I am Doug Olds, a Candidate for Minister of Word and Sacrament and an ordained Elder of the PC(USA). I currently serve and attend St. John's Presbyterian Church, San Francisco. I received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan and a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Maryland. I taught myself Greek and Hebrew and with my love for Scripture (I translated the New Testament from Greek into English), I have focused on developing skills for its interpretation. I have varied interests in serving the church: during seminary I published two articles on the pastoral psychology of conversion and mental illness which I believe are growing edges for the servant church. I have in submission an article on the Hebrew structure of Genesis 4 and an article on the morality of economic globalization.
My internship was at First Presbyterian Church, San Anselmo (CA) under the supervision of Rev. Joanne Whitt. As part of my internship, I taught adult education, delivered sermons and led Sunday worship, and worked with elementary school-aged children and youth programs. I have taken one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education, which brings me experience with pastoral counseling, hospital visitation, and chaplaincy. Currently, I am leading a monthly Service for Wholeness and Healing at my home church. In the feedback I have received in the church and seminary, I am told that my skills include teaching and Bible interpretation, that I am increasingly poised and display warmth during worship leadership, and that I model an open, sincere, and vulnerable pastoral and administrative style.
My background includes 8 years of experience with the administrative, personnel, and financial affairs of small- and medium-sized non-profit organizations. I have been an Elder at my church for 5 years focusing on mission, outreach, personnel, and curriculum. In addition, I was a Board Member and Treasurer of a non-profit homeless shelter in San Francisco for 4 years. During the latter, I took a leadership role after funding cutbacks led to a staff crisis and played a major part in returning the agency to stability. Previously, I had 12 years experience with analysis of economic and environmental policy. I have measured, analyzed, and made recommendations regarding the Carbon Footprints of San Francisco Theological Seminary and 2 local churches, putting them on a path toward carbon neutrality per recent PC(USA) General Assembly initiatives.
I am married with two young children. I enjoy camping, zydeco dancing, and cooking. I am seeking to serve in a solo or associate pastor position in the western region of the United States with a focus on urban mission and adult, family, teaching, and mental health ministries |
