Leadership

The Rev. Dr. John H. Barden
Pastor
Bio
Dr. Barden (Pastor Jack) became the pastor at PCLT in February, 2019. Prior to that, he served as the Vice President for Enrollment Management at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary for more than 12 years. He was ordained by New Covenant Presbytery in 1988, and served five pastorates over 18 years in Texas, Eastern Kentucky, and mid-Missouri. He received his Master of Divinity (1988) from Austin Seminary, and his Doctor of Ministry in Preaching (2000) from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, where he was awarded the John Randall Hunt Prize for outstanding doctoral work. In 2004, Pastor Jack published, ‘Postle Jack Tales: Gospel Images in New Appalachian Folktales; he was awarded the Jim Angell Prize by the Presbyterian Writers’ Guild for that volume. He has also published essays in Faith in Words (Geneva Press, 2004), and in several homiletical journals. Jack and his husband (JR) live in Hudson Bend and are delighted to be part of this congregation.

Austin Bradley
Music Coordinator
Bio
Austin Bradley has been the music coordinator at Presbyterian Church of Lake Travis since 2020. He is the music teacher at St. Austin’s Catholic School and teaches voice and piano lessons in the Lakeway area. He holds a Bachelor’s of Music from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, a Master’s of Music from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Level One Kodály Music Teaching Certificate. He has been an active teacher and singer in the Austin area for the past ten years, performing with Austin Opera, Austin Baroque Orchestra, and many other groups around the city and region. He lives in Lakeway with his wife, Natalie and their sons, Thomas and Andrew.

Rabert Sheppard
Ministry Intern
Bio
Rabert Sheppard is a graduate of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary where he earned the Master of Divinity. He loves reading, working out and hiking. He is pursuing ordination with PCUSA.

Brittany Schmutzler
Church Administrator
Bio
Brittany Schmutzler is a Chicago native who has traveled the US teaching music and theater, performing and directing. She received her Bachelors of Music Education from Illinois Wesleyan University specializing in voice, piano, and bass clarinet. In Austin, she wears many hats including teaching and performing for the Paramount Theater, directing children’s musicals, and providing private lessons. When she’s not working, you can find her traveling, volunteering, baking, running, trying new restaurants, or seeing live shows.

Mary Margaret MacMillan
Clerk of Session

Larry Foster
Treasurer

Lynn Fisher

Steve Gottlieb

Chrystie Thrasher
