The Rev. Dr. Joseph J. Clifford

    An ordained minister since 1997, Joe arrived at First Presbyterian Church in December 2006. He graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 1988.  After six years in banking and finance, Joe repented of what the Westminster Catechism calls, “sin,” and began answering a call to ordained ministry.  He and his wife sold the house, cashed in the 401K, and went to Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA for his Master of Divinity.  Eager to continue a journey of lifelong learning, he earned a Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary through the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS) D. Min. in preaching program in 2006. His thesis was entitled, “From Fear to Freedom: Self-differentiated Preaching in an Age of Anxiety,” an effort to consider leadership in the pulpit from a Family Systems Theory perspective.    
    In his preaching, Joe seeks to offer people a glimpse of their respective worlds through the lens of the Bible to consider what God might be doing in our lives, our community, our nation and our world.  The son of two educators, Joe is passionate about teaching, relishing the opportunity to lead a noon Bible study every Wednesday, as well as Disciple Bible studies during the school year.  
    His deep sense of call to urban ministry brought him to First Presbyterian Chruch.  The congregation’s vibrant ministries to the least of these in our city, and our global partnerships in Juarez, Mexico, Guguletu, South Africa, and Kerala, India, offer amazing opportunities to be in relationship with the Risen Christ each and every day.  
    Joe and his wife, Jennifer, have been married since 1990.  They are blessed with two children, born in 1997 and 2000.  Time away from work is filled with family activities.  For rest and relaxation, Joe enjoys reading, golf, and is an avid sports fan.