About Laura Stephens-Reed

Rev. Laura Stephens-Reed believes in the power of the local congregation to change individuals and communities in the name of Christ. Her call is to increase the effectiveness of clergy and congregations by helping them harness the amplified opportunities and overcome the challenges presented by transitions.

Laura attempts to be faithful to this call primarily through coaching clergy and congregations across the ecumenical spectrum. She has been credentialed as a Professional Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation and as a Certified Mentor Coach, and she sits on the faculty of two coach training schools. She has also been trained as a Congregational Consultant and an Intentional Interim Minister by the Center for Congregational Health. An ordained minister since 2002, she has served congregations in a variety of settled and interim roles, including pastor, associate pastor, and minister with age-specific groups. She is affiliated with the Alliance of Baptists and holds Ministerial Standing in the Alabama-Northwest Florida Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and she is a member and contract employee of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. In addition, Laura has been on staff and consulted with congregations in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the United Methodist Church and has coached pastors in seventeen denominations. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee and her Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. She is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Lexington Theological Seminary.

Laura lives in Northport, Alabama, with her husband Matt, a United Methodist pastor, and their ten-year-old son. She loves going to the playground, reading, watching tv and movies, and cheering on SEC football teams.