A New Chapter: Rev. Doug Duerr Becomes Senior Minister
Rev. Doug Duerr joined by Rev. Howard Caesar and Diane Caesar in celebrating a new era at our iconic and historic Dallas Unity Church (Unity on Greenville Ave.) this September 14th, 2025. Surrounded by colleagues and community members, Rev. Howard warmly welcomed and installed Rev. Doug as Senior Minister, calling it a “full circle moment” in his long and meaningful ministry career.
Our roots in Dallas reach back to 1943 under the leadership of Rev. Ruth Gillespie. Rev. Howard, who as a new ministerial student was called to speak during Rev. Jack Hamilton’s tenure before Revs. Margaret and Frank Pounders became co-ministers, reflected on the church’s rich legacy as it now enters this new chapter.
Our Senior Minister’s love for faith-based communities and the discovery of God in everyday moments began in his formative years and deepened into adulthood. A couple of decades in the commercial real estate industry as a project supervisor for major developments in the greater Houston area is where he began, but it was always about the connection to people and their stories. His values of belonging and contribution are palpable, and those connections remain strong today—even with peers and colleagues from his corporate years and early school days.
It wasn’t until the mid-2000s that, by what he calls divine timing, a conversation with a coworker about the nature of God shifted his course. Shortly after, he was invited to Unity of Houston, where from the first moment he was inspired by the uplifting message of Rev. Howard Caesar and the vibrant, loving community.
Over the next eight years, he served in a variety of leadership roles at Unity of Houston, including developing a grief support group that touched countless lives and ultimately led him to answer the call to ministry. Diving deeper into spiritual education became the foundation of his journey—first through Unity’s Spiritual Education & Enrichment program and then as a resident student at Unity Village, in the MDiv. program where he lived and studied for three years, ultimately becoming a licensed and ordained Unity minister.
Along the way, he also became a certified yoga teacher, and even a Latin ballroom dancer! Self-care is not only an aspect of what he teaches but what he practices.
He served as Member Services Manager for the denominational headquarters and as an Intentional Interim guiding dozens of ministries through times of transition, healing, and growth. His training with the Interim Ministry Network and the Lombard Mediation Peace Skills Training Institute, combined with his organizational development and deep commitment to spiritual principles, has equipped him to support communities with wisdom, connection and always play!
Rev. Doug is a celebrated author, coach, and teacher known for his engaging talks and leadership. He is a Certified Ministry Consultant, Transition Specialist, and Dare to Lead Trained™ by Brené Brown. As Vice President of the Interim Ministry Network and Cohort Leader for Unity’s Ministerial Program, he supports spiritual and organizational growth. His latest book, Resonance, invites readers into divine alignment through peace, unity, laughter, and love inspired by nature.
As Myrtle Fillmore beautifully reminds us, “Nature is surely the glorified face of God. See the beauty about you and … see the manifestation of the infinite Mind.” And as Emilie Cady affirms, “There is nothing too great to be overcome by the indwelling Christ.” These truths, along with the teachings of other New Thought founders including Charles Fillmore and their divine and deep connection to the teachings of Jesus the Christ, have shaped his ministry. “We are called to love, and we are called to shine that brilliant light into the world.”- Rev. Doug
Today, he brings this passion and experience to his role as Senior Minister of Unity on Greenville, the first original Unity church in Dallas, Texas, planted more than 80 years ago.