Rev. Carla Christopher brings a unique and deeply experienced voice to the topic of congregational vitality, community engagement, and strategic planning through a lens of justice and belonging. A former case manager and therapeutic educator turned community organizer then Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging trainer for nonprofit and government entities along with faith communities, Carla was ordained into the ELCA Ministry of Word and Sacrament as a certified Redeveloper in 2020.
As Assistant to the Bishop for Justice Ministries for Lower Susquehanna and Delaware-Maryland Synods, an ELCA Vital Congregations Training Coordinator and a member of the Evangelism Network Leadership Team, Co-Chair of the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church, and Trainer/Instructor with Kindling Faith at United Lutheran Seminary, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Parish Resource Center, Stevenson School for Ministry and others, Carla also supports numerous synods as a speaker/trainer and consultant.
In her spare time, a former Poet Laureate of York, Pennsylvania, Carla performs with the poetry-funk fusion band, Groove Ink. You can find out more about, or contact, Carla through her website at carlachristopher.org
Together with colleagues Felecia Boone, Catherine Slabaugh, and Justin Barkhuff, Carla Christopher facilitates the Executive Skills for Church Leaders retreat in January, 2026 at Spirit in the Desert.