Joanne Lindstrom, Pastoral Assistant

Reverend Dr. Joanne Lindstrom joined The First Baptist Church in 1994 and was ordained in 1996. Before coming to First Baptist, she served as a church planter and co-pastor of a small house church, and also worked as a community organizer and preschool teacher. She cares deeply about worship leadership and preaching, and for more than a decade had the joy of leading the Women’s Bible Study.

For over 30 years, Joanne has been active in the American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago (ABCMC), serving in a wide range of roles, including as a consultant for the Nueva Vida Project (2002–2003). Since 2002, she has helped lead an international partnership between ABCMC and the Ghana Baptist Convention. Through that work, she has led numerous trips to Ghana and has taught, preached, and facilitated workshops there. She currently serves as Vice President and Chair of the Committee for Education in Ministry for the ABCMC Ministers Council and has also been asked to serve on the Executive Minister Search Committee.

In 2022, Joanne retired from McCormick Theological Seminary after 26 years, where she served as the Jean and Frank Mohr Director of Experiential Education and Field Studies and as Associate Professor of Ministry. Her teaching focused on practical ministry, including courses such as Spiritual Practices for Faithful Discipleship and Reflection on the Practice of Ministry, as well as a required workshop on professional boundaries. At the doctoral level, she taught courses in intercultural engagement. Joanne continues to preach as a guest throughout the Chicago area and offers consulting and leadership, particularly in women’s ministry and spirituality. She also values the opportunity to mentor younger clergy and faith leaders. In addition, she is a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory.

She has contributed to several publications, including Victim to Survivor: Women Recovering from Clergy Sexual Abuse (edited by Nancy Poling), A Handbook on Legal Issues in Theological Field Education (edited by Susan E. Fox and Judith Trott), Women at the Well, Volume 2 (edited by Linda-Marie Delloff and Bernadette Glover-Williams), Reflective Practice: Formation and Supervision in Ministry (with Susan E. Fox and Stephanie Croom), Welcome to Theological Field Education! (edited by Matthew Floding), and Shaping the Beloved Community: Multicultural Theological Education (edited by David V. Esterline and Ogbu U. Kalu).

Her other writing includes sermons, reflections, and locally published worship resources for the American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago.