Dr. Douglas A. Learned, Executive Pastor

Doug has served as Executive Pastor at The National Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. since July, 2006.

He supervises overall programmatic ministries and staff with emphasis on new member assimilation, missions, and congregational care. During his tenure at NPC, Doug has given leadership to critical administrative areas such as personnel, finance, and church operations. He helped lead NPC through a change in governance structure and provided direction regarding congregational goals for the church’s elders in his role as Interim Moderator of Session/Head of Staff.

Doug received a Bachelor's Degree in Religion from Kalamazoo College and a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. In 2007 he received a Doctor of Ministry in Preaching through McCormick Theological Seminary.

Doug's ministry at NPC is continually enriched by his love of art which began during college when he spent a semester of study in Florence, Italy. His experience observing and responding to the works of art he encountered was instrumental in directing him back to the roots of his faith and eventually into ministry.

Doug came to NPC following twelve years of pastoral ministry, most recently as Pastor/Head of Staff of Southminster Presbyterian Church in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, west of Chicago. Before his pastorate in Glen Ellyn, he was Pastor of Farnumwood Presbyterian Church in Burton, Michigan and Student Pastor at Stockton Presbyterian Church in Stockton, New Jersey.

Over the years, Doug's passion for helping the poor in our cities has led to his involvement in various non-profit ministries working in urban redevelopment, tutoring, and assistance to the homeless. In addition, his interest in international missions has taken him to places like Cuba, South Africa, Guatemala, and Thailand to understand and promote partnerships between U.S. churches and the church of Christ in countries around the world.

Doug and his wife, Cindy, have two children. Cindy holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Organ Performance from the University of Michigan, and works as Director of Annual Giving at Holton Arms School in Bethesda, Maryland.