About

Since September 2022, Barkley serves as rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Barkley is excited about returning to his home state and is enthusiastic about serving such a wonderful and faithful parish.  Previously, Barkley served as rector of Church of the Holy Apostles in Collierville, TN, and St. John’s in Roanoke, VA. Immediately before coming to St. Mark’s, he served for a decade as the dean of Christ Church Cathedral, in Houston, Texas.

Barkley’s ministry is one of preaching, teaching, and pastoral care.  His great joy is being among the people of God who yearn to know and serve God.  Barkley’s theological passion is Celtic Christianity.  In addition to teaching the Celtic Way, he regularly leads spiritual pilgrimages to Ireland, Scotland, and Northern England.

Barkley is an avid writer and has published essays in The American Journal of Philosophy & Theology, The Journal of Pastoral Theology, The Anglican Digest, The Living Church, Ratherview, and The Journal of the West.  His first book, Elements of Grace, was published in 2013. His second book, In the Midst of the City: The Gospel and God’s Politics was published in 2018 and won an Illumination Award Gold Medal and an Independent Book Publishers Award (“IPPY”) Silver Medal. Barkley’s newest book, How Can We Know The Way?: Reflections on Belief, Salvation, and Eternal Life, was released in August of 2023 and quickly became Amazon’s #1 New Testament Meditation new release.

Barkley earned a bachelor of arts in philosophy and religion from Hendrix College, a master of arts in religious studies from the University of Chicago, and a master of divinity from the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, TX.  Barkley serves on the board of St. Francis House, a social service center  in Little Rock for veterans and those on the margins.  Barkley is deeply interested in interfaith dialogue and serves as the present-elect of the North American Committee for St. George’s College in Jerusalem, the Anglican Center in the Holy Land.  He is also a member and past treasurer of the Urban-Suburban Clergy Conference.

Barkley is married to Jill, and they have two grown children.