The Rev. Robert A. Gallagher
Father Bob provides educational offerings and consultation with the clergy and vestry in the areas of ascetical and practical theology.
Ascetical theology is about spiritual practice.
Practical theology is the effort to understand our contemporary society and human need and develop congregations that effectively address the society and those needs. Both fields are directed at shaping healthy parish communities with the kind of leadership, structure, and spiritual life that can effectively form Christians, in our tradition, for this age.
Father Bob's primary work is as a consultant to parishes and dioceses, largely on the East Coast. He has been a parish priest, mostly in urban settings, and served as the congregational development officer for the Diocese of Connecticut. He has an M.A. in Organization Development and is the founder of the
Church Development Institute and a trainer in the
Shaping the Parish national program hosted here at Trinity.
Father Bob grew up in Philadelphia, is an avid mystery reader, and enjoys cooking for himself and friends. He is a Professed Member of the
Order of the Ascension. In recent years he has been shifting more of his energy into writing, completing
Fill All Things: The Dynamics of Spirituality in the Parish Church in 2008 and
In Your Holy Spirit: Shaping the Parish Through Spiritual Practice in 2011. Upcoming titles include
Eucharistic Spirituality: From Audience to Congregation and a two-volume set with Michelle Heyne,
Interventions: Methods and Processes for Building Healthier Parishes.
