Mere Christianity Forum, Inc.

P. Shawn Plunkett

Founder, Chairman of the Board

After losing both his parents, Shawn Plunkett looked for an inviting environment in which he could make sense of the complexity of life through the lens of Christian faith. Immediately upon entering undergraduate studies at Furman University in 2000, Mr. Plunkett sought to create a place for students and faculty to come together and thoughtfully explore Christian faith. This dream became a reality when he teamed up with James Granberry to create the Mere Christianity Forum. Mr. Plunkett served as Executive Director of Mere Christianity Forum, Inc. for two years from 2003-2005.

A native of Carrollton, Georgia, Mr. Plunkett, completed high school at The Westminster Schools in Atlanta, Georgia and subsequently graduated from Furman University in 2004 with a B.A. in Philosophy and a concentration in Classical Studies. He received a Master of Theological Studies degree at Duke University Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina in 2008. Mr. Plunkett continues to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Mere Christianity Forum, is the president of gnuLogic Solutions (a management and technology consulting firm), and is currently providing research and development for the Lilly Endowment-funded Congregational Resource Guide web project at the Alban Institute.

A news junkie, Mr. Plunkett can always be found browsing the Drudge Report, the Economist or listening to NPR. He also enjoys snowboarding, playing basketball and eating unhealthy amounts of Cheez-Its.

James R. Granberry

Founder, Board Director & Treasurer

James Granberry, a 2004 graduate of Furman University, is one of the co-founders of Mere Christianity Forum, having been involved with the organization since its inception as a book discussion group on his freshman hall in 2000. Since these humble beginnings James has been able to use his background in management and finance coupled with his passion in religious and philosophical inquiry to help continue to grow this organization.

For the last several years before starting business school in the fall of 2009 at Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management James Granberry worked as an analyst for Freeman Webb Companies: the largest Multi-Family Commercial Real Estate Holding and Management Company in Nashville, Tennessee. He relocated to Nashville after serving as the Financial Director for the Mere Christianity Forum, Inc. during the 2004-2005 school year. He continues to serve Mere Christianity Forum as Treasurer and as a Board Member.

James grew up in Dallas, Texas, and enjoys reading, philosophy, playing golf, running, and the never-ending pursuit of Faith, Reason, and of course…Tomfoolery.

Calvin W. Edwards

Philanthropic Consultant, Board Director

Calvin Edwards is an executive with more than 20 years experience working with charitable, educational, and religious institutions. In 2001 he founded Calvin Edwards & Company, to “maximize the good of giving” by consulting with philanthropists as they support faith-based causes. The firm brings a mixture of art and science to bear on major giving decisions made by affluent persons, family offices, and private foundations.

Mr. Edwards holds a bachelor of arts degree with a double major in literature and religion from Pacific Union College, and a diploma in education from Avondale College. He earned a Master of Divinity from Andrews University where he graduated summa cum laude, and a master of business administration from Georgia State University.

Mr. Edwards came to the U.S. from Australia in 1979 and is now a naturalized American. He is married with two children, and enjoys reading, public policy, snow skiing, and running 10K road races.

L. Richard Plunkett

Investment Advisor, Board Director

From his current post as President of Plunkett & Associates and in several prior positions, Mr. Plunkett has served as chairman and investment advisor to a variety of investors and entities, including employee benefits plans, foundations, trusts, corporations and individuals.

In addition, Mr. Plunkett’s background as an officer, CEO and finally, seller of one of Georgia’s largest and oldest apparel manufacturing companies provides him with the experience and acumen to oversee effectively and manage broad “macro” financial and investment matters involving substantial monetary decisions.

Active in numerous community organizations, Mr. Plunkett currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Mercer University as well as the Board of Trustees for the Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University.

A native of Bowdon, Georgia, Mr. Plunkett is a graduate of Brown University, where he completed a Bachelor of Arts in History, and Georgia State University, where he completed an M.B.A.

Michael D. Precht

Methodist Minister, Board Director & Secretary

A 2003 graduate of Furman University with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Michael Precht spent the 2003-2004 academic year serving as the Program Director for Mere Christianity Forum, Inc. In the Fall of 2004, Michael moved to Durham, North Carolina, where he began his studies at Duke University Divinity School toward a Master of Divinity. He graduated from Duke University Divinity School in May of 2007 and is now a pastor in the United Methodist Church working in southern Alabama.

An avid fly fisherman, Michael is a native of Montgomery, Alabama. He has been known to read books in all places, including the shower.

Carey Sipp

Mother, Author, Marketing Director, Board Director

For many years, Carey was an award-winning advertising creative director, primarily working on fundraising materials for nonprofit organizations such as children’s hospitals, children’s causes, the arts, and educational institutions.

Carey is now the marketing director for the Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities, and is an author (2003-2004 Georgia Author of the Year nominee), speaker, and inventor, who has written all of her life to “stay out of trouble and to teach myself things I need to know.” Her book, The TurnAround Mom, is published by Health Communications, Inc., the publisher that made famous the Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books, and is available at Amazon.com and in bookstores nationwide beginning in May, 2007. She uses the book in her volunteer work with women at drug and alcohol treatment centers.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in communications, Carey has a life-long commitment to learning and has done extensive studies on addiction, abuse, parenting, recovery, and children’s needs. She has completed two years of the three-year Education for Ministry program.

A resident of Atlanta, Georgia, Carey is the mother of two teenagers and the step-mom of three twenty-somethings. Her husband is a pilot for Delta Airlines. A born and raised Georgian, she of course loves Jimmy Carter, and the occasional Varsity Slaw-Dog walkin’ with an ice-cold “Co-Cola.”

Julie Holmberg

Alumna, Teacher, Board Director

Julie Holmberg is a 2006 graduate of Furman University with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science. Julie’s involvement with Mere Christianity Forum began in the fall of 2003 during her sophomore year. She, like other curious students, was drawn to the group because of the thought provoking discussions that provided an amazing counterbalance to the classroom experience during her education at Furman. Julie’s engagement with MCF continued for the rest of her time in school and beyond. She has supported the organization as a discussion participant, Student Board member on the Public Relations Committee, a participant of two executive director search committees, provided intermittent administrative assistance in 2005 and continues to attend Forums and Vista House events as an alumna. She also helped develop the first Orientation for the residents of the Vista House Intentional Christian Community in the fall of 2007.

Julie Holmberg lives in Greenville, SC and is in her second year of teaching physical education. She spent her early childhood in West Chester, Pennsylvania and her high school years in Greensboro, North Carolina. She enjoys boating and fishing and is glad to be able to call Greenville, South Carolina home.