Over the past eight years, I’ve had the opportunity to work as a consultant with numerous congregations around the country, trying to help them look … [Read more...] about Shifting from “Why?” to “Why Not?”
About Jim Kitchens
Jim pastored Presbyterian (PCUSA) churches in California and Tennessee for almost 40 years before turning his energy to working with congregations and regional judicatories in transition. He served Sacramento Presbytery as its transitional presbytery executive, helped lead the merger of Stockton and Sacramento Presbyteries, and was part of the staff for the PC(USA)’s national program for first call pastors. He has been a member and chair of the PCUSA’s Committee on Theological Education.
A native of Mississippi, Jim holds a B.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Mississippi and an M.Div. from Pacific School of Religion. He was invited to be the Pastor Theologian in Residence at the Center for Theological Inquiry in Princeton and was a Coolidge Fellow at Auburn Seminary.
Jim is the author of The Postmodern Parish published by the Alban Institute. He has written many articles for The Presbyterian Outlook, as well as for CHC.
In 2011, he and his long-time friend and colleague Deborah Wright founded PneuMatrix, a non-profit consulting group that helps congregations and judicatories engage adaptive challenges.
Jim is the coordinator of the CHC-West region. He can be reached at JimK@chchurches.org.
Articles by Jim Kitchens
Change on the Ground
There’s a lot of talk out there these days about how churches are having to deal with change: hard change, messy change, adaptive change. Those of us … [Read more...] about Change on the Ground
Living in the Time of the Judges
“In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes.” - Judges … [Read more...] about Living in the Time of the Judges
Listening for the Still Small Voice
When we at CHC do a visioning process with churches, we always start by explaining to the congregation that the work we are doing together is more … [Read more...] about Listening for the Still Small Voice
The Great National Church Disappearing Act
The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) met last week in St. Louis. We Presbyterians didn’t talk a lot about sexuality issues this … [Read more...] about The Great National Church Disappearing Act
When Your Building Is Simply “Too Much”
One of the most common conversations I have with churches of all sizes is one I’ve come to call “too much church / not enough people.” These churches … [Read more...] about When Your Building Is Simply “Too Much”
Just what is a “healthy church”?
Every once in a while, one of us who serves as a consultant or coach at the Center for Healthy Churches is asked by a church leader, “Exactly what do … [Read more...] about Just what is a “healthy church”?
It’s Not Your Fault
I was working with a church in northern California, a church with a long history and many years of vibrant ministry. But now it was struggling. The … [Read more...] about It’s Not Your Fault
Watching the Future Emerge Together
I am fascinated by the things that turn out to have retro appeal. People warn you not to get rid of your old clothes (the classic case being … [Read more...] about Watching the Future Emerge Together
