As a field staff member of the Department of Missions and Evangelism for the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, the V. Rev. John David Finley has been instrumental in the establishment of numerous new mission churches in the United States and Western Canada since 1998.

A trained musician and theologian, Fr. John was brought into the Department of Missions to develop the musical and liturgical life of the new missions being established and to educate new members in the Faith “Once for all delivered to the saints.”

Having grown up in the home of a Southern Baptist minister in Oklahoma and attended Oklahoma Baptist University, the desire to share his discovery of the ancient Christian Faith and the Ecumenical Councils of the Church with his evangelical friends has continued to grow over the years.

Fr. John was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by the Most Rev. Metropolitan PHILIP in 1987 and to the holy priesthood by the Most Rev. Metropolitan JOSEPH in 1997.

Educational Background

• B.M. Oklahoma Baptist University (Music Theory and Composition)

• S.T.M. St. Athanasius Academy of Orthodox Theology (Sacred Theology Master)

• M.A. University of California Santa Barbara (Musicology)

 

Teaching Interests

• Liturgical Studies

• Sacred Music

 

Current Projects and Research Interests

• Parish Renewal and Revitalization Resources for the Antiochian Department of

• Missions and Evangelism

• Life and Works of St. Nikolai (Velimirovic) of Zica

• Curriculum Development for St. Athanasius Academy of Orthodox Theology

Selected Publications

• Sacred Meals from our Family Table, 2005