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Experience Renewal with Rev. Dr. Daniel Rodriguez Schlorff
About Daniel
The View from 6-foot-7
The Reverend Dr. Daniel Rodriguez Schlorff, is a pastor, coach, spiritual director, and serial entrepreneur. Born in Indiana, Daniel has lived in Connecticut since 2009. Daniel is Senior Minister of Third Congregational Church of Middletown, CT.
After earning two theological master's degrees (Meadville/Lombard and Hartford Seminary), he completed the Doctor of Ministry and Certificate of Sexuality and Religion at Pacific School of Religion (Berkeley, CA).
He is committed to the LGBTQIA+ community, as he is the Convener of the Queering Liturgy Seminar for the North American Academy of Liturgy. Additionally, he is President-Elect of the Gay Coaches Alliance.
As an entrepreneur, Daniel coaches clients, raises funds for nonprofit and educational institutions, and officiates bespoke wedding ceremonies. He is currently completing a global Master of Business Administration program in Management, and he has completed the Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising through the Lake Institute through Indiana Univertsity's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
When not engaged in ministry, Daniel enjoys playing the double bass for the American Chamber Orchestra; singing professionally with two choirs, Concora and Voce; broadcasting his Wednesday night program of classical music on WWUH (a public radio station), reading poetry and nonfiction; trying out new recipes; saying hi to any dog who will look his way; caring for his houseplants; and staying fit.
Independent Scholar
Daniel has enjoyed teaching at Carthage College and the University of Wisconsin—Parkside, where he developed and taught traditional semester-length courses as well as intensive and evening formats. Course titles included Understandings of Religion (on the world's religions and philosophies), LGBT Studies, Asians in American Society, and Death and Dying. He occasionally speaks to social work students at Quinnipiac University regarding the interdisciplinary team model, and has presented papers at the North American Academy of Liturgy, the Society of Certified Senior Advisors' Annual Conference, Liberal Religious Educators' Association, New England Association of United Church Educators, and the National Educators Association's Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly.
In 2023, Daniel's chapter, "The Parable of Y2K," was released in a volume of essays arguing for the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ members of the Church of the Nazarene, his former denomination.
An additional chapter, "Presidential Ministry in Liturgy Has a Musical Dimension," appeared in the 2023 book, Living the Church's Song: Proposition for an Ecumenical Theology of Liturgical Music (Chicago: GIA).
Fun Facts
Some of Daniel's accomplishments include the following:
- At 26, the youngest person to run for Illinois State Treasurer in a general election.
- First person of Asian descent to run for a statewide constitutional office in Illinois.
- First openly LGBTQ+ person to run for any statewide office in Illinois.
- Being ranked among 30 Under 30 in Chicago by Windy City Times.
- Performing with a chorus in Carnegie Hall on two separate occasions.
- Founder of a church in New Haven, CT that still thrives.
- Pastor of a church in Middletown, CT that is growing and vital.
- Writing and later teaching the LGBT Studies curriculum for the University of Wisconsin system.
- Widely published in periodicals, journals, books, and an encyclopedia.
Now What?
Uncover the power of your faith and spirituality with Daniel! With a Doctor of Ministry degree from Pacific School of Religion and experience in ministry since March 2000, Daniel can help you tap into the power of your faith and spirituality, which will make a transformative difference in your life... so you can make a transformative difference in your world. Join him today to discover how renewal can open the door to a brighter future.
