John O. Gooch, a retired United Methodist pastor, has served churches ranging in size from 15 to 1100. He is a freelance writer and a former editor of curriculum resources at the United Methodist Publishing House. He earned a B.A. in history, the M. Div. and a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from St. Louis University. and has taught classes at St. Louis University, Eden Theological Seminary, St. Paul School of Theology, and Perkins School of Youth Ministry. He wrote Being a Christian in the Wesleyan Tradition, John Wesley for the 21st Century, and Claiming the Name: A Theological and Practical Overview of Confirmation and he is a frequent writer of articles and curriculum resources. He and his wife Beth live in Lee's Summit, Missouri.