Summary

Overview

Work History

Education

Skills

Professional References

Publications

Honors And Awards

Ordination

Timeline

Christopher Charles Dover

Chattanooga,USA

Summary

Ordained United Methodist pastor and experienced Adjunct Instructor with 26 years in local church leadership, 17 years in higher education, and 7 years in University Chaplaincy. Proven track record in curriculum planning, development, and implementation that meets academic standards. Expertise in classroom management, course coordination, and enhancing student engagement through innovative teaching methods and technology integration. Aiming to leverage diverse educational experience to foster a dynamic learning environment.

Overview

years of professional experience

Work History

Pastor

Wildwood UMC

Wildwood, GA

06.2019 - 06.2024

Visited, counseled, and prayed with church members to provide pastoral care.
Met with individuals seeking counseling or advice on personal matters.
Worked with church leaders, staff and ministry teams to achieve growth of church and to foster positive community impact.
Administered communion, baptisms and other religious rites.
Encouraged members to become actively involved in mission work.
Created discipleship programs for youth and adults.

Adjunct Instructor, Religion

Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, TN

08.2019 - 12.2023

Introduction to World Religions, (10 classes).
Created lesson plans and developed instructional materials covering required topics and learning objectives.
Facilitated discussion groups among students to encourage critical thinking skills.
Used variety of teaching methods such as lectures, discussions and demonstrations.
Integrated technology into classroom instruction to enhance learning experiences.

Religion Instructor

Tennessee Wesleyan University

Athens, TN

08.2006 - 08.2023

Introduction to the Bible, (11 classes).
Introduction to Church Vocations, (12 classes).
Christian Faith, (30 classes).
Ministry Issues and Settings, (12 classes).
Church Vocations Practicum I (18 classes).
Church Vocations Practicum II (18 classes).
Introduction to World Religions, (25 classes).
Christian Spirituality, (6 classes).
Spiritual Formation I, (4 classes).
Spiritual Formation II, (4 classes), (1 class).
Freshman Experience, (24 classes).
Youth Ministry, (7 classes).
Sports Ministry, (1 class).
Parachurch Ministry,(1 class).
The Enneagram and Your Christian Faith, (1 class).

Honors and Awards

Tennessee Wesleyan University

Athens, TN

06.2018 - 06.2023

Holston Conference Foundation 2018 - This $2500 grant was given to support the development and implementation of prayer partnerships and devotional practices on the Tennessee Wesleyan University campuses, using the “Pray for Me” book by Tony Souder.
James W. Thompson Service Award 2015 - This award presented by the Student Government Association at Tennessee Wesleyan University recognizes a faculty or staff member who has displayed outstanding service to the student body.
Exemplary Teaching Award 2014 - This award from the Division of Higher Education of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church recognizes faculty who have been nominated by their institution’s leaders for exceptional service to the school and excellence in education.
Harry Steadman Award 2023 - This award presented by Tennessee Wesleyan University recognizes a person in the Holston Conference who who has supported Tennessee Wesleyan University in the preceding year.

Pastoral/Teaching Opportunities

Tennessee Wesleyan University

06.2012 - 06.2019

“Prayer and Listening” - Middlebrook Pike UMC, Knoxville, TN (February 24-26, 2017)
"Wesleyan Theology" - Holston Conference Local Pastor’s Licensing School, Alcoa, TN (April 2016)
"Ministering to the Millennial Generation" - Tyner UMC, Chattanooga, TN (August 2016)
“Various Methods of Prayer” - 1st Baptist Church (Murfreesboro, TN) Men's Retreat, Beersheba Springs, TN ( February 19-20, 2015)
"Wesleyan Theology" – Holston Conference Local Pastor’s Licensing School, Alcoa, TN (April 2015)
"Ministering With The New Generation” – Savannah & Mt. Zion UMC, Bradley County, TN (August 2014)
"Ministering With the New Generation" - Wesleyanna and Jones Chapel UMC, McMinn County, TN (November 2014)
"Ministering With the New Generation" - St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Vonore, TN (December 2014)
"Spiritual Formation" - Staff Training, Camp Lookout, Rising Fawn, GA (May 2014)
"Preparing for College" - Concord UMC, Knoxville, TN (April 2014)
"What Jews Would Have Thought of Jesus" - Tyner UMC, Chattanooga, TN (April 2014)
"Wesleyan Theology” – Holston Conference Local Pastor’s Licensing School, Alcoa, TN (April 2014)
"Ministering With the New Generation" - First-Centenary UMC, Chattanooga, TN (January 2014)
"Spiritual Schematics" - Jones Chapel UMC, McMinn County, TN (December 2013)
"Ministering With the New Generation" - Hixson UMC, Hixson, TN (October 2013)
"Ministering With the New Generation" - Hixson UMC, Hixson, TN (August 2013)
"Ministering With the New Generation" - UMC Chattanooga District Meeting (April 2013)
“F.U.E.L. Ministry Institute” (FYI) – Lake Junaluska, NC (April, 2013)

Chaplain

Tennessee Wesleyan University

Athens, TN

01.2012 - 06.2019

Related effectively with students and individuals from variety of faith and non-faith traditions.
Facilitated and participated in prayer services while honoring religious preferences of students and families.
Gathered information and prepared materials for use in weekly Chapel services.
Spoke in various UMC churches on behalf of Tennessee Wesleyan University

Group Leader

Urbana Student Missions Conference

St. Louis, MO

12.2012 - 12.2018

December 2012 – 7 persons
December 2015 – 12 persons
December 2018 – 8 persons

Adjunct Instructor, Religion

John Tyler Community College

, VA

05.2002 - 07.2012

Eastern Religions, (3 classes)
Western Religions, 5 classes)
Religions in America, (3 classes)
Introduction to Religion, (3 classes)
Old Testament, (5 classes)
New Testament, (2 classes)
History of Christianity, (3 classes)
Introduction to World Religions (online), (35 classes)
Introduction to Religion (online), (1 class)
Old Testament (online), (1 class)
Life and Teachings of Jesus (online), (1 class)

Study Abroad Travel

Tennessee Wesleyan University

Athens, TN

05.2008 - 05.2012

Italy – Greece (2008)
Italy – Greece (2009)
Italy – Greece (2010)
Ireland – England – Paris, France (2011)
World War 2 - London, Portsmouth, Caen, Paris, Bastogne, Berlin, Munich, Dachau, Salzburg (2012)

Adjunct Instructor, Religion

Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, TN

09.2006 - 05.2012

Introduction to World Religions, (19 classes)
Introduction to the Humanities I, (1 class)
Introduction to the Humanities II, (2 classes)
Mythology, (1 class)
Introduction to the Humanities I (online), (4 classes)

Adjunct Instructor

Germanna Community College

Fredericksburg, VA

09.2001 - 05.2012

Eastern Religions, (3 classes)
Western Religions, (3 classes)
Religions in America, (4 classes)
Introduction to Religion, (3 classes)
Old Testament, (1 class)
New Testament, (1 class)
Major Christian Thinkers, (1 class)
History of Christianity, (2 classes)
Introduction to World Religions (online), (7 classes)
Eastern Religions (online), (36 classes)
Western Religions (online), (5 classes)
Survey of Western Culture I (online), (1 class)
Survey of Western Culture II (online), (2 classes)
Survey of the Humanities (online),(1 class)
Survey of Western Culture I (online), (1 class)

Church Relations Representative

Tennessee Wesleyan University

Athens, TN

06.2008 - 06.2010

Speaking in local churches, youth groups, and District Minister’s Meetings Maintained contact with TWU alumni in the Holston Conference
Represented TWU at Resurrection, the annual Holston Conference youth event, Speaking in local churches, youth groups, and District Minister’s Meetings Maintained contact with TWU alumni in the Holston Conference

Pastor

Pleasant Grove UMC

Jasper, TN

06.2006 - 06.2008

Pastor, responsible for pastoral care for 86-member church.
Visited, counseled, and prayed with church members to provide pastoral care.
Met with individuals seeking counseling or advice on personal matters.
Worked with church leaders, staff and ministry teams to achieve growth of church and to foster positive community impact.
Administered communion, baptisms and other religious rites.

Adjunct Instructor, Religion

Cleveland State Community College

Cleveland, TN

08.2007 - 12.2007

Ethics, (2 classes)

Pastor

Brookland UMC

Richmond, VA

06.2000 - 06.2006

Pastor, responsible for pastoral care for 104-member church
Responsible for two Wednesday Bible Studies, and Sunday School class
Led church in prioritizing $4000 for yearly missional giving

Adjunct Instructor, Religion

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, VA

09.2001 - 06.2006

Introduction to Religion, (17 classes)
Eastern Religions, (2 classes)
Western Religions, (4 classes)

Pastor

Brooks Memorial UMC

Lupton City, TN

06.1995 - 06.2000

Responsible for pastoral care for 130-member church
Participated in Cooperative Parish ministry with four other UMC churches
Responsible for weekly Bible Study
Led church in “Revisioning” self-study (1997)
Led two Experiencing God small group studies (1996 & 1998)
Speaker at youth retreats

Adjunct Instructor, Religion

Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, TN

09.1996 - 05.2000

Introduction to World Religions, (10 classes)
Old Testament, (1 class)

Doctor of Ministry

Christian Faith

06.1993 - 06.2000

Project for two spiritual formation groups focusing on the Spiritual Disciplines, Spiritual Gifts, and readings from the Devotional Classics (1999), an online undergraduate course averaging 25 students per semester, studying the major elements of Christian theology and their historical development, as well as the basic issues involved in attaining a personal and mature Christian faith (10 classes)
Introduction to World Religions, an online undergraduate course averaging 25 students per semester, studying the main tenets of the major religions of the world, common religious teachings, and the influence of these religions on thought and action (15classes)

Adjunct Instructor, Religion

Lincoln Memorial University

Harrogate, TN

01.1995 - 05.1995

Introduction to World Religions, (1 class)

Pastor

Harrogate UMC

Harrogate, TN

06.1994 - 06.1995

Responsible for pastoral care for 200-member church near Cumberland Gap, TN

Director

LMU Wesley Foundation

Harrogate, TN

01.1994 - 01.1995

Responsible for weekly chapel services
Led two spiritual formation groups (1994 & 1995)
Led one-day work project at Habitat for Humanity site (1995)

Chair

UTC Wesley Foundation

01.1993 - 01.1994

Designed programs for college students in cooperation with the Center Director
Designed and led the Wesley Center Spring Break Mission trip to Panama City Beach, FL in 1993, with 12 students participating

Pastor

Lake Vista UMC, UTC Wesley Foundation

Chattanooga, TN

01.1991 - 01.1994

Responsible for pastoral care for 240-member church
Participated in Volunteers-In-Mission trip to Jamaica (1991)
Participated in UTC Wesley Foundation Spring Break Mission Trip (1992, Led two spiritual formation groups at

Board Member

UTC Wesley Foundation

Chattanooga, TN

01.1990 - 06.1994

Attended regular meeting of the UTC Wesley Center
Counseled students who were preparing for marriage

Pastor

Sand Mountain UMC

Trenton, GA

01.1992 - 01.1993

Pastor, responsible for pastoral care for two small 20-member churches.

United Methodist Volunteers in Mission

Holston Conference Of The United Methodist Church

06.1991 - 06.1992

Montego Bay, Jamaica – 1991
Kingston, Jamaica – 1992

Group Leader

Abroad

Kingston, Jamaica

01.2014 - 01.1992

This award from the Division of Higher Education of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church recognizes faculty who have been nominated by their institution’s leaders for exceptional service to the school and excellence in education., )
Wesleyan Theology” – Holston Conference Local Pastor’s Licensing School

Pastor, Board Member

Rising Fawn & Byrd’s Chapel UMC

Rising Fawn, GA

06.1987 - 06.1990

Responsible for pastoral care for two rural churches (125 and 50 members)
Served the community through participation in the Dade Kiwanis Club, and volunteering at the Dade County Library
Led a youth retreat for Rising Fawn UMC at Camp Lookout in Rising Fawn, GA, and was the speaker at a second youth retreat at the same location for Jones Memorial UMC in East Ridge, TN

Student

Asbury Theological Seminary

Wilmore, KY

06.1985 - 06.1988

Concentration in Missions and Evangelism.
Master of Divinity, June 1988

Campus Intern

Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship

Lexington, KY

01.1986 - 01.1987

Led an inductive Bible Study with freshman in the Men's Dorm

Term English Teacher

LIFE Ministries

Tokyo, Japan

08.1982 - 10.1983

Responsible for teaching 12 weekly conversational English classes
Responsible for teaching weekly English Bible class at local Japanese church
Built relationships with students through activities and trips outside of class
Represented Life Ministries on 18-state recruiting tour from August to November, 1983

Pastor

Chilcutt United Methodist Church

Cleveland, TN

07.2024 - Current

Provided pastoral care for a 23-member congregation
Led the congregation in the adoption of the Women's Lacrosse team at Tennessee Wesleyan University for the 2024-2025 school year, using the Pray For Me book and related materials
Led weekly worship services and Bible Studies

Education

Certificate - Spiritual Direction

Perkins School of Theology

Dallas, TX

12-2019

Master of Arts - Christian Education

Union-Presbyterian School of Christian Education

Richmond, VA

05.2001

Doctor of Ministry - Wesleyan Theology And Discipleship

School of Theology, The University of The South

Sewanee, TN

05.2000

Master of Divinity - Missions and Evangelism

Asbury Theological Seminary

Wilmore, KY

05.1988

Bachelor of Science - History

University of Tennessee At Chattanooga

Chattanooga

08.1982

Skills

Classroom Instruction
Remote Instruction Experience
Academic Guidance
Course Outline Development

Educational Technology Expertise
Course Design
Assessment Rubric Design
Online Engagement Strategies

Professional References

Dr. William McDonald, Chair, Religion and Philosophy Department, Tennessee Wesleyan College, 204 E. College Street, Athens, TN, 37303, 423-746-5283, wmcdonald@tnwesleyan.edu
Dr. Brian Burch, Pastor, Burks UMC, 6433 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN, 37343, 423-0443-9917, drbrianburch@burks.org
Don Washburn, Director, Camp Lookout, 3130 GA 157, Rising Fawn, GA 30738. 423-280-5848.
Olivia Holden, New Staff Orientation Project Manager, 14114 Sanctuary Club Road, Apt 306, Orlando, FL 32832, 423-774-0409

Publications

Christian Kinetics: Spiritual Formation through the use of the Spiritual Disciplines, Spiritual Gifts, and classical Christian Literature, Christopher Charles Dover, 2000, Sewanee, TN, The University of the South

Honors And Awards

Holston Conference Foundation, 2018, This $2500 grant was given to support the development and implementation of prayer partnerships and devotional practices on the Tennessee Wesleyan University campuses.
James W. Thompson Service Award, 2015, This award presented by the Student Government Association at Tennessee Wesleyan University recognizes a faculty or staff member who has displayed outstanding service to the student body.
Exemplary Teaching Award, 2014, This award from the Division of Higher Education of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church recognizes faculty who have been nominated by their institution’s leaders for exceptional service to the school and excellence in education.
Who’s Who Among American’s Teachers, 2003 - 2004
Harry Steadman Award, 2023. This award from Tennessee Wesleyan University recognizes individuals who have made a significant impact on behalf of TWU in the local church or in the Holston Conference.

Ordination

Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church, Elder, 08/90
Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church, Deacon, 06/87

06.1985 - 06.1988

Term English Teacher

LIFE Ministries

08.1982 - 10.1983

Certificate - Spiritual Direction

Perkins School of Theology

Master of Arts - Christian Education

Union-Presbyterian School of Christian Education

Doctor of Ministry - Wesleyan Theology And Discipleship

School of Theology, The University of The South

Master of Divinity - Missions and Evangelism

Asbury Theological Seminary

Bachelor of Science - History

University of Tennessee At Chattanooga