About Me

       
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About Me

 

           

                A Christian in his

                natural environment

 

          

A Very Formal,

Reformed Christian

(when required)

and

Teaching Elder

 

 

St Dominic's Hound

My Hounds

Basil,

Russian Wolf Hound

Named after

St Basil the Great

 

Andrew, MACH

Shetland Sheepdog

Named after

St Andrew the Apostle

 

Alexander,

Greyhound

Named after

St Alexander of Alexandria

 

Aidan,

Whippet

Named after

St Aidan of Lindisfarne

 

Bridgit,

Queen of the Hounds

Named after

St Bridgit of Kildare

 

 

My Ancestry

 Jump to Vita

From my various experiences within the Church, as well in secular life, I have come to understand that God is forming me and has given me gifts to be a spiritual director, a meaning-maker rooted in the Christian Tradition, and a teacher.  My pilgrimage of faith and witness to God’s work within my life, as well as through those lives around me, has shaped and continues to form me as a pastor of the Church.

            It is ironic my non-practicing, or ‘non-churched’, parents imparted on me such a religious name.  They chose ‘Christian’ because it was unusual for the times; ‘Dominic’ after the Catholic friend and owner of a restaurant they frequented.  I have found it interesting that although they have been divorced for some 28 years, both independently point to that time in their life as a marker for the beginning of their true spiritual journeys.  In retrospect, now both active Christians, they see it as God’s grace at work in my life and in theirs, and it began with the naming of a child.

My first experience with a religious community was during third grade when I attended a Pentecostal Vacation Bible School with a friend.  It was there I received my first bible, learned by heart John 3:16-17, and on the last day was prayed over by the pastor and ‘baptized by the Holy Spirit’ in the name of Jesus.  This experience and scripture became in my adolescent life the formative foundation from which I sought out God and membership within a Christian community. 

Attending a number of churches in the Joplin, MO area, I felt drawn to the Roman Catholic, Anglican & Presbyterian congregations.  Through these explorations, I treasure the incarnational spirituality of Catholicism and the psalms and prayers of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer.  Yet it was the Presbyterian Church which captivated me. It provided a mission-oriented youth group, mission trips, and key leaders who encouraged me to think about college and seminary. 

With the support of my faith community, I was the first in my immediate family to graduate from high school.  After graduating, I left to attend college in northeastern Missouri, where my faith was tested, torn down, and rebuilt through experiences and studying world religions.  Also while attending college I met my wife who helped me many times reassess my self and what I felt as a calling: such as teaching, politics, ministry, or banking.  She became my ‘soul-friend’.  After she started Veterinary College, I truly listened to my heart and began to discern my calling to God and the Church. 

During seminary and especially afterwards, God has called me into relationships with others who helped me discern the next part of my journey with God.  I have found my soul at rest in God when it comes to serving through worship, mission, and spiritual formation, especially within the Benedictine tradition.  This Trinity of ministerial gifts and passions are foundational to who I am as a pastor and the core values from which I practice discipleship and disciple-making.

Shaped by worship, mission and reformed-catholic spirituality, my leadership style tends to be one of collegiality and stewardship.  I hold firm the early Christian understanding that a community of faith is important in spiritual discernment.  Within the community an individual’s interpretation of what the Spirit is saying stands in dialogue with what the Spirit has said and is saying to others in the greater community of faith.  Furthermore, I believe it is part of our shared baptismal vows and stewardship to recognize the gifts in each other and provide for their nurture and support.  In my perspective, churches are like large families, encountering many of the same problems with poor communication at the root. I believe part of my calling is to help facilitate discussion and listening to each other in love, thus honoring our common union in Christ and adoring the Spirit of Christ at work in each other.

            Overall, the Trinitarian ministry I am called to is shaped by a dynamic faith seeking understanding, which means I encourage discourse.  Trusting that Christ’s body is not divided, but humanity who is broken, I strive to profess the Gospel aspect of reconciliation.  Following the Reformer John Calvin, I seek mutual affirmation and admonition, shared mission, and worship with others, living in the hope all may be reconciled at Christ’s universal table.  However, for this to occur, we must keep alive and restore a sense of the holy, catholic, and apostolic memory, which has suffered under Christian fractionalization. We must proactively teach, honor, and enact the Way of Christ, being examples to both the “churched”, “non-churched”, and being a people of hope for those who have suffered from the ills of institutionalized religion and traditionalisms.

As a spiritual leader, theologian, and teacher of the Church, I hope to help individuals and God’s family stay connected faithfully by encouraging common worship which is sacramental, learning experiences that aid in our growth into the likeness of Christ, and supporting inspired initiatives which call all the saints around the table of sacramental dedication to God’s mission in the world.

 

Spiritual Gifts

 

Teaching & Knowledge

Discernment & Intercession

Shepherding, Leadership & Administration

 

Interests and activities

 

Worship + Mission + Formational Spirituality + Ecumenism

Catholic, Evangelical, and Reformed Heritage

Celtic Christianity + Teaching the Christian Faith

Church Formation, Reformation & Transformation

Neo-monasticism + the Missional Church movement

Scotland and Scot-Gaelic Heritage

 

Ordination, Consecration & Oblation

 

Presbyter & Minister of Word & Sacrament (Teaching Elder), by the Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky, in the Synod of the Living Waters, of the Presbyterian Church (USA), on 28 Oct. 2001 at Jeffersontown Presbyterian Church, KY.

Benedictine Oblate, invested with the Scapular of St. Benedict for St. Meinrad Archabbey, St. Meinrad, IN, on Oct. 30, 2001, at St. Meinrad, IN, and made the holy Act of Oblation on Nov 19, 2002 at St. Meinrad, IN.

 

Current  & Most Recent Positions

 

 

Designated Organizing Pastor, Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy. June 2007- current.  Minister member, Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy.  May 2007 – current.

New Creation is a new church development in O'Fallon, IL, a supported mission of the Presbytery. My role is to provide continuity of leadership as the New Creation community moves to the next phase of development and partner with them as we embrace a new future. As a minister of Word and Sacrament and pastor, my focus will be to aid the community in growing disciples, equipping them for evangelizing work, and help them embrace leadership development. In addition, I will act as consultant to the community in the area of missional strategy development, and laying the foundation in the community's DNA for practicing spiritual discernment and theological reflection when faced with decision making and visioning. Furthermore, while on staff of the Presbytery, I will function as a consultant to various ministry teams and Presbytery congregations in the area of organizational and leadership development.

Stated Clerk, Presbytery of Ohio Valley.  Sept. 2005 – May 2007. Minister member, Presbytery of Ohio Valley.  Nov. 2003 – May 2007.

In the Presbyterian tradition, the Stated Clerk is the presbytery's chief ecclesiastical administrator and relates to other governing bodies and Christian communions, interprets presbytery actions, and represents the presbytery. The Stated Clerk also staffs the Permanent Judicial Commission, Committee on Representation, Committee on Preparation for Ministry, resources the Committee on Ministry, and is the presbytery's secretary and parliamentarian, member of the Presbytery leadership team, and executive secretary of the Presbytery's Council. The Stated Clerk conducts reviews of session minutes annually and is a polity resource to Clerks and Moderators of Sessions and the constitutional and programmatic committees of presbytery. My accomplishment while in office were to help in the reorganization of the Presbytery toward a missional model.

Designated Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Scottsburg, IN. Nov. 2003 – May 2007

During my time with the Presbyterian community of Scottsburg I walked with them through a discernment period which resulted in a new mission, vision and goals which were missional in focus. As a result, I also equipped and encouraged them to embrace their callings and spiritual gifts to be ministers and missionaries in their context. The results have been the creation of various mission projects, such as the St. Mungo project focusing on the healing of addictions and The Basement project which focuses on building bridges for Christ and reaching out to the missing generations of the Church.

 

 
 

Professional memberships, Accreditations, Publications & Honors

 

v  The Ekklesia Project, Member (Ecum.)

v  American Benedictine Academy, Member (Rm. Catholic/Ecum.)

v  Spiritual Directors International, Member (Interfaith)

v  Epiphany Association for Formative Spirituality, Member (Rm. Catholic/Ecum.)

v  Travel-Study Grant, Louisville Seminary. Celtic Evangelism and Spirituality.  Scotland, Jan. 2000.

v  Sharon Elaine Smith Scholarship for outstanding potential for church leadership. Louisville Seminary.  1998-99.

 

Education

 

 

Coursework toward Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Mission & Leadership.  Luther Seminary, St Paul, MN.  Completion date: May 2010. Emphasis on missional ecclesiology, leadership development, and effective organizational structures informed by the mission of the Triune God in the world.

 Post-graduate work in Formative Spirituality. Epiphany Academy, Pittsburgh, PA. Emphasis in human and community development through Christian formation practices.

 Master of Divinity. Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, KY. May 2001. Emphasis in worship, evangelism & mission.

 Bachelor of Arts. Truman State University, Kirksville, MO. May 1995. Major in English-World Literature; Philosophy & Religions, minor.

 

 

Formal Continuing Education

 

 

National Presbyterian Evangelism Conference. Nashville, TN. Sept 2007. v Missional Church Consultation: Missional Judicatories. Luther Seminary, St Paul, MN, Nov 2006 v OGA Polity & Leadership Conference, Tucson, AZ, Oct 2006 v Church Health Team Training (Natural Church Development), Presbytery of Ohio Valley, Nov 2005 v  Presbytery Judicial Commission Training Synod of Lincoln Trails, Nov 2005 v OGA Polity Conference & Stated Clerk Training, Memphis, TN, Oct 2005 v Benedict for Presbyterians Pecos, NM, Oct 2005 (also a workshop speaker on Calvin’s Benedictine influenced Theology on Prayer) v 16th New Pastor Consortium. Synod of Lincoln Trails. April 2005 v Can Old Dogs Learn New Tricks (Natural Church Development). Presented by Ed White, Alban Institute.  Pyoca, Presbytery of Ohio Valley.  April 2005.  v  In the Name of Jesus. Presented by Fr. Godfrey Mullen, OSB. St Meinrad Archabbey, IN. Dec 2004  v Congregations in Transition Seminar.  Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN.  May 2004 vSpiritual Director Training Workshop.  Presbytery of Ohio Valley.  Apr. 2004 v Church Transformation Seminar. Presbytery of Mid-KY/Beechmont PC(USA). Nov 2003 v Seven Percent Conference (PCUSA).  New Orleans, LA.  Sept. 2003 Workshops: Emerging Worship, Ecumenical Relations vDealing with Conflict in the Congregation.  Louisville Seminary, KY. Apr 2002 v First-Call Seminar.  Louisville Seminary, KY.  Apr. 2002. v National Church Redevelopment Conference (PCUSA).  Phoenix, AZ. Jan 2002. Workshops: Spiritual Formation, Redeveloping Congregation site visits, Presbytery Support Methods.

 

 

Religious Experience

 

 

Designated Pastor. Jeffersontown Presbyterian Church, KY. Oct. 2001-Oct. 2003.

 Administrative Assistant. Europe & Central Asia Office of the General Assembly Council’s World Ministry Division: Presbyterian Church (USA). Aug. 2001- Feb. 2002.

 Pastoral Assistant. First Presbyterian Church, Jeffersonville, IN. Summer 2001.

 Pastoral Team Member for Parish Redevelopment, specializing in Community Outreach.  Berry Boulevard Presbyterian Church. Louisville, KY. Aug. 2000- May 2001.

 Pastoral Intern for Mission & Outreach Services. First Presbyterian Church. Joplin, MO.  May – Jul. 2000.

 Pastoral Intern for Bible & Spiritual Formation in Congregations. Buechel Presbyterian Church. Louisville, KY. Aug. 1999- May 2000.

 Chaplain Intern. Norton Health Care. Louisville, KY. May – Jul. 1999.

 Campus Minister Intern. Trialogue Ministries (University of Louisville).  Louisville, KY. Aug. 1998- May 1999.

 Liturgist. First Presbyterian Church. Columbia, MO. 1997

 Youth Leader. Urban Mission Camp for Youth. Mobile, AL, Summer 1997.

 Pulpit Supply. Missouri Union Presbytery. 1996-97

 Senior High Youth Leader. First Presbyterian Church. Columbia, MO, 1996-97

 Campus Ministry Committee Member. First Presbyterian Church. Columbia, MO, 1996-97

 

 

Service to the Greater Church

 

 

Leadership in Ministry Team, Elected member (class of 2010). Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy.

Open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in partnership with the Committee on Ministry and the Committee on Preparation for Ministry, this Ministry Team of the Presbytery seeks to identify, equip, and support leaders in the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy. Our desire and intent is to create a climate of mutual support to promote healthy leaders and healthy congregations.

Evangelism Action Team, Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy. Sept 2007 - current.

Congregations in Mission Action Team, Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy. April 2008-current.

Floor Parliamentarian, 217th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Birmingham, AL, 2006.

Committee on Church Development & Redevelopment, Co-opt member. Presbytery of Ohio Valley. 2004-

Missionary Pastor to Community of St. Francis (NCD), Clark Co. IN.  Advent 2005-All Saints 2005 v Subcommittees: Clark/Floyd Co New Church Development co-leader v Joint Sub-committee on congregational Triennial Visitations by Committee on Ministry and Church Development & Redevelopment v Media-Mission Initiative in Clark/Floyd Co. co-leader.

 Committee on Spirituality, co-opt member.  Presbytery of Ohio Valley.  2004-2005.

Presenter on Pastoral Vocation & Church Leadership, Fund for Theological Education Congregational Fellows Retreat.  Jul. 2004.

Guest Speaker, Louisville Seminary: Office of Field Education and Vocations. On Field Education, 2001; On Spiritual Practices for Ministers, 2002; On the Nature of being a Solo-Pastor, 2003.

Church Transformation Team, Co-opt member.  Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky.  2000-2003.

 

 

Secular Experience

 

 

Part-time Teller. Stock Yards Bank & Trust. Jeffersonville, IN. Apr. 2002-Oct. 2003. v Substitute Teacher. Jefferson County Public Schools, KY. Feb. 2002-Apr. 2002. v Administrative Assistant. LifeSpiring Mental Health Services: Dual Diagnosis Team.  Jeffersonville, IN. May – Aug. 1998. v Teller Supervisor. First National Bank and Trust. Columbia, MO.1996-98. v Teller. Merchants & Farmers Bank. Columbia, MO. 1995-96. v Assistant Editor. The Chariton Review, Truman State University. Kirksville, MO. 1993-95.