Joe is currently Executive Director of the ABCUSA Ministers Council. During his 39 years in American Baptist pastoral ministry Kutter has served five congregations. Since 1997 he has served as Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Topeka, Kansas. With his leadership, that congregation constructed a new community life center, costing about $2.3 million. The center has allowed them to create new ministries to impact the community, including the Topeka Shepherd Center for senior adults, an after school program for middle school students, and Upward Basketball for more than 200 elementary school children from the community. Prior pastorates include: the First Baptist Church of Royal Oak, Michigan, from 1987 to 1997; Cherry Hill Baptist Church, Dearborn Heights, Michigan, from 1980 to 1987; First Baptist Church of Arlington, Kearny, New Jersey, 1972-1980; and Assistant Pastor, First Baptist Church, Haddonfield, New Jersey, from 1970 to 1972. Kutter has also served as President of the Ministers Council, as trustee of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, as chaplain to the General Board and General Board Executive Committee, and in a variety of regional and community leadership roles.
He received his education at Drew University, Madison, New Jersey, Doctor of Ministry, 1978; Crozer Theological Seminary, Rochester, New York, Master of Divinity, 1971; and Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, Bachelor of Arts, 1967.