Eric Conklin, MDiv, BCC

Eric and his son Auggie live with Josh, his son, and two other people in an intentional Christian community called Montavilla Abbey near Mt. Tabor in Northeast Portland. As a United Methodist deacon, Eric has become endorsed and board certified as a chaplain through the Veterans Administration.

In his work, he wonders how we will cultivate the combination of contemplative spiritual practices, accessible theological education, relational community organizing, and asset-based community development. Practitioners of this way have already created an attractive aroma to sojourners and congregations alike who are resisting a culture that feeds on our busy-ness and distraction.

Pearls of wisdom: remember Frederick Beuchner’s advice that “vocation is the place where our deep gladness meets the world's deep need.” I spent a good deal of my meandering ministry path trying to meet a shrinking Church’s institutional needs, often at the expense of my own vocation. This is at the heart of why I am called to help others with their discernment process.

I love this city, Portland. The personalities are diverse, the crafters are talented, the coffee is very good, the politics are radical, and yet its problems are obscured from the main view. Admittedly, what initially attracted me to the city are those cover articles from Outside magazine. But who I have fallen in love with are the gritty, dignified people who work hard quietly, but who are often identified as the problems which need obscuring. They are mothers and fathers. They are sons and daughters. They are our neighbors. And they are the Divine in our midst.

Eric also enjoys hauling Auggie around on the back of his electric cargo bike, gluten-free bakeries, and the Chicago Cubs.