Eric Odel
Seattle
Summary
I am an Ordained Religious Science minister with over 30 years experience building healthy, loving, ethical, and prosperous congregations. My Divine Purpose is to live my best life and support others in doing the same.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Interim Senior Minister
Center for Spiritual Living St. Louis
St. Louis
12.2023 - 03.2025
- Led processes to assist with healing from the departure of previous ministers.
- Gave Sunday sermons twice a month.
- Rebuilt finances from deficit to profit.
- Taught workshops, reinspired the Leadership Coucil and assisted with finding new Council Members.
- Gave numerous practitioner sessions.
- Helped congregant team clean up, refresh and redecorate the building inside and out.
- Instituted the Divine Dining community building program.
- Led a major revision of the bylaws.
- Mediated conflicts between leadership teams.
- Brought a spirit of joy and possibility to a depleted and discouraged congregation.
Interim Minister
Genesis Center for Spiritual Living
Burien
11.2020 - 09.2023
- Helped the congregation move to a better location
- Stabilized finances
- Gave Sunday sermons at least twice a month
- Led workshops
- Inspired the Practitioner Core, and led Prac retreats
- Managed the Music Ministry
- Helped redesign Order of Service including graphic design
Co-Founding Minister
Amazing Grace Spiritual Center
Seattle
09.2009 - 12.2020
- With my Co-Minister Colette Mercier, grew a Teaching Chapter into a Licensed congregation of 175 members
- Created a practitioner body of 24
- Facilitated the community's move into an historic church building and later purchase of the building
- Served as project manager for the remodeling, refurbishing and furnishing of the building.
- Managed the pulpit, gave sermons, taught classes, led workshops and retreats
- Led all fundraising events and programs
- Served at times as Music Director and Choir Director
- Led a Global Service Team supporting schools in rural Kenya and Cambodia
- Maintained strong finances throughout
Music Ministry Director
Center for Spiritual Living Seattle
Seabeck
01.1995 - 08.2009
- Produced music for up to 3 Sunday services
- Conducted a 100 voice adult choir, supervised a 3 piece band, coached congregant soloists
- Managed choir retreats and tours to Georgia, Hawaii, California, Oregon, and Vancouver, B. C.
- Produced CD recordings and fundraising events
- Led music for Christmas Eve and Easter services at Symphony Hall for 2,000+
Education
Master of Arts - Creative Writing
Brown University
Providence, RI06-1992
Bachelor of Arts - Music
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park, MD06-1976
Skills
- Passionate Sunday sermonizing
- Compassionate spiritual counseling and prayer work
- Conflict mediation
- Creating curricula, teaching, leading retreats and workshops
- Music Ministry
- Fundraising and budgeting
- Daily spiritual practices and living the Science of Mind with integrity and joy
Timeline
Interim Senior Minister
Center for Spiritual Living St. Louis
12.2023 - 03.2025
Interim Minister
Genesis Center for Spiritual Living
11.2020 - 09.2023
Co-Founding Minister
Amazing Grace Spiritual Center
09.2009 - 12.2020
Music Ministry Director
Center for Spiritual Living Seattle
01.1995 - 08.2009
Master of Arts - Creative Writing
Brown University
Bachelor of Arts - Music
University of Maryland, College Park