ABOUT ME

Progressive Pastor, Spiritual Director, Speaker, Writer, Soul Friend, & Coach

I have been a speaker at The Wild Goose Festival (4 times), The Embrace Festival, The Lion and The Lamb Festival, and Christianity 21. I’ve blogged for Elephant Journal, Huffington Post, and now primarily for Patheos as “The Holy Kiss.” I’m the author of Discovering Fire, and Kissing Fish, and am the administrator of the Kissing Fish Facebook fan-page. I am also a contributing writer for the John Shelby Spong weekly newsletter “Progressing Spirit,” and serve on the Board of Directors of ProgressiveChristianity.org

I am an experienced wedding officiant (including premarital counseling), and help grieving families celebrate and remember their deceased loved ones through personal and meaningful funeral, memorial, and celebration of life services.

Those things are nifty, but I’m just a human—a fellow human being who’s learned many things the hard way in life. I turned 50 three years ago and experienced a text-book midlife crisis as part of that transition. I've taken deep dives in a wide range of spiritual practices and personal development work and am committed to helping others in life.

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Places I've Been, Things I Love

After spending the last 24 years in Colorado (mostly in Boulder, and also in Denver and Grand Junction), I returned to my home state of Minnesota in 2023. I have a twin sister and am the father of wonderful 24-year-old son. I've served as pastor for United Methodist congregations in Minnesota, Iowa, and Colorado. I've lived in England, travelled through much of Europe and Central America, and have spent time in South Korea and Israel as well.

I’m an arts lover, theater-goer, live music enthusiast, blues dancer, yogi, trail runner, motorcyclist, trumpeter, and photographer.* Centering prayer, spending time sitting at my personal altar, Lectio Divina, reading and writing poetry, helping people in need, and being out in nature with contemplative presence are my primary spiritual practices.

I lead men’s groups, have done retreats through the Men’s Leadership Alliance, and I have training in shadow work, dream work, authentic relating, circling; as well as experience with tarot, the Enneagram, plant medicine, and various shamanic healing modalities. I value and seek to foster wholeness—in Body. Mind. Soul. My work is increasingly a matter of presence - being present to Presence, and bringing that presence to others, being present to you.

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Passionate About Inspiring Others

I'm a social justice advocate and I embrace all human beings as fellow children of God who are fully loved by the Creator just as they are. I’m a straight, white, cis-gender male who is aware of my privilege and am resolved to use this privilege to help empower everyone—including those who are oppressed or marginalized by our current social structures. My work with men seeks to help other men share this resolve. My work isn't limited to men however! I seek to help all of us grow to be the best we each can be.

People I like to meet: spiritually curious explorers; wounded healers; people with allergies to organized religion; people who are spiritual but not religious, as well as people who are spiritual and religious; people who've stepped in it; people who've eaten generous helpings of humble pie; people who've frozen their tongues to fences or flag poles; people who've face-planted in life; people who turn lemons into lemonade; people who have quirks that they used to get teased for—but are now realizing that they're super-powers; people who've broken—and are discovering they're broken open to love!

Certifications

Qualifications

Certified Spiritual Director through the Benet Hill Monastery in Colorado Springs, CO (a rigorous 2 year training)
Round one 12 week training in 4 Gateways method of Archetypal Shadow Work
Ordained United Methodist pastor (elder)
Participant in several retreats run by the Men's Leadership Alliance, and participated in the Inner King Retreat in Loveland, CO.
Certified Crisis Intervention Counselor
Certified Mediator (conflict management)
CPR certified.
Eagle Scout— well prepared.

Published author.
Blog for Huffington Post, Elephant Journal, Progressing Spirit, and Patheos ("The Holy Kiss")
Avid runner, yogi, poet, photographer, trumpeter, and dancer (over 35 years of experience with most).
Founded several non-profit organizations, have served as president, and/or on their board of directors. Including the Boulder International Fringe Festival; Wesley Foundation at C.U. Boulder; and ProgressiveChristianity.org