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 Jacboson

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

"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

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Developmental Editing
Journey to Joy

Hardy, Lorna

Xulon Press

Developmental Editing
Near Truth Only

Higgins, Ed

Babylon

Johnson, Jeffrey L

Inquiry

Van Huynh, Alex

Nurdles and Other Poems

Defreese, Allison

The Empowered Woman

Andrews, Alexandra

Non Finito

Swanson, Eleanor

If I Go Missing

Knight, Carol Lynne

Royal Blue Shutters

Brognano, Lisa

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
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
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 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 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
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 62 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Donny W.

Donny W.

Nov, 2025

Christina is an excellent editor who will comb through your work and ask you questions you never thought to ask yourself. You will learn a lot from her so you will have a ton of information for your next draft. I would definitely recommend if you have the funds and are serious about getting your...
Read more
Christina P.
Thank you so much, Donny, for this glowing review! It was a pleasure working with you!
Mary S.

Mary S.

Oct, 2025

I felt like Christina was just as invested in our book as I am. Communication was wonderful throughout the process, even when the scope of the work turned out differently than we originally thought it would. She took our project to a higher level, and we can't wait to work with her again.
Christina P.
Thank you so much for this lovely review, Mary! What a delight to work with you and I look forward to working with you again!
Kelly S.

Kelly S.

Oct, 2025

Christina took great care with my work and provided quality feedback. The questions she asked and the comments she provided will improve not only this manuscript but my future work as well. I would not hesitate to highly recommend Christina!
Christina P.
Thank you so much for these kind words, Kelly! It was a pleasure to work with you!
Jack C.

Jack C.

Sep, 2025

Christina was very helpful, thoughtful, direct, professional, and a joy to work with. She carefully reviewed my manuscript, asked genuine questions, and highlighted sincere biases. Her comments made me very aware of my blind spots and areas of improvement. Her theological background proved valuab...
Read more
Christina P.
Thank you so much for this glowing review, Jack! I so appreciate your kind words and look forward to working with you again!
Phillip B.

Phillip B.

Apr, 2025

Well done
Christina P.
Thank you, Phillip! It was a pleasure working with you and I hope to work with you again soon!

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