Forty years in the pulpit.

Now, your guide towards what's next.

For more than four decades, Rev. David Starbuck Gregory has served congregations as an ordained parish minister. He has sat with churches in grief, in conflict, in decline and in renewal.

Now he is gathering everything those years taught him to help congregations beyond his own.

EXPERIENCE

Twelve congregations, across the spectrum

David has served twelve congregations as a Settled Minister, Bridge Minister and Interim/Transitional Minister. He has also held roles in denominational leadership. (Should we name denominational leadership roles?)

His ministry spans four denominations and a wide theological range, from conservative to progressive:

Conservative Baptist Association
American Baptist Churches
Presbyterian Church USA
United Church of Christ

This range matters, and it has taught David a great deal He has lived on both sides of the divides that split congregations today, and he can speak with people on each side.

(One short paragraph- a few sentences? - from you on your theological journey could work here...)

WHY THIS WORK

A critical mission

Given where Christianity and the church stand in our culture today, David sees this congregational work as urgent. He wants to bring all his time and experience to bear for the congregations that need it most.

"We don't have time to dawdle. There's no luxury of time. You have a small window of opportunity. And the work is imperative."

David Starbuck Gregory

Younger generations are looking for connection, community and cause. They want meaning and a way to serve the needs they see around them, without the dogma, the rigid rules or the piety. David helps congregations build a vision that speaks to those needs while honoring the faithful people who have carried the church this far.

WHAT GROUNDS AND GUIDES HIM

An earth-centered faith

At David's core is a Celtic spirituality: earth-centered and conversant with the Christian faith. It is what carries him through difficult times and hard rooms, and it shapes his own path as well as his practice of spiritual direction.

In his work with congregations, it shows up as deep listening before designing anything, and as patience with what is hard to say. Long-held hurts can be spoken, heard and laid to rest, often in a facilitated healing circle, so a congregation can move forward together.

"David gently, warmly and skillfully enabled participants to speak openly and honestly, to have their words heard respectfully, and to commit themselves to moving forward in a new, healthier way."

Craig French, Pastoral Search Team, Plymouth Congregational