We are blessed with a dedicated and diverse pastoral staff who enrich and help define the ministries of this congregation. Taking their God-given gifts and passions and putting them into action, they allow ministry to flourish in ways that speak to the hearts and minds of many. Visionary and inspirational leadership, bringing a new kind of church, compassionate care, inclusiveness and community, new ways of thinking and the wisdom of experience . . .Our clergy bring all this and more to live out the mission of being an open community of Christians gathering to seek, celebrate, live and share the love of God for all creation.

"The Christian faith is not a destination but a great, unfolding journey, one I have long traveled among people of faith. Since infancy I have viewed my life through the lens of God's grace, disclosed through loving parents, the church family of my youth, and later the many parishioners under my care. Through three pastorates spanning twenty years, I remain passionate about both gospel and church. With roots and experiences across several denominations, I am and remain a Baptist by both conviction and temperament, embracing its historic insistence upon individual and congregational freedom, but also its tolerance toward differing experiences and understandings.

A strong Renaissance spirit is embedded in my life and approach to ministry. As perhaps never before, pastoral ministry requires a thoughtful, broad-minded encounter with the culture, with what people are thinking and experiencing. The church's habit of slow reaction to change has often rendered its voice irrelevant. Our shared challenge is to stay abreast of the cultural climate in order to both understand and shape the habits of thought and practice around us. As followers of Jesus, we cast a vision of the gracious reign of God in light of which others might interpret their lives and commitments. We accomplish this in the church not only through spirited worship of excellence, relevant and thought-provoking faith formation and bold and generous mission, but also through a prophetic, sometimes militant, pursuit of peace and justice at home and around the globe.

I bring an intentional but collegial approach to pastoral leadership. Thoughtful, timely and creative worship engaging heart, mind and spirit is a deep commitment of mine. Lively, relevant, biblically-rooted preaching that invites inquiry is for me a chief commitment of pastoral ministry.

The author of several books, I relish communicating equally by pen and pulpit. As a professional musician and violinist, currently with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, I champion the power of nonverbal expressions of the faith to inspire hearts and minds. I delight in my family: wife, Donna, a neonatal nurse practitioner, and our four school-aged children. Travel, hiking and biking, and reading together are prized activities of our family.

Faith is a never-ending journey. The call to minister with a church of ministers is for me the great adventure of faith, as together we make common the life-affirming gospel of Jesus Christ for the sake of the whole creation. I welcome the privilege of greeting others into the life of Jesus, and of sharing the responsibility and joy of following in his way!

I have been serving alongside the people of First Baptist Church of Cumberland for nineteen years. Working with all ages, I enjoy the process of assisting others in the discovery and development of their faith. My passion is helping others raise significant questions and seek relevant faith principles. It is my belief that education and faith go hand in hand. While much of life remains in the realm of mystery, I do not believe faith and mystery to be synonymous with ignorance. My own educational and faith journey led me to complete a BA in Religion/Philosophy cum laude from Greenville College, an MS in Elementary Education from Indiana University, and a MA in Christian Education from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Regionally, I have given leadership to various educational events and task groups, youth camps, and conferences, ministerial groups and retreats, written curriculum, and served as an officer/board member of American Baptist Churches of Greater Indianapolis. Nationally, I served on the General Board of American Baptist Churches USA, as President of Educational Ministries, and various other denominational committees. As a council member of the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, I have helped foster the full inclusion of GLBT individuals in the life of the local and wider church family. I and my partner, Dan, a small business owner, enjoy traveling, theatre and spending time with our godson Austin.

I began working as the church secretary in 1982, with no intention of making this my career choice. However, in all these many years I've never found time to leave.

I treasure sharing my life in a faith community that is open and accepting of other people, new ways of thinking and living and worshipping. This church is an enlightening and exciting place to work and worship.

There is a sense of happiness and personal fulfillment in representing Cumberland First Baptist Church on the Board of Directors of Community Outreach Ministry Eastside (C.O.M.E.). C.O.M.E is an ecumenical outreach ministry linking ten area churches in serving people and families in need in Warren Township and portions of western Hancock county with food and financial assistance.

My husband Robert and I are the parents of three adult children, Jennifer, Greg and Jeff. These days our 'in house family' consists of our two cats, Gozo and Freeny.

Leisure time is enjoyed traveling, reading, cooking and spending time with family.

Cumberland First Baptist Church, 116 S. Muessing Street, Indianapolis, Indiana  46229
317-894-2645