Skills and interests

Youth and Children

I have worked with youth and children in each of the parishes I have served and I also created an ecumenical school project just South of Oxford whilst training for the ordained ministry in England. I have a real passion for young people and find their faith a true joy. With four young children of my own, I am acutely aware of the importance of helping form young minds and hearts in the church, and I have always gone out of my way to encourage and support creative programs aimed at young people and young families. My ability to clown, clog dance, play musical instruments, and remain “real” has always helped me to break down barriers and engage in relational evangelism. I have been involved in magnificent and diverse events such as 3,500 youth descending on St. Paul’s in London for a praise service, and leading quiet Taize prayer in Magdalen Chapel at Oxford amongst so many other things. I have learned to welcome surprises and long to be in a ministry and church that engages young people, young families, and makes the world a better place. I have served for the past six years as a football coach at the local high school under a legendary coach Norman Lineberg who retired in 2006. I have DJ’d the local high school prom each year as well as booster club events in Radford at the request of students and their parents. I have announced high school basketball games and have supported the work in many ways including the planning of their annual baccalaureate service and being asked twice to give the keynote address. I have even taken part in a major theatrical production at the local university sharing the stage lights with a Broadway star. Each experience has helped me to see that visibility and approachability are the hallmarks of my ministry. Each year we have “Rally Day” in my parish which is specifically designed to minister to young people and young families. We have had bag pipes, balloons, a parachute being thrown open in the middle of the sanctuary, and in 2006 we even had a race car theme (Heb.12.1) complete with visitors from the local Motormile Speedway. In 2005 I invited the young people to dunk me in a tank on the front lawn of the church in the midst of a carnival atmosphere and I have never seen them so happy. Continuing to minister to children, and young families, will, I hope, keep me young and fresh.

Pastoral and Preaching.

I love to preach. I am a person of the Bible but am unafraid to engage scripture honestly, rationally, and directly. My sermons are usually speckled with humor, contemporary issues, with appropriate dashes of academic flavor. I try and never preach over anyone’s head and usually ask my nine and ten year old if they understood my sermon. I think if they get it, then everyone will get it. The witness of my life outside of the context of the pulpit is the greatest opportunity to “preach”, I feel. I love my people…my parish. I struggle with them at times but always share in the struggle and share in their joy. I strive daily to live the great commandment and I know there are times when the demands of ministry rob me of doing my best. But I continue to strive to achieve a level of love, respect, and trust, that will give me a solid ministerial foundation on which I can build up the body of Christ.

Liturgical and musical

I am an Anglican without a clear "pigeon hole". I love the wonder and eloquence of a more formal ecclesiology, and yet some of my fondest memories of ordained life are leading the praise band in Central London. My diverse background with experiences ranging from Pentecostal to Roman Catholic, from Taize to Iona, and from Bach to Bill Gaither, have helped me to create my own inclusive ecclesiology which remains unashamedly diverse, and unwaveringly centered on the Eucharist. I love Gospel music and even enjoyed singing in the Black Mass Choir at Duke University which opened me up to a wonderful “loose” way of experiencing the Holy Spirit. In London our worship in the morning services was formal with a magnificent choir and pipe organ. Our evening service ranged from a Jazz quartet to a full blown band with drums and a horn section (which I led on Guitar). I was captivated by the beauty of an Easter Vigil with incense and pageantry having been allowed to celebrate Easter in the convent of All Saints in Oxford and still love to sing the Eucharistic prayer. I list just a few things to point to a reality about myself: I will glorify God in whatever settling I find myself. Diversity does not intimidate me, but rather invigorates me. The more diverse the church's ecclesiology, the more possibilities for creativity, and the happier I will probably be.   

Educational

I have enjoyed the privilege of some splendid higher education. I was always drawn to people academically who looked at things in a slightly different way and who risked being wrong for the sake of uncovering the truth. My time at Duke was wonderful with an opportunity to take every class offered by John Westerhoff. My time at Oxford was much more free form as I would pick and choose from a variety of lecturers and subjects to write my various essays. I found myself really learning deeply about things and challenging myself and my presuppositions. My time in Oxford gave me an opportunity to learn from interesting and intellectual people. I continue to learn each day and remain open to the possibility of more formal academic work in the future. In 2006 I finally agreed to teach two classes at Radford University for new students. This experience of teaching 28 Freshman was enjoyable and left me feeling nostalgic. I enjoy reading primarily periodicals and usually have one or two books on the go in the rectory. With children in school, I am beginning to feel like I am going back to fifth grade all over again. No doubt I still have much to learn.

Office and Administration Skills

I have developed some skill with computing over the past six+ years. I can create newsletters and web based communication utilizing graphics and text. I know how to operate most office machines. In my present parish, I set up a wireless computer network in the parish offices and managed the task of organizing the computer files of the church. I managed some staff (4) in my position in London and attended regular staff meetings and planning retreats. I currently work with five paid staff and numerous volunteers. I was an international business major in college and am very comfortable with spreadsheets and financial reports. I am competent at budgeting and spending with limitations. In my present position at Grace we have increased our budget in the past six years (In 2007 our receipts topped $200,000) and I have implemented and new financial system whereby three separate individuals carry out the treasurer functions of the church and all are held accountable. I feel like I am a team player and I love to delegate and share tasks with a committee structure. A church office with the frequent interruptions can be a difficult place for people to function at a high level, but I think when there is mutual respect and support, goals can be reached and exceeded and the ministry of the church is enabled. Much like a football team, when people know their role, and are equipped for the task, and are motivated appropriately, you can’t help but score.

Other Information

I am fond of all of ceremonial but feel called to a place with considerable diversity and a vibrant tradition of preaching. I would like to be in a position where I could fine tune my ministerial competencies, unearth new gifts whilst doing life changing ministry, and be a healthy & wholesome husband, father, and priest. I am committed to living in a community that provides a safe, stimulating, and challenging education for my children as well as nearby ministry opportunities for my wife. I am looking for a wonderful place that can really be home as we see our children through High School.

Hobbies      

Duke Basketball, soccer (mainly watching my son!), kicking footballs and coaching special teams, playing Golf (10hdcp…probably 15 now), playing music (guitar, banjo, and piano), singing, fishing, theater (acting and watching), movies, sitting on the beach, and riding roller coasters with my children…bigger and faster the better!

Family     

I am married to Caroline, also a priest. She is originally from South London, studied at Oxford University, and we were ordained Deacon together in Guildford Cathedral. We have four children Chloe (10), Calum (9), Kiah (7) and Katherine (5).