Christopher Houtz

Create a meaningful worship experience every week at both Traditional and Contemporary worship services, including a different sermon at each service. Entirely revamped the Contemporary Service to be more in-line with Reformed theology in a PC(USA) church. Continue to build bridges between the two services that had been created during the interim pastor period.

Senior Pastor/Head of Staff at First Presbyterian Church at Caldwell (2024-03 – Present)

• Create a meaningful worship experience every week at both Traditional and Contemporary worship services, including a different sermon at each service.
• Entirely revamped the Contemporary Service to be more in-line with Reformed theology in a PC(USA) church.
• Continue to build bridges between the two services that had been created during the interim pastor period.
• Provide pastoral care to congregation members.
• Lead new member classes.
• Encourage members to try new ideas, which has led to the first new members joining the church in several years.

Pastor at Oak Tree-Iselin Presbyterian Church (2023-06 – 2024-03)

• Provided stability for a newly merged congregation.
• Offered a meaningful worship experience every Sunday.
• Provided pastoral care to those in need.
• Led weekly and seasonal Bible studies

Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Iselin (2019-09 – 2023-06)

• Led the congregation through a church merger.
• Led the Confirmation Class.
• Challenged members to deepen their relationship with God through meaningful, challenging sermons and worship.
• Initiated a joint Ash Wednesday Services that included 8 different churches coming together to worship.
• Provided stability and constant communication when the church was closed.
• Created a streaming service when the pandemic happened.

Teacher at Various Presbyteries in Synod of the Northeast (2024-11 – Present)

• Asked to create and teach a 9-week course for ruling elders entitled, "Preaching God's Word in the World."
• Create short videos for attendees to watch.
• Lead the conversation on sermon creation and delivery.

Administrative/Operations Committee at Presbytery of Northeast New Jersey (2024-07 – Present)

• Organize meetings for the committee.
• Lead discussions on staff contracts and general operations of the presbytery.

Commission on Ministry at Presbytery of the Coastlands (2022-10 – 2024-03)

• Supported congregations, ministries, pastors, CREs, and CCEs in their work to advance the mission of the presbytery.
• Worked within smaller groups to aid the work of COM.
• Acted as a liaison for several congregations.
• Participated in exit interviews.
• Participated in interviews for pastoral candidates.

Gap Council at Presbytery of the Coastlands (2022-03 – 2022-12)

• Continued the work of the Core Transition Team by envisioning and enacting goals for the new presbytery.
• Oversaw the work of committees and commissions until a permanent council was established.
• Made recommendations for presbytery meetings.

Session Moderator at First Presbyterian Church of Avenel (2021-09 – 2023-11)

• Guided the church during their interim pastor search.
• Provided help to the PNC as needed.

Worship Team, Chair at Presbytery of the Coastlands (2021-02 – 2024-03)

• Assisted in creating meaningful worship experiences for every presbytery meeting, which during the early transition, was every month for a year.
• Created videos for worship when necessary.
• Created contacts between churches and the presbytery.

Core Transition Team at Presbytery of the Coastlands (2021-02 – 2022-03)

• Met weekly to oversee the creation of the new presbytery.
• Assisted with planning events and meetings for the presbytery.
• Helped create a guidebook for the further development of the presbytery to be used by all committees, commissions, and councils.

Justice and Outreach Team, Chair at Presbytery of the Coastlands (2021-02 – 2022-03)

• Point person for the Justice and Outreach Team
• Called and led bi-weekly meetings to discuss short-term and long-term justice and outreach goals for the presbytery.
• Prepared a monthly newsletter on justice and outreach issues.
• Encouraged the presbytery to approve a program that led to New Jersey implementing Asian-American education in schools.

Pulpit Supply at Various New Jersey Presbyteries (2018-06 – 2019-08)

• Worked with several churches in New Jersey to prepare spirit-filled worship services.
• Determined the scripture, music, and prayers for each service.
• Offered Children's Sermons.
• Invited to lead a Blue Christmas/Longest Night Service.
• After worship, I taught several adult education classes.

Member at West Essex Ministerial Association (2024 – Present)

• Lead various events in the community, including the Thanksgiving Interfaith Service.

Volunteer at Sandwich Night (2024 – Present)

• Help create over 400 bagged lunches for clients of Saint John's Soup Kitchen.

Volunteer at Moms Helping Moms (2021 – 2023)

• Ran a collection drive for items needed by new moms.

Master of Divinity in Divinity – Princeton Theological Seminary (2019-05)

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Hofstra University (2010-05)