership development, and issues of change. He is well known for his work with middle judicatory and national denominational offices and staff as they wrestle with denominational and congregational change.

In training workshops and conferences, Gil has led numerous large and small groups in practical learning that directly impact participants’ decisions and practice in their leadership roles. He is the author of five books, a contributor to four books, and the author of numerous articles and monographs. Gil is a resident of Pennsylvania where he lives with his wife, Lynne. They have two sons, who with their wives, have provided four grandchildren.

Dr. Eric McKinney

Consultant

Eric McKinneyEric McKinney joined the staff of the Institute in June 2009 after retiring from active pastoral ministry at the end of 2006, and completing a two-year stint as Interim Chaplain at Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX. A member of the Central Texas Conference, Eric served as a pastor and district superintendent for 35 1/2 years. He chaired numerous Conference committees and boards, and continues to serve as a Trustee or Board member for The Methodist Mission Home, the Wesleyan Homes, Southwestern University, and the Center for Urban Church Renewal. He also represents the jurisdiction as a member of the United Methodist Publishing House Board. Eric has been a delegate to numerous general and jurisdictional conferences, and continues to possess a passionate love for Jesus Christ and the United Methodist Church.

He resides in Georgetown, and is a parent to 3 grown children, and a grandparent to two beautiful granddaughters. He has facilitated TMF Institute Clergy Develop Groups since January 2008. 

Amanda Black

Director of Ministries

Amanda Black joined the Institute as Director of Ministries in 2008.

Prior to her work at the Institute, Amanda served as Director of Youth Ministries at St. James United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and Candler School of Theology at Emory University. As an intern with the Office of Religious Life at Candler, Amanda worked to bring the China Bible Exhibit to Atlanta through collaboration with Emory University, the World Council of Churches, the Regional Council of Churches, and the Chinese Christian Council.

As a life-long United Methodist, the church has always been a supportive community where faith, insight, and justice intersect. Amanda grew up in the North Texas Conference, and even met her husband, Ben, at a UM conference camp where they still volunteer.

Amanda and Ben are pleased to be back in the great state of Texas and are expecting their first child in July of 2010.

Bobbie Juranek

Administrative Assistant

photo of Bobbie Juranek

Bobbie Juranek is the Administrative Assistant for the TMF Institute and has been with the Institute since 2004. She loves working with the pastors in the Clergy Development Groups and the Facilitators for the groups.

Bobbie grew up in Corpus Christi. She and her husband, Charles, have been married for 42 years. They have three children - Ronald, Jennifer and Bobby. Bobby is a 82nd Airborne Ranger and holds the rank of Captain in the United States Army. He is presently stationed in Afghanistan.

Bobbie and Charles moved to Austin in 2002 to be closer to their daughter and her family, and her son, Ronald. Bobbie and Charles have seven beautiful grandchildren - five granddaughters and two grandsons.