Mister Rogers Faith: Christine Chakoian of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, alma mater of Mister Rogers, named the Rev. Dr. Christine “Chris” Chakoian as vice president for seminary advancement. She will begin Nov. 1, 2017. She discusses the faith and Christlike nature of Fred Rogers ministry through his children's show.

Previously Chakoian served as pastor/head of staff at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, Ill., and Community Presbyterian Church of Clarendon Hills, Ill. In the past 35 years, she also held positions at Presbyterian churches in Oregon, Ohio, and New York. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois (B.A.), Yale University Divinity School (M.Div.), and McCormick Theological Seminary (D.Min.).

In service to the church and community, Chakoian is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council at the University of Illinois College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Moveable Feast preaching colloquium, as well as a trustee at Presbyterian Publishing Corp. Additionally, she has served as a co-leader of the PCUSA Centenary Events honoring the Armenian genocide and was a member of the boards at McCormick Theological Seminary, Lebanese American University (Beirut, Lebanon), and Presbyterian Homes.

Her books include Common English Bible – Women’s Bible (editorial board member and writer), Cryptomnesia: How a Forgotten Memory Could Save the Church, Covenant Bible Study (co-host/editorial board member), Feasting on the Gospels (editorial board member and writer), and For Worship, Fellowship, and the Work of the Kingdom. Chakoian has also written a number of articles for such publications as Christian Century and The Presbyterian Outlook and has contributed to Chicago Sunday Evening Club and Day One videos.