Professional ID: 100025556
Name: Kathryn Dianna Craven
E-Mail: katdianna@yahoo.com
Actively Seeking: Open to receiving a call and moving within 9 months.
Ecclesiastical Status: Teaching Elder
Membership Presbytery: MILWAUKEE PRESBYTERY
Ordination Date: 3/1/2009
Formal Education:
Masters of Divinity, San Francisco Theological Seminary, 2006
B.A., Macalester College, 2000
-Major: Comparative Religious Studies
-Minors: Anthropology, Spanish
-Studied in Valladolid, Spain in the spring of 1999
Continuing Education:
Transitional Ministry Training (Interim Ministry Training) Week II, Synods of Lincoln Trails and Mid-America, May 2012
Interim Ministry Training Week I, Princeton Theological Seminary; October 2011
The Business of the Church with John Wimberly; February 21 – 24, 2011
Congregational Systems with Peter Steinke; November 1 – 3, 2010
Pastoral Imagination: Discovering the multiple skills and sensibilities necessary for effective pastoral leadership; May 24 – 26, 2010
Spiritual Formation with Marjorie Thompson; January 18 – 20, 2010
The Ministry of Stewardship; class taken in January 2007 at SFTS Southern Campus
Three units of Clinical Pastoral Education; September 2004 – May 2005 at the Palo Alto, CA Veterans Hospital
Employment Type: Open
Minimum Effective Salary: $44,000 / Year (Effective Salary Definition) for full-time
Position Types & Experience Levels:
Youth Director (Non-ordained) - 0 to 2 Years
Solo Pastor - 2 to 5 Years
Associate Pastor (Other) - 0 to 2 Years
Pastor Interim - 0 to 2 Years
Pastor (for a designated term) - 0 to 2 Years
Chaplain - 0 to 2 Years
Geographic Choices: - I am currently tethered to Janesville, WI, so reasonable driving distances from here.
Languages: - English
Leadership Competencies:
- Preaching and Worship Leadership
- Spiritual Maturity
- Lifelong Learner
- Communicator
- Contextualization
- Culturally Proficient
- Organizational Agility
- Collaboration
- Bridge Builder
- Flexibility
Training / Certification:
Clinical Pastoral Education Training,
Interim Ministry Training
- Week 1 by PC(U.S.A.) at Princeton, NJ in 2011
- Week 2 by PC(U.S.A.) at St. Louis, MO in 2012
Housing Type: Housing Allowance
Past Experience:
Designated Associate Pastor: Rock Prairie Presbyterian Church, Janesville, WI - December 2013 - present
-Partner in new position with Head of Staff to participate in pastoral duties of church such as pastoral care, worship, administration of various programs and general pastoral duties.
-Create small-group and Bible study opportunities for young adults in the church and develop a support network for young singles and families.
-Work with Community and Outreach Committee to transform church’s web presence and expand electronic communications.
-Partner with and guide existing Youth and Christian Education programs to increase participation and spiritual growth along with bringing in and training new lay leadership for longevity of programs.
-Participate in worship planning including preaching every third Sunday and leading an Advent special focus on various images of God in preaching, liturgy, music and physical worship space.
-Led Session retreat to develop a mission statement, and focus greatly on developing lay leaders.
-Led Confirmation Class, led county-wide Presbyterian Vacation Bible School, and wrote a VBS curriculum based on Mister Rogers episodes.
-Participate in Presbytery’s Mission Partnership Committee, and beginning conversations and plans to develop a new Social Justice Committee.
Interim Pastor (Head of Staff): First Presbyterian Church, Iola, KS - March 2012 - December 2013
-Worked with Session, Board of Deacons, and the other main committees to train and uplift leadership and clarify roles of individuals and committees.
-Gathered policies and procedures in the past to clarify current expectations of function and changes as needed.
-Refreshed the worship of the congregation with a joyful spirit and intention.
-Taught all ages including topical and theological classes for adults, confirmation to the youth and yoga to the church’s after-school program.
-Studied and discerned ways the congregation can help children in the congregation with difficult backgrounds and disruptive behavior.
-Oversaw changes in staff including clarifying of roles, expectations of positions and finding people who love what they do.
-Managed the purchase of an electronic organ with donated monies and the refurbishing of the pipe organ.
-Set up as clear, open and functional as possible the systems of the church to encourage current lay leadership and facilitate a smooth transition to future pastoral leadership.
Pastor (Head of Staff): Covenant Presbyterian Church, Marshall, MO – March 2009 – August 2011
-Planned and led traditional yet creative worship and preach the Word of God with integrity and imagination for a congregation of 208.
-Provided pastoral care and counseling for members across all generations.
-Trained and led Elders in their responsibilities, especially focusing on clarification of the roles of committees and how they work as a whole.
-Taught comprehensive, creative and community-focused confirmation classes, adult discussion groups and other classes as requested.
-Created a young adult group and initiated renewed contact with the local college.
-Led Elders in discovering a vision and strategic plan for the congregation.
-Worked with elders and formed the Care Committee to develop a plan for and follow through for pastoral care in congregation with no Deacons.
-Moderated the Committee on Preparation for Ministry.
-Acted as the Presbytery’s liaison for the Theological Education Fund for the PC(U.S.A.).
Intern: Lake Arrowhead Community Presbyterian Church, Lake Arrowhead, CA – July 2006 – July 2007
-Developed, administered and wrote curriculum for the Jr. and Sr. High youth program in the congregation of 250.
-Planned retreats, dinners, special services, and community events.
-Assisted with the process of moving from two styles of worship to one, unified service.
-Co-coordinated and led worship, preaching monthly.-Discerned with the pastor the status and needs of the congregation and how to develop an even healthier congregation.
-Supported and filled in for Pastor and Christian Education Director as needed.
-Led a week-long mission trip of youth and adults to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Seminary Intern: Calvary Presbyterian Church, Berkeley, CA June 2005 – July 2006
-Ministered to a multicultural and multilingual congregation of 200 members of English and primarily Mandarin languages.
-Co-coordinated and led worship, preaching monthly.
-Collaborated with co-pastors and congregants to plan programs and future worship services.
-Co-directed a weekly after school program for young children.
-Trained youth leaders in ministering to elementary school children.
-Taught Bible study to adults and youth.
Student Chaplain in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program: Veterans Hospital, Palo Alto, CA September 2004 – May 2005
-Visited patients on various wards providing pastoral care and spiritual support as part of the health care team.
-Led weekly spirituality discussion groups in long-term care wards, the locked dementia unit and the brain injury rehabilitation center.
-Assisted in leading a spirituality discussion group in the women’s Post Traumatic Stress Disorder center.
-Assisted in leading ecumenical worship in the hospital chapel.
-Studied pertinent topics such as post traumatic stress disorder, palliative care, twelve step programs, different religious faiths and how to chart patient visits.
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE:
-Sales and Accounting Assistant: Southern Textile Recycling Inc, Fullerton, CA – April 2008 – February, 2009
-Nanny: Private sector, San Rafael, CA September 2002 – March 2004
-Administrative Assistant to the Director of Human Resources: Union of American Hebrew Congregations, New York, NY August 2000 – August 2002
-Box Office Assistant, Costume Stitcher, Macalester College Theater, St. Paul, MN, Fall 1996-Spring 2000
-Project Assistant Intern, Martha’s Closet, St. Paul, MN, January 2000 – May 2000
-Interracial Youth Group Leader, First Presbyterian Church of Passaic, NJ, Summer 1999
-Public Relations Intern, Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission, Hackensack, NJ Summer 1997
Other Services:
I have been trying to engage in the life-giving ministry of the Church in the most dedicated and creative ways possible.
After college while working with my church’s youth group and co-teaching an amazing confirmation class, I seriously considered becoming a missionary but finally decided to go to seminary to enter ordained ministry. In addition to what is listed above, while in seminary I participated in chapel at the seminary as well as a Quran and Spirituality discussion group. During seminary and while looking for a call I attended General Assembly as a class (I also attended in 2010 as an observer), led a mission trip to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, attended two APCE conferences (one national and one regional) and two PC (U.S.A.) Multicultural and Transformational conferences, and was an adult leader to Triennium 2007. I also spent one summer working and worshiping at the pilgrimage site of the Isle of Iona in Scotland.
In my first call I also served as a volunteer Police Chaplain.
Describe a moment in your recent ministry that you recognize as one of success and fulfillment.
Young Adult ministry is an odd endeavor. Some have taken exception to my comparing it to interacting with cats, but I’m good with cats. There is a delicate give and take - not coming on too strong but being available to be caring should that be desired. In my current call I have started up a Young Adult ministry that won’t make the papers but is progressing well. I started by hosting monthly fun activities. Soon, however, they were calling to have a Bible Study. We tried a Sunday afternoon format which ended up not being a good time, but in the meantime they were able to develop their Biblical self-confidence. More importantly there developed a cohesion with the group and my relationships among them. Now we are going to try a Sunday morning traditional Sunday School class which would not have been possible earlier. And while it’s still like herding cats to get them all together, they come to church more, know each other and interact well, and finally feel like they have a place in the church. So while not an overwhelming success, I have found a deep sense of satisfaction with how this group is progressing and finding their footing in the community and even moving increasingly into leadership roles.
Describe the ministry setting to which you believe God is calling you.
I have long struggled with where God is calling me. I was writing essays to apply for overseas mission on the bus into New York on 9/11 and never again picked them up but instead applied to seminary to be a pastor. The pull to practical mission that enhances the lives of others still pulls at me strongly, though. I know that I have administrative skills which I really enjoy using. I know that my mere existence as a young female signifies that change is already in the church, and some have never forgiven me for that while others find it refreshing and welcoming. Both of my parents are ministers, so this former under-pew crawler doesn’t understand why there can’t be some play and freedom to be one’s genuine self in church. And I am always wondering where the inbreaking of God’s Kingdom is occurring.
I have felt called to parish ministry in different sized churches. I have also felt called to start a community arts center that extends help into the community, work on improving public education, and help people find dignity and feel loved wherever able. God is not done with me. I do not have a pie-in-the sky destination, but I dream of a call that is willing to grow in being, explore the workings of the Spirit and truly reach out to each other and the world around in love, compassion and practical action. I deeply feel that God is calling me to serve where my passion, administrative skills and radical hospitality can be most useful - wherever that may be and no matter the title.
What areas of growth have you identified in yourself?
Hopefully my growth will not end until I leave this earth. In every situation I find new growth-edges. One difficulty in answering this question is that I don’t know my growth edges until I’m either smack in the middle of one or discovering something new that I can definitely take on as a life skill.
As an example, at a recent Presbytery meeting I learned of a technique to help build new relationships called a relational meeting which lasts for 30-45 minutes in which I would get to better know the invited person and passions that person might have. I think this is a much more effective strategy than I’ve been using to get to know people so far.
I know that there are parts of ministry that I do better than others with administration and worship and lifting up lay leadership being among them. And I fully admit that I have more to learn in these categories, but there are other aspects of ministry that are works of progress. I try to meet whatever is handed to me with grace and in the spirit of learning, but I know that I am an expert in nothing. I need to spend more time reading. I need to continue conversations with passionate people who want to change the world and take inspiration from the Spirit working inside of them.
I have so much to learn sometimes I feel like a growth edge is all I am. But then I remember how far I have come and grown, and I look forward to this continued life of lessons. I’m just glad they don’t come all at once but are spread out over a lifetime.
Describe a time when you have led change.
I find that I do not need to instigate change for it is already happening. We in churches are more than competent at ignoring the change in our midst. But change is always there in one way or another.
The most I have led in a time of change is when I served as an interim. There was the obvious change of pastoral staff, but more happened. The Christian Educator and Secretary left, and due to behavioral problems, Personnel and I had to oversee the removal of an organist/treasurer. A new organ was donated on top of the existing pipe organ which required great diplomacy. On top of all of this there were the interim changes which I referred to as taking everything out of the closet, organizing and purging as needed, and then putting everything back in order. That’s not easy for anyone. Probably what I am most honored to have been a part of was the enabling of the Session to do what they were called to do. When I walked in they were unsure of themselves and always looked to the Pastor for what to do. By the end of my time there they were so much more sure of themselves and their leadership capabilities. It was no longer my leading the change but our walking through it together.
Change is happening everywhere and is the new norm. I find it invigorating to work with. But I love being Presbyterian because I automatically have partners in the Session and the whole church to walk through the change as one body not one individual.
Statement Of Faith:
I believe in the Mystery. I believe in one God manifest in three ever-intwined parts: God the creator, sustainer and redeemer; Christ the teacher, shepherd and savior; Holy Spirit the guide, strength and unexpected gumption-giver. The Church is the body of Christ to provide hands to work, voices to share the good news, eyes to see the lost and alone, ears to listen to the souls of others, feet to go out and help find and care for lost sheep, a bleeding heart to care for the unlovable and a mind to figure out how to get things accomplished.
The Bible is to be engaged by those who read it and strive for understanding thus turning the scriptures into a living document, essential to our lives. In the living waters of baptism we become the children of God, thus cleansed and renewed to be set aside for holy purpose. At the table all are welcome to gather to receive the festive meal of our Lord and take into themselves the sustaining food of the Kingdom. I believe self-aware sinners are more fertile ground than self-presumed saints.
I believe the church is for all with youth in positions of influence and grandparents regularly adopted and children sitting all the way through worship and committees that search out and find gifts as opposed to just the usual suspects. I yearn for a church where not only all are welcomed once they enter the doors, but where the community outside knows this before they even walk in for the light of Christ inside shines so brightly through those who carry it elsewhere. I believe in the hope of the resurrection and life everlasting.
References:
Please contact me at the e-mail above for my references.
Sexual Misconduct Self-Certification Statement:
I certify below that no civil, criminal, ecclesiastical complaint has ever been sustained* or is pending* against me for sexual misconduct; and I have never resigned or been terminated from a position for reasons related to sexual misconduct.
I have read this certification and release form and fully understand that the information obtained may be used to deny my employment or any other type of position from the employing entity. I also agree that I will hold harmless the employing or judicial authority or any other entity from any and all claims, liabilities, and causes of action for the legitimate release of any information related to sexual misconduct.
Status Note:
This PIF was last updated at 12/77/2015 12:07:57 PM. Kathryn Dianna Craven is a member of the Presbytery of MILWAUKEE PRESBYTERY. As of this date, no allegation or charges are pending against the member, nor is the member currently under judicial censure limiting the ministry or under supervised rehabilitation. The receiving body should always call the presbytery to ask for further information about any applicant, including their ministry and activities within the presbytery of membership.
This PIF is in the Church Leadership Connection database
