Introducing David Kneip

We are pleased to announce that, beginning June 1, David Kneip will join the Siburt Institute team as our associate director.

In this role, David will play an active part in several distinct areas. He will initiate a relaunch of ElderLink, our popular, long-standing program for congregational leaders; please watch for announcements in the coming months. Similarly, he will host regional Equipping for Ministry events for ministers. David will also serve as “chief of staff,” interfacing with our various program directors and internal staff and helping move forward the many parts of the institute, including Summit and the Contemplative Ministers’ Initiative. Already he is making solid contributions to our Looking Team, which helps connect churches and minister candidates.

David is no stranger to the Siburt Institute. In fact, you may recognize him from ACU Summit theme sessions in recent years as he has coordinated and facilitated these worship experiences, and from his various ElderLink presentations over the years.

As a well-loved teacher in the Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry and the Doctor of Ministry program, he will continue as a tenured faculty member in the College of Biblical Studies, teaching a revised load. This connection to young undergraduates as well as to mid-career ministers and leaders in academic settings reflects David’s and the institute’s commitment to the integration of theological education and the practice of ministry.

David brings with him an abiding love for churches, a passion for worship and discipleship, and a deep empathy for ministers. Both of his parents served as dedicated church volunteers for decades, his father as an elder and preacher, and his mother in children's ministry and church administration. Before coming to ACU to teach, David served in youth ministry and worship ministry for churches in North Carolina, Texas, and Indiana. He and his family are members of the Highland Church of Christ in Abilene, where David served for years with the community ministry and more recently as an active volunteer youth leader and Bible class teacher. His academic interests include theology, biblical interpretation, worship in early Christianity, and church history. And a few of his personal interests include sports (especially soccer, tennis, and baseball), reading (including light fantasy literature, like The Lord of the Rings and the Harry Potter series), listening to music (above all, classical music and Broadway musicals), and live theatre. If you’re a local Abilenian or a friend of ACU, you may recognize him from such stage productions as Les Misérables (Inspector Javert), Fiddler on the Roof (Tevye), and ACU Sing Song (2001 host).

You can get to know David a bit more in this Mosaic interview, “10 Questions with David Kneip, Associate Director.”

We’re thrilled to welcome David to the team this summer! His coming marks a new chapter in the Siburt Institute and our capacity to live out our purpose of equipping leaders and helping churches thrive.