An Episcopal priest with significant skills in congregational vitality, pastoral care and liturgical leadership, The Rev. Ian Burch is known for his gifts as a preacher, musician and administrator. He is a passionate advocate and scholar in the field of church hospitality and growth, how holy liturgy shapes us for Christ’s service in the world, and how a parish can partner with its community to support those in need.

Rev. Burch joined St. Chrysostom’s from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Milwaukee, where he served as its Rector for eight years. As Rector, he oversaw a major capital campaign, construction of a new parish hall, a fully revitalized music program, added weekly services, and increased lay leadership, nearly doubling church attendance during his tenure.

Raised in Chugiak, Alaska, where his family helped found a small, semi-rural mission congregation, Rev. Burch attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, studying Religion, Russian Language and Music. Directly after graduating, he began Master of Divinity studies at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. In the eight years following, he served as Lead, Staff and Resident Chaplain at RUSH Oak Park Hospital & VITAS, Chicago, focusing on hospice, intensive care and emergency clinical services. In 2024, Rev. Burch completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at The General Theological Seminary in New York.

He lives with his husband Travis, a social worker and therapist, and their dog Captain Fantastic. They have recently traveled to Dublin, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Montreal and Puerto Vallarta. They’d like to see the whole world.

He said: “My reason for being interested in the AEC is highly personal. I attended a Lutheran seminary many years ago during a time when the church was hostile toward LGBTQ+ folks. While many of my colleagues found seminary to be a place of deep friendship and deeper formation, I found it to be a miserable experience, and I was always a bit envious of the warm place that so many people hold in their hearts for their alma maters. And so, when I had the opportunity to come to General and study in their DMin program, I jumped at the chance. I loved my time on the Close, and I found delight in getting to know the professions, the city, the chapel (of course), and the overall feel of the place. I was also incredibly impressed at the ways—just in my few years as a member of the GTS community—the seminary took on huge, historical, difficult issues and boldly forged a new structure with new partnerships. I think it is a model for the rest of the church, and I want to be involved in whatever way I can. I think that serving on the AEC is one way I can give back to a place I have come to love. “