John Zehring

John Zehring has served United Church of Christ congregations as Senior Pastor in Massachusetts (Andover), Rhode Island (Kingston), and Maine (Augusta) and as an Interim Pastor in Massachusetts (Arlington, Harvard). Prior to parish ministry, he served in higher education, primarily in development and institutional advancement, as a dean, director of career planning and placement, and as a vice president at a seminary and at a college.

He is the author of more than seventy-five books. Recent books from Judson Press include Getting Your Church Ready to Grow: A Guide to Building Attendance and Participation, and, Beyond Stewardship: A Church Guide to Generous Giving Campaigns. More than 300 of his articles have been published in magazines and journals. He is a regular writer for the American Baptist social justice publication The Christian Citizen.

John served as a consultant, a keynote speaker, a workshop leader, a professor at the university and seminary level, and a director on boards of directors for UCC Conferences in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Maine. He has taught Public Speaking, Creative Writing, Educational Psychology, and Church Administration. He was the founding editor of the publication Seminary Development News, a publication for seminary presidents, vice presidents and trustees (published by the Association of Theological Schools, funded by a grant from Lilly Endowment). He graduated from Eastern University and holds graduate degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary, Rider University, and the Earlham School of Religion. He is listed in Marquis’ Who’s Who in America and is a recipient of their Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award.

John is married to his high school sweetheart Donna. He lives in two places, in central Massachusetts (near daughter, son-in-law, and four grandchildren) and by the sea in Maine where he and Donna enjoy kayaking, hiking, camping, music (John plays the Native American flute), skiing, snowshoeing, gardening, using favorite tools, taking rides, travel and most of all being with family, friends and neighbors.