My passion is to help students preparing for pastoral ministry to integrate their theological learning with a systemic understanding of themselves, their families, and their congregations. In addition, I stress the need for ministry leaders and counselors to prioritize becoming 'whole people,' keeping a healthy balance between their ministry, their primary relationships, and self-care."

Dr. Tim Pretz, an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), served as pastor for 21 years. During this time Tim included ministry to couples and families as a special focus to his work; he led over 25 marriage retreats in the United States and overseas. Sensing God's call to shift his ministry, Tim received his D.Min. from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now Palmer Seminary) and his clinical training in marriage and family therapy at the Council for Relationships in Philadelphia.

Tim is a licensed Marriage and Family therapist with a private practice in Devon, PA. He teaches ministry in the masters and doctoral programs. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Peru, Union, in the graduate training program for Family Therapy. His thinking and work are firmly grounded in systems theory as it applies to individuals, couples, families, and congregations.

Tim is a clinical member of American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, a licensed MFT in Pennsylvania, a board member of PAMFT, and a clergy member of Philadelphia Presbytery and facilitator of the presbytery's Conflict Resource Team. He is active at Wayne Presbyterian Church.