The Rev. Madison Shockley, Contributor

Zuade Kaufman / Truthdig

The Rev. Madison Shockley is the minister of the Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Carlsbad, Calif.  Originally ordained in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, he served churches in several states before joining the United Church of Christ in 1990.

Shockley writes commentary on a wide variety of subjects including race, religion, politics, education, reproductive choice and popular culture. His commentaries have been published in papers across the country, primarily in the Los Angeles Times and the San Francisco Chronicle. He is also a regular guest on the Stacy Taylor Show, Fridays at 7 a.m. KLSD radio 1360 AM (San Diego)

Shockley was raised in Mid-city Los Angeles. After graduating from Los Angeles High School he pursued his higher education at Harvard College, University of Missouri, Union Theological Seminary and Claremont Graduate School. He holds a BA in Political Science and a Master of Divinity degree. He and his wife Gayle have four children, and reside in Carlsbad, Calif.