Jeff Nelson

I'm ordained in the United Church of Christ with experience as a solo pastor, part of a church staff, a hospital chaplain, and as national staff.

I have over a decade of experience in the wider church, having been active as a member of various committees and planning teams at the Association, Conference, and national settings of the UCC prior to beginning in my current position. Through this work, I have experience coordinating or facilitating conferences, workshops, retreats, and individual meetings to support and coach colleagues in their ministries.

I am certified as a spiritual director through the Ignatian Spirituality Institute at John Carroll University. I have experience guiding individuals through 8-week and 30-week prayer retreats based on the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola.

I am an active blogger and writer, and my writing has appeared on New Sacred (the UCC's blog), the Christian Century blog, the Shalem Institute blog, the Englewood Review of Books, and The High Calling. I’ve also written six books on spiritual practice and popular culture. My latest book, The Unintentional Interim, released in April 2025.

I'm ordained in the United Church of Christ with experience as a solo pastor, part of a church staff, a hospital chaplain, and as national staff.

I have over a decade of experience in the wider church, having been active as a member of various committees and planning teams at the Association, Conference, and national settings of the UCC prior to beginning in my current position. Through this work, I have experience coordinating or facilitating conferences, workshops, retreats, and individual meetings to support and coach colleagues in their ministries.

I am certified as a spiritual director through the Ignatian Spirituality Institute at John Carroll University. I have experience guiding individuals through 8-week and 30-week prayer retreats based on the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola.

I am an active blogger and writer, and my writing has appeared on New Sacred (the UCC's blog), the Christian Century blog, the Shalem Institute blog, the Englewood Review of Books, and The High Calling. I’ve also written six books on spiritual practice and popular culture. My latest book, The Unintentional Interim, released in April 2025.

Eden Theological Seminary, M.Div, 2004

Heidelberg University, B.A. in Religion, 2001

Orrville High School, 1997