Beat: I cover innovation & trends in mainline Protestant ChristianityApproach: I focus on new models, experiments & scaling of solutions to common challenges in congregational lifeTopics: new staffing & revenue models; part-time clergy; equipping laity for ministry; empowering communities; strategic repurposing of assets.Roles: Correspondent for The Living Church (TLC), Religion News Service (RNS) and The Christian Science Monitor (TCSM)Early milestones: First full-time reporting job: Goldsboro News-Argus (1993-94) First statewide beat: Covered the Vermont Statehouse for Burlington Free Press (1995-96)Notable assignments: For USA Today, I covered the Boston Marathon bombing & death penalty trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. For USAT, I covered the federal trial of Boston mob boss James "Whitey" Bulger. For TCSM, I covered the Sandy Hook massacre and church-led efforts to heal Newtown. For RNS, I covered the 9/11 attacks and faith-based responses. Editorship:For RNS, I served as Interim Editor-in-Chief during a four-month EIC search in 2018Awards: Won 19 national awards for religion reporting, including Templeton Award for US Religion Reporter of the Year.Grants:Knight Fellowship: $20,000 Grant for Reporting on Religion in American Public Life led to seven national stories about faith-based mentoring for children of prisoners.BTS Center Compass Grant: $20,000 for reporting on congregations thriving with part-time clergy led to six national stories, a book & four years of learning facilitation programs across the US and Canada. Bylines: TIME magazineThe New York Times The Boston GlobeThe Boston Globe Magazine The Christian Science Monitor USA TodayThe Christian CenturyChristianity TodayThe Living Church

Goal: I equip churches & denominations to make strategic decisions informed by what's working across mainline Protestantism. Approach: I draw on journalistic research to create learning tools and processes, e.g. articles, books, workshops & courses Current focus: I teach church leaders (lay, ordained & judicatory) and congregations to flourish with part-time clergy Current & past clients include: The Lilly Endowment Inc.The Center for CongregationsSoutheast Pennsylvania Conference, United Church of ChristMichigan Conference, United Church of ChristFlorida Conference, United Church of Christ Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, United Methodist ChurchNew England Conference, United Methodist ChurchThe Episcopal Church in New HampshirePacific Rocky Mountain Conference, United Church of CanadaLeaderSHIFT UCCanMontreal Diocesan Theological CollegeSynod of the Pacific (PCUSA) Center for Healthy Churches / PneuMatrixChurch of the Brethren The Alban InstituteCongregational Resource Guide Mid-American Region, Unitarian Universalist Association Practical Resources for Churches

Role: In a part-time capacity, I lead UCC congregations for a period of 1 to 3 years when they're in transition between settled pastors. Approach: I guide congregations to take a strategic approach by concentrating on their strengths and opportunities. Method: I help laypeople discover & develop their gifts for ministry. We take pains to perceive where the Holy Spirit is moving and design accordingly. By the end, the people have confidence & competence to go with a strategic plan for keeping alert & doing sustainable, impactful ministry in their unique context. Specialized credential: Certification in Transitional Ministry from the Interim Ministry Network (IMN, 2017)Past positions: Interim Pastor, First Congregational Church of Kensington, NH (2020 - 2023)Pastor, First Parish Church of Newbury, MA (2013 - 2020) Pastor, Union Congregational Church, Amesbury, MA (2000 - 2004)