Professor of Pastoral Theology
Director, Doctor of Ministry Program
Education
- B.A. History and Philosophy – Grace University
- Th.M. Old Testament – Grace Theological Seminary
- D.Min. Leadership and Church Ministry – Talbot School of Theology
Professional
Dr. Goertzen teaches theology, church ministry, and Christian leadership. He also serves as the Director of the Doctor of Ministry program as well as the Kairos Program. He is involved with the School of Ministry’s Africa Training Partnership, which focuses on training pastors in Cameroon, West Africa. Prior to joining Corban’s faculty in 2010, Dr. Goertzen served as a professor and D.Min. director for Northwest Baptist Seminary. Since entering ministry full-time in 1982, most of his career has been devoted to serving the church in associate and senior pastoral positions.
Dr. Goertzen is the author of Understanding, Managing & Redeeming Church Conflict (2012), and he has contributed articles to the Great Commission Research Journal. He is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society, The Great Commission Research Network, and the Association for Doctor of Ministry Education.
Conferences and Seminars
“True Belief Accepts Jesus as the Only Way to God.” Foothills Bible Church, Stayton, OR. Nov 25, 2018.
“How the Gospel Transforms the Church.” Foothills Bible Church, Stayton, OR. April 29, 2018.
“How We Lose & Regain Credibility in Ministry.” PNWIFC Conference, Kaiser, OR. Mar, 2018.
“How to Gain and Maintain Credibility in Ministry,” at Bay Area Sunday School Convention (BASS) Convention, Oakland CA. Feb, 2018.
“The Power of the Next Step.” BASS Convention, Oakland CA. February 2018.
“Do You Know your RQ: Why Relational Intelligence may be the most Important Intelligence You Have.” BASS Convention, Oakland CA. February 2018.
“The Times—They are a Changin’: How to Navigate Change in a Changing World.” BASS Convention, Oakland CA. February 2018.
“Creating Space in Our Lives for God.” Valley Baptist Church, Perrydale, OR. February, 2018.
“New Testament Introduction,” at African Training Partnership in Bamenda, Cameroon. (2018)
“Blessed by the Countenance of God.” Hope Baptist Church, Bamenda, Cameroon. January 7, 2018.
“Answers for Genuine Spiritual Change,” at BASS Convention in Oakland, CA. February 2017
“Redeeming Conflict in Ministry,” at BASS Convention in Oakland, CA. February 2017
“How to Grow a Healthy Family” (2017) Family Life Retreat with Hillsboro Baptist Church in Seaside, OR.
“Biblical Leadership,” at African Training Partnership in Bamenda, Cameroon. January 2017.
“Have They Not Yet Heard?” Missions Conference at Evangelical Bible Church, Dallas, OR. Nov 13, 2016.
“The Art of Listening: How to become better Listeners.” Corban Chapel, Sept 9, 2016.
“What is Really Necessary?” Warrior Welcome Sunday morning message. Corban University, Aug 21, 2016
“Husbands and Wives Living Together in Wisdom.” Foothills Bible Church, Stayton, OR. June 19, 2016.
“How to Walk Closer to God” (2015) Spiritual Life Retreat with Sunrise Baptist Church in Puyallup, WA.
“The Greco-Roman World of Philippi: its Relationship to Studies in Philippians and Current Issues in Leadership” at Fort Lewis-McChord, WA. (2014)
“Why Real Spiritual Change is Elusive” at Fort Lewis-McChord, WA. (2014)
“Biblical Leadership” at Cameroon Training Partnership in Bamenda, Cameroon. (2014)
“Human Husbandry 1.0” at Savior Lutheran Church’s men’s retreat in Tacoma, WA. (2013)
“Lessons from the Cauldron of Conflict” at Village Missions Conference in Canon Beach, OR. (2013)
“Raising the Laity’s Apologetics IQ” at Biola Apologetics Conference in University Place, WA. (2013)
“New Testament Introduction” at Cameroon Training Partnership in Bamenda, Cameroon.(2013)
“Building more Effective Boards” Board Retreat at First Baptist Church in Kirkland, WA. (2012)
“Who Moved My Ministry” at Baptist Network Northwest Regional Conference in Tacoma, WA. (2012)
Publications and Books
“The Pale Green Door” in Behind Colorful Doors. DFWills Publishing, Create Space, 2016.
“Who is Sitting at Your Table?” in Dedicating Heart and Mind to God. Corban University, 2015.
“How Do We Use Power and Authority?” in Dedicating Heart and Mind to God. Corban University, 2015
“Seminary Education is More Important – and Obtainable – Than Ever” in Church Executive, 2014.
Understanding, Managing and Redeeming Church Conflict, Create Space, 2012.
“Extending the Table – Healthy Growth in the Family of God” in Dedicated, 2011.
Personal
“I’m a farm boy from a small Mennonite community on the plains of Nebraska. That upbringing has played large in my life. However, farming didn’t take, so my mom and dad sent me to college and seminary where God prepared me for full-time vocational ministry. I served in pastoral ministry in Nebraska and California for 25 years. In fulfilling a life-time dream, God opened a door for me to serve as a professor and leader equipping students for ministry, first at Northwest Baptist Seminary in Tacoma, Washington, and now with Corban University.
More importantly, I’m married to Karen, a relationship that began my third year in college in the fall of 1975. She’s the love of my life. We have three married children: Tanya, Angie, and Mindy. We have been blessed to be able to work together in vocational ministry all of our married lives.
I enjoy spending time with my family—my seven grandchildren in particular—playing guitar, mandolin and percussion instruments, keeping abreast of Big Red (the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team), working in my wood shop, and engaging in outdoor activities including fishing, hunting, camping and hiking.”
Why Corban
“After being integrally involved in church ministry for 25 years, I grew increasingly passionate about training those whom God will use to build His church. Corban University shares my passion, as evidenced by their long successful track record of training and placing Christian ministry practitioners in the church and so many other places of influence in the northwest and around the world. It’s a fulfilling life dream to serve in unison with those on mission to train Christians who will make a difference in the world for Jesus Christ.”