“I have a sense of giving, because I have received.”
Rev. Robert J. Shaw (CTS ’73) began his ministry journey in a time of global unrest. Bob (as he prefers) entered CTS as the Vietnam War was entering its latter years and had caused great division and challenges across our country and world. Like our most recent CTS alumni, this turbulence did not dissuade his pathway of ministerial service but emboldened him to live out God’s calling for his life.
A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Bob and his wife of 50 years (Susan McNeely) traveled the path that God laid before them. For more than 45 years, Bob has served in a diversity of ministerial leadership capacities including service in Brussels, Belgium and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Upon his return to the United States, Bob served in two pastorships in the Disciples of Christ Church. Additionally, he has supported 25 different churches in an interim capacity in both the Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ as they conducted their search for their new pastors.
This rich history of ministerial leadership and service all began as a result of his decision to attend CTS. It is for this reason Bob has committed his time, talent and treasure in service of the seminary. After receiving his degree, Bob served on the Alumni Board as well as Alumni representative on the Board of Trustees. From 1999 to 2002 He served as a CTS Trustee, one of his most cherished titles.
Through their commitment to service, Bob and Susan made the decision to provide a matching gift encouraging other CTS alumni to financially support the sustainability of the seminary. With their matching gift, every first-time alumni gift to the CTS Annual Fund will be matched by an additional $50. In discussing why he gives back to CTS, Bob shared “I have a sense of giving because I have received. I give out of gratitude for how God has blessed me. It’s more than giving to pay the bills and support programs. It’s the larger sense of being blessed by God and feeling grateful for what I have received from CTS.”
As for his guidance to our CTS class of 2020, in addition to giving Bob emphasizes the importance of self-care. Sharing that if you don’t have anything inside of you, you will not be able to give to others. Bob currently serves as Regional Elder for 20 congregations and pastors and recently made care calls to check-in to see how the pastors were doing during these challenging times. He shared “100% of the pastors I spoke to say their stress level is much higher and they are working harder than ever before.” It is for this reason he emphasizes a focus on self-care. He also encourages alumni to maintain the friendships and relationships developed during their time at CTS. He has almost 50 years of treasured connections with his CTS classmates who have supported each other over these many years.
We are sincerely grateful to Bob and Susan for their generous contributions to CTS.
Bob and Susan are currently retired in Indianapolis. They continue their love for travel and spend time sailing and golfing. He continues to volunteer as Regional Elder for the Christian Church as well as the Damien Center. They have one daughter who lives in the Boston area with her husband and their 5-year-old granddaughter. As any loving grandparent might say, Bob shares “if she is not the brightest little child God ever made, she’s definitely in the top 10.”
