Chair Rev. Dr. John Valentine, elected January 28, 2026, to serve from January 28, 2026, to December 31, 2030.
The Rev. Dr. John B Valentine
433 Moraga Way, Orinda, CA 94563
(925)286-7751 + jvalentine@holyshepherd.org
EDUCATION
D.Min. in Biblical PreachingMay 2009
Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota
Dissertation Title: “Facilitating Homiletical Memory”
Advisors: David Lose and Richard Rehfeldt
M.Div. May 1987
Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota
Advisor: Stan Olsen
A.B. in History (Late Antiquity and Early Church History)
University of California (Berkeley)June 1982
Advisors: Peter Brown and Paula Fredriksen
PASTORAL MINISTRY
Senior Pastor September 2003 – Present
Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church, Orinda California
Senior PastorJuly 1994 – September 2003
Trinity Lutheran Church, Victorville, California
Associate PastorSeptember 1988 – July 1994
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Paradise Valley, Arizona
SYNODICAL MINISTRY
Chair of the Resolutions CommitteeSeptember 2009 – Present
Sierra Pacific Synod (Northern California and Northern Nevada)
Dean of the Mt. Diablo Conference (4 3-year terms) most recently July 2021 – June 2025
Sierra Pacific Synod (Northern California and Northern Nevada)
Chair of the Leadership Discipling TeamJune 2006 – June 2009
Sierra Pacific Synod (Northern California and Northern Nevada)
Chair of the Compensation Leadership TeamJuly 2001 – January 2003
Pacifica Synod (Southern California and Hawaii)
Synod Council MemberJuly 2000 – June 2003
Pacifica Synod (Southern California and Hawaii)
Dean of the Big Bear Conference (2 3-year terms) July 1996 – June 2002
Pacifica Synod (Southern California and Hawaii)
KEY PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Founder, Licensee and Executive DirectorJune 2004 – Present
The Lamorinda Adult Respite Center
An Adult Day Care for those afflicted with Alzheimer’s or other dementias
Licensee and Executive DirectorSeptember 2003 – Present
Holy Shepherd Community Preschool
Internship Supervisor
Meagan Kim (Wartburg Seminary)August 2024 – July 2025
Melissa Dahlke Maltmann (Luther Seminary)August 1999 – August 2000
Bill Dohle (Luther Seminary)August 1998 – August 1999
Neal Anthony (Luther Seminary)August 1997 – August 1998
Instructor in New Testament Greek
Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MinnesotaMay 1987 – August 1987