Rev. Paul Wrightman graduated from Stanford University, with distinction and
departmental honors, and earned his M.A. at Chicago Theological Seminary
(degree awarded Summa Cum Laude!).  Work at various prestigious institutions
since then is approximately the equivalent of a Divinity Doctorate.  He teaches
classes in New Testament and in Systematic Theology at the Penn West
Academy for Ministry, and has written two books on St. Paul.

Born a Catholic, who later evolved into a mainstream Protestant, Paul has
served at several churches in Oregon and in Pennsylvania. He has been in his
present position at First United Church of Christ near Pittsburgh since 1986.  
His wife Elizabeth is also an ordained minister, and hopes to pursue her
passion, art, full-time. They have three adult children, all of whom now live on
the West Coast.

To quote from his own "statement on ministry," "Ministry is about creating and
nurturing an intergenerational community of storytellers who are blessings to
themselves and to others. . . . With the exception of fundamentalism in its
numerous manifestations, gone for many are the certainties of the past; . . . .
The greatest challenge facing many local churches is to provide a third option
by reviving the narrative of the radical early church (with) justice, nonviolence,
community, and a lively diversity within unity. . . . "

He is actively pursuing this at his current church, with alternative services, the
"Side Door Gathering," and other user-friendly forms of worship as well as a
vibrant traditional service.  He has faced conflicts in his current church, and
been able to reconcile people from a "wild variety of backgrounds - from
'staunch fundamentalist to liberal-and-beyond."