PORT HADLOCK — Former Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney Scott Rosekrans once used his oratorial gift to uphold the law.
Now, he is using it to save souls.
“There are a lot of similarities. In both cases, I have something to sell,” said Rosekrans, the newly appointed pastor at the Community United Methodist Church in Port Hadlock.
“If you are a defense lawyer, you need to sell the fact that your client is innocent or justified in his actions. If you are a prosecutor, you need to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Preaching a weekly sermon, Rosekrans said, has similarities to trying a case.
“You have to convey your message to a large body of people and keep their attention,” he said.
Rosekrans, 64, was defeated in his campaign for a second term as chief county prosecutor in 2014, losing to challenger and current prosecuting attorney Mike Haas.
Rosekrans decided to quit practicing law — which he had done as a police officer, a defense attorney and a prosecutor — and signed up for a course that would qualify him as a lay pastor.
During the 18-month course, Rosekrans filled in as substitute for the current pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Port Townsend, which gave him a taste of what it takes to give a sermon.
While the law and clergy differ, Rosekrans joked that he is “still making a living from sin, degradation and depravation.”
After completing the course, a graduate is asked to select one of three preferences: the home church, a nearby church or one outside of the area.
Because he has moved around quite a bit during his career, Rosekrans and his wife, Teresa, weren’t willing to relocate and were surprised when a position in nearby Port Hadlock opened up.
“Many congregations are suffering because there are more churches than pastors to head them,” Rosekrans said.
“They are looking for part-time pastors to come in and help out.”
With more than 60 people in its congregation, the Port Hadlock church is doing better than many others, which have chugged along with 15 or 20 members, Rosekrans said.
Rosekrans, who began as pastor July 1, has already given two sermons.
“I was working on Sunday’s sermon when the Dallas shooting took place,” he said.
Five police officers were fatally shot at a Texas protest march Thursday night.
“I knew that I needed to address what happened because it was so close to me,” Rosekrans said.
Rosekrans began his law career in 1977 on the Houston police force.
Rosekrans writes his sermons out longhand and then types them, delivering them mostly as written but with some extemporaneous asides.
He said he strives to be two or three weeks ahead. If he is stumped, he can refer to “The Lectionary,” which includes season-relevant sermon ideas.
The church is located at 130 Church Lane, practically next door to the Jefferson County jail.
Rosekrans said “this is no accident” and hopes to approach the sheriff’s office and jail staff to determine whether there is the need for jail ministry.
Delivery process aside, Rosekrans expects that his legal experience will shape his pastoral career.
“I worked in drug court for four years, and it changed me,” he said.
“These people have a lot of pain, but once they get off of the poison, there is no real follow-up and it’s easy to relapse.”
Rosekrans has spoken to several drug court graduates in his acquaintance, inviting them to church.
“I tell them this is a way to stay in touch with their higher power, with someone who knows you, who understands you and loves you, regardless of what happens,” he said.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
