About The Pittsburgh Experiment

The Pittsburgh Experiment is a Christian inter-denominational ministry, which provides spiritual resources to business, professional and working people (including senior-management levels) and to area churches. Built on helping Western Pennsylvanians to apply their faith in day-to-day business relationships, The Experiment also has focused on and assisted individuals suffering from job stress and corporate downsizing. In its five decades as a marketplace ministry, The Experiment has had a positive life-changing impact on thousands of lives. Its success has led to the establishment of similar groups in Cincinnati, Cleveland-Akron and Columbus (OH), Park Ridge (NJ), Jacksonville (FL), Mobile (AL) Portland (ME) and Jackson (MS), and also in Australia, Canada, East Africa, Sweden and Zaire. The Experiment has close ties to the ministry of the late Dr. Norman Vincent Peale via The National Experiment & Guideposts and its roots are linked to the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous. The current Executive Director is the Rev. Carter Birely.

The Pittsburgh Experiment celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2005.

History

The Rev. Samuel Moor Shoemaker, whose ideas strongly influenced the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous, founded The Pittsburgh Experiment in 1955. From 1952-61, Dr. Shoemaker served as Rector of Calvary Episcopal Church of Pittsburgh, following a 26-year career as Rector of Calvary Protestant Episcopal Church in New York City. In 1955, Newsweek named him as one of the 10 greatest preachers in the United States, and Time profiled him in "God & Steel in Pittsburgh". In 1956, the Pittsburgh Jaycees named him Man of the Year in Religion. The birthing vision challenge for The Experiment in the 1950's was "to make Pittsburgh as famous for God as it is for steel". Former Directors include The Rev. William, H. Cohea ('55-'58), Mr. Paul M. Offill ('58-'60), The Rev. Donald T. James ('60-'69), and The Rev. Paul F. Everett ('69-'95).

TPE Founder - The Rev. Samuel Moor Shoemaker

In 1955, Newsweek named him as one of the 10 greatest preachers in the United States, and Time profiled him in "God & Steel in Pittsburgh". In 1956, the Pittsburgh Jaycees named him Man of the Year in Religion. The birthing vision challenge for The Experiment in the 1950's was "to make Pittsburgh as famous for God as it is for steel".


Did You Know

The Pittsburgh Experiment name is a reference to the "30 Day Prayer Experiment". Many individuals are introduced to the ministry through this activity, which revolves around two or more people joining together daily in prayer for 30 days to pray about a circumstance in their personal or professional lives. Through praying, the individuals become more aware of God's presence in their lives. Sometimes those praying witness a resolution to the matter through a change in the circumstances, and sometimes they witness a change in themselves as a result of prayer.

Board of Trustees for 2008:

Mark Munson
Jack Sheehan
Robert Adams
Laura Roy
Cindy Scott
Johanna Hacket
Robert Priganc
Michael Greb
David Dunlap
Janet Helms
Edward Hughes

Meetings of the Full Board are scheduled for the third Tuesday of the month unless otherwise indicated. Time/Location - 5:30 P.M. - The Pittsburgh Experiment Office.

Executive Committee:

Chairman: Mark Munson
Vice-Chairperson: Laura Roy
Secretary: Jack Sheehan
Treasurer: Robert Adams
Solicitor: Kerry Fraas, Esq.
Executive Director: The Rev. F Carter Birely

Meetings of the Executive Committee are scheduled for the second Monday of each month unless otherwise indicated. Time/Location – Noon - The Pittsburgh Experiment Office.

Director Emeritus:

The Rev. Paul F. Everett