Bailiff is a North Carolina native whose academic training is the field of psychology and theology. He holds undergraduate degrees from Johnson University (B.A.) and East Tennessee State University (B.S.), and graduate degrees from Vanderbilt (Master of Theology) and Emory Universities (Doctor of Ministry). Following his retirement from parish ministry, Dr. Bailiff turned his energy to writing, publishing Anxiety Yields to Faith, Shepherd Blessings, Journeying Forward Toward Spiritual Freedom, My Love Affair with a Dog Named Moose, and now, Mining for Meaning.