Thomas Risager, born June 17th. 1969
Alexandragade 8
5000 Odense C
Denmark
Phone: +45 29786088
Mail: thomas.risager@metodistkirken.dk
Biographical Statement:
Married (1997) to Mette Risager.
Children: Marie (2003) and Kamille (2006)
Education:
Graduated from Frederikshavn Gymnasium & HF 1988.
Studies at Blaagaard Statseminarium 1990-1992 (Teachers education partly)
Diploma from Överås, the UMC Nordic Theological Seminary in Gothenburg, Sweden 1996.
Ordained Deacon 1996.
Advance course of study for ordained ministry 1996-98.
Ordained Elder 1998.
Master of Divinity from Överås, the UMC Nordic Theological Seminary in Gothenburg, Sweden
2001.
Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington DC 2012.
Track: Church Leadership Excellence. Dissertation: Sing Unto the Lord.
Appointments in the United Methodist Church:
Frederikshavn 1996-2000
Esbjerg 2000 – 2002
Svendborg 2004-2006
Odense 2000-present.
District Superintendant 2017- present.
Served on Committees in the United Methodist Church
Danish Methodist Church: Board of National Scouts Organization (MS) 1992-2002,
Chair of National Scouts organization MS 1995-2002
Board member of National Children and Youth Organization (MBUF) 1995-2005 (Vice chair
2002-2005)Board of Överås, the UMC Theological Seminary in Gothenburg, Sweden 1993-1996
Annual Conference Board 1999-2000 & 2017-present
Board of Ordained Ministry 2001-2017, Chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry 2008-2017.
Methodist E-academy. Member of the board 2012-present
Central Conference Theological Education Fund, member of screening committee 2016- 2024
School of Congregational Development, Faculty member 2013
School of Congregational Development, Faculty member and part of organizing team 2019
Delegate to Central Conference 2012, 2016, 2020, 2022, 2023 & 2025
Reserve delegate to General Conference 2012
First reserve delegate to General Conference 2016, 2020 (Attending in 2024)
Member of the Central Conference Round Table Conversations 2019-2020
Participant in the Meeting on the future for The United Methodist Church in our area, Riga
October 2023
Ecumenical representation:
National committee of Evangelical Alliance 2007-2009 and 2022- present
The Danish Willow Creek Committee 2006-2012
Numerous local ecumenical committees since 1996.
The Danish Church Council 2023-
World Methodist Conference 2024. Local planning committee, and worship team. 2016-present
World Methodist Council 2024 – present
Other:
The Royal Danish Ballet School, Odense. Board member 2019-2022
Publications:
Sing Unto the Lord. Doctor of Ministry thesis. Wesley Theological Seminary. Washington DC,
2012.
Nordic Perspectives on Methodism – What is methodist identity today?
United Methodist Church – Nordic and Baltic Area. Editor: Hilde Marie Ø. Movafagh, 2015
Contribution: Singing Gospel Music Increases Faith
Article: Gospelmusik giver større tro (abstract and translation of Singing Gospel Music Increases
Faith). National magazine for the Baptist church in Denmark. 2015.
Summit Devotions 2009, Contribution to special edition of the Upper Room distributed among
delegates and participants to the COP15 summit, Copenhagen.Discerning Clues for the Future Lewis Center for Church Leadership – Leading Ideas · Sep 23,
2009
Foreword to Danish edition. Bill Hybels: The Power of a Whisper. 2010
Awards:
The best website for Churches 2004.
Daily Christian Newspaper – Kristeligt Dagblad. Winner of national contest.
Nominated for the Danish leadership Canon, 2008.
The business magazine, Mandag Morgen, is awarding the best leadership achievements in
Denmark, in a survey to reveal what Danish leadership is.
Nominated as Årets Fynbo (Man of the Year Fuhnen) 2017.