Stephen P. West

Steve West is a husband, father, minister, musician, and writer. His wife, Sandy, is a retired clergywoman and they have two adult children. They live in Jacksonville, Alabama, where he serves as senior pastor of First United Methodist Church. He enjoys writing, singing, playing piano and trombone, camping, hiking, mountain biking, coin collecting, and genealogy.

He is an elder in the North Alabama Conference of The United Methodist Church. He has been heavily involved in retreats at the Sumatanga Retreat Center and in leadership with the Academy for Spiritual Formation. He was highly instrumental in launching the Stay UMC movement in North Alabama. He gained national attention for an open letter, "Why I'm Not Leaving the United Methodist Church," which went viral. He has published works in "Alive Now," "The Upper Room," "The Upper Room Disciplines," "Worship & Song," "Abingdon Press," "Circuit Rider," "Interpreter Magazine," and the "Celebrating Grace Hymnal."