Accepting a new challenge, Charles McKinstry, Southeastern California Conference (SECC) superintendent of education, agreed in October to head the Southeastern California Conference property and trust services department (PATS). He succeeds Roger Heinrich, now retired but continuing as a part-time trust officer.

After 34 years as a successful educator, why is McKinstry making a seismic career change?

Speaking for the conference officers, Treasurer Tom Staples explained, “We asked him to seriously consider it. He is thoughtful, a careful planner, and runs a good department. He works well with conference administrators. We knew he has been invited to work elsewhere and hoped this challenge would encourage him to stay with us.”

“We interviewed several candidates but hadn’t found a good match for the job,” added Lynn Mallery, SECC president at the time. “Chuck has much to offer. He led the way in establishing the SECC education endowment fund. As a lawyer, his counsel has always been valuable.”

In his new assignment, McKinstry will fill a dual role. Besides directing PATS, he will serve as in-house legal counsel—a first for SECC.

A son of this conference, McKinstry attended Loma Linda Academy for grades 1 to 12, and studied education on the La Sierra campus of Loma Linda University . For the next 17 years he worked at San Diego Academy primarily as an elementary and junior high school teacher. When needed, he also painted classrooms, served as an emergency plumber, and drove one of the school’s seven or eight buses. He was principal for five years. Taking night classes, McKinstry earned a law degree in 1977. Seventeen years ago he joined the conference staff as superintendent of schools.

“He has many strengths. We will miss him,” commented Kelly Bock, director of education for the Pacific Union Conference. “He has keen attention for details and legal issues. He is also a sensitive Christian leader.”

Bock also noted that McKinstry had accomplished what many Adventist educational leaders elsewhere only dream about—securing strong financial support for schools from every church in the conference. “This is cutting-edge,” Bock stated.

Another of McKinstry’s contributions has been his talent for preparing budgets and monitoring them, saving SECC treasurers much work.

“He designed a sophisticated budget which included detailed schedules for each school,” added Ed Johnson, director of investments and assistant to SECC administration. “He took tracking and management of educational functions to a new level.”

Bock praised McKinstry for integrating early childhood education programs into the overall educational system. “In most conferences these programs are a neglected step-child.” These centers in SECC are governed by the same policies that apply to other Adventist schools and teachers.

McKinstry is plunging into his new assignments in a business-like way, working through check-lists, setting priorities, consulting the conference officers and his new colleagues.

“It’s hard to leave education. I have a lot of friends. My associates have been outstanding,” McKinstry said. “But I look forward to serving the church in a new way and really using my legal training. As in-house legal counsel, my first work is preventative, to avoid litigation. We will also continue to use outside attorneys.”

In the property and trust services department, McKinstry pointed out that he has much to learn. “I want to be fully certified,” he said. Fortunately, his experience in establishing the SECC educational endowment plan (which now tops $9.2 million) has taught him many practicalities in working with donors and managing investments.

Johnson believes that McKinstry will lead PATS effectively. “He has excellent team building skills. He values the opinions of his staff and works to maximize the contributions of each.”

PATS meets several needs. First, the department offers Adventists a way to support the Lord’s work beyond their lifetimes. Many members find great satisfaction in this. And bequests benefit local congregations, schools, and the conference. When the gifts are substantial, the conference can do long-term planning. Instead of being subject to harsh cutbacks in bad economic times, the conference can continue ministry, drawing income from earnings on investments.

Staples concluded, “I have absolute confidence that Chuck McKinstry will forge an efficient working department that meets the needs of our members with its services.”

Having worked with Chuck McKinstry for 17 years, I admire his ability to exercise fairness at all times. He takes time to listen, evaluate, and then assist with the solution. We have been blessed to have a leader who believes in us and appreciates our work.

Because he is both attorney and educator, Chuck McKinstry’s counsel has been sought throughout the Pacific Union and North American Division. He has written much of the employment section of the Pacific Union Educati0on Code. In Southeastern, he successfully led in establishing a $9 million educational endowment, largely funded by the sale of the San Pasqual Academy property. This should be a blessing for our schools in the future. He has also modeled what it means to be a Christ-centered, servant leader.

His leadership style is inclusive and hinges on good communication. Chuck McKinstry puts forth every effort to get input on important issues from all stakeholders. After receiving and summarizing responses, he has the ability to set aside personal opinion and go with the indications of the field.

Chuck McKinstry’s care and concern for both teachers and students never wavers. Even stronger is his deep spiritual connection with our Father, with the Son, and with the Comforter. This connection permeates his life and work. We have been blessed by this devotion and grateful that he modeled it in our presence.

He is fair, direct, but respectful. Chuck McKinstry has touched my life personally and professionally. He inspired me by sharing intellectual adventures in literature, religion, culture, and philosophy. I like his love for gourmet food more than his love of baseball. But I am sure he will say he likes me more for being the daughter of a lawyer than for my love of horses. He is wonderful leader—a man who loves children, teachers, and his Lord.