The Many Faces of Prayer: How the Human Family Meets Its Spiritual Needs
Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Shepherd is an ordained Unity minister and retired U.S. Army Chaplain who teaches Historical and Theological Studies at Unity Institute and Seminary, Unity Village, Missouri. Although best known for his popular Q&A; column That's a Good Question in Unity Magazine, Dr.Tom (as students call him) has authored several books, including Friends in High Places, Glimpses of Truth, Good Questions, and Jesus 2.1 Upgrade for the 21st Century.Shepherd served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army as a medical evacuation helicopter pilot, where he was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, Air Medal, Purple Heart, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. After Vietnam he left the Army, graduated college and seminary, and returned to duty as a military chaplain, completing 20 years active service in 1988. Shepherd holds a B.S. Ed. from the University of Idaho, Master of Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. Dr. Shepherd speaks conversational German, Japanese, and Spanish, and has studied the Greek, Latin, and Vietnamese languages.In addition to Unity, Dr. Tom holds ministerial credentials with the Unitarian Universalist Association and the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, and worked as Assistant Executive Director/ Theologian in Residence for the Universal Foundation for Better Living. He served Unity Churches in Georgia, South Carolina, and California before accepting a post on the faculty of Unity Institute in 2005. Dr. Tom received the 2011 Charles Fillmore Award from Unity Worldwide Ministries.