Daniel Rodriguez Schlorff (he/him)

Hello! I'm the incoming pastor of Third Congregational Church of Middletown, CT and also a Better Up "Care Coach" on the side.

My undergraduate education comes from Olivet Nazarene University, where I majored in Philosophy and Religion and minored in Greek, Vocal Performance, and Biblical Studies. I also began my ministerial career in March 2000, becoming ordained locally in the Church of the Nazarene.

My theological education comes from the University of Chicago Divinity School and Meadville/Lombard.

I took a few years off studying to teach at Carthage College and the University of Wisconsin—Parkside, both in Kenosha, WI.

Next, I did a second master’s degree at Hartford Seminary in Religious Studies, bridging the major traditions of world philosophies and religions with chaplaincy. After completing a 1,600 clinical hour fellowship as a chaplain, I started down the path of being a professional healthcare chaplain. I then completed the Doctor of Ministry degree in Pastoral Care and Counseling at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA.

In 2015, I started a church in New Haven, pastoring it until 2021 when it was ready to minister to the community without the “training wheels” I had offered it. I then ended up back in healthcare chaplaincy, taking a part-time position as Chaplain at Connecticut Valley Hospital.

Aside from ministry/coaching, I sing in a chorus, play the double bass in an orchestra, and love on my dog (a Boxer mix). I became certified as a health coach and life coach (Health Coach Institute) and personal trainer (ISSA).