Tom is an Ordained Elder in the Mountain Sky Conference of the United Methodist Church. He holds a B.S. in Organizational Management from Colorado Christian University, a Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Religious and Theological Studies from the University of Denver and the Iliff School of Theology. Rev. Barlow currently serves as Term Assistant Professor in Methodist Studies at Iliff, teaching classes in United Methodist History, Doctrine, Polity, and Mission & Evangelism; as well as other theology courses including  Introduction to Theology and Christology; and the online student version of Iliff’s signature Authentic Engagement™ process, a course focused on effective, values-based organizational leadership.

After a successful career in Corporate America, Tom now combines his experience and training in management and ministry with a passion for vital Christianity at both personal and congregational levels. In the past two decades, he has worked with annual conferences, churches, clergy, and faith-based non-profits on leadership and vision. He has served turnaround churches, and, in the process, was blessed to witness God’s activity as those churches experienced increased attendance (between 40% and 60%), found new financial stability, and engaged with local communities and the world in new ways. He was one of six researchers in the General Board of Discipleship’s Toward Vitality project, which examined the common traits of vital, engaging, Spirit-driven United Methodist churches across the United States.

He presently lives in the Denver area with his wife, Kirsten, who is also an Ordained United Methodist Elder serving in parish ministry. Kirsten and Tom understand their ministry to involve service to God’s creation, and an important part of their work involves providing “forever homes” to rescued senior dogs.