Retirement Announcement: Jim Kitchens
Jim Kitchens, co-founder and principal of PneuMatrix (PMX), has announced his retirement, effective October 1, 2024.
“While I have been slowing down my pace of work over the past couple of years, I decided on my 74th birthday this past May that it was time to fully step away from PneuMatrix (PMX) and its strategic partner, the Center for Healthy Churches (CHC).”
Reflecting on his career, Jim shared, “The past 12 years of consulting and coaching have brought me immense joy and deep satisfaction. I’ve been privileged to engage with pastors, congregations, and regional judicatories across the country, assisting them in charting paths toward vital and faithful futures during this era of significant change in American Christianity.”
Jim and Deborah Wright founded PMX in 2012, both noting that they were ordained in a postmodern and post-Christendom context in California’s Bay Area. They dedicated themselves to helping church leaders nationwide confront the adaptive challenges of this new era.
Over the years, PMX has grown into an eight-person team of Presbyterian coaches and consultants. In 2023, PMX formed a strategic alliance with CHC, a multi-denominational consulting group, to build an ecumenical platform for serving churches and judicatories.
“I step away with great hope for the future of our alliance, knowing that in 2023, PMX appointed Michelle Snyder as its new director. She, alongside Matt Cook, who became the director of CHC a few years earlier, will continue to lead and expand our shared ministry as part of the next generation of leadership.”
Jim will remain in Sacramento with his wife, Deborah Kitchens, and plans to focus on his most cherished role—serving as Papaw to his three grandchildren.
“As I step into retirement, I wanted to share that while I won’t be taking on any new clients personally, I’m still here to support you. If you or someone you know is interested in getting help from our alliance at PneuMatrix (PMX) and the Center for Healthy Churches (CHC), please feel free to contact me.
I’m more than happy to connect you with the right people. When you contact me, I’ll make sure to put you in touch with Michelle Snyder, PMX’s new director, who will take the lead in continuing the work we’ve started together.
Thank you for your trust and partnership over the years. – Peace, Jim “
“Words cannot fully capture how deeply we will miss Jim’s good humor, his profound relational connections (is there anyone he doesn’t know?), and his calm, wise presence. He laid a strong foundation here at PneuMatrix, and we are truly humbled to carry his legacy forward.”
– Michelle Snyder, PMX Principal and Consultant
“Jim Kitchens has been a trusted colleague and cherished friend, not only for his colleagues but for many people in many congregations across the country. We will miss the great work he has been doing, but we’ll miss his stories, his joyful irreverence, and his deep wisdom even more so.”
– Matt Cook, CHC Director and Consultant
