Barkley Thompson is the dean of Christ Church Cathedral, in Houston, Texas, a historic, downtown congregation of 3,000 members. Christ Church has a more than century-long legacy of ministry to the marginalized and operates The Beacon, Houston's largest day center for the homeless. He is the author of the book Elements of Grace, as well as numerous journal and magazine articles. He also writes the popular blog, "God in the Midst of the City." Barkley holds degrees from Hendrix College, the University of Chicago, and the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas.