Carlus Gupton JR

Doctorate of Ministry

Director, Doctor of Ministry Program

Biography

Carlus is from Mayfield, Kentucky. He began preaching at age 17 and has continued for over 45 years, broadening this work in 2001 to include training ministers. In addition to his current role as Professor and Director of the Doctor of Ministry, he is an interim minister, consultant, and coach, having served a few hundred churches for over 20 years. He has also taught at Harding School of Theology (2014-2021) and Johnson University (2001-2013). Teaching specialties include church leadership, spiritual formation, change, conflict, and biblical and theological studies. He also taught communication at the University of Tennessee (2001-2011).

Carlus is also the founder and publisher of LifeandLeadership.com and DISCPersonality.com. He and Ann have two grown daughters, all living in Nashville. For more information, please visit LifeandLeadership.com.

Academic Degrees

B.A. in Religious Education and Communication, Lipscomb University (1982)
M.Div, Harding School of Theology (1988)
D.Min in Church Leadership, Abilene Christian University; and additional graduate studies at Murray State University, University of Memphis, and University of Tennessee.

Academic Department

Hazelip School of Theology

Classes

GB 5913 - Competencies for Missional Ministry I Ministry in Community
GB 5923 - Competencies for Missional Ministry II Engaging the World
GB 5K73 – Seminar in Theology: Practical Theology
DMin 7101, 7901, 7911 – Research in Ministry I, II, III
DMin 7143 – Dynamics of Local Mission
DMin 7243 – Peace for Missional Progress
DMin 7343 – Missional Imagination and Change
DMin 7443 – Currencies of Influence

Research Interests

Research and Publications

“Missional Governance Philosophy for Leadership Teams,” in Navigating the Storm: Resources of Hope for Church Leaders. Hope Network Ministries, 2017.

“Breathing New Life Into Established Churches,” in Doing God’s Work: A Primer for Church Leaders. Hope Network Ministries, 2013.

LifeandLeadership.com – Developed in 2001. An annotated web-based guide to church leadership books and materials. Designed for scholar-practitioners, academicians, and other appointed leaders. Over 1,500 resources are summarized and/or categorized. Over 100 Ministry Resource Guides arranged topically according to leadership issues with thumbnail descriptions which point to summaries of books. Site serves a worldwide leadership community.

DISCPersonalitySource.com – Developed in 2013. Provides interpretive articles and quick access to several scientifically validated versions of the DISC Personality Profile.

“Church Leadership in Anxious Times,” in Carl Bridges, Editor. Jesus: God’s Last Word, Essays in Honor of David L. Eubanks. Tennessee Valley Publishing, 2004.

“Paul and the Philippians: A Model for Leading an Anxious Church,” Leaven: A Journal of Christian Ministry, Volume 12, Number 4, Fourth Quarter 2004.

Relevant Experience

Congregational Ministry (full time)

Preaching/Lead Minister, Vaughn Park Church of Christ, Montgomery, Alabama, 1999-2001
Preaching/Lead Minister, Laurel Church of Christ, Knoxville, Tennessee, 1990-1999
Preaching Minister, Darby Drive Church of Christ (now CrossPoint Church of Christ), Florence, Alabama, 1986-1990
Preaching Minister, Cordova Church of Christ, Memphis, Tennessee, 1983-1986
Associate Minister, Highland Street Church of Christ, Memphis, Tennessee, 1982-1983
Ministry Intern, Homewood Church of Christ, Birmingham, Alabama, 1982 Summer
Weekend Ministry, Deason Church of Christ, Shelbyville, TN, 1979-1982
Weekend Ministry, Barlow Church of Christ, Barlow, Kentucky, 1976-1978

Intentional/Strategic Interim Ministry

Interim Minister/Consultant, Westwood Church of Christ, McMinnville, Tennessee, 2022-2023
Interim Minister/Consultant, Oxford Church of Christ, Oxford, Mississippi, 2017-2018
Interim Minister/Consultant, Lee Acres Church of Christ, Millington, Tennessee, 2015-2017
Interim Minister/Consultant, Millington Church of Christ, Millington Tennessee, 2014-2015
Interim Minister/Consultant, Hendersonville Church of Christ, Hendersonville, North Carolina, 2012-2013
Interim Preaching Team, Farragut Church of Christ, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2008
Interim Preaching Team, Laurel Church of Christ, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2004-2007 (served as Preaching Minister there 1990-1999 and returned as member in 2001 upon accepting role at Johnson University)
Interim Minister/Consultant, Farragut Church of Christ, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2002-2004

Hope Network Ministries, Partner

Serve as one of eighteen consultant/coach/mentors who continue the legacy of Dr. Lynn Anderson in helping churches and church leaders. Partners covenant to work together such that what one does is openly supported and resourced by all other partners.

Consulting and Workshops

Consultation defined as sharing expertise to address a congregational/organizational need. Have served over 200 churches and organizations.

Coaching

Accredited by International Coach Federation as Associate Certified Coach. Since March 2017 completed 500+ hours of coaching with over 100 ministers and church leaders.

Relevant Professional Work

Target Training International/Success Insights, DISC Certified Practitioner
Integrative Enneagram 9, Accredited Practitioner
International Coach Federation, Associate Certified Coach
Certified Christian Conciliator, Institute for Christian Conciliation
Birkman Signature Professional/Grip-Birkman Blueprint Coach
Wagner Enneagram Spectrum Training and Certification
Gallup Certified Strengths Coach
Myers-Briggs Certification Training, Center for Applications of Personality Type
Graduate, Academy for Spiritual Formation
Church Consultant Certification, Dr. Thom Rainer, Levels 1-5
Open Space Technology: Enabling Emergent Organizations, Dr. Harrison Owen

Talks and Presentations

“DISC Applications for Team-Building, Ministry Staff,” Owensboro Christian Church, Owensboro, Kentucky, February 20-21, 2023.

“Leadership Preparation for Mission Clarification,” Broadway Church of Christ, Paducah, Kentucky, February 10-11, 2023.

“Desire, Discipline, and Devotion for Spiritual Formation,” Belgrade Church of Christ, Gallatin Valley Rally, Belgrade, Montana, January 13-16, 2023.

“Achieving Missional Clarity,” Westwood Church of Christ, McMinnville, Tennessee, November 18-19, 2022.

“Issues Affecting Strategic Initiatives in Churches of Christ,” East Brainerd Church of Christ, Chattanooga, Tennessee, August 26-27, 2022.

“Leadership That Transforms, Elder Workshop,” Smyrna Church of Christ, Smyrna, Tennessee, May 20-21, 2022.

“Ministry Renewal and Recalibration in Anxious Times,” Hilltop Christian Camp Leadership Conference, May 2, 2022.

“Listening to One Another, Stories of Hope and Renewal: Hopeful Conversations Seminar,” Auburn Church of Christ, Auburn, Alabama, March 25-26, 2022.

“Elders, Deacons, and Ministers Working Together,” Smyrna Church of Christ, Smyrna, Tennessee, March 18-19, 2022.

“Best Practices of Leadership Teams Working Together,” Auburn Church of Christ, Auburn, Alabama, February 25-26, 2022.

“New Elder Team Orientation Workshop,” Hendersonville Church of Christ, Hendersonville, Tennessee, February 11, 2022.

“Partners in Trust: Best Practices for Elders and Ministers Working Together,” Hendersonville Church of Christ, Hendersonville, Tennessee, February 12, 2022.

“Partners in Trust: Best Practices for Elders and Ministers Working Together,” Shepherds Network Northwest Connection 2022, Bozeman Church of Christ, Bozeman, Montana, January 14-16, 2022.

“Practices for Healthy Church Leadership,” Auburn Church of Christ, Auburn, Alabama, December 3-4, 2021.

“Best Practices for Healthy Discernment on Challenging Issues,” Cedar Lane Church of Christ, Tullahoma, Tennessee, August 27-29, 2021.

“Partners in Trust: Best Practices for Elders and Ministers Working Together,” Harding University Lectures, Searcy, Arkansas, September 27, 2021.

“Transformation: Deep Change from the Inside Out,” Montana Men’s Retreat, May 7-8, 2021

Contact Information

Carlus.Gupton@lipscomb.edu