The Rev. Dr. Robert D. Flanagan

The Rev. Dr. Robert D. Flanagan is a priest, author, educator, and spiritual director who has served in a variety of parish and educational ministries since his ordination in 2003. He has served churches of different sizes, helped congregations navigate leadership transitions, and worked as a chaplain in an acute-care psychiatric facility. 

At All Saints, Bob will serve as our Vicar, with a particular focus on worship, preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and the sacramental life of the congregation. The title Vicar comes from the Latin “vicarius,” meaning “substitute,” and we’re grateful Bob can step in to serve alongside the clergy and lay leaders of All Saints.

In addition to his work at All Saints, Bob currently serves at Virginia Theological Seminary as a Dean’s Advisor and an affiliated faculty member. He has held a number of teaching and chaplaincy roles at VTS and General Theological Seminary in New York. He earned his Master in Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Virginia Theological Seminary.

A lifelong writer, Bob has published books and articles on Christian spirituality, spiritual growth, evangelism, and the life of faith. He is the author of the Courage to Thrive book series, the 2023 Selah Book Award Bible study finalist, The Letters of an Unexpected Mystic, and the Reader’s Favorite International Book Award Bronze medalist, Growing a Sustainable Soul. 

Bob is also the host of the Courage 2 Thrive podcast, where he speaks with guests about faith, spiritual life, vocation, and the ways people find joy, hope, and meaning.

Bob was born and raised in Stamford, Connecticut. At the age of 13, he left home for a life-changing experience and education at Cardigan Mountain School in New Hampshire.  His undergraduate education was at Trinity College, where he majored in English with a focus on writing poetry. He is the proud coach of the VTS Fighting Friars flag football team and a former collegiate rower and high school rowing coach. Bob and his wife, Lanie, have two adult children and split their time between the Washington, DC, area and Connecticut.

Bob is excited to return to parish ministry with the All Saints community.