Contributors John A. Thorpe

John A. Thorpe

John Thorpe is the chaplain at St. John’s Episcopal School in Dallas, Texas. His Covenant posts are here.

He grew up in Oklahoma as a self-proclaimed “Protestant mutt,” becoming an Episcopalian in his teenage years through St. Augustine’s, Tempe, Arizona, and Church of the Good Shepherd in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. He attended Oral Roberts University, earning one degree in music composition and another in theological/historical studies in 2002.

He and his wife, Beth, were married in 2001. He attended Yale Divinity School through the Institute of Sacred Music, specializing in liturgical studies and earning a diploma in Anglican Studies from Berkeley Divinity School in 2005. He served as seminarian intern at St. Peter’s, Milford, and was ordained to the priesthood through the Diocese of Albany by the Rt. Rev. David Bena in 2005. He served as curate and associate rector at St. Peter’s Church in downtown Albany under the Rev. Paul Hartt and became the rector of St. Stephen’s Church in Newton, Iowa, in 2008.

In 2014, he moved south to become the Chaplain at St. John’s Episcopal School in Dallas, where he teaches religion and Latin to middle schoolers and preaches daily to 450 students from kindergarten to eighth grade.

He has served on the board of the Diocese of Iowa and its Strategic Planning Task Force, as Convener of several local ecumenical clergy associations, and has been active in charity work through Kids Against Hunger of Jasper County, the Pregnancy Center of Central Iowa, and the Rotary Club.

The inspiration of Alfred

December 14, 2017

Commentary, The Episcopal Church

In his moment of despair, King Alfred the Great is visited by the Mother of God, who offers him not comfort but a call to arms.

Don’t wait on history

October 2, 2017

It is not anthropomorphized history that stands in the way of orthodoxy, but only individuals.

The truth is no coward: The Church, science, and the evolving debate on creation

June 30, 2017

The Episcopal Church

"The truth is no coward. The truth does not need the law. The truth does not need the force of government."

Leading ‘fortissimo’ and other dynamics: A response

January 31, 2017

Commentary, The Episcopal Church

Bishops, clergy, and lay leaders need to understand the full range of leadership dynamics in their task as leaders of the Church.

More important than you thought: ‘Do You Hear What I Hear?’

January 4, 2017

Commentary, The Episcopal Church

For those of us who did not live through the Cuban Missile Crisis, the context may not be immediately evident.

St. Sylvester and the eve of change

December 31, 2016

Liturgy, Ressourcement, The Episcopal Church

St. Sylvester stands as an example to the Church in 2016 and 2017. We still have issues about our public presentation and relationship to various governments. We still struggle with reconciliation, especially among different races. And we still divide ourselves over fundamental theological disagreements. Perhaps our New Year's resolution, as a church, ought not to be to solve these problems too quickly.

Advent devotions: Waiting for grace or struggling for liberation?

November 24, 2016

Bible, Canada, Commentary, The Episcopal Church

The devotionals in Liberated by God’s Grace lose track of divine grace in their push for temporal liberation.

Pulling rank, quoting canons in Anglican pastoral leadership

May 12, 2016

"Let me give you a piece of advice," said the man. Wishing he wouldn't, I nevertheless nodded my head.