Rev. John V. “Jack” Carlson

Our pastor is the Rev. John V. “Jack” Carlson.  He comes to Highland after a ministry in pastoral counseling since 1986.  A graduate of Waynesburg (PA) College and Princeton Theological Seminary, Jack was ordained by the Washington (PA) Presbytery in September, 1973.  His first call was as Assistant Pastor in First Presbyterian Church, Lockport, New York, where he served for two years before being called as Pastor of Hyattsville (MD) Presbyterian Church, in the suburbs of Washington DC.   

During his tenure at Hyattsville, he received a master’s degree in psychology  from Loyola College, and began a ministry of pastoral counseling and psychotherapy, serving two years with a counseling agency in Baltimore, and then seven years with an agency in Washington, before establishing The Counseling Ministry at Oaklands in Laurel, MD in 1995.  He is a licensed professional counselor in Maryland, and a Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. In 2002 he responded to a strong sense of call to return to parish ministry, and in February, 2003 became the twelfth pastor of Highland Presbyterian Church. 

Jack is married to Lynn McCormick Carlson, and they are parents to John, Allison, and Amy.  His first book, The Spiritual Dimensions of Self-Esteem, was published by Alba House in 2000.  Jack’s hobbies are playing the guitar, writing songs and poetry, and golf.  His musical inclinations are seen regularly during Sunday morning worship, where his singing and guitar playing may lead congregational singing, provide children’s messages, or add another dimension to the ministry of preaching.