Welcome to our latest installment of #FacultyFriday, where we feature a different faculty member each week.
Joining the college’s department of theology, Dr. James Wibberding has a wide variety of experience as a pastor, professor, author, chaplain, and speaker. Since 2014, he has served as the lead pastor for the Journey Seventh-day Adventist Church, a 700-person church in Kelso, Wash. Dr. Wibberding has also served as an adjunct professor at Andrews University since 2013.
During the 2013 legislative session, Dr. Wibberding was the senate chaplain for the state of Idaho where he provided daily inspirational talks to the Senate while they were in session and also offered social support to the senators and their families. For many years, he has also worked as a pastor at the Cloverdale Seventh-day Adventist Church in Boise, Idaho, and throughout the Pennsylvania Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, where he also served as the lay training director, developing curriculum for an annual lay pastor training course. Additionally, Dr. Wibberding has published several books, including “Learn to Preach Before Next Weekend” and “Sabbath Reflections: A Weekly Devotional.”
Name: James (Jim) Wibberding
Title: Associate professor of applied theology and biblical studies
Email: jwibberding@puc.edu
Faculty since: July 1, 2017
Classes taught: Pastoral Ministry, Biblical Foundations, Ministry Extern Program I
Education: Bachelor’s in theology, from Southern Adventist University, 2000; masters of divinity, from Andrews University, 2005; doctor of ministry, from Andrews University, 2010
What made you decide to be a teacher?
I have wanted to be a teacher for the past 20 years because I believe every person is a unique masterpiece of God with an exquisite potential that I find joy in helping them develop.
What are some of your hobbies?
I enjoy hiking, building musical instruments, and furniture out of wood, and finding new ways to create.
What is something people might be surprised to know about you?
I have been a pastor for 17 years and still disdain neckties.
What are you looking forward to the most about teaching at PUC?
Contributing to the life of a community that is intended to nurture the best in humanity.
So far, what’s been your favorite thing about PUC?
The incredible diversity of our student body and the potential that represents for making a difference in the world together.
Interested in learning more about PUC’s religion and theology programs? Visit puc.edu/admissions!