THE VIRGINIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Alexandria, Virginia
Doctor of Ministry (Ministry Development) Defended June 28, 2013; Conferred May 22, 2014 Intrapersonal Intelligence Mediated By Self-Reflective Adaptive Practice That Manages Anxiety: Learning To Lead By Giving Space
Find the complete thesis at: W Thomas – Final DMin Thesis – 08-01-13

NASHOTAH HOUSE Nashotah, Wisconsin Master of Divinity, 1989

BOSTON UNIVERSITY Boston, Massachusetts Bachelor of Science (Mass Communication), 1985

ST. TIMOTHY’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Wilson, North Carolina Interim Rector………December 2019 to July 2020
Worked with a talented vestry to prepare a congregation that saw their previous rector elected the Bishop of Montana search for their next rector. COVID-19 and the appropriate restrictions of the Diocese of North Carolina changed the manner by which I cared for this wonderful congregation to distance and ZOOM. COVID also caused the search to be delayed.

CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH Middletown, New Jersey Priest-in-Charge……………May 2015 to September 2018 Concluded a three to five year Bishop’s appointment on September 30, 2018 as Priest-in-Charge to rebuild a once strong program size parish following the conflict inherent in the involuntary termination of a short-lived rectorship. This remarkable historic parish is now healthy and vibrant and is calling a Priest-in-Charge who, at some point in 2020 will be elected Rector.

CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH New Bern, North Carolina Interim Rector………..August 2013 to March 2015 Moved this energetic million dollar multi-staff parish through a needed staff transition that made possible the call of the current rector. Began rebuilding the lay ministry infrastructure necessary to support this corporate size historic church.

ST. PETER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Huntington, West Virginia Interim Priest-in-Charge…..Feb 2013 to Aug 2013 Brought pastoral care and leadership within a part-time ministry for a wonderful and committed family size congregation.

SAINT MATTHEWS EPISCOPAL CHURCH Charleston, West Virginia Rector…….September 2003 to August 2012 Guided intergenerational leadership change with the outcome that healthy collaboration between laity and clergy became the norm. Focus on youth and families precipitated growth in membership and staff support that evolved into a program size model.

SAINT MATTHIAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH Tuscaloosa, Alabama Rector…………………December 1994 to June 2003 Developed an environment for spiritual growth called Deep Church. Living Our Baptismal Covenant (LOBC), a lay-led, clergy supported Catechumenate formed over 100 adults over eight years in this pastoral size parish.

ST. MARK’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Warren, Rhode Island Rector…………………………June 1991 to November 1994 Long simmering internal conflict undid the growth that occurred during my tenure. My doctoral self-study used this time as a benchmark for when I began to appreciate the importance of listening before acting.

ST. ANNE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Sayville, New York Associate Rector…………………………June 1989 to May 1991 Developed First Intentional Communion teaching/liturgy (1990). Responsible for Sunday School, Stewardship Development, Scouts, Thrift Shop, and a community services agency on church property.

CHAPLAIN (Captain) United States Army Reserve…………………………………………………………………………1990-1996
Awards: One Army Commendation Medal Two Army Achievement Medals

CHAPLAIN (and Consultant) The Society of the Anchor………………………………………………………………..1991-1993
Paid consultant to the major donor program of the Presiding Bishop’s Fund for World Relief.
Served as Chaplain to the donors.

STEWARDSHIP TRAINER
Diocese of West Virginia……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….2007-2013
Diocese of Alabama………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………1996-2003
Diocese of Rhode Island………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..1992-1993

MEMBER—BLACK CLERGY ASSOCIATIONS
Charleston, West Virginia………………………………………………………………………………………………………….2007 to 2012
Tuscaloosa, Alabama……………………………………………………First Caucasian elected an officer (1999)……1997-2003

ECUMENICAL OFFICER Diocese of West Virginia………………………………………………………………………….2009-2012

PERSONAL Married Edna Marie Parsons………..October 13, 1973
Children: Melinda Emily Thomas The Rev. Adam Parsons Thomas
Born August 13, 1952 and raised in Chappaqua, New York
Ordained Priest on December 20, 1989; Ordained Deacon on June 17, 1989.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

IMN…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………2010 to 2023
Interim Ministry Network
Professional Transition Specialist – 2017 to 2023
Member – IMN Faculty – 2017 to 2023
Team Lead for Member Support (2015-2018)
Annual Conference Planning Team (2012-2015)

IMEC……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………2011 to 2022
Interim Ministries in the Episcopal Church  Board Member and Officer (various)

PRESENTER
IMN Annual Conference (via ZOOM) – 2020 Making a ZOOM training more effective using SQ3R
IMN Annual Conference – 2018 Stepping In and Stepping Out of an Interim Ministry Workshop
IMN Annual Conference – 2016 Adaptive Practice in Conversation with the Enneagram
IMN Annual Conference – 2015 Using the Rule of St. Benedict to Develop a Leadership Spirituality During Interim Ministry
IMEC Conference Call Teaching – 2015 Bringing Stewardship Principles and Practices into an Interim Setting
IMN Annual Conference – 2014 Self-Reflection Tools that Support Personal and Congregational Emotional Stability IMN Annual Conference – 2014 Communication and Generations: How fluent are you in generational expectations?

CONTINUING EDUCATION
2016: The Liberating Power of the Enneagram
2016: Becoming Conscious: Rebirth of Soul Through the Wisdom of the Enneagram
2015: Volunteer Disaster Chaplaincy Training with the National Disaster Interfaiths Network
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022: Interim Ministry Network Annual Conference
2014, 2015, 2017 Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes Annual Conference
2011: IMN Training Transitional Ministry
2011: Leadership in Times of Uncertainty
2010: IMN Training Fundamentals
2010: Stepping Up to Staffing and Supervision
2002-2007: Clergy Leadership Project Class XVI
2000: Spirituality and Leadership: Leading from Within