Rev. Dr. John R. Montgomery  I would describe myself as an "unfinished Christian". I believe that Christianity is a pilgrimage that calls us to follow Jesus in continuously new ways of thinking and spiritual practice. My theology is "progressive" meaning that I am always open to having my understanding of truth and love broadened, that I take the Bible "seriously but not literally", and that I believe scripture needs to be continually reinterpreted in the contemporary context in which we find ourselves, a basic Reformation principle semper reformatum or always reforming. I went into the ministry because of a calling to help people deepen their spiritual lives by experiencing and understanding God in new ways, and to help the church be a vehicle that strives to transform social relationships and foster genuine community. I was born and raised in Toronto. I have a Bachelor of Arts from York University, a Master of Divinity from Victoria University, a Master of Arts from St. Michael's College, Toronto, and a Ph.D. in Church History from the University of Durham in England. I was ordained in the United Church of Canada in 1982 (Toronto Conference). For four years post-ordination, I was settled in the three-point Little Britain Pastoral Charge near Lindsay, Ontario. I was then called to St. Paul's United Church in Perth, Ontario, where I served for 20 years. MacKay United in Ottawa welcomed me in August, 2006. I am married to Jane Spencer and we have a blended family of five grown children. I am an avid hiker and trekker, play African hand drums, enjoy traveling to distant lands, and have an eclectic musical taste.  Dr. John’s Blog |