Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church of Richardson
Biography
Dr. Clayton Oliphint has served as Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Richardson (FUMCR) since 2001. FUMCR is a 6,000-member congregation with a strong missional presence throughout the Richardson and North Dallas communities. Ordained in 1986, Dr. Oliphint previously served at Lovers Lane UMC, First UMC of The Colony, and First UMC of Duncanville, leading each congregation to growth in both attendance and community outreach.
Dr. Oliphint earned a B.A. in History and Religion from Austin College, where he played on the 1981 NAIA National Championship football team and received All-America recognition as a record-setting wide receiver. Austin College has honored him with both its Distinguished Alumni Award and induction into the Athletic Hall of Honor. He later earned his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University (SMU), where he was also recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus.
An active leader within the church and community, Dr. Oliphint serves on multiple boards, including the Methodist Dallas Hospital System, and as Chaplain for Circle 10 of Scouting America. He was named 2013 Citizen of the Year by the Richardson Chamber of Commerce and has chaired several major boards within the United Methodist connection, including the Texas Methodist Foundation, Methodist Children’s Home, and the Conference Boards of Ministry and Finance & Administration for the North Texas Conference. He has also been elected six times as a delegate to the United Methodist General Conference.
Dr. Oliphint is the co-author of three books published by Abingdon Press: Citizens of Hope, The Road to Amazing, and Get in the Game.
He and his wife, Lori McGee Oliphint, a 1983 graduate of McMurry University, are both preacher’s kids and proud parents of three adult children.