Dr. Shera Atkinson
Pastor of Spiritual Formation and Congregational Care, (806) 763-4607, satkinson@fumc.com
Dr. Shera J. Atkinson came to First United Methodist Church having been appointed by Bishop Max Whitfield. She has previously served churches in Welch/Wellman and Agape UMC, which is part of the Lubbock Inter-Ethnic Parish.
Shera grew up in Conroe and graduated from Conroe High School. Her mother suggested she come to Texas Tech after watching the Masked Rider circle the stadium at the Cotton Bowl. Shera came to Lubbock to study psychology and sociology. She also worked with the Fine Arts Committee for UC Programming and was a volunteer for Interchange, a Crisis Hot-line.
Shera’s father was transferred to Singapore and Shera took advantage of this unique opportunity to join her parents there. While in Singapore, Shera enjoyed sailing in the South China Sea and toured neighboring Malaysia and the Philippines. Looking for a place of service, Shera worked with the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association where she entered the prisons and counseled with drug abusers in a pilot program for aftercare.
Shera returned to Lubbock to complete her B.A. in Psychology and began work on a M.Ed. in Community Counseling. During her Master’s program she worked with the Texas Department of Human Services; specifically the Community Care of the Aged and Disabled.
After securing her LPC, Licensed Professional Counselor, Shera started Christian Counseling of Lubbock, a private counseling service. She was also a staff counselor at Calvary Baptist Church and Trinity Counseling Center. While at Trinity, she wrote a grant and directed the establishment of ‘Helping Hands’, a program for the prevention of child abuse among teenage parents.
Shera earned her Ph.D. in Family Studies from Texas Tech in 1995. She was a recipient of Mary Scott Scholarship, was published in professional journals, and presented her research at a variety of conventions. She has been an adjunct faculty member at Texas Tech, Wayland Baptist University, Lubbock Christian University, and South Plains College.
As a speaker, Shera has presented workshops and seminars on Marriage Enrichment, Suicide Prevention, and seminars with specific focus on Singles, Evangelism, Prayer, and Conflict Resolution. Additionally, Shera has been called upon to mediate in area churches and other organizations.
Shera has published one book, Real Love in a Fantasy World, which she co-authored with Rev. Gerald Jackson.
Shera enjoys playing golf, cooking, reading, and music.