An Interview with Rev Doug
Submitted by Melanie Coakley / Doug Werth
3/17/05 for website

Rev Doug, as he is so warmly referred to, shared his story and ideas for ministry with me, and now it is time to share it with you.

Melanie: So, Doug, how did you come to Unity?

Doug: It was a long process, but I think it started in high school. I really enjoyed the church experience in my local protestant church, but had many questions about spiritual matters that their theology just didn’t answer. I started investigating other religions such as Buddhism, found helpful material in Rosicrucian and Essene material, and started reading books by New Thought authors. This spiritual search continued all through college, and after college I talked with a protestant seminary. That didn’t seem to fit, but I came across a book about a group of people in Illinois who were studying spiritual principles. I moved to the mid-west to study with them.

I left after three years due to internal dissension and conflict in the group, but gained a wealth of insight and information very similar to Unity’s. About that time, a friend told me about Unity and suggested I check them out.

Penny and I were married shortly after that, and we both wanted to have a church home as part of our family and friends. One day I heard a one-minute radio spot that literally brought tears to my eyes…from a Unity church! I looked up the address, we went on Sunday, and there was an immediate heart connection. I knew I had come home to my right spiritual community.

Melanie: So you’ve been in Unity quite a while?

Doug: Yes, Penny and I have been associated with Unity for the entire time we’ve been married, 28 years. We’ve joined several Unity churches as I moved around the country in my business career.

Melanie: With such a strong connection with Unity so early in your life, why didn’t you pursue the ministry then?

Doug: When Penny and I got married and started a family, I wanted to provide for them to the best of my ability, and I also wanted to pursue a business career. The spiritual quest was always there, but I put it on the back burner for a while, so to speak.

Melanie: So what made you finally decide to pursue the ministry?

Doug: It’s a funny thing about the spiritual journey. Once you open the door, you can’t close it. It really won’t let you alone. I found myself fairly successful in the business world, but quite unhappy…and yet didn’t know what else to do. Penny and I were living in California at the time; I spent a lot of time whitewater kayaking on the weekends, and had not been in a Unity church for a few years. Then one Saturday in the spring of 1996, I was kayaking with friends and paused in prayer just before running a particularly difficult rapid. I heard a very clear voice guiding me…no, TELLING me in no uncertain terms… to get myself back into a Unity church. It scared me at first, because I had never had that experience before, but I went back to church shortly after that to a wonderful experience.

During the next few years, I had so many experiences of guidance and answered prayer, both for myself, and others, and enjoyed church work so much, that the business world paled in comparison. After several years, that Guidance offered me the option of ministry if I wanted to pursue and accept it. I did.

Melanie: So you quit your business career and went through Unity’s ministerial program?

Doug: Yes, two years at Unity Village, and it was more difficult than I had imagined. The program is all about opening up to Spirit in every part of your life…moving from your head to your heart totally. After 30 years in the business world, it was quite a switch. I am, however, thankful that I have that business experience. I think it will be very helpful in my duties here.

Melanie: What made you choose to come to Chattanooga?

Doug: As school was coming to an end, I applied to a number of churches, but wanted some clear guidance about what to do. One night, I prayed about it into the early hours, concluding with an affirmation that I would know where I was going when I woke up. About 8:30 AM the next morning, I awoke to the ringing of the phone. It was Ralph Speck, wanting to know if I’d like to come to speak at Unity of Chattanooga and interview for the minister’s position here! Pretty clear, and as I was flying into Chattanooga a few weeks later, I looked down on the city and absolutely knew I was in the right place.

Melanie: Now that you’re here, what’s most important to you?

Doug: The most important things to me are teaching the spiritual principles, helping people heal, and building community with those who are here. And it’s important to have a lively and moving Sunday Service, too!

Melanie: Given your interest and background in a number of religious and spiritual disciplines, how do you plan to approach teaching spiritual principles?

Doug: My background and this country’s dominant religious and spiritual orientation is Christian, based on the Bible. Charles Fillmore, co-founder of Unity, said that Unity was “Practical Christianity," and that the Bible is our textbook for spiritual understanding. Although my search for truth has taken me to many sources of wisdom and inspiration, including other religions and many popular New Thought speakers and authors, I have found (especially lately) that the Bible contains a wealth of knowledge, information, and insight if we have the keys to understand it. Especially Jesus’ teachings in the gospels. My intention is to teach universal spiritual principles for personal growth and healing using all the available information appropriate to the topic. The points will be illustrated with touching stories from a variety of sources, and applicable Bible references.

In addition, there will be experiential classes and workshops on prayer and meditation. It is my hope that this two-fold approach of study and practice will help many people make that personal connection to God that we all seek.

Melanie: Thanks, Doug. We are pleased as well as fortunate to have you share your experience, strength and hope with us as we continue to grow Unity of Chattanooga. To quote your favorite saying, “Thank you God!” We do truly thank God for placing you and Penny here with us!