Pastoral Team

Dr. Tim McClendon

Senior Pastor

Email: tmcclendon@stjaiken.org
Phone: 803.648.6891 ext. 208

Dr. Tim McClendon is a native of Edgefield, SC and is the Senior Pastor of St. John's UMC, Aiken. Dr. Tim most recently served as the Columbia District Superintendent until coming here in 2014. He has served United Methodist Churches in Cheraw, Hartsville, and Rock Hill, SC. He has been Parliamentarian for the South Carolina Annual Conference for over 20 years, and was nominated to be a bishop in the UMC in 2012. Tim is an avid potter. Dr. Tim is a Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of South Carolina, has a Master's of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University where he taught theology and church law for 12 summers. He has also taught at the Lutheran Seminary in Columbia. Dr. Tim is known as a creative worship leader, teacher, and preacher who connects with people in authentic and inspiring ways.

He has been a frequent contributor to United Methodist publications, most especially with his blog "A Potter's View."  He was the 2011 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient of Candler School of Theology, Emory University for service to the church.  Dr. Tim was also awarded the Denman Evangelism Award for his excellence in church growth and discipleship. He has been very involved in missions in the Philippines, Bulgaria, Mozambique, Nicaragua, and in the United States.

Rev. Butch Blackwell

Associate Pastor of Nurture Ministries

Email: gblackwell@stjaiken.org
Phone: 803.648.6891 ext.  214

Butch is a Newberry College graduate with a dual degree in Economics and Political Science. For many years he sought to fulfill God’s call on his life by working for the largest health insurance provider in SC where Butch rose to the position of Senior Director of Hospital and Ancillary Contracting. He felt God leading him to give up that career and begin studies for ministry in the UMC. Butch has been active in his home church as Lay Leader, Finance Committee Chair, Sunday School teacher and as a Certified Lay Speaker. He has spent the last seven years serving as pastor of Clinton UMC in Salley, SC.

Butch completed the five-year Course of Study through Duke Divinity School and the two-year Advanced Course of Study so that he will be ordained as an Elder in the UMC. He loves ministry and every aspect of it. His electives have centered on pastoral care, counseling, and every manner of nurture.mailto:gblackwell@stjaiken.org?subject=

Rev. Will Altman

Associate Pastor of Missions, Evangelism,  & Young Adult Ministries

Email: waltman@stjaiken.org
Phone: 803.648.6891 ext. 218

Rev. Will is a native of Galivants Ferry, SC. He is a 2012 graduate of Clemson University with a degree in Animal and Veterinary Science. He earned his Master’s of Divinity degree from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in 2020.  After attending Clemson, he was Youth Pastor at Lawrence Chapel UMC and Assistant Campus Minister at the Clemson Wesley Foundation.  He previously served at Trinity UMC in Darlington, SC and the Upper Richland charge- Beulah and Oak Grove UMC in Blythewood, SC.

Rev. Will and his new bride, Stockton, are new residents to Aiken and look forward to becoming involved in many aspects of St. John's UMC and the Aiken community.