Jim joined the Religion faculty of Luther College in 1993. He is an ordained member of the ELCA and holds a doctorate in Christian Ethics from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He is the author, co-author, or co-editor of several publications including Eco-Reformation: Grace and Hope for a Planet in Peril; Earth Ethics: A Case Method Approach; and Climate Justice: Ethics, Energy, and Climate Policy.

Jim served on the inaugural board of the Iowa Wind Energy Association and recently completed terms as chair of the board of Iowa Interfaith Power & Light as well as the Winneshiek Energy District. Jim coordinates the Colleges and Universities page for lutheransrestoringcreation.org, directs energy and climate programming for Luther’s Center for Sustainable Communities, and serves on the board of Luther College Wind Energy Project, LLC. Jim and his wife, Karen, live in Decorah, Iowa.