Pastor John came to the ministry with a wide-ranging work history and training.  He attended Oberlin College in Ohio where he studied classical organ, piano, history, and philosophy. He attended Westminster Theological Seminary, earning a M.A.R. degree in 1977. Following that, he worked in church organ sales at Allen Organ Company for 18 years. However, sensing a renewed call to ministry, he completed his ministerial training at Lancaster Theological Seminary, earning his M.Div. in 1998. Prior to coming to Chestnut Hill Church, Coopersburg PA,

in January of 2003, he served St. Peter's UCC in Allentown for four years.

His spiritual journey has taken many unexpected turns. He was raised as a Christian fundamentalist, but when that system of theology no longer worked for him, he rejected Christianity completely for several years.  His searching led him to become an agnostic, explore Judaism, and finally arrive at a more progressive and non-literalistic form of understanding the Bible and the Christian faith. 

His passion as a pastor is finding ways of making worship meaningful to all generations. He uses his musical background, along with varied, inspirational, and imaginative liturgies to keep the congregation’s attention.  Besides this, many report that his sense of humor and compassionate nature are an added plus to his spiritual leadership. His second passion is conveying an understanding of the Bible.  Using introductory comments before the reading of the Scriptures, placing them in their historical and literary contexts, he reads with expression, sometimes memorizing and dramatizing a text, and also uses contemporary paraphrases to help the members understand the text and its application to their everyday lives