About Me
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My name is Andrew Ware, and I am The RunninRev.
There are so many aspects of my life that I could have used to identify my own “brand.” I am a husband, father, friend, pastor, runner, advocate, podcaster, writer…the list could go on. Many of these are more recent developments, and some have defined me for quite some time. However, I took two, that by no means fully defined me, but that I thought sounded good together.
I created the image and moniker of the “RunninRev” as a living these two parts of my life. While these two natures of being a pastor and runner, I have felt a deep connection to both my nature of vocation as a pastor and my joy and love for running.
To begin, I am a pastor and fully ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. I have been a pastor for 9 years, and have served in three different ministry settings during that time. Currently, I am serving in Suffolk, Va at Beech Grove United Methodist Church. My biggest passions in the church are community and innovation. I find joy in living into my calling of community, by being a welcoming presence of the Kin-Dom wherever I go.
I am also a runner. I have been running since I was an infant really, but have been running competitively since high school. In my time as an adult, I have used running as a form of self-care and therapeutic release. I have noticed how, not only has my body gotten stronger but so has my mind. I have re-found the joy of running in my adult years and it has become an expression of both community and faith as I practice it. I boast certification as a USATF Level 1 Certified Running Coach and have experience as a race director/organizer.
I found a passion for self-care advocacy during the pandemic, when I myself faced burnout as a pastor in the mounting of many responsibilities in a changing church landscape. While I knew it’s importance before, it was reiterated ten-fold as I struggled to find a new understanding of church in the midst of a new community. The deeper I have dug into myself the more I learn about the importance of self-care.
Before all of this though, I have the love for my family. My wife and kids ground me and are the north star I return to. They are my biggest support system, and I know they are always there for me, as I hope to be for them.
In building community I look throughout my life to gather folks who I can connect with…so come connect with me and let’s grow together.
Passions Guiding my work
Faith
As a pastor in the United Methodist Church, I look for opportunities to find or create expressions of community wherever I serve. I love being a part of doing the Kin-dom building work we are called towards through our baptismal vows, and extended into my ordination vows.
Self-Care
During the pandemic, I realized that the work for self-care I had been doing, was not sufficient for where I truly was. I had been masking my true feelings and had been feigning real self-care. This realization has set me on a journey to unpack and develop my own theology of self-care as well as help others in their self-care journeys.
Running
I have no memory of the first time I ran, but I do remember my first race in cross country (and even my first practice). There was something about running that connected me to everything. I had a shared family in my team, a connection to nature as I ran outside, a connection to my body to be in tune with feelings, and even a spiritual connection as my mind felt clear to ponder on faith. Running has given me so much, and now I want to give back and help others.
Community
Community holds it all together. God has created us to be in community with and for one another. When we bring together how we believe, how we care, and how we move — and do it in community, we open ourselves to transformation.