Priest & Rector

Barkley’s first Sunday preaching and celebrating at St. John’s was September 16, 2007. Prior to serving at St. John’s, Barkley was the rector of the Church of the Holy Apostles in Collierville, Tennessee (a suburb of Memphis).

Barkley says, “My ministry has centered on the formation of deep relationships with all ages in the parish through teaching, Bible study, and pastoral care. As extremes, one day I may find myself leading Bible study and eating lunch with clients at a local Alzheimer’s daycare center and the next I will be in the dunking booth at the youth carnival! I put a premium on hearing parishioners’ stories and sharing in life’s transitions. In the Beloved Community of the Gospel, nothing is more important.”

He enjoys jogging, reading history texts, scouting out traditional Southern barber shops, and Arkansas Razorback football. (He is a bit worried about withdrawal symptoms from the lack of Razorback football games available on television in the Roanoke Valley!)

He is also an avid writer and has published essays in The American Journal of Philosophy & Theology, The Journal of Pastoral Theology, The Living Church, and Ratherview.

Barkley holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy & Religion from Hendrix College, a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from The University of Chicago, and a Master of Divinity from The Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas.

He is married to Jill, and they have two kids, Griffin age 7 and Eliza age 3.

Chip and his family arrived at St. Johns this past summer 2007 after having graduated from Virginia Seminary in Alexandria, VA. Previously, Chip was actively involved at Grace Episcopal Church, Rotary International and various civic organizations outside of Kansas City, Missouri. In addition, Chip managed a family owned food distribution business servicing the Midwestern United States.

Chip indicates “My ministry has been focused on family and seeing Christ in neighbor, while intentionally and passionately developing/building a Christian community both within the church and without. Even in the midst of an ever-changing and sometimes overwhelming world, it’s nice to know that such a community can exist.”

He enjoys hiking, renovating houses, trying new restaurants and watching the University of Missouri football team. Go Tigers!

Chip adds, “There’s nothing better than spending time with my two daughters, realizing that life goes by so quickly. Our weekly adventures, whether it entails reading a book together or swimming in a local stream becomes a new and most memorable touchstone.”

Chip holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Missouri, Columbia, a Masters in Business Administration from Thunderbird (American Graduate School), and a Master of Divinity from the Virginia Theological Seminary.
He is married to Lisa, and they have two children, Isabella age 10 and Katarina age 7.

Lisa Graves brings Marketing and Advertising experience to her ministry in Children’s Discipleship and Family Programming. Lisa received her undergraduate degree in communications from
Stephens College, a women’s college in Columbia, MO and worked for 10 years as a Copywriter, Creative Director and Desktop Publisher in the financial fields. That was followed up by another 5 years in Marketing Strategy and Ideation. Lisa credits motherhood as helping her to feel her call to ministry beginning with working as Director of an adult/youth mentor program for underprivileged youth and as the Christian Outreach Director for a YMCA in Chillicothe, MO. Lisa and her family moved to Alexandria, VA where both she and her husband Chip earned their Masters of Divinity Degree from Virginia Theological Seminary. While in Seminary, Lisa worked as a Chaplain with two nursing homes and a large metropolitan hospital focusing on the needs of the chronically ill and dying. Lisa also spent a summer working with a Burke, VA church on a parish marketing plan. Lisa and her entire family spent summer 2006 doing mission work for five weeks in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Lisa’s focus here at St. John’s will be working with families and children, “I have the privilege of working with the St. John’s children and youth,” Lisa says. “I think kids are some of the most spiritual people you can meet. They are so wise really, they know the important questions to ask and aren’t afraid to really look at their faith. I’m so blessed to be able to learn from these young people – and watch them mature in their understanding of what it means to live life as the baptized members of the Body of Christ!”

Lisa loves to laugh, read and spend time with her two daughters Isabelle age 10 and Katarina age 7.