Program Director

Former pastor at St. Lydia’s from 2019-2024, and is now Associate Professor and Gordon Braatz Chair of Worship at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. A seasoned pastor and practical theologian, leader on many research and leadership development programs over his 25 year career, well-known across the ELCA, Scharen’s leadership is essential both to the effective networking at the heart of the program, as well as the judicious management of the budget and fostering effective partnerships for developmental evaluation supporting learning across the program. 

Program Manager

Community Coordinator at St. Lydia’s. Holloway has extensive experience in nonprofit communications and event management, both through St. Lydia’s and prior experience with, among other organizations, the James Beard Foundation. She supports the Metro New York Synod’s day-to-day management of the programmatic efforts. 

Preaching Coach

Professor of Homiletics at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, CA. Professor Hannan is the author of The Peoples’ Sermon, which advocates for a form of congregational participation in the practice of preaching. Her most recent book is Scripting a Sermon: Using the Wisdom of Filmmaking for Impactful Preaching.

External Evaluator

Tim Snyder (PhD, Boston University) is a Nashville-based researcher, theologian, and consultant. He currently serves on the Research and Evaluation team at Churchwide Organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Previously, he served on the faculties of Wartburg Theological Seminary, Wesley Theological Seminary, and The General Theological Seminary.