Personal Introduction | Professional Brief
Personal Introduction
My name is Carlus Gupton. I am blessed to be married to Ann for 40 years, and we have two grown daughters. Ann and I live in Nashsville, Tennessee.
By God’s grace, I get to do the meaningful work of teaching seminary students whose dreams and commitments inspire me, and whose lives make a difference in countless others. I also enjoy coaching and consulting leaders in churches and other organizations.
I was raised in western Kentucky, and spent most of my youth anticipating a career as a musician with emphasis in voice and trombone. After my conversion at age 17, a call emerged, not away from the sweet sounds that still give me great joy, but to a life of ministry. A mentor took me under his wing, and a patient community of believers invited me to preach every Sunday.
I trained at Freed-Hardeman University, Lipscomb University (B.A.), Harding School of Theology (M.Div.), and Abilene Christian University, Graduate School of Theology (D.Min.), with additional studies along the way at Murray State University, University of Memphis, and University of Tennessee Knoxville.
I have been in some form of ministry for more than forty-five years, starting when I was midway through my junior year of high school, through college, and on to twenty years of full-time ministry for congregations ranging in size from 80 to 1,100. During most of this I have been closely connected to the college and seminary environment. In 2001, I transitioned into teaching full time. My current role is Professor of Ministry and Director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Lipscomb University, Hazelip School of Theology. I held a similar position for many years at Harding School of Theology (2014-2021). Previous to that, I was Professor of Ministry at Johnson University (2001-2013), and also taught at the University of Tennessee School of Communication Studies (2001-2011). I teach courses in church leadership, spiritual formation, change, and conflict, and have also taught biblical and theological studies.
I am also founder and publisher of LifeandLeadership.com, a website with over 1,500 pages of resources for church leaders. I am partnered with a dedicated consortium of church consultants and coaches, Hope Network Ministries, who serve churches all over the world.
I began consulting in 1996, and hold extensive certifications:
- Associate Certified Coach, International Coach Federation
- Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, CliftonStrengths
- Birkman Signature Certified Professional
- Enneagram, Integrative Enneagram (IEQ9) Accredited Practitioner, Wagner Enneagram Spectrum
- Everything DiSC Authorized Partner
- Grip-Birkman Blueprint Coach, Grip-Birkman
- Graduate, Academy for Spiritual Formation
- Myers-Briggs Certified Practitioner, Center for Applications of Psychological Type
- Certified Specialist in Human Behavior Consulting (DISC), Dr. Robert Rohm, Personality Insights
- Transitions Certified Practitioner, Managing Organizational Transitions, Linkage, Inc., Dr. William Bridges
- Certified Christian ConciliatorTM, Institute for Christian Conciliation
- Advanced Training, Interim Ministry Network
- Trained Facilitator, Healthy Congregations, Dr. Pete Steinke
- Certified Facilitator, Listening Laboratory, and advanced training in Creative Problem-Solving, Conflict Management and the Resolution of Corporate Pain, and Models for Facilitating Change/Roles and Skills of Church Consultant, Dr. John Savage, LEAD Plus
- Spiritual Strategic Journeys and Conflict Management, Dr. George Bullard
- Conflict Management in Congregational Life, Speed Leas, Alban Institute
- Creative Training Techniques, Bob Pike Group
- Affiliations
Hope Network Ministries
Professional Brief
Dr. Carlus Gupton is Professor of Ministry and Director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Lipscomb University, Hazelip School of Theology. He held a similar position for many years at Harding School of Theology (2014-2021). Previously he was a professor at Johnson University (2001-2013) teaching ministry, Bible and theology, and also taught at the University of Tennessee School of Communication Studies (2001-2011). Prior to this, he spent twenty years as a preaching minister for congregations in Tennessee and Alabama.
Carlus teaches courses in church leadership, spiritual formation, change, and conflict on both masters and doctoral levels, and has also taught New Testament, theology and communication. He also maintains an active schedule of consulting and coaching, and has worked with over 200 churches and organizations.
Dr. Gupton is the founder and publisher of LifeandLeadership.com, a website with over 1,500 pages of resources for church leaders. The website also features the popular DISC Profile System.
He and his wife, Ann, have two grown daughters, Erin Gupton and Katlyn (David, Jr.) Nowers, and one grandson, Oscar. Ann and Carlus live in Nashville, Tennessee.