EDUCATION

CURRENT RESPONSIBILITIES

RESEARCH PROJECTS

(Partial Listing)

Choice of Study Materials by Churches

A study concluded in 2000 where I conducted telephone surveys of clergy to discover what criteria they used to select resource materials for small study groups. The study was funded by the Forum Foundation.

FACT (Cooperative Congregational Survey Project)

I was a member of the steering committee for this ecumenical project that was funded by the Lilly Endowment. I performed a number of support services for this large research project. I also was a consultant to the United Methodists regarding their participation and developed a United Methodist prototype for an Internet workbook.

Religion on the Internet

I spent ten months studying the extent and nature of religion on the Internet for a project administered by UMCom and funded by the Louisville Institute. I designed Internet questionnaires, collected Internet content and analyzing it, and conducted telephone interviews. The results have been presented at Religious Research Association meetings and ware published in a book edited by Jeffrey Hadden. 

Denominational Demographics

From 1992 through 1997 I collected demographic and some financial data from all denominations in the United States and Canada. The data itself was published in the Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches  that I edited. During each of those years I also published stewardship data with commentary in the Journal of Stewardship. I analyzed the data and wrote commentary on trends for the Yearbook. This project was sponsored by the National Council of Churches.

Religion, Technology and Culture

My initial research in this area resulted in chapter 8 in my 1986 book, Role of Computers in Religious Education. In 1990 the research was extended and published as chapter 6 of Changing Channels. I have written several popular articles on the subject. In 2000 I discussed religion, technology and culture in chapter 3 of “Different Ships—Same Boat” which was published by the World Association for Christian Communication.

TEACHING AND SEMINARY EXPERIENCE

United Theological Seminary, Dayton, OH 1997-1999
Director of Communication Master’s Program (1997-98)
Member of Search Committee for Director of Communication Program
DMin Mentor (1997-2000)
DMin Core Faculty (1997-2000)
"Core Group Mentor"
"Analyzing Contexts of Ministry"

San Francisco Theological Seminary, San Francisco, CA: 1993-1995
Advisor in DMin program

United Theological Seminary, Dayton OH: 1986-1991
Co-Director of Master of Arts in Religious Communication Program
Served on Library and Resource Faculty Sub-Committee
Served on Faculty Sub-Committee on Communication
Prepared Self Study of Communication Program for Accreditation
"Sociology of Religion"
"Media I"
"Media II"
"New Technology for Ministry"
"Computers and Religious Education"
"Using Demographics for Church Planning"

Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington DC: 1981
Adjunct Faculty in Extension Program
"Technology in Ministry"

Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster PA 1981-1986
Summer School Adjunct Faculty
DMin Adjunct Faculty
Instructor in Extension Program
"Computers in Religious Education"
"Technology and Ministry"
"Computers in Ministry"

St. Christopher's School, Luyengo Swaziland: 1976-1978
Mennonite Central Committee Volunteer
"High School Chemistry and Mathematics"

Tompkins Courtland Community College, Dryden, NY; Summer 1974
Adjunct Faculty
"Introduction to Philosophy"

Jersey City State College, Jersey City, NJ; Spring 1971
Adjunct Faculty
"Comparative Religion"

PUBLICATIONS

(Partial Listing)

Books

Different Ships—Same Boat, World Association for Christian Communication, 2000.

“Dispatches from the Electronic Frontier: Explorations of Mainline Protestant Use of the Internet” in Religion on the Internet: Research Prospects and Promises: edited by Jeffrey K. Hadden and Douglas E. Cowan, 2000.

Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches: Abingdon Press, 1992-1996 annual editions

"The Use of Television by Interpretive Communities" in Changing Channels: edited by Tyron Inbody, Whaleprints, 1990

"John Wesley's Covenant Service" in From Hope to Joy: edited by Don Saliers, Abingdon Press, 1984

Using Personal Computers in the Church: Judson Press, 1982 (Revised Edition, 1983)

Worship in the Methodist Tradition: Tidings (Discipleship Resources), 1976, Reissued by General Commission on Archives and History of the United Methodist Church, 1987

Articles

"Review: Practicing Protestants: Histories of Christian Life in America 1630-1965" Journal of Contemporary Religion, Vol. 23, No. 1, January 2008

"Religious Statistics, Data, and Affiliation Numbers" Religious Studies Review, Vol. 32, No. 4, October 2006

"Stewardship Statistics" Journal of Stewardship, Vol. 48, 1996

"Buying a College Computer: It's About Continuing a Relationship" Kaleidoscope, Vol. 3, Num. 3, Sept/Oct 1995

"Some Church Financial Statistics and Related Data" Journal of Stewardship, Vol. 46, 1994

"The Use of Computers in Mission Research" with Norman Thomas, International Bulletin of Missionary Research, Vol. 12, Num. 4, October 1988

"Review of The Pastor and the Personal Computer" Circuit Rider, Vol. 13, Num. 1, Feb. 1988

"Young Evangelicals in the 19th and 20th Centuries" Review of Religious Research, Vol. 30, Num. 3, March 1989

"Avoiding Computer Burn Out" The Center Letter, Vol. 16, Num. 3, January 1986

"How to Shop for Church Management Software" Resources, SMS Publications, 1985

"Taking the Work Out of Church Work" The Interpreter, October 1984

"Computers As Idols" Media and Values, Summer 1984

"Computerize Your Finance Records" The Clergy Journal, April, 1983

"Computers in the Church" Circuit Rider, April, 1982

"Concerns of Ethnic Minorities" Fellowship Times, Spring, 1981

"Reflections on Swaziland: Two Years Later" Sharing the Practice, January/February, 1981

"Simple Living in God's World" The Christian Home, August, 1980

"I Love You Anyway--A Little Gospel" Faith at Work, May/June 1979

"Refugee Aid for the Soweto Students" The Christian Century, May 10, 1978

"You Can See the Difference" The Lion, October, 1976

EXPERIENCE

2005-2008            Associate General Secretary, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, United Methodist Church

               Managed United Methodist work related to higher education: www.gbhem.org    

2001-2005            Minister of Archbold (Ohio) United Methodist Church

             The Archobld United Methodist Church is in northwest Ohio. The membership is just over 400 people. The web site for the church is www.archboldmethodist.org.

1999-2001            Vice President of the Forum Foundation in Seattle Washington

             Promoted program for United Methodist Churches to study The Book of Resolutions. Helped design and promote a symbolic interaction between high school students and the President of the United States using the State of the Union Address. Worked with the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference to develop a strategy for the use of the Internet. Produced a video on storytelling for the FaithOdyssey education conference. Designed interactive Internet pages for FaithOdyssey. Designed and supported computer system for CyberFaith International. Helped Seattle University prepare Lilly Endowment grant proposal for $300,000 technology project.

1997-1998               Visiting Scholar at the Centre for the Study of Communication and Culture

                Directed a research project for United Methodist Communications to discover the extent and nature of religion on the Internet. Developed a database for the Parish Resource Center. Member of steering committee of the Cooperative Congregational Studies Project.

1991-1997                Executive Director of EPIC, Inc. (Ecumenical Programs in Information and Communication).

               EPIC is a nonprofit organization that assists religious organizations. Since 1991 EPIC has received grants from the National Council of Churches, Trinity Grants Program and the Forum Foundation for projects. Clients included United Methodist Communications, Claremont School of Theology, General Council on Ministries of the United Methodist Church, Religious Public Relations Council and others. EPIC produced video teleconferences, audio products, videos, Internet home pages and computer software. Research projects included a study of communication education at theological schools.

1986-1991               Director of Computer Ministries at United Theological Seminary, Dayton, OH.

                               Taught courses in communication and sociology. Developed "on-line" computer courses, some that I taught and some that I administered. Helped found a Masters program in Religious Communication. Served as Associate Director of the Masters program in Religious Communication.

1984-1986            On Special Appointment from the Peninsula Conference of the United Methodist Church to attend Temple University

               Served as a consultant to churches and other organizations on church administration and computer acquisition. Served on the United Methodist Publishing House software review committee.

1979-1984               Minister of the Preston Parish which includes the Bethesda and Grove United Methodist Churches

                Founding president of national Church Computer Users Network. For 12 months wrote a weekly column for the Preston News and Farmer newspaper. Produced a biweekly radio program for WCTD entitled "The Church and the World." Served as interim coordinator for the Coalition for the Whole Gospel. Chairperson of Caroline County Health Planning Committee. President of the Preston Ministerial Association. Vice-chairperson of Peninsula Conference Division of Human Relations. Recipient of the Richard Wynan award for promoting racial harmony.

1978-1979               Minister of Seneca Castle United Methodist Church, Seneca Castle, NY

                Participated in United Methodist Consultation on World Hunger. Aided church with Systems Approach to Stewardship program.

1976-1978               Volunteer teacher with Mennonite Central Committee, Luyengo, Swaziland, Africa.

               Taught high school chemistry and served as lay preacher. Served on Leaders Meeting of the first multiracial Methodist circuit in southern Africa. My wife and I helped found a school for students who fled South Africa after the Soweto riots of 1976. Traveled in Africa and Europe.

1973-1976             Minister of Newfield United Methodist Church, Newfield, NY.

                Secretary of Elmira District Council and member of Conference Publications Committee. President of Tompkins County Religious Workers Association. Chairperson, Tompkins County Health Planning Council. Represented clergy on county jail citizens' committee. Volunteer with suicide prevention service.                                               

Update: September, 2008