Curriculum Vitae
August 2024
Education
West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV — Master of Public Administration, 2003
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY — Master of Divinity in Christian Education, 1995
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL — Bachelor of Arts, English, 1990
Professional Experience
Pastor, Community United Church of Christ, Reading, PA, 2022 – present
Minister of Children, Youth, and Communication, David’s United Church of Christ, Canal Winchester, OH, 2021–22
Founder and President, 808Turner Enterprises, Columbus, OH, 2018–21
Pastor, University Baptist Church, Columbus, OH, 2015–18
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Cooperstown, NY, 2014–15
Director of Operations, Our Place, Inc., Morristown, NJ, 2013–14
Associate Pastor, Ravensworth Baptist Church, Annandale, VA, 2006–12
Coordinator of Government Relations and Special Projects, Jubilee Campaign USA, Fairfax, VA, 2004–06
International Policy Intern, Bread for the World, Washington, DC, 2003
Graduate Research Assistant, CYFAR program, West Virginia University Extension Service, Morgantown, WV, 2002–03
American Baptist Campus Minister, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 1996–2001
Associate Director, Baptist Campus Ministry, West Virginia Baptist Convention, Morgantown, WV, 1996–2001
Selected Volunteer Experience
Member, Reading/Berks CROP Walk Planning Committee, Reading, PA, 2023 – present
Volunteer, Exeter Area Food Pantry, Reading, PA, 2023 – present
Member, Bread for the World, 1994–present
Member, Program committee, District of Columbia Baptist Convention, 2010–12
Participant, CROP Walk, Church World Service, 1991–2023
Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity and Fuller Center for Housing, 1994–2009
Volunteer, Annandale Christian Community for Action, 2005–12
Founding member, Campus Ministry Association, West Virginia University, 2000–01
Treasurer, American Baptist Campus Ministry Association, 2001
Member, Steering committee, American Baptist Campus Ministry Association, 2000–01
Organizer, “Stop the Hate” vigil, Morgantown, WV, 2000
President, Habitat for Humanity, Southern Seminary chapter, 1994–95
Ministerial Standing
Ordained Minister in Good Standing, American Baptist Churches USA
Ordained by American Baptist Churches USA and Goshen Baptist Association, Morgantown, WV, 1996
Licensed by First Baptist Church, Morgantown, WV, 1996
Publications
Books
A Rope for Judas: A Novel, Eugene, OR: Resource Publications, 2019
Our Father Who Aren’t in Heaven: Subversive Reflections on the Lord’s Prayer, Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2015
essays
Weekly pastoral meditations on the Bible, theology, ethics, culture, and politics, Community United Church of Christ, 2022 – present
One hundred seventy-four reflections on patreon.com (electronic subscription service), 2020–22
Thirty-one reflections in Faithful Waiting in a Time of Fear: Devotions for Advent 2020 (electronic daily readings), 2020
Forty-seven reflections in Join the Dance: Devotional Reflections for Lent 2020 (electronic daily readings), 2020
Twenty-eight reflections in Expectation & Surprise: Devotions for Advent 2019, St. Matthew’s Press, 2019
Forty-two reflections in The Way of the Cross: Daily Reflections for Lent 2019, St. Matthew’s Press, 2019
Twenty-two reflections in Waiting & Wonder: Advent Devotions 2018, St. Matthew’s Press, 2018
Fifty-four pastoral meditations on theology, ethics, culture, and politics, University Baptist Church, 2015–2017
Seven reflections in Walking the Way: Daily Reflections for Lent 2012, Ravensworth Baptist Church, 2012
Monthly essays on theology, spirituality, politics, and culture, The Program, Baptist Campus Ministry at West Virginia University, 1996–2001
Articles
“Outlawing Conscience: The Threat of Anti-Conversion Legislation,” Jubilee Campaign Netherlands, 2005
“United Nations Official Declares North Korean Defectors Refugees,” Just Right magazine, 2005
“Babu and Sabitri: A Case in Point,” Just Right magazine, 2005
“Street Kids the Focus of Congressional Hearing,” Just Right magazine, 2005
“Why I Did It,” Article, Just Right magazine, 2004
“‘Get My Passport Ready’: A Life-changing Missions Experience,” The West Virginia Baptist, 1998
“Servant of None, Servant of All: The Paradox of Christian Freedom,” Student magazine, 1995
Reports
“Fact-finding Mission to Sri Lanka,” Jubilee Campaign USA, 2005
“Recent Violations of Religious Freedom in Sri Lanka,” Jubilee Campaign USA, 2004
“Obesity” and “Access to Healthcare,” in Taylor County, WV, Health Needs Assessment, West Virginia University Department of Public Administration, 2003
OP-ED PIECES
“Take Care When Interpreting Ancient Texts,” The Columbus Dispatch, Columbus, OH, 2016
“Stop the Hate,” The Dominion Post and The Daily Athenaeum, Morgantown, WV, 2000
STATEMENTS
“Chinese House Church Prisoners,” at United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Jubilee Campaign USA, 2005
“Religious Liberty for Falun Gong Practitioners,” US Capitol, 2005
“Religious Freedom Violations in Eritrea,” Jubilee Campaign USA, 2005
“Statement on North Korean Refugees,” Embassy of People’s Republic of China, 2004
FACT SHEETS
“Missions at Ravensworth: Facts and Figures,” Fact sheet collection, Missions Commission, Ravensworth Baptist Church, 2011
“Country Profile: Egypt,” Jubilee Campaign USA, 2006
“Country Profile: Eritrea,” Jubilee Campaign USA, 2006
“Country Profile: India,” Jubilee Campaign USA, 2006
“Country Profile: Indonesia,” Jubilee Campaign USA, 2006
“Country Profile: Iran,” Jubilee Campaign USA, 2006
“Country Profile: North Korea,” Jubilee Campaign USA, 2006
“Country Profile: Pakistan,” Jubilee Campaign USA, 2006
“Country Profile: Sri Lanka,” Jubilee Campaign USA, 2006
“Country Profile: Vietnam,” Jubilee Campaign USA, 2006
“Understanding Poverty,” CYFAR program, West Virginia University Extension Service, 2003
WEB SITES
“Robert S. Turner,” http://www.808turner.com, 2024
“A Rope for Judas,” https://www.aropeforjudas.com, 2019
“St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church,” http://www.stmattspraythinklove.net, 2018
“808Turner Enterprises: Creative Projects for Progressive Churches,” http://www.808turner.com, 2018
“University Baptist Church,” http://www.ubccolumbus.org, 2016
“Bob’s Portfolio,” http://www.808turner.net, 2013
“Ravensworth Baptist Church,” http://www.rbc-va.org, 2008
“BCM Online: Baptist Campus Ministry at WVU,” http://www.sbccom.com/bcmonline, 1999
Blog
“The Hopeful Curmudgeon,” http://www.808turner.com/hopeful-curmudgeon.html, 2013 – present
Creative Communication Efforts
LITURGICAL VIDEO SHORTS
“Christmas: The Coming of the Light,” 808Turner Enterprises, 2022
“Reformation: Semper Reformanda,” 808Turner Enterprises, 2021
“Ash Wednesday: Remember That You Are Dust,” 808Turner Enterprises, 2019
“Palm Sunday: The Upside-Down Kingdom,” 808Turner Enterprises, 2018
“Maundy Thursday: A Weird Name for Love,” 808Turner Enterprises, 2018
“Good Friday: The Way of the Cross,” 808Turner Enterprises, 2018
“Pentecost: Covenant and Harvest,” 808Turner Enterprises, 2018
“Baptism: The Waters of Life,” 808Turner Enterprises, 2018
LYRIC VIDEOS
“America” (Paul Simon), 808Turner Enterprises, 2024
“Holy Is His Name” (John Michael Talbot), 808Turner Enterprises, 2023
“Joel” (Daniel Amos), 808Turner Enterprises, 2023
“Earth Household” (Daniel Amos), 808Turner Enterprises, 2023
PRESENTATIONS & WORKSHOPS
“Human Rights in North Korea: Refugees, Abductees and Prisoners of War,” CALlink, University of California at Berkeley, 2006
“AIDS in Africa,” West Virginia University Department of Public Administration, 2003
“The Wonderful Wizard of Cotton Subsidies,” Bread for the World, 2003
“The Kingdom of God,” Baptist Campus Ministry, 2001
“Understanding Traditional-age College Students,” Baptist Campus Ministry, 2000
“The Christian Year,” Baptist Campus Ministry, 1999
“The Parables of Jesus,” Baptist Campus Ministry, 1997
“Spiritual Disciplines,” Baptist Campus Ministry, 1996
OTHER CHURCH COMMUNICATIONS
Digital Bulletin, weekly slide show, David’s United Church of Christ, 2021–22
Announcements, weekly slide show, University Baptist Church, 2015–18
Announcements, weekly slide show, Ravensworth Baptist Church, 2008–12
Editorial Work
Editor and contributor, The Communicator, Monthly newsletter of Community United Church of Christ, 2022 – present
Editor and primary contributor, David’s Dialogue, Monthly newsletter of David’s United Church of Christ, 2021–22
Editor and sole contributor, Expectation & Surprise: Devotions for Advent 2019, St. Matthew’s Press, 2019
Editor and primary contributor, The Way of the Cross: Daily Reflections for Lent 2019, St. Matthew’s Press, 2019
Editor and primary contributor, Waiting & Wonder: Advent Devotions 2018, St. Matthew’s Press, 2018
Editor and contributor, Cornerstone, Monthly newsletter of University Baptist Church, 2015–18
Co-editor, Walking the Way: Daily Reflections for Lent 2012, Ravensworth Baptist Church, 2012
Editor and primary contributor, “Missions at Ravensworth: Facts and Figures,” Ravensworth Baptist Church, 2011
Editor, News from the Corner, Biweekly newsletter of Ravensworth Baptist Church, 2007–12
Editor, “Religious Persecution in Eritrea: A Compilation of Commentary and Reports,” Jubilee Campaign USA, 2005
Editor, Taylor County, WV, Health Needs Assessment, West Virginia University Department of Public Administration, 2003
Editor, “Barriers to Access,” CYFAR program, West Virginia University Extension Service, 2003
Creator and editor, “Friends of BCM,” Semiannual newsletter of Baptist Campus Ministry, West Virginia Baptist Convention, 1998–2001
Creator and editor, The Program, Monthly newsletter of Baptist Campus Ministry at West Virginia University, 1996–2001