In addition to being the newest addition to the News-Democrat & Leader’s opinion page, Rev. Scott Murphy is also the newest addition to First Christian Church in Russellville.
Murphy began his new job as the church’s pastor this month, taking over for Lee Young, who previously led the Disciples of Christ congregation.
Murphy comes to Russellville from the First Christian Church in Elkton, where he served as pastor beginning in January of 2010. During that time, he also served as the pastor for First Christian in Guthrie.
He won’t be leaving Todd County entirely, as he will continue to be the pastor of the Guthrie church.
“Guthrie was a good fit and I resigned at the church in Elkton at the exact same time that Lee announced he was leaving Russellville,” Murphy said. “The Russellville church was interested in partnering with Guthrie, so we’re going forward with that.”
His Sunday mornings begin with a 9 a.m. service in Guthrie and then when he wraps up, he drives up from Guthrie to make the 10:45 worship service in Russellville.
“It’s right at 29 minutes from the church in Guthrie to here in Russellville,” Murphy said.
From the time he first visited First Christian in Russellville, Murphy knew he had found a good fit.
“This church has a great, sweet spirit,” Murphy said. “Some churches, when you go to them, they just feel very rigid. This one is very warm and fuzzy with a lot of hugs and smiles.
“I think it’s ready to grow and I have been made very welcome here.”
Murphy has not always been associated with the Disciples of Christ.
After getting his master’s degree from Louisville Bible College in 2007, he was ordained as a minister at an Independent Christian Church in Lebanon Junction.
But before long, Murphy decided that the more progressive Disciples of Christ was where he was meant to be.
“In 2009, I made the decision to move to the Disciples of Christ,” Murphy said. “Part of that decision came when I had daughters and thought about raising them in a church where they were not allowed to participate in the service.”
The move to the more progressive branch of the Christian church also meant Murphy would need to complete a Master of Divinity degree, which he is currently working on through Phillips Theological Seminary.
Murphy and his family, which includes his wife, Kristie and young children Caleb, Katy and Rebecca, are in the process of moving to Russellville and are looking forward to being a part of the community here.
“The community in Russellville is a little more exciting for our family,” Murphy said. “In Elkton, if you need to go out for something, that usually means going to Hopkinsville or Russellville or Clarksville. I like that we’ll be able to do more things in the town where we live.”
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