Christina Pfister

Christina Pfister – Editor

Thoughtful, thorough, and insightful Christian theology editor for 14 years. Globally-minded seminary graduate. K–adult educator.

Overview

I have been editing MA and Phd-level work since 2009. I have a strong background in the humanities and exclusively work on non-fiction. My emphasis is on theology, missiology, and spirituality, but I also have a special interest in pedagogy, cross-cultural studies, and the performing arts.

What this means for you is that I enjoy working with people from many different backgrounds. I am skilled at preserving your vision and voice while clarifying the structure and improving the integrity of your work. I am gifted at spotting inconsistencies and am respectful in my queries. I like to set clear expectations from the get-go and always keep my side of the bargain. I deliver on time, every time. Recent publishing houses I have worked with include Zondervan Academic (HarperCollins), Baker Publishing Group, Fernwood Press, and Harvest House Publishers.

"Thank you for your thoughtful, thorough, and insightful work. I really appreciate everything you pinpointed to help [author] hone his voice and consistently address his audience. [...] I appreciate your work on this project and I hope that we can work together on more projects in the future!"
Rachel Jacobson
Acquisitions Editor, Baker Books

"YOU ARE WORTH EVERY PENNY!!! You have made my book 1000x better and I can't wait for you to see the finished product! Thanks again!"
Pia Hugo
Author

"WHEW!!! Such good stuff you gave me! I just finished working through it all tonight and updated my final paper. I cannot thank you enough! I feel as though my paper is so much stronger already!"
Karen Rouggly
PhD Candidate
Portland Seminary

"Christina worked within our budget constraints, consistently offering high-quality work, quick turnarounds, and clear communication at every step of the process."
Eric Muhr
Publisher and Executive Editor
Fernwood Press


Services
Non-Fiction
Christian Non-Fiction Religion & Spirituality
Fiction
Poetry
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Awards
  • Recommended DMin editor at PDX Seminary since 2020
  • Recommended DMin editor at Fuller Seminary since 2023
Certifications
  • Member of ACES: The Society for Editing since 2017
  • Member of American Translators Association since 2018
  • Member of Oregon Society of Translators and Interpreters since 2018; Vice President of the Board since 2021
  • Member of the Christian Pen since 2019
  • Member of Editorial Freelance Association since 2019
  • Attended International Literary Translation and Creative Writing Summer School, BCLT, Norwich, UK, 2019
  • Member of National Organization of Independent Writers and Editors since 2020
  • Member of Small Business Advisory Council since 2021
  • Member of Northwest Editors Guild since 2022

Work experience

Self-employed

Mar, 2018 — Present

Manzanita, OR, founded 2018
• Offer editorial, DE/EN translation, and audiobook narration services
• Own and operate the company

Self-employed

Sep, 2009 — Mar, 2018 (over 8 years)

Pasadena, CA and Manzanita, OR 2009–present
• Provide English language academic editing
• Provide academic consulting services to graduate students
• Teach ESL conversation classes
• Conduct German classes for individuals and groups
• Offer German/English translation services
• Conduct research for non-profit organizations
• Offer German/English transcription

Clatsop Community College

Apr, 2018 — Jul, 2018 (3 months)

Astoria, OR, 2018
• Teach advanced ESL to international students
• Develop engaging language arts curriculum for GED and ESL adult learners

Judson International School

Aug, 2015 — Oct, 2015 (2 months)

Pasadena, CA, 2015
• Teach English, History, and Bible to ELL students in 9th and 10th grade
• Teach study skills to all 9th grade students
• Provide college counseling services to high school students and parents

Tillamook Bay Community College

Jan, 2014 — Jun, 2014 (5 months)

Pacific City, OR, 2014
• Teach English to international students in their work environment
• Create engaging curriculum

Fuller Writing Center

Sep, 2013 — May, 2014 (8 months)

Pasadena, CA, 2013/2014
• Edit MA and PhD level work for students
• Provide feedback for improvement

Judson International School

Aug, 2013 — Jan, 2014 (5 months)

Pasadena, CA, 2013/2014
• Tutor international elementary students in English as a Foreign Language
• Substitute teach as needed

Portfolio

I Dance with the Dragon: Poems of chronic illness, trauma, faith, and reconciliation with self

Harada, Jacob

Blurb

Developmental Editing
Journey to Joy

Hardy, Lorna

Xulon Press

The Digital Parenting Guidebook: 7 Essential Steps for Building the Tech-Savvy Christian Family

Tucker, David

DigitalParenting.com

Developmental Editing
Hostility Within: A Prophetic Perspective of the Church During the Pandemic

Robinson, Tavares D.

He Saw Her: Insights From Jesus' Encounters With Women

Korthase, Christy Moore

Reading Hebrews in Context

Zondervan,

Study Hebrews in its Second Temple ContextFollowing the proven model established in Reading Romans in Context, Reading Mark in Context, and Reading Revelation in Context, this book brings together a series of accessible essays that compare and contrast the the... read more
Saving Your Church from Itself

Chris Sonksen

As a coach and mentor to hundreds of pastors, Chris Sonksen has had a front-row seat to the unfortunate outcomes when a team member begins to drift from the vision of the church and the leader they serve. But the good news is, these situations never come out o... read more
Truth Changes Everything (Perspectives: A Summit Ministries Series)

Dr. Jeff Myers

America has passed a tipping point. A majority of Americans now say that truth is up to the individual and that ultimate truth cannot be known. Learning to "speak our own truths" was supposed to lead to dignity and harmony. Instead, our society struggles with ... read more
All the Time: Daily Devotions Finding Faith in the Everyday Moments

Barnes, Meredith

Recovery Alive: Resurrecting Hope through the Power, People and Process of the 12 Steps

Eklund, John

I Will Abolish the Bow

Matthew A. King

To be designated a “person” carries with it enormous social and legal entitlements. Christians may be surprised to discover that the Bible considers animals “persons.” I Will Abolish the Bow details this biblical personhood and demands that humanity reverses c... read more
Jesus, Skepticism, and the Problem of History: Criteria and Context in the Study of Christian Origins

Zondervan

In recent years, a number of New Testament scholars engaged in academic historical Jesus studies have concluded that such scholarship cannot yield secure and illuminating conclusions about its subject, arguing that the search for a historically "authentic" Jes... read more
Reading Revelation in Context: John's Apocalypse and Second Temple Judaism

Zondervan

Reading Revelation in Context brings together short, accessible essays that compare and contrast the visions and apocalyptic imagery of the book of Revelation with various texts from Second Temple Jewish literature.Going beyond an introduction that merely surv... read more
Reading German for Theological Studies

Carolyn Roberts Thompson

Every PhD student in theological and biblical studies is expected to read German, but there are surprisingly few resources to help students learn to read and translate scholarly theological works. This streamlined grammar and reader by an experienced teacher a... read more
Handbook of Reading Theological German

Christopher Ryan Jones

The Handbook of Reading Theological German is the premier resource for equipping those interested in reading and translating original German source materials and preparing academics for German comprehension examination. The book is ideal for students in biblic... read more
Talking about Race

Isaac Adams

Conversations about racism are as important as they are hard for American Christians.Yet the conversation often gets so ugly, even among the faithful who claim unity in Jesus. Why is that the case? Why does it matter? Can things get better, or are we permanent... read more
Turning Points in the Expansion of Christianity

Alice T. Ott

This book tells the story of pivotal turning points in the expansion of Christianity, enabling readers to grasp the big picture of missional trends and critical developments. Alice Ott examines thirteen key points in the growth of Christianity and its impact o... read more
Near Truth Only

Higgins, Ed

Babylon

Johnson, Jeffrey L

Inquiry

Van Huynh, Alex

He's Not Who You Think He Is: Dropping Your Assumptions and Discovering God for Yourself

Ewell, Russ

Nurdles and Other Poems

Defreese, Allison

The Empowered Woman

Andrews, Alexandra

Hope For a Life Time: Is There Hope For Me?

Hubert Nolen

Recovery Alive: Resurrecting Hope through the Power, People and Process of the 12 Steps

Eklund, John

Emotional Intelligence in Christ 6-Week Study Guide

Chavous, Estella

The Four Commands of Christ: Disciplines of Faith

Ford, James

Non Finito

Swanson, Eleanor

If I Go Missing

Knight, Carol Lynne

Royal Blue Shutters

Brognano, Lisa

New Testament with Psalms & Proverbs: The Readable Bible

Laughlin, Rod

Vorsprung: A Communicative Introduction to German Language And Culture, Enhanced

Thomas A. Lovik

An innovative and lively first-year program, VORSPRUNG: A COMMUNICATIVE INTRODUCTION TO GERMAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE, ENHANCED 3rd Edition, uses a unique five-skills approach to help you develop realistic abilities in speaking, hearing, reading, and writing Ger... read more
Quit Church

Chris Sonksen

Let's face it. Church isn't working. We hear sermons about the abundant life Jesus promised, but how many of us are actually living it? How many of our churches are thriving? How many people in our congregations are experiencing God's blessings? Maybe it's tim... read more
Why Would Anyone Go to Church?

Kevin Makins

There are plenty of reasons to criticize, judge, and even walk away from the church. Many of us have been hurt and rejected. We may see church as insular and irrelevant. Despite this, Kevin Makins believes that the church still matters--perhaps more than ever.... read more
Befriending Your Monsters

Luke Norsworthy

Monsters aren't real. As reasonable adults, we know this. But we also know that, while fake, the monsters of fairy tales, movies, and Netflix series embody our very real fears. Large, powerful beings that hunt us in the dark make us feel small, weak, vulnerabl... read more
The Sacred Art of Marriage: 52 Creative Ways to Grow Your Married Life

David Robinson

The Sacred Art of Marriage explores married life as an art studio with fifty-two tools to creatively craft your spiritual life together. Drawing upon the fourth chapter of The Rule of St. Benedict, this book offers married couples fifty-two weeks of spiritual ... read more
Becoming a Four-Faced Christian: My Journey From Trials to Triumphs

Pia Hugo

Becoming a Four-Faced Christian is Pia's first book. It's an intimate look into her journey of transformation. It's also a WAKE-UP CALL for the Church to start meeting the deep needs of those victimized by abuse of all kinds. She shares how we, as Christians, ... read more
Mary Magdalene Never Wore Blue Eye Shadow: How to Trust the Bible When Truth and Tradition Collide

Amanda Hope Haley

Truth, Legend, and the Stories You Thought You Knew Tradition suggests Mary Magdalene was a prostitute and Jesus was born in a barn. But what does the Bible really say? Armed with her theology degree, archaeological experience, and sharp wit, Amanda Hope Haley... read more

Christina has 56 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Jacob \ H.

Jacob \ H.

May, 2024

Pinned
Christina applied generous thought to my manuscript, providing a bounty of notes which guide me now in revision of the text. Among other things she helped me consider voice and the purpose of of tense changes within poems. She often asked whether certain quirks and phrasings were intentional. In some cases they were, while in others having them brought to my attention helped me clarify poems. O...
Read more
Christina P.
You are so welcome, Jacob! It was a pleasure working with you and I cannot wait to see your collection in print!
Lauston S.

Lauston S.

May, 2024

Pinned
Francis Bacon is credited with saying that writing makes an exact man. No, editing makes a writer exact. Free feedback from friends may be helpful. If you want to be "a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed" (2 Tim. 2:15), collaborate with someone like Christina.
Christina P.
Thank you so much, Lauston, for your glowing review! It was a pleasure working with you and I look forward to working with you again soon!
Freddie F.

Freddie F.

Nov, 2023

Pinned
I am so grateful for choosing Christina to review my project. She is a god-sent. She opened my eyes to another viewpoint on my project. Sometimes it takes another view to make you realize that maybe you were a bit sexist, and I am grateful for her. I would recommend her expertise to anyone needing an editor. She really is a fair person and leaves outstanding notes to enhance your project. Thank...
Read more
Christina P.
Thank you, Freddie, for this beautiful review! You're very welcome! It was a pleasure to work with you and I hope to work with you again sometime soon!
Paul S.

Paul S.

Dec, 2024

Wow! Christina gave me so much information to digest in her developmental editing. She was very thorough, honest, and provided the helpful insights to make my manuscript more readable. I would certainly recommend her, and I will want to use her again for further works. Paul
Christina P.
Thank you, Paul, for this glowing review! I appreciate your kind words and look forward to working with you again soon!
Brandon J.

Brandon J.

Nov, 2024

I am filled with joy from the collaboration with Christina a second time. Not only is she very meticulous and passionate in what she does as an editor, but she also exceedingly cares to see your work to its full fruition. I came into this collaboration seeking a copy edit for my manuscript, however, after Christina reviewed it, she recognized the gaps and disconnect within my content to be read...
Read more
Christina P.
Thank you very much, Brandon, for these beautiful words. I appreciate your enthusiastic review!

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