I have news I’d like to share that may be of interest to readers of this blog.

I have recently accepted an offer to join the faculty at Candler School of Theology at Emory University as Assistant Professor of Wesleyan and Methodist Studies. I am honored to join with the faculty at Candler and thrilled to be able to teach Wesleyan/Methodist studies at one of the flagship United Methodist seminaries.

The majority of my teaching at Candler will be teaching the Methodist History course required of all candidates for ordination in The United Methodist Church. This is the first class I taught as a PhD student at Southern Methodist University. And it is my favorite class to teach, so getting to teach it regularly is a dream come true! I am also looking forward to teaching other courses in Wesleyan/Methodist studies as well as in the History and Interpretation of Christianity and Contextual Education.

I am eager to get to know my colleagues at Candler and to learn from them. The welcome I have already received has been wonderful. I am also looking forward to connecting with folks in the North Georgia Conference of The UMC, as well as other Annual Conferences in the region.

As excited as I am, there is also sadness. I am sad because I will deeply miss colleagues and students at SPU, which has been a fantastic community to be a part of the past three years. It is hard to step away from what is happening at SPU, particularly Seattle Pacific Seminary, because I am certain its best days are still to come. My family will miss the relationships that have blessed us these past three years, particularly through church. We will leave Seattle aware that we are leaving a part of ourselves behind. And we will take cherished memories with us.

Many times over the past few days, I’ve remembered the clear sense of calling I had that led me to apply to PhD programs: I felt called to pastor seminary students who were preparing to become pastors. This calling has always been particularly directed towards the church in which I am ordained, The United Methodist Church. And my academic focus is on the history of the Wesleyan/Methodist tradition. Candler provides an incredible opportunity to live into these different aspects of my vocation.

I am humbled by this opportunity and grateful to God for providing it!