Israel Galindo is a Christian educator whose primary focus is on teaching and researching congregational and organizational leadership, as well as Bowen Family Systems theory, to leaders at all points of their lives. His current work emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning to promote healthy and effective leaders functioning in home and work settings.
Galindo received a B.A. from Northeastern College (1977) and a M.R.E. (1979), M.Div. (1981) and Ed.D. (1987) from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He began his professional career as a Principal-Administrator for Horeb Christian School (1987-1991). He then served as a chaplain at VITAS Innovative Hospice Care (1991-1993) before moving to parish work, where he was the Pastoral Associate for Christian Education at Vienna Baptist Church (1993-1999). Galindo then moved into the academic field where he served as Dean and Professor of Christian Formation and Leadership at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond in Virginia (1999-2013). He currently serves as the Associate Dean for Lifelong Learning and Director of Online Education at Columbia Theological Seminary. He is also the Executive Director for Educational Consultants, Inc[1] and is on the faculty for the Leadership In Ministry Workshops.
Galindo is a consultant to non-profits and theological schools in organizational development and leadership, and curriculum development and assessment. He writes the Blog for Theological School Deans[2] for the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Religion and Theology.[3]
Galindo sees education as a lifelong process, especially within the Church. He emphasizes the importance of understanding a comprehensive view of the "corporate nature of church relationships and the invisible dynamics at play."[4] He uses Bowen Family Systems Theory to understand the dynamics of various congregations and how best to nurture their growth. He has written on these aspects of education as well as others in a variety of publications that are widely used.