Christopher Schelin

Rev. Dr. Christopher Schelin serves as an administrator and faculty member at Starr King School for the Ministry, a Unitarian Universalist and multireligious seminary in Oakland, California. His primary role is coordinating student services programs as the Dean of Students. As the Director of Contextual Education, he oversees praxis-oriented learning opportunities beyond the classroom, such as field education internships and clinical pastoral education.

Chris holds a Ph.D. in ecclesiology and political theory from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. His doctoral studies were conducted in collaboration with the International Baptist Theological Study Centre. His thesis explored the intersections of congregationalist ecclesiology and radical democratic theory and practice. It will be published by Mercer University Press in 2024 as part of the Perspectives on Baptist Identities series.

His research interests include Baptist history and theology as well the relationships between religious traditions and democracy. He has been published in the Journal of European Baptist Studies and Perspectives in Religious Studies.

Chris is an ordained minister affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA and the Alliance of Baptists.