CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A man who has dedicated himself to the Christian ministry and caring for others will welcome retirement March 1, after 22 years as pastor of Clearlake Church of the Nazarene.
Pastor Richard Bean said while he is looking forward to a bit more leisurely time, to fish and play the guitar, his commitment of service to people will continue.
“As I look back over the years of my pastoral ministry I have had the joy of helping many children, youth, and adults grow in their understanding of God through a relationship with Jesus Christ,” he said, adding he has found a deep personal satisfaction in serving the spiritual needs of Lake County.
Bean was born in Stuttgart, Germany while his father was stationed there in his service with the military.
Upon returning to the United States, Bean grew up on the Presidio of San Francisco where he attended elementary and junior high school.
His family moved to Lucerne, where he lived until he graduated from Upper Lake High School in 1969.
After a year of attending Yuba College in Marysville, Bean enlisted in the U.S. Army and served three years, which included a tour of duty in Vietnam.
After being honorably discharged, Bean said he used his military training to work in computer operations in the accounting department of a Redwood City corporation.
Soon after, he said he returned with his family to Lake County and began an accounting career with Clearlake Oaks County Water District.
Bean said he was sensing a lack of fulfillment in his job with the water district when he had a spiritual awakening.
“I got a really clear indication through reading scriptures that God was calling me to preach His word full-time and care for people,” Bean said. “The calling is not something that you just decide to do because there are a lot of challenges and heartbreak. You are walking into peoples' lives sometimes during despair, pain and turmoil but you're also sharing the joys.”
Bean lightheartedly added that financial reward is certainly not a motivation.
He said most of the churches in the area barely get by and that many of their leaders hold other employment.
Bean said he was fortunate the Clearlake Church of the Nazarene could employ him full-time, adding, “I would do this if I wasn't paid at all, which is what I will be doing after I'm retired.”
Bean has been involved in a myriad of programs instituted at the church, from those serving youth to those assisting adults.
He said an English as a Second Language course was recently added to the church's long list of services. The group meets on Fridays and currently welcomes about a dozen people.
Another program Bean particularly appreciates is Celebrate Recovery, a Christian 12-Step program that he said continues to effectively help people overcome addictive behaviors.
He said the program is really about helping people find a better place of health and wholeness so they may better fulfill other relationships in their lives.
“Anytime you can help people with hurts, habits and hang-ups and get them to enjoy life rather than living a self-destructive one, it's better,” he said. “Life is better when you are spiritually and emotionally healthy.”
Bean, who is a Clearlake Rotarian, said though he welcomes retirement, he and his wife Sharon intend to remain in the community and continue to contribute to its betterment.
He said he looks forward to having the time to travel, visit with friends and family, and spend more time with their four grandchildren and son, Edward.
Bean said he's going to be working on bettering his guitar playing, too. “I'm letting out the musician in me,” he chuckled. “I want to go fishing, too. I can't tell you how many years I bought a fishing license and didn't get to use it one time.”
Bean invites anyone who would like to learn more about the ministry programs at Clearlake Church of the Nazarene to leave a message in the church office at 707-994-4008.
Email Denise Rockenstein at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .