About Robert Mathis

Robert holds a Ph.D. (2006) from the Union Institute and University, Cincinnati, OH, with a specialization in Bowen Family Systems Theory; a Master of Divinity (1973) from the Iliff School of Theology, Denver, CO, and a BA (1970) from of Anderson University, Anderson, IN. He is a Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, an ordained minister in the Church of God, and registered as a Marriage Friendly Therapists with the only marriage counseling resource with pro-commitment marriage counselors in the nation.

Robert has pastored in Denver, CO, Pittsburgh, PA, and Columbus, OH. He served as Pastor of Family Life and Congregational Care at the Meadow Park Church of God, in Columbus, for over 21 years. While in Pittsburgh he also served as a staff therapist at the Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute.

Dr. Mathis has done extensive, and ongoing, training at the Bowen Center for Family Research in Washington D.C. He also studied briefly with Rabbi Ed Friedman. Robert was a 2007 workshop leader for the Smart Marriages, the premier conference for Marriage and Family Education (www.smartmarriages.org). He has taught family systems theory, conflict mediation, and clergy ethics in several settings. He has trained with Marie Fortune, a nationally acclaimed author and educator in clergy ethics. Currently, he is a co-leader of "Healthy Leadership Seminars" held at Trinity Seminary in Columbus, OH.

Robert is a certified trainer for Healthy Congregations, Inc. based at Trinity Seminary in Columbus and is Vice Chair of that organization. He was a workshop presenter for the Annual Advanced Seminar for Healthy Congregations Leadership in 2006 and 2007.

Robert, and his wife (Margaret) are certified as a Leader Couple by the Association of Couples for Marriage Enrichment. They lead a Marriage Enrichment Weekend each year. He and Margaret have two married sons and two grandchildren. He is an avid bicyclist and skier.