The Rev’d Dr. Christian Dominic Boyd (born May 22, 1973) is a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA), as well as active in organizational development consulting in non-profits, United Nations-accredited global socio-economic development NGOs and IGOs, and educational programs.
Early Life, Education, and Career
Dr. Boyd was born and raised in Joplin, Missouri. He paternally descends from the Boyds of Kilmarnock and Ulster Scots, who settled in the colonies and established Presbyterian Churches and the Cumberland Presbyterian Churches. Paternally, he also descends from English settlers, such as his paternal Blood ancestors who settled in Massachusetts in 1648 and his maternal Huddleston ancestors who were part of the Virginia Company. Maternally, he is related to the Garrisons, who settled in the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam and had a farm in Brooklyn, New York. His maternal grandmother descended from Dr. Pierre Chastain and other French Huguenots, such as Henri "Le Marchand" Mershon, who settled in New Jersey.
He holds a Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Mission and Leadership, Organizational Development from Luther Seminary, a Master of Divinity in Practical Theology and Pastoral Leadership from Louisville Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts in World Literature from Truman State University. He has also earned Graduate Certificates in Mediation and Negotiation from Northwestern University and Paralegal Studies from George Mason University. He completed coursework from Harvard Kennedy School in public leadership and diplomacy and human rights through the Global Diplomatic Forum (London) and the U.S. Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights (Washington, D.C.).
Certifications include Certified Humanitarian and Stabilization Associate, as well as Certified Non-Governmental Organization Professional from the Register of Humanitarian and Stabilization Professionals (London); Certified Development Executive, Certified Nonprofit Executive, Certified Nonprofit Consultant from the National Association of Nonprofit Organizations and Executives (USA); Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Dispute Resolution Arbitrator (rostered in the Milwaukee, WI area); and Clinical Research, National Institute of Health (USA). He is a National Association of Nonprofit Organizations and Executives (NANOE) member and rostered among FINRA Dispute Resolution Arbitrators.
He holds membership as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland and a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts, both under the patronage of HM King Charles III. He is a member of the Royal African Society under the patronage of HRH William, Prince of Wales, and the Royal Celtic Society under the patronage of HRH Anne, Princess Royal. Due to his English heritage and genealogy, he is a member of the Society of Saint George - Philadelphia.
Dr. Boyd was ordained as Presbyter and Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA) by the Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky in 2001 and has served as a designated pastor and installed, or tenured, pastor of congregations in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. He has also served as a state clerk, an elected regional church leader for the Presbytery of Milwaukee and the Presbytery of Ohio Valley. He has served the denomination by being elected in 2010 to the Episcopal Presbyterian Ecumenical Dialogue and was the principal author of a proposal for the orderly exchange of clergy that was considered by both national denominational bodies in 2024. Dr Boyd was also elected to the Advisory Committee on the Constitution of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Philanthropy
Dr. Boyd serves as the Adontehene (Chancellor General) and Chief of Arms of the Royal House of Sefwi Obeng-Mim and for the Omanhene, or Paramount Chief, and Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council in Ghana. He serves the poor and assists in the humanitarian development of communities in the Western North region of Ghana. He serves on the Oheneba Foundation (Ghana) Board as Project Coordinator and is the Managing Director and Treasurer for the Oheneba Foundation USA, Inc.
He also serves as Grand Chancellor and Chief Administrative Officer of the Sovereign Imperial and Royal House of Ghassan, a United Nations-registered non-government organization with special consultative status. The NGO works with Christians at risk in the Middle East and projects with the Republic of Lebanon, which officially recognizes the Royal House.
Publications
Christian D Boyd. Formed and Always Being Reformed as a Community Under the Cross (O’Fallon, IL: Celtic Hound Press, 2010).
Book of Common Worship (2018), PC(USA) with Westminster John/Knox Press. Editorial Board, 2016-2017. Daily Prayer section.
“These Days, Daily Devotions for Living by Faith,” July 13-19, 2020. Published by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Honors and Awards
Dr. Boyd has been honored with numerous international titles, honors, and awards. Notable among these are the Royal House of Ghassan (Lebanon and Syria), the Royal House of Sefwi Obeng-Mim (Sefwi Waiwso Traditional Area, Ghana), the Royal House of Babiito (Uganda), the Royal House of Bagration-Mukhrani (Georgia), Royal House of Petrović-Njegoš (Montenegro), Royal House of Keoua Nui Keali`i (Hawaii), and confraternities under the patronages of His Excellency Mr. Rafael Melgarejo de la Peña, Duke of San Fernando de Quiroga, Grandee of Spain, and HRH Dom Miguel of Braganza, Duke of Viseu and Infante of Portugal. Dr Boyd is also a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Fletchers, Freeman of the City of London (UK), and Honorary Kentucky Colonel and aide-de-camp by Governor Andy Beshear, State of Kentucky (USA).
He is an armiger, registered and certified by the American College of Heraldry, the International Register of Arms, the Spanish Ministry of Justice recognized Cronista de Armas de Castilla y Leon in Madrid, Spain, and with the Office of the Chief Herald of Arms of Malta, and as a member of the Lord Lyon Society, under the patronage of HRH the Princess Royal.