Review Team

Our Review Team reads and evaluates new and recommended books on the subject of Stewardship. These reviews are intended to help you make positive choices about resources that can be of help to you or your congregation.

Curious about a book you have heard about? Read what others are saying about it and decide if you want to own a copy. Not sure what to read but looking for help? Browse through the reviews and see what captures your interest.

Do you have a book you would like to recommend for review? Would you like to join our Review Team? Contact us at bbarkhauer@disciples.org

Our Team

Reverend Neil Allen

Reverend Allen is currently enjoying retirement from pastoral ministry.  He has served congregations in Lebanon and Portland, Oregon; Flora, Indiana; Summitville, Indiana, as well as Polo and Clayton, Illinois.  He holds a A.S. degree in Psychology from Sauk Valley College, a B.S. in Psychology from Culver Stockton College, and an M. Div. from Christian Theological Seminary (Indianapolis).  He is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions including Academic All-American (1987), National Dean’s List (1987), Alpha Chi-Beta National Honor Society, Outstanding Disciple Seminarian (1991), and Outstanding COmmunity Service (Iglesia Bautista Emanuel (Fort Wayne, IN).  He has served the church in a variety of ways including through the Youth Commission (IL/WI Region) the Regional Board (Indiana), as a Regional Clergy Peer Consultant (Montana Region), and as  SCOFE Supervisor for Seminary Students at Christian Theological Seminary (Indianapolis).

Reverend Doctor Leigh Bond

After graduating from Willowbrook High School in Villa Park, Illinois, Dr. Bond attended the University of Illinois, where he received a Bachelor’s degree with a major in biology. He served as a biology teacher, tennis coach, and intramural program director at Lafayette High School in St. Joseph, Missouri.

After this brief “detour”, Dr. Bond entered Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University. After ordination and graduation, he served as an Associate Minister at First Christian Church, Arlington, Texas. Three years later he was called to serve as Senior Minister of Lakewood Christian Church in Waco, Texas, where he served from 1987 until 1997. Since 1997, he has served as Senior Minister of Beargrass Christian Church, a congregation of 1300 members in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1999, he received a Doctor of Ministry degree with an emphasis on homiletics from Texas Christian University.

Dr. Bond is married to Ellen, and they were married on December 27, 1981. Ellen received a degree in secondary education from TCU and a Masters in English. She is teaching at Ballard High School. They have three children, Heather, Chelsea, and Brandon.

Rev Scott Budlong

Scott is currently working as an investment counselor with Thrivent Financial Services.  He is a graduate of Wartburg College (Waverly, IA) with a B.A. in Religion and received his Master of Divinity from Pacific School of Religion.  Currently, he is in the Master of Business Administration program at Indiana University-Kelley School of Business.

Scott served at at First Christian Church in Helena, Montana from 2007-1012 where he implemented two building campaigns to renovate church property and one campaign to develop new programming for at risk youth.  He served this congregation with his wife, Laurie Budlong-Morse.  Laurie and Scott have a daughter, Tamsyn.

Rev Cecil Cook

Rev. Cecil H Cook, III and his wife, Robin, have 3 daughters, 2 sons, 3 sons-in-law and 5 grandchildren… Cecil was born in Kentucky and raised a preacher’s kid in Ohio, Virginia and Indiana.  His father, Rev. Cecil H Cook, Jr., was the senior minister at Calvary Christian church in Covington, VA from 1957 – 1961.  He has fond memories of friends and life in Covington in those early years of his life… Upon graduation from Butler University with a BA degree in 1971, he attended Christian Theological Seminary where he received his Master of Divinity in 1976.  After serving several churches while in college and seminary, he served as an Associate Pastor for two years in Orlando, FL.

It was then he changed careers and embarked on 24 years of insurance sales and management specializing in business insurance and estate planning.  During that time he remained active in the church as a supply preacher, elder, and choir and praise team member at First Christian Church of Neptune Beach, FL.  He was also honored to serve on several charitable boards including NBA CHANCE (children’s advocacy and programming), and Family Counseling Services of Jacksonville, FL where he was Vice Chairman Board of Directors and Resource and Development chair.

In 1998 he began his journey back into fulltime ministry and in 2001 accepted a Senior Minister position at Arlington Christian Church of Jacksonville, FL.  He later served as Senior Pastor in Wabash, IN, Senior Pastor of University Christian Church in Hyatsville, MD, and then as Senior Pastor of Main Street Christian Church in Winchester, IN.  Cecil has focused his ministry to lead and coach churches through a Strategic Spiritual Journey of transformation and is currently retired.

Reverend David Dubovich

David was born and raised in the southwestern part of Pennsylvania in a town called Republic, PA. He grew up in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) from an early age, attending Sunday School, VBS, Youth programs, etc.. He served as a deacon, Elder, choir member, pianist/organist, youth leader even the custodian of in his home church.  He attended ICM School of Business in Pittsburgh, PA (Associate’s Degree in Computer Science). After discovering his call to ministry while on a misson trip, he returned back to Pennsylvania and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business.  He did his Master’s of Divinity work at Lexington Theological Seminary/Asbury Theological Seminary and was ordained in August of 2004. David is married and has served churches in Bethany and Clinton, Missouri.

Reverend Doctor Katie Hays

Rev. Dr. Katie Hays has been a pastor for about 18 years, serving congregations in Alabama, New York, Georgia, and Texas. More importantly, she has been tithing consistently for twice that long! With theological education from Yale and Princeton, she actually learned everything she needed to know about God’s generosity from her parents and her church.

She and her husband (Prof. Lance Pape at TCU’s Brite Divinity School) are trying to pass along the same to their two children. Katie is the founding pastor of Galileo Church, a progressive non-traditional faith community in Mansfield, TX.

Reverend Micah James

Rev. Micah James served Northway Christian Church as the Minister to Children and Families since June 2012, until becoming the Associate Minister at First Christian, Edmond, OK. . She received her Master of Divinity from Brite Divinity School in May 2012 after which she was ordained in June 2012. She has earned a certificate in Church Business Administration and feels strongly in the importance of the ministry of administration and stewardship as it strengthens the greater work of the church. She has been married to her husband, Nick since 2005. They have one son, Oden, who was born in February 2012.  Micah also serves as a church consultant with her father in their joint venture “Admin is Ministry” with a desire to help churches and pastors engage in church administration more effectively.

Reverend Adam Janes

Adams the pastor of Othello Christian Church in Othello, WA.  Prior to this call he served as pastor of First Christian Church in Dover, TN. He is a 2000 graduate of Northwest Christian University in Eugene, OR with a degree in music ministry and received the MDiv degree from Emmanuel Christian Seminary in 2007. Prior to coming to Dover he served churches in Oregon and Virginia. Adam is married to his wife, Tina and they have four sons

Reverend Jennifer Mills-Knutsen

The Reverend Jennifer Mills-Knutsen is currently serving as the Senior Ministry of the American International Church in London, England.  As a pastor, Rev. Jennifer is passionate about making the stories of the Bible come alive in modern times, helping people understand how Jesus’ life and ministry is Good News for their daily lives. In her preaching, teaching, pastoral care and church leadership, she strives to bring the biblical story to life.

Before coming to St. Luke’s, Pastor Jennifer served as the pastor of St. Luke’s UCC in Jeffersonville, IN (2005-2016) and as Assistant Minister at the Old South Church in Boston from 2001 to  2005, where she had a unique position helping the church become a mission presence and voice for social justice in the city of Boston. During her time in Boston, she served as the co-chair of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, working with over 65 congregations and organizations to build partnerships and a public voice for justice in the city. She received her Master of Divinity from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California, where she worked at the Center for Women and Religion. She also worked at the Berkeley Ecumenical Chaplaincy to the Homeless and was an active leader at Mira Vista United Church of Christ, where she was ordained in 2001. While completing her undergraduate degree at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, she was active in student organizations addressing violence against women, homelessness and poverty.

Originally a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Jennifer has been married to her husband Josh since 1997, and they have a son, Benjamin Karl, born in 2007.

Reverend Janet Long

Janet A. Long just celebrated her 32th anniversary as senior pastor of Washington Avenue Christian Church, Elyria, Ohio. She is a graduate of Bethany College, Brite Divinity School of Texas Christian University, and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity by Bethany College in 1996.

Janet served as Moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada during the 1995-1997 biennium. She has served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Christian Church Foundation, Chair of the Board of Directors of Church Finance Council, and Chair of the Disciples’ Mission Council. Janet is a trustee of Bethany College. She serves on the Development Committee of the Christian Church in Ohio. Locally, she is a member of the Board of Directors of Comprehensive Health Care of Ohio and is a recent past President of the Rotary Club of Elyria.

She is married to Dan Clark and enjoys music, sports and world travel.

Reverend Dr. Ray Miles

Recently retired, Ray Miles has spent most of his ministry in middle judicatory positions where stewardship education was part of the ministry.  He obtained his DMin concentrating on Stewardship Studies from Garrett Evangelical theological Seminary in 1993.  He has attended many events presented by the Ecumenical Center for Stewardship Studies, who were co-sponsors of his DMin program.  He has written one published book of Offertory Meditations, and has written a manual for Disciples of Christ congregations to use in focusing on Stewardship.  He has served as congregational pastor, interim minister, and regional/conference staff most recently as Regional Minister for the Christian Church in Georgia.  He is married to an ordained Disciple pastor, Wendy Miles and has grown children with 4 grandchildren.

Reverend Roger McKinney

Roger McKinney is the pastor of Disciples Christian Church in Cleveland Heights, OH, after serving six years as the pastor of Hiram Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Hiram, Ohio for six years. He was Associate Regional Minister with the Christian Church in Ohio (Disciples of Christ) from 1997 – 2005. He has served congregations in Kent and Wauseon, Ohio and Garland, Texas. He received a Bachelor of Music from Bowling Green State University in 1978 and a Master of Divinity from Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University in 1981.

He and wife Gail have three adult children, including a son with Autism who lives with them. Roger has been instrumental in helping to develop the Hiram Farm Living and Learning Community, a church-related non-profit that provides meaningful work and community support to persons with Autism.

Reverend Linda Parker

Linda Parker is a third generation Disciple. She grew up in Texas, attended Texas Christian University, Vanderbilt Divinity School, and received a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2001 from Drew University Divinity School. She has served churches in Iowa, Virginia, Tennessee and Indiana.

Linda is fascinated with understanding the Sabbath. Her Doctoral project focused on helping congregation members understand and experience the Sabbath. When celebrating the Sabbath, we slow down enough to see God’s spirit in all things. All of life is recognized as sacred.

Linda has served as Senior Minister of East Side Christian Church in Evansville, IN since December, 2001. She volunteers at the local public radio station reading the newspaper for the sight impaired.

She has two grown children, is an avid reader and collects her thoughts in journals.

Reverend Doctor Carolyn Scanlan

Carolyn is an ordained Disciples of Christ minister, currently serving at The Garden Church – a non-traditional community of faith that meets at the Beef and Boards dinner theater in Indianapolis, IN. Her motto is “Dare to Have Fun at Church” and her desire is to live each day to the fullest in the power of God’s love. Carolyn has been active in the Disciples of Christ denominational activities through committees and workshops.

She has served on the Indiana Region Camp Commission and is currently serving on the Transformation Committee and has been instrumental in guiding Indiana DOC churches through the process of Transformation and Revitalization.

Carolyn was on staff at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis for over 17 years and served as the Minister of Joy and Celebration. This title embodies Carolyn’s approach to ministry and her love for sharing The Good News. Carolyn served as the preaching Pastor for Later @ St. Luke’s a casual, contemporary worship experience. Carolyn is a graduate of Butler University and Christian Theological Seminary. In 2005 she graduated with a Doctorate in Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago Illinois.

Carolyn enjoys preaching, teaching and using her talents in music and theater in her ministry.

Reverend David Shirey

David Shirey was founding pastor of Coolwater Christian Church (Disciples) in Scottsdale, AZ. Currently, David is now the Senior Minister of Central Christian Church in Lexington, KY, He has served churches in Tennessee, Missouri, North Carolina, and Indiana. He and his wife Jennie are parents of three children.

Reverend Diane Spleth

Diane Spleth is the Senior Minister of Allisonville Christian Church, Indianapolis, Indiana. Prior to assuming this call she served at Central Franklin Christian Church and as a Student Associate among the saints of Downey Avenue Christian Church.

Diane’s interests in the life of church are varied. She serves on a task force of the Christian Church in Indiana that nurtures an overseas partnership with the Disciples of Christ in Mbandaka, Congo. With her husband Rick, Diane traveled to Mbandaka in 2008 and hosted visitors from there for five weeks in 2009. She has a deep interest in and commitment to the work of Global Ministries.

Reflecting her ecumenical spirit, Diane served for five years on the Stone Campbell Dialogue team as a representative of the General Church to help foster deep conversation between the three streams of the Stone Campbell movement. She has also served on local committees doing that same work and enjoys a close relationship with her ecumenical ministry partners in her community.

Always interested in promoting women’s ministries within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Diane is a veteran of many Quadrennial Assemblies and served on one of the local arrangements committees for Mix in ’06 in Indianapolis. She also served as a presenter for Mix in ’06 offering a workshop on new models for women’s ministries.

Diane has been active in local CROP Walks in each community in which she’s lived for 25 years and has recently joined the planning committee for the Indianapolis CROP Walk. She also looks forward each year to helping to build the Greater Indianapolis Disciples Area Habitat for Humanity house. She recently participated in an All-Women Habitat build in Bloomington, Indiana.

A former teacher, Diane is a reader and lover of books.

She holds a B.S. Ed. from Indiana University and an M. Div. from Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis.  It has recently been announced that Diane will become the Senior Minister of Allisonville Christian Church in January of 2012.

Reverend Doctor Ed Taylor

The Reverend Doctor Ed Taylor has served the church in a variety of capacities and has been a leader in stewardship education for several decades. He was a part of the Church Finance Council and was a consultant for Church Extension prior to serving as the Executive Director of the Ecumenical Stewardship Center in Indianapolis. Ed recently accepted a call to be a bereavement coordinator at Compassus near his home in Gibson City, IL.   Prior to his call to Compassus, Ed enjoyed the privilege of serving as the pastor of his “home” congregation in Gibson City, IL. Dr. Taylor continues his passion for stewardship education, having been a founding member of the Center for Faith and Giving Standing Committee and being the editor in charge of the resource “Giving” produced by the Ecumenical Stewardship Center.

Reverend Kory Wilcoxson

Rev. Kory Wilcoxson is senior pastor of Crestwood Christian Church in Lexington, Ky.  Prior to coming to Lexington, Rev. Wilcoxson served eight years at Community Christian Church in Lincolnshire, Ill. He has also served churches in Carmel, Ind., Columbus, Ind., and Jeffersonville, Ind.
Rev. Wilcoxson earned his M.Div. at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. He also holds an M.A. in Interpersonal Communication from Ohio University and a B.A. in Speech Communications from Indiana University. He worked as a journalist and college instructor before going into ministry.
Rev. Wilcoxson currently serves on the board of directors for the Council on Christian Unity and is the moderator for the Christian Church in Kentucky. He and his wife Leigh, a professional photographer, have two daughters, Sydney and Molly, and a Goldendoodle named Jack. 

Reverend Terrye Allison Williams

Rev. Dr. Terrye Williams, pastor of Hilton Christian Church (DOC) in Newport News, VA with her three grandchildren.

A native of Oklahoma, Rev. Williams received her M. Div. at Phillips Theological Seminary in 1997 and her D.
Min. degree at Lexington Theological Seminary in 2010.