My name is John Chaffee (Mdiv, ThM), and I was trained to be a pastor. However, after more than 20 years of church, camp, youth, and prison ministry, I came to realize that my calling was to be a little outside the box…
Since January 1, 2022, I have…
- Offered Spiritual Direction,
- Written 5 books,
- Created online classes/cohorts,
- Recorded podcasts with some wonderful thought leaders,
- Spoken on church and denominational retreats,
- Coached pastors and laypeople as they reconstructed their faith,
- Taught on various developmental theories,
- Given seminars on the Hero’s Journey,
- Translated dense theological concepts into simple drawings,
- Created workbooks,
- Taught at the college and graduate level,
- Taught theology in the Philly Prison System,
- and so much more.
To some, I am their spiritual director or post-conventional pastor. To others, I am a professor or public theologian. Use whatever title you like for me; I want to help you to grow in health and holiness.
For those who are interested, I received a degree in Biblical Studies from Eastern University (2006), then received my MDiv from Palmer Seminary (2013), and then completed my ThM from Princeton Theological Seminary (2020).
Some of my main influences are, but not limited to, Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, Karl Barth, T.F. Torrance, the Desert Mothers and Fathers, the Patristics, the Cappadocians, Gregory of Nyssa, Maximus the Confessor, Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Francis of Assisi, George MacDonald, Walter Brueggeman, Richard Rohr, Gregory Boyle, Dorothy Day, the Berrigan Brothers, Shane Claiborne, Chris Hall, Pete Scazzero, Ilia Delio, Teilhard de Chardin, Meister Eckhart, and anyone else who takes the faith seriously enough to break with conventional definitions of Christianity in the West, and chase after the more profound and more wild wisdom of the faith.
Currently, I live just West of Philly with my lovely wife, Jess, and our two girls. When I am not doing things related to this work, I can be found reading more of Church history, going for hikes, exploring new parts of Philly, going for “toodles” on my bike, and listening to music or podcasts with the top down in my Jeep Wrangler.
I hope our paths cross and that, at least right now, I can help you get to the next stage of your life of faith.
Much love,
John.
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