A Biography of Reverend Jeffrey Barz-Snell

Jeff Barz-Snell is the thirty-first minister of the First Church in Salem. He was ordained here in December of 1998; the first minister ordained by the First Church since 1847 when the North Church in Salem ordained Octavius Brooks Frothingham. Jeff's responsibilities include planning our weekly religious services, pastoral counseling and scheduling ongoing programming such as children's religious education, adult discussion groups, lectures and social functions like our Pancake Breakfasts. In addition, he is always available for conversation and discussion about the different issues that inevitably come up in one's life.

Prior to his being called by the First Church, Jeff assisted in the start up of a small human resources consulting and career counseling firm in Boston. Working with many people who were amidst a career transition gave him a keen understanding of the different values used in making ongoing vocational decisions. He is certified in the administration of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and is experienced in the use of the Strong Interest Inventory.

In addition to his responsibilities at the church, he is active in larger community affairs as well, serving as a board member of the Salem Mission, as President of the Salem Alliance for the Environment (SAFE - go to www.salemsafe.org for more information), and as a leader of the Salem Interfaith Council, whose members commit to advancing the cause of peace in the City of Shalom (Salem). Previously, he has been a member of the board at both the Salem YMCA and the Salem Athenaeum. Ecumenically, he serves as Clerk of the Council of Christian Churches within the UUA and as the Secretary for the Evangelical Missionary Society.
He and his wife Jennifer and have three very active children. (He feels blessed but sleeps well at night.) He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Religion from Bates College and a Masters of Divinity from Boston University School of Theology.