Senior Minister · Anchorage, Alaska

Rev. Dr.
Johnathan Jones

An ordained minister with over 20 years of experience across three continents, committed to radical welcome, inclusive theology, and communities where every person is honored as sacred.

Work with Me About JJ
Rev. Dr. Johnathan Jones
20+ Years in Ministry
3 Continents Served
DMin Chicago Theological Seminary
2025 NACCC Charles R. Rush Award
FCCAK Guided by Love, Open to All

From the Blog

Thoughts on Faith, Justice & Community

Reflections on inclusive theology, pastoral life in Alaska, and the ongoing work of building beloved community.

Featured Essay

Every Human Being is Sacred: A Theology of Radical Welcome

After twenty years of ministry across three continents, one conviction has never wavered: the unconditional worth of every human soul. Here is what that looks like in practice in an Anchorage congregation.

Read Essay →

Pastoral Care

Adlerian Psychology in the Parish: Finding Belonging in Congregational Life

How Adler's insight into social belonging and inferiority can reshape how we design church communities — and care for those on the margins.

Pastoral Reflection

LGBTQ+ Theology

Honest, Healthy, and Whole: Reflections from My DMin Research

My doctoral work explored queer inclusion in the body of Christ. These are the questions that drove three years of research — and the answers that surprised me.

Academic Reflection

Ministry Life

From Sydney to Edinburgh to Anchorage: What Three Continents Taught Me About God

Ministry across Australia, Scotland, and Alaska has gifted me with a wide-angle view of how faith communities shape — and are shaped by — their cultures.

Personal Essay
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"One major lesson I have learnt — every single human being is sacred and deserving of my respect."

— Rev. Dr. Johnathan Jones

Available For

Ministry & Speaking Services

Whether you need a thoughtful officiant for a life milestone or a compelling voice for your conference or congregation, JJ brings depth, warmth, and pastoral care to every engagement.

Weddings

Inclusive, personalised wedding ceremonies for all couples — crafted with care and theological depth.

Learn more →

LGBTQ+ Spirituality

Keynotes, workshops, and consultations on queer theology, faith and sexuality, and inclusive church culture.

Learn more →

Funerals & Memorials

Compassionate, dignified services that celebrate a life and offer genuine comfort to those who grieve.

Learn more →
All Services →

Get in Touch

Let's Talk

Whether you have a ministry question, a speaking invitation, or just want to connect — the door is open.

Send a Message

Blog

Thoughts on Faith, Justice & Community

Pastoral reflections, theological essays, and personal stories from life in ministry.

Featured Essay · Theology

Every Human Being is Sacred: A Theology of Radical Welcome

After twenty years of ministry across three continents, one conviction has never wavered: the unconditional worth of every human soul. What does radical welcome actually look like in a congregation navigating its own history?

Rev. Dr. Johnathan Jones ·Featured

Recent Posts

LGBTQ+ Theology

Honest, Healthy, and Whole: Reflections from My DMin Research

My doctoral work at Chicago Theological Seminary explored queer inclusion in the body of Christ. These are the questions that drove three years of research — and the answers that surprised me most.

Academic Reflection

Pastoral Care

Adlerian Psychology in the Parish: Finding Belonging in Congregational Life

Adler's core insight — that human beings are fundamentally social, and that pathology arises from failed belonging — has profound implications for how we design and lead church communities.

Pastoral Reflection

Ministry Life

From Sydney to Edinburgh to Anchorage: What Three Continents Taught Me About God

Ministry across Australia, Scotland, and Alaska has given me a wide-angle view of how faith communities shape — and are shaped by — their cultures. A personal essay.

Personal Essay

Church Life

What "Open and Affirming" Actually Means — And Why Words Matter

Churches that claim to be open and affirming face a constant challenge: moving from declaration to practice. Here is what I have learned leading FCCAK, Anchorage's progressive congregational church.

Congregational Life

Youth Ministry

Homeless LGBTQ Youth in Alaska: What the Church Must Do

My decade of work with Amundsen Youth Services confronted me with a hard truth: the church has often been the reason queer youth lose their homes. This is what we owe them.

Justice & Advocacy

Ritual Studies

Why Ritual Matters More Than Ever in a Secular Age

Ritual is not mere ceremony — it is the architecture of meaning. Exploring why contemporary faith communities should recover, not abandon, the power of embodied practice.

Liturgical Reflection

This blog is actively growing. New essays and reflections added regularly.

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Portfolio & Background

About Rev. Dr. Johnathan Jones

Minister · Advocate · Academic · Community Builder

Rev. Dr. Johnathan Jones
Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Chicago Theological Seminary, 2023–2026
MA in Applied Psychology Adler University · Concentration: Gender & Sexuality, 2021–2023 Thesis: The decline of the Catholic Church — clergy sex abuse, cover-up, and the collapse of institutional trust
Bachelor of Divinity Sydney College of Divinity, 2000–2003 Concentration: Pastoral Theology
Charles R. Rush Award NACCC, 2025 · For social and personal ministry excellence
Ordained Minister Minister of Word and Sacrament · 2003–present

About JJ

A Life in Ministry

Rev. Dr. Johnathan Jones — known to his congregation and community as "JJ" — is an ordained minister with over twenty years of pastoral experience across Australia, Scotland, and the United States. Originally from Australia, he trained at Sydney College of Divinity before serving in LGBTQ-affirming and ecumenical ministry contexts on three continents.

He is currently the Senior Minister of First Congregational Church of Anchorage (FCCAK) — an open and affirming congregation affiliated with the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches (NACCC), guided by the motto "Guided by Love, Open to All." He was formally installed in that role in September 2024.

JJ holds a Doctor of Ministry from Chicago Theological Seminary, where his thesis — "Honest, Healthy, and Whole: Queer Inclusion and the Body of Christ" — examined the practical and theological dimensions of genuine LGBTQ inclusion in Christian congregations. He also holds a Master of Arts in Applied Psychology from Adler University, with a concentration in gender and sexuality. His MA thesis investigated the causes of the decline of the Catholic Church, confirming through original research what many have long suspected: that the clergy sexual abuse scandal and its subsequent institutional cover-up is the primary driver behind dwindling membership, priestly vocations, and public influence. He also holds a Bachelor of Divinity from Sydney College of Divinity, with a concentration in pastoral theology.

In 2025, JJ was presented with the Charles R. Rush Award by the NACCC — an honour given to minority persons working with Congregational Christian churches toward worthwhile social and personal goals, exemplifying the spirit of Christian social involvement.

Beyond the pulpit, JJ co-founded Amundsen Youth Services, a 501(c)3 nonprofit providing housing assistance for LGBTQ and allied homeless youth in Anchorage. He has served as Alaska Pride Co-Chair, Regional Director for InterPride, Equality Project Manager at the Alaska Civil Liberties Union, a member of the Scottish Parliament Roundtable on Human Sexuality, and a volunteer with Identity Inc. throughout Alaska for over two decades.

He has spoken at churches, universities, colleges, schools, and training programmes on LGBTQ sensitivity, faith and sexuality, and queer youth issues. His published works include contributions to When Our Children Come Out (Finch Publishing, 2005) and Ministry: In and Out (Gahan & Jones).

Experience

Career Timeline

2024–Now

Senior Minister

First Congregational Church of Anchorage

Leading an open and affirming congregation in Anchorage, AK. Formally installed September 2024. Recipient of the 2025 NACCC Charles R. Rush Award.

2022–2024

Interim / Locum Senior Minister

First Congregational Church of Anchorage

Served in an interim and locum capacity before being called as permanent Senior Minister.

2021–2023

Graduate Student — Applied Psychology

Adler University

MA in Applied Psychology, concentration in gender and sexuality. Thesis research confirmed the clergy sex abuse scandal and institutional cover-up as the primary cause of the Catholic Church's decline in membership, vocations, and influence. Applied Adlerian frameworks of social trust and belonging to institutional religious contexts.

2014–2021

Executive Director & Co-Founder

Amundsen Youth Services, Inc. 501(c)3

Founded and led a nonprofit providing affordable housing and assistance for LGBTQ and allied homeless youth in Anchorage, Alaska.

2020

Distribution Manager (Food Pantry)

Lutheran Social Services of Alaska

Managed food pantry distribution during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing food for over 100 families per day.

2016–2017

Interim Pastor

First Congregational Church of Anchorage

First interim engagement with FCCAK, earning Intentional Interim Minister certification.

~2018

General Manager

Thomas Center Alaska (Senior Living)

Oversaw operations of a senior living facility, meeting the spiritual and emotional needs of the senior community.

2011–2012

Equality Project Manager

Alaska Civil Liberties Union

Managed equality advocacy programmes for the ACLU in Anchorage.

2008–2009

Assistant Campaign Manager

One Anchorage

Assisted in managing the One Anchorage equal rights campaign in Anchorage, Alaska.

2007–2008

Interim Senior Minister

Metropolitan Community Church, Edinburgh

Served as interim senior minister in Edinburgh, Scotland. Member of the Scottish Parliament Roundtable on Human Sexuality.

2004–2007

Senior Minister

Metropolitan Community Church of Anchorage

Served as senior minister of an LGBTQ-affirming congregation in Anchorage, Alaska.

2003–2004

Ecumenical Youth Officer

National Council of Churches in Australia

Youth ecumenical worker based in Sydney, coordinating inter-church youth engagement nationally.

2001–2004

Youth Minister

Metropolitan Community Church of Sydney

Youth minister and ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament. Completed a Bachelor of Divinity (Pastoral Theology) at Sydney College of Divinity alongside parish work.

Services Available

Ministry & Speaking Services

JJ is available for pastoral rites, speaking engagements, and consultations. All services are offered with genuine care and without judgment.

Pastoral Rites

Life Milestones

Weddings

JJ officiates inclusive, personalised wedding ceremonies for all couples. Whether you are seeking a traditional religious ceremony, an interfaith service, or a secular celebration of love, JJ will work with you to craft something meaningful and deeply personal. All couples welcome — including LGBTQ+ couples.

Enquire about a wedding →

Baptisms

Baptism services for children and adults, conducted with warmth and theological depth. Whether you seek a traditional sacrament or a more contemporary service of blessing and welcome, JJ will honor your tradition and wishes.

Enquire about a baptism →

Funerals & Memorials

Compassionate, dignified funeral and memorial services that celebrate a life lived and offer genuine comfort to those left behind. JJ brings twenty years of pastoral care experience to these most vulnerable moments.

Enquire about a funeral →

Speaking & Consulting

Keynotes, Workshops & Consultations

JJ has spoken at churches, universities, colleges, schools, and professional training programmes across the US and Australia. He brings academic depth, pastoral warmth, and lived experience to every engagement.

LGBTQ+ Spirituality

An exploration of faith and sexuality: how queer people have always been part of the Christian story, and how congregations can move from tolerance to genuine affirmation. Informed by JJ's DMin research and two decades of ministry.

KeynoteWorkshopConsultation
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Queer Youth

Drawing on a decade of founding and leading Amundsen Youth Services in Anchorage, JJ speaks on LGBTQ youth homelessness, mental health, faith rejection, and what communities of faith — and civil society — must do to protect and affirm queer young people.

KeynoteTrainingAdvocacy
Book this topic →

Church Growth

Practical, theologically grounded guidance on growing healthy congregations in a secular age. JJ draws on his experience revitalising communities in Australia, Scotland, and Alaska to speak on culture, mission, and sustainable congregational growth.

KeynoteConsultationWorkshop
Book this topic →

Adlerian Psychology & the Church

A unique offering combining JJ's MA in Applied Psychology from Adler University with his pastoral experience. Explores how Adlerian concepts — social interest, belonging, encouragement, and inferiority — can reshape pastoral care, leadership, and congregational culture.

KeynoteWorkshopClergy Training
Book this topic →

God, Homosexuality & the Bible

JJ has taught this topic at churches, universities, schools, and professional development settings for over two decades. A careful, scholarly, and accessible look at what the biblical text actually says — and doesn't say — about same-sex relationships.

TeachingSermon SeriesWorkshop
Book this topic →

Custom Engagement

Have a different need in mind? JJ is open to discussing custom engagements — panels, interfaith dialogues, retreats, clergy training days, and more. Reach out and start a conversation.

Get in touch →

Sermons

Sunday Worship & Preaching

Most of JJ's sermons are available on the FCCAK YouTube channel. A selection of recent messages is highlighted below.

First Congregational Church of Anchorage

All Sunday worship services, including JJ's sermons, are livestreamed and archived on the FCCAK YouTube channel. New videos every Sunday at 10:30 am AKST.

Visit the YouTube Channel

Notable Sermons & Services

Installation of Rev. Johnathan Jones as Senior Minister

September 15, 2024 · Special Service

"The Choosing Church"

June 9, 2024 · Sunday Worship

"Actually… It's Not Really the Greatest Story Ever Told"

December 24, 2025 · Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

"Too Much Wine??"

April 28, 2024 · Fifth Sunday of Easter

Welcome Message from Rev. Johnathan Jones

December 2023 · Welcome Video

View All Sermons on YouTube →

Full archive at FCCAK YouTube channel

Sunday worship at FCCAK is at 10:30 am AKST, in person at 2610 E Northern Lights Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99508 — or online via YouTube livestream.

Visit FCCAK.org →

Writing & Publications

Published Works & Academic Writing

Books, chapters, essays, and academic works by Rev. Dr. Johnathan Jones.

Books & Chapters

Published Contributions

2026

Honest, Healthy, and Whole: Queer Inclusion and the Body of Christ

Doctor of Ministry Thesis · Chicago Theological Seminary

JJ's doctoral research examines the practical and theological dimensions of genuine LGBTQ inclusion in Christian congregations. Drawing on qualitative research, biblical scholarship, and pastoral experience, the thesis offers a framework for honest, healthy, and whole community.

DMin Thesis
2005

When Our Children Come Out

Chapter contributor · Edited by Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli · Finch Publishing

A pastoral and practical resource for parents navigating their child's LGBTQ identity. JJ contributed a chapter drawing on his ministry experience and theological perspective. Published by Finch Publishing, Australia.

Book Chapter
c. 2005

Ministry: In and Out

Chapter contributor · Gahan & Jones (eds.)

A volume co-edited by Jones exploring ministry at the intersection of faith and sexuality. JJ's chapter contributes to the growing literature on LGBTQ affirming pastoral practice.

Book Chapter
2004

Over This Violence Thing

National Council of Churches in Australia, Youth Network

Published during JJ's tenure as Ecumenical Youth Officer at the National Council of Churches in Australia, this piece addressed youth violence from a faith and community perspective.

Essay / Publication

Academic Work

Research & Scholarship

2023

Congregational Inclusivity in Practice

Research outcome tool · DMin cohort work, Chicago Theological Seminary

A practical assessment and implementation tool developed from JJ's doctoral research on congregational inclusivity and queer belonging.

Research Tool
2025

Sacred Strategies: Voices and Vision

Presentation · Conference Address

A presentation drawing together JJ's research and pastoral experience on strategies for inclusive and vital congregational ministry.

Presentation

JJ is actively engaged in writing projects including essays, pastoral reflections, and theological commentary. If you are an editor or publisher interested in his work, please get in touch.

Contact JJ →

In the Press

What Others Have Written

News coverage, references, and recognition of Rev. Dr. Johnathan Jones's work in ministry, advocacy, and community leadership.

Awards & Recognition

Honours

NACCC — National Association of Congregational Christian Churches

Charles R. Rush Award Recipient, 2025

Presented to Rev. Johnathan Jones at the 71st NACCC Annual Meeting in St. Louis, Missouri. The Charles R. Rush Award is given to minority persons working with Congregational Christian churches toward worthwhile social and personal goals, exemplifying the spirit of Christian social involvement. Presented by Rev. Rich Miller-Todd; accepted by FCCAK delegate Sharon Higgins.

June 2025

Media & Online

Coverage & References

YouTube · FCCAK

Installation of Rev. Johnathan Jones as Senior Minister of First Congregational Church of Anchorage

The full service marking the formal installation of Rev. Johnathan Jones as Senior Minister, broadcast live and archived on the FCCAK YouTube channel.

September 2024

Facebook · FCCAK

"Meet our Senior Minister, Reverend Johnathan Jones, a.k.a. J.J."

FCCAK's video introduction of Rev. JJ to the congregation and online community. Featured as part of FCCAK's ongoing digital ministry presence under the banner #GuidedByLove #OpenToAll.

2024

FCCAK.org

Senior Minister — First Congregational Church of Anchorage Staff Page

Rev. Johnathan Jones is listed as Senior Minister on the official staff page of First Congregational Church of Anchorage, an open and affirming congregation Guided by Love, Open to All.

Current

Reddit · r/Anchorage

First Congregational Church recommended as "a denomination with a progressive orientation" in Anchorage

Community members in Anchorage's online forum recommended FCCAK as one of Anchorage's progressive, inclusive faith communities, describing it as situated "just east of the Lake Otis and Northern Lights intersection."

2026

GoFundMe

Amundsen Hostel Youth Services — Community Fundraising Page

The nonprofit co-founded by JJ in 2014 to provide housing and support for LGBTQ and allied homeless youth in Anchorage, Alaska. Featured on GoFundMe as a community-supported cause.

Ongoing

Have you written about JJ, interviewed him, or featured his work? Get in touch to have it added to this page.

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