Father Tom is the Priest at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Bloomington, Illinois. He has just under 30 years of pastoral ministry experience as a clergyman. His wife, Karen, is an elementary school teacher at Epiphany Catholic School in Normal, IL. Father Tom and Karen have three adult children: our eldest, Cal, is working for FEMA based in the Washington D.C. area; our daughter, Nicole, also lives in the D.C. area, and is working toward her master’s degree in speech pathology at Gallaudet University; our youngest son, Daniel, currently attends Virginia Tech University as a Junior, and is pursuing a career in engineering.
Father Tom is (and seeks to be) grounded in the Apostolic Faith as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, interpreted by the Patristic Church Fathers, and clarified by the Ecumenical Creeds and Councils. This deposit of faith has been guarded by faithful bishops in succession from the Apostles and proclaimed in the historic liturgy. Thus, he believes, thinks, and lives best as a historic Christian (catholic) in the Anglican tradition.
Fr. Tom also highly values the careful and thoughtful interpretation of Holy Scripture, the importance of Biblical Theology, and the honest, grace-filled, and courageous application of truth to everyday living
One of the reasons that Tom was drawn to the Episcopal/Anglican tradition is that (at its best) we give people room to ask questions, wrestle with mystery, and grow in their knowledge of God’s revelation to humanity – whether they are already following Jesus or just considering his claims. His hope is that spiritually searching people will find that Jesus Christ has come “that they might have life and have it abundantly.”
Tom enjoys good discussion on a host of subjects, reads widely, enjoys music (eclectically), well-researched documentaries, the arts in general, and is a Bears/Illini football fan. His two main hobbies include the selection, curing, and trial of good cigars and the beautification of the landscape of his home.
While Father Tom can often be found in his church study during the week, it is always best to set an appointment with him. He also likes to haunt coffee shops and cafes if you want to meet him “off-site.” Feel free to call our church office or email Tom at rector@stmattsblm.org.
Credentials and Influences
Father Tom holds a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree in Historical Theology and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree in Pastoral Studies. Tom sees his strongest theological influences as Ignatius of Antioch, Irenaeus of Lyons, The Three Eastern Cappadocian Fathers, Augustine of Hippo, Anselm of Canterbury, and Martin Luther. More modern influence has come from Karl Barth, Raymond E. Brown, and N. T. Wright. Pastorally, Tom has been influenced by Martin Luther, C.S. Lewis, the Rev. Dr. Michael Vanhorn (his friend and mentor), the Rev. Eugene Peterson, and Father Thomas Hopko (Former Eastern Orthodox Dean, St. Vladimir’s Seminary).
Special Emphasis
- Popular notions in American Christianity regarding the separation of theology and practice, the past and present, the intellect and emotion, and the personal and communal are artificial, unscriptural, and in contrast with a faithful, historic, and Christian discipleship.
- An enduring and transformational church community worships, loves, and seeks the covenant-making God of the sacred scriptures in both communal and personal ways. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ’s faithful church effectively brings a transcendent Gospel to the world around it from a position of humility, authenticity, and depth.
- After our love for our Triune God, the foundation for a transcendent (thus, lasting) evangelism is the scripturally defined love that Christians are to have in community together. Biblical Community is a gift of the Holy Spirit but must be developed and sought after by God’s people. Our love for one another creates a rich soil where new disciples (and healthy church growth) can flourish.
- A parasitic form of Christianity loves people so that they may get something from them. This approach fosters selfishness within communal family life. While an unhealthy view of the church can survive for many years, in time, this kind of Christianity will lose its spiritual impact and influence. Power games have no place in the Kingdom of God, and this spirit and approach contribute to an anemic and unhealthy church. The power structures and philosophies of the world thrive in an environment where anxious or distracted Christians choose simplicity over spiritual, intellectual, and emotional integrity. As C.S. Lewis rightly says: “anyone can be simple when they have no facts to worry about.”
- Biblical Discipleship lives and proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others. However, this call to repentance and faith in Jesus the Christ is not just an invitation to public-communal conversion through baptism, but following baptism, encourages the new convert as their genuine-personal faith grows, a later grounded faith takes root, or an empty faith reveals itself over time.
See Fr. Tom’s/St. Matthew’s Social Media:
Published Works:
Note: Both below publications were released when I was a cleric in another Anglican denomination. My orders as an Anglican priest were fully received into The Episcopal Church in July 2022.
Published in 2017 by eLectio, a traditional publisher:
Article published in 2018 in The Living Church Magazine, the Covenant sub-section.
The Optional Bishop: