Hi,
My name is C.J. Alderton. I have been doing ministry for quite awhile – having served as a Senior Pastor and Youth Pastor in a couple of different places. Most of the time it has gone pretty well. Not too long ago, God told me to do something different in ministry and that is what I am now trying to do – although I don’t really know all that much about what I am doing. But, I’ll let you read the rest of the website and you can draw your own conclusions. My Personal Assistant, Shiela, told me to write something interesting and personal – to sort of make it “peppy” - so here goes – “My Space” style. I will start off with things I like. I like: Dilbert cartoons; old school TV cartoons likes Bugs and Elmer Fudd; the smell of wild mint and sage; the kind of Maple tree that turns fiery red in the autumn; real butter – especially when it melts to just the right amount on toast to where the cinnamon sugar soaks into it; Robert Roberts Tea; Durango Joe’s Americanos; and a certain cool cliff on the Island of Inishmoor, Ireland where I lingered with my wife for some time a couple of years ago. It is one of those enchanting places that makes me want to lie down and sleep and daydream and then have someone bring me Roberts Roberts tea and cinnamon toast whenever I fancy!

As for music, I like the blues, jazz, zydeco, Irish traditional, Latin guitar, bluegrass, a smidgeon of country, and alternative. The old Irish hymn, “Be Thou My Vision” always moves me. I have lots of degrees on my wall and lots of certificates that say I am qualified to evangelize you, disciple you, counsel you, fix your finances and help you resolve a dispute with someone. Sometimes I can remember a little of what I learned and share it. Mostly I just listen because that’s what people seem to need and like the most. Also, I like to point out funny things about myself; and, if you come to me for help or to criticize my teaching style – I like to point out funny things about you.

I think that laughter is a gift and grace from God – especially when we learn to amuse ourselves by watching our own lives. I have little hope for people who cannot see and enjoy their own eccentricities.  I have a BA in history, a Master of Divinity, and almost a Doctor of Divinity (whatever that means – I hope not what it seems to imply). I have been a school teacher, lived in a third world country with my family; fed the poor in slave camps; gotten fed by the poor in slave camps; owned a business; and played with a blues band in bars. I like hanging out in coffee shops and talking to people about my journey of faith with the humble man who called Himself the Son of God and the son of man. I like to help people begin their own spiritual journey. I enjoy listening to people share their stories with me.  I dig my family –wife (Jan), kids (Josh, Hannah, Molly, Erick, & Riley), mom, dad, in-laws, nieces and nephews, dogs, – the whole lot of them. I miss my older brother, Chris, who chose to leave this life way too early and risk it all on the hope of a welcoming grace on the other side. My wife is smarter and better looking than me and a better follower of Jesus. She would probably be a better minister than me but she is a school teacher – a ministry in its own right. My daughter Molly is also a school teacher. I think that being a teacher is a lot harder than what I do. I like to read Tolkien, Lewis, Kreeft, Chesterton, and the gospels over and over.  I don’t understand a lot of stuff in the front part of the Bible, but I read it anyway.  Springs and autumns in the Rockies are a little slice of heaven and if you ever come to visit, perhaps my wife and I can show you some secret places of beauty known only to the Creator, us, and a few small creatures.  Many blessings to you on your journey.  If you ever make it to my front porch, look up and you will see a little placard that says: “Cead mile failte” (Gaelic for: “A hundred thousand welcomes”.)

-C. J.