The first question might be- Why grungy pastor?

I believe everyone should be themselves and be as authentic as they can be. This is one of the reasons I coach and do reflective pastoral supervision. While it is true that I am more comfortable wearing a hoodie or flannel than a clerical collar, it is not why I am the grungy pastor.

For 25+ years in ministry, I have invited others to be their authentic self rather than put on a mask. That sometimes means we have to get a little grungy. Doing shadow work, exploring mission, finding boundaries, and being authentic in ministry isn’t always easy or pretty. It can be messy and ministry can make us want to cry out at times. We see it all and experience it all. This is why being a pastor can be a little grungy. Want to read more, here is a blog entry.

Transformation to Identity

The other reason is I was once called a grungy pastor as an insult. A member got so angry that they blurted out- you are just a grungy pastor. I’m guessing it was because of the flannel.

While I might have felt hurt in the moment, I took that moment and it became an identity for me. I can be messy at times, am not always perfect, and I make mistakes and that is completely ok because we are not designed to be perfect. We are all a little grungy.

Who Am I?

My name is Justin and I’ve been an ordained pastor for over 25 years. I’ve served as part of a pastoral team, a solo pastor, a campus pastor, a youth minister, and I’ve served as part of the larger church in a variety of roles.

I am a level 2 ELCA coach with a certification in mission development, coaching with neurodiversity, and group coaching. I have been a coach since 2020 and have worked with pastors on boundaries, mission goals, personal growth, and general congregational issues. I am a member of the International Coaching Federation, the Upstate NY ICF, Wheel of Life Coaching Group, and ELCA Coaching.

I am also a certified reflective pastoral supervisor through the APSE based in the UK.

I also have certificates in adaptive leadership through The Leaders Way through Berkeley at Yale and SHAPE for leadership through LeaderWise. I’ve studied preaching at Princeton Seminary, taken cooking classes at the Culinary Institute of America, had classes with Fr Richard Rohr and James Finley, studied centering prayer at the Abbey of the Genesee, and have a Doctorate in Ministry. I am a Cherokee Nation Citizen and part of the East Coast Cherokees.

Overall though-I am still Justin. I look forward to working with you.