The order of things matters, of course. In describing myself for this site I would say that I am the following: Writer, poet, photographer, theologian, father, husband, academic, pastor, administrator

I love to write and am grateful to have won a couple of first-place writing awards for columns written in the Christian Courier—from the Canadian Christian Communicator (2001) and Word Guild (2020).

As of January 2027 I will return to pastoral ministry—at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian church on the South Shore of Montreal (in St. Lambert, QC). Prior to this new role, I have served as:

Principal, The Presbyterian College (2020-2026)
Director of Pastoral Studies, The Presbyterian College (2015-2020)
Pastor, Kensington Presbyterian Church (2008-2015)
Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church (2001-2004)

My PhD thesis (McGill University) explored a theological ethics of sexual difference by way of the writings of Luce Irigaray and Søren Kierkegaard. It was published by Pickwick Publications with the short title Becoming Two in Love.

Among my publications is this piece in Modern Theology, on wonder between woman and man, and this piece in Esprit Créateur on a theology of hospitality. And this more recent piece on Christ as guest.

The title of this blog, ‘encrusted words’, is taken from a poem by Margaret Avison (entitled ‘Uncircular’ and published in her Concrete and Wild Carrot). The title is a reminder how quickly words become encrusted and stale. The poet writes: Among us, Jesus found/encrusted words and structures;/he washed and brushed them clean.