Kurt Fredrickson
Associate Dean for Professional Doctoral Programs and Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry
BA, Westmont College
MDiv, Fuller Theological Seminary
Orientation Studies, North Park Theological Seminary
DMin, Fuller Theological Seminary
PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary
Courses Taught
MC500: Church and Mission in Global Contexts
PM504: Pastoral Ministry
DM711: Exploring the Contours of Ministry
DM710: Developing the Doctoral Project
TM710: The Mission of God in Local Contexts
TM753: Church Rising: A New Season for the Church
Campus Affiliations
Areas of Expertise
Church revitalization, evangelism and church growth, missional church, pastoral theology, congregational and denominational studies, and American religious culture
“The vocation of being a pastor is so important in the lives of people, local congregations and neighborhoods, and so demanding upon those who serve in this role, that it is vital to create programs of theological education that develop reflective practitioners who are encouraged to think creatively, cultivate new skills, and nurture their hearts, so that they might pursue their calling with excellence and passion.”
Kurt Fredrickson
Bio
Prior to joining Fuller in 2003, Kurt Fredrickson was on the pastoral staff at Simi Covenant Church in Simi Valley, California (40 miles north of Los Angeles) for 24 years, serving as senior pastor for 18 of those years.
As associate dean of Fuller’s professional doctoral programs—designed for leaders who are already serving in ministry, many in the church—Dr. Fredrickson utilizes his own MDiv, DMin, and PhD degrees from Fuller, along with his extensive church ministry experience, to prepare students for effective leadership in the 21st century. With an eye on trends in the church, Fredrickson helps church leaders understand and harness today’s cultural and global changes as they seek growth and revitalization for their congregations. With Fuller’s Cameron Lee he has cowritten the book That Their Work Will Be a Joy: Understanding and Coping with the Challenges of Pastoral Ministry (2012). He is currently writing a book called Pastoring in a Missionary Key.
Fredrickson has engaged the world and culture around him in numerous ways. During his tenure at Simi Covenant, the church developed a strong mission orientation that included a broadening role in local compassion ministries, planting a Hispanic congregation in Simi Valley, and becoming involved in global missions in Mexico, the Philippines, and Albania.
He is widely involved in his community. He has organized pastoral groups and ecumenical gatherings in Simi Valley. He continues to serve as supervising chaplain with the Simi Valley Police Department, as a member of the city’s Homelessness Task Force, on the board of the Free Clinic of Simi Valley, and as a member of the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise. Fredrickson was honored as one of the “Top 25 People of 2011” by the Simi Valley Acorn, and as the 2012 City Volunteer of the Year by the Simi Valley City Council.
Ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Church, Fredrickson has served in many leadership roles with that denomination—on the regional executive board, church revitalization task force, task force on the ordered ministry, and the board of church growth and evangelism. Fredrickson’s blog, Church Then and Now, features timely updates and perspectives on changes in the church and culture, as well as helpful resources for pastors.
Download Fredrickson’s CV, which includes a list of his current publications, here.
Recent Blog Posts
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