The REv. Daniel Kline

St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs

Nominee’s Bio: The Rev. Daniel Kline is an Episcopal priest, educator, and community advocate committed to reconciliation and building community across differences. He serves as Co-Rector of St. Paul in the Desert in Palm Springs with his spouse, the Rev. Jessie Thompson. Dan is a collaborative ministry model advocate, who believes that the clergy’s primary responsibility is empowering lay ministers for the work of baptismal ministry. Raised in Philadelphia as one of five siblings, Dan’s ministry has included cross-cultural missionary work in Fiji and South Korea, community organizing in Berkeley and Palm Springs, and parish work in Pennsylvania & California. In addition to his seminary studies (MDiv from Westminster Theological Seminary and Certificate of Anglican Studies from Church Divinity School of the Pacific), Dan has a Master of Science in Church Management from Villanova University’s School of Business. He is currently in a graduate program in Mediation and Conflict Resolution at the University of San Diego’s Kroc School of Peace Studies. When not visiting a parishioner in the hospital or preparing a sermon, Dan enjoys swimming, hiking, traveling with Jessie, and watching the next film from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Nominee’s Statement in Favor of Their Candidacy: After completing a 3-year term on the Commission on Ministry (COM), Dan was appointed to the Executive Council (XC) last year to fill a 1-year remaining vacant term. While on the XC, he served on the Leadership & Congregational Development Committee, which is devoted to helping lay leaders implement best practices to help parishes thrive. He is excited to be considered for a 4-year term, especially as the XC looks to begin implementation of the second diocesan strategic plan under Bishop Susan. St. Paul in the Desert has lived courageously into a five-year strategic plan since the pandemic, which has resulted in St. Paul’s growing from a pastoral size church to a program size church. Dan brings lessons and insights from this approach that could be helpful as the diocese begins to live into this next phase of vision for ministry. He really enjoys parish development work, helping congregations to balance ancient traditions with 21st century best operational practices.