P.O. Box 19 | Kohler, WI 53044-0019
P: 877.771.3330 Ext. 13 | F: 888.845.9996
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Arlen G. Vernava, M.Div. PTS

Intentional Interim Professional Transition Specialist

 

Arlen believes that organizations, congregations and their leaders thrive through practicing three graces: generous hospitality, respectful communality and glad collaboration. When deeply and intentionally lived with vibrancy and integrity, these habits of the heart birth vocation, the defining principles that guide and undergird work, ministry, life! For over 25 years, Arlen has guided, taught and lead congregations, organizations and their leaders to develop:

• a generous hospitality toward all that feels new, strange, “wrong” or different
• a respectful communality with stakeholders, friends, companions, strangers and adversaries
• a glad collaboration with the past, the present and the emerging new or renewed vocation
• emotionally and spiritually mature leadership
• creative, vibrant, passionate congregations and organizations
• a “spirituality” congruent with one’s lived vocation

Congregations, organizations and their leaders truly know their vocation when their deep gladness rises in service to their world’s profound need.

Education

B.A. in Psychology and Anthropology (minor), 1982, Rhode Island College, Providence, RI

M.Div., 1985, Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now Palmer), Wynnewood, PA

Jungian Analysis, 1988-1992, Hartford, CT

Continuing Education in spiritual formation/pastoral care, 1998 C G Jung Institute of Chicago

Basic Education Certificate, 1998-1999, Interim Ministry Network

Certificate – Nehemiah Leadership Network, 2005-2008, National Ministries – ABC/USA Northeast

Congregational Consultation and Transformation Certificate, 2008-2009, Center for Congregational Health, Raleigh-Durham, NC

PTS (Professional Transition Specialist), 2010, Interim Ministry Network

Experience

Over 25 years of full-time ordained ministry.

• Senior Pastor for congregations in transition: CT, DE, NY.
• Intentional Interim Minister for American Baptist and Presbyterian congregations: CT, NY.
• Board chairperson during organizational transition for a community feeding program: CT
• Cofounder of an interfaith community humanitarian and education coalition during the Bosnian genocide: DE
• Interfaith member for a Christian/Muslim Commission, facilitating “round-table” conversations during education events: NY

Publications

Curriculum, age 8 – 16: Residential 12 week American Baptist Camp, RI. 1983/84. Canonicus Camp and Conference Center

Islam: A Primer, Ecumenical Community Resource Booklet, Glens Falls, NY. 2001

Monday Morning Musings, Religious and Social Commentary, The Baptist Temple Web-site, Rochester, NY 2004-2008

Courses Taught

Semester Length Community Studies: CT and DE

Affluenza: A Study of Christian Ethics and Consumerism
Miracle and Meal: The Historical Jesus
In Search of A Soul: Christian Spirituality and Mature Faith
When the Sun Rises: Life Transitions, Challenges and Grace
World Religions

Online Web-Based Study

Spirituality of Men, ELI and Vesper Society, NY

Research

Congregational study of exit and closure over a thirty year period and 5 clergy, with particular attention to systemic wounds and their theological implication, IMN, 1998