Peter Evans Whitelock was called to serve as LOPC Pastor and Head of Staff on August 1, 1999. He resides with his wife, Anne, and their three children, Colleen, Evan and Aaron, in Orinda, California.
Born in San Diego, Peter is the fourth in a physician's family of six children. "I was raised at the First Presbyterian Church," says Peter, "I don't recall a time when my parents weren't extremely active at the church. Sunday morning - all morning - was for church. There were Bible studies at the house with college kids coming and going all the time."
During his studies at the University of Colorado, Peter felt a call to the ministry and subsequently earned degrees at both Fuller (Masters of Divinity) and Princeton (Masters of Theology) Seminaries. While serving an internship at La Cañada Presbyterian Church, he met Anne, and they were married in 1987.
Peter served as Associate Pastor at the large urban Second Presbyterian Church of Knoxville, Tennessee, and, immediately prior to serving LOPC, as Senior Pastor and Head of Staff at the suburban Ojai Presbyterian Church in Southern California. While serving the Ojai church, Peter began a Doctor of Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary that he completed in 2005.
Peter has been active in each of the Presbyteries in which he has served and has served on the Mission Council of San Francisco Presbytery as well as the Structural Review Task Force. He is active in the community and also serves on the board of San Francisco Theological Seminary.
What Peter says about his theology, leadership and values . . .
* Worship is the heart of the church. I am committed to worship that is authentic and vital
* The church is centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ, out of which it embraces diversity
* People are more important than programs, policies, and proposals. They ultimately want to know they are loved and cared for as part of the church
* A church that engages in ministry to the poor, marginalized, and dispossessed is truly faithful to the gospel
* Leaders in the church serve in order to build up the body of Christ
* There is no greater challenge for the church than that of building a dynamic ministry for children and youth
* One of my greatest joys comes from working with lay leadership to develop creative ministry
* The Session (the church's governing board), in dialogue with the congregation, must establish a vision for the church
* My leadership style is enthusiastic and positive. I believe leadership must be by example
* I use humor whenever possible. I like to remind myself and others that God wants us to enjoy life
* The church I serve will shape me just as much as I will shape it
* It's not about me, it's about Jesus.
