Paul D. Witman

Dr. Paul D. Witman holds a Bachelor’s in Math/Computer Science from UCLA, a Master’s in Computer Information Systems from Claremont Graduate School, and a Ph.D. in Information Systems and Technology from Claremont Graduate University. He taught Information Technology Management at California Lutheran University for over two decades; and now holds the position of Professor Emeritus. Prior to joining Cal Lutheran, Dr. Witman worked for over two decades as a professional in the banking technology industry, holding positions of software engineer, development manager, vice president of engineering, and chief technology officer, among others.

Dr. Witman has applied his professional expertise and experience for four decades contributing to the leadership of a broad range of local, regional and national-level Christian organizations. All these experiences have informed his contributions to the curriculum of this newly updated Church Administration and Finance Manual. He has undertaken several leadership and governance roles in Protestant denominations, as well as in religious and secular non-profits. For example, Dr. Witman has served on the Board of Directors of the United Methodist Campus Ministry at UCLA, The Center for Non-profit Leadership, Ventura County, the National Advisory Council for the ecumenical Appalachia Service Project, and the Western Jurisdiction of United Methodist Camping. In the latter role, he was part of the planning team which created a quadrennial retreat for camping leaders across the Western US, from Montana to California.

Dr. Witman also pioneered seminars on the role of social media in churches in the Grand Canyon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and for the Ventura County churches of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. He is one of five inaugural faculty members of the Executive Skills for Pastors Program run by California Lutheran University, serving pastors from many different denominations. He has undertaken numerous lay leadership positions at the local church level on committees responsible for Communications, Stewardship & Budgets, Property & Facilities, Capital Campaigns, and has led youth mission trips to the Appalachia Service Project since 1982. He has also served as chair of the Church Council for his home church.