At my core, I am a practical theologian. I am interested in bringing theology into conversation with other disciplines, ideas, and practices. My research revolves around theological education, leadership (academic and ecclesial), Christian education and formation, Chicano/Latino studies, and cultural issues.
Books
Story, Formation, & Culture: From Theory to Practice in Ministry with Children (with James Estep and Shirley Morgenthaler). Eugene, OR: Pickwick. (forthcoming 2018)
Peer-Reviewed Articles
“Catechesis, Mystagogy, and Pedagogy: Continuing the Conversation” (with Beverly Johnson-Miller). Christian Education Journal (forthcoming)
“Reconciliatory Socialization: Conceptualizing the Experiences of Evangelical Christian Doctoral Students in Secular Higher Education.” International Journal of Christianity and Education (forthcoming)
“Pastor Theologians, the Gospel, and the Ministry of Racial Conciliation.” The Journal of Biblical & Theological Studies, 3(2): 80-92.
“Faith, Science, and Ecclesial Culture: Engaging STEM Professionals in the Life of the Church.” Bulletin of Ecclesial Theology 4(2) (Fall 2017): 59-77.
“Between Text and Context: Practical Theology and the Ministry of Equipping.” Christian Education Journal 14(2) (Fall 2017): 391-405.
“Re-Engaging Emerging Adults in Ecclesial Life through Christian Practices” (co-authored with J. Matt Mitchell and Elizabeth Bjorling Poest). The Journal of Youth Ministry 15(1) (Fall 2016): 34-58.
“’Let Them Come, Forbid Them Not’: Exploring Child-Conscious Preaching.” The Journal of the Evangelical Homiletics Society 15(2) (September 2015): 22-37.
“Pia Desideria Reimagined for Contemporary Theological Education.” Asbury Journal 70(1) (Spring 2015): 140-156.
“Practicing the Welcoming Gospel: Hospitality in Cross-Cultural Ministries.” Evangelical Missions Quarterly 50(10) (October 2014): 464-471.
“Transforming Lives through the Transforming Story: Exploring the Power of Narrative Teaching in Families and Congregations.” The Journal of Family and Community Ministries 27 (2014): 102- 118.
“Evangelicalism, Practice, and Witness: Responding to Ward’s ‘Unholy Dissonance’.” Common Ground Journal 11(2) (Spring 2014): 50-56.
“Catechesis, Developmental Theory, and a Fresh Vision for Christian Education” (co-authored with Beverly Johnson-Miller). Christian Education Journal 3(11) (Spring 2014): 8-23.
“Resources for Transfiguring Transformational Teaching” (co-authored with Beverly Johnson-Miller). Christian Education Journal 3(10) (Fall 2013): 444-447.
“The Christian Story and Our Stories: Narrative Pedagogy in Congregational Life.” Christian Education Journal 3(10) (Fall 2013): 432-443.
Book Chapters
“Introduction: Story, Formation, and Culture.” In Story, Formation, and Culture: From Theory to Practice in Ministry with Children, edited by Benjamin D. Espinoza, James Estep, and Shirley Morgenthaler. Eugene, OR: Pickwick (forthcoming, 2018).
“Ecclesial Witness in a Degrading Society: Sexual Holiness as Christian Practice.” In The Church and Its Call to Sexual Holiness (tentatively titled). Edited by Andrew Schmutzer (Cambridge University Press), forthcoming.
“Bushnell, Westerhoff, and Nurturing Children’s Faith in the Twenty-First Century.” In Exploring and Engaging Spirituality for Today’s Children: A Holistic Approach. Edited by La Verne Tolbert (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2014): 52-64.
Conference Proceedings
“Critical Reflection and Imaginative Engagement: Towards an Integrated Theory of Transformative Learning” (with John Dirkx and Steven Schlegel). Adult Education Research Conference (AERC) 2018 Conference Proceedings. (forthcoming)
“Engaging the Shadow: The Meaning of Emotion-laden Experiences in Self-Understanding and Self-formation in HRD and Work-related Learning” (with John Dirkx and Steven Schlegel). Academy for Human Resource Development 2018 Conference Proceedings.
“From Cognition to the Imaginal: Fostering Self-Understanding from and through Emotions in Adult Learning” (with John Dirkx). Adult Education Research Conference (AERC) 2017 Conference Proceedings. http://newprairiepress.org/aerc/2017/papers/26
Contributions to Reference Works
Articles in Race and Ethnicity in America: From Pre-Contact to the Present. Edited by Russell Lawson and Benjamin Lawson (Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO), forthcoming.
- “Border of Mexico and the United States”
- “Wesley, John and Georgia”
- “Wheelock, Eleazar and Dartmouth College”
“Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)” (with Stephanie Aguilar-Smith) in The Chicana and Chicano Movement: From Aztlan to Zapatistas. Edited by Adelaida R. Del Castillo and Norma V. Iglesias-Prieto (Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO), forthcoming.
Articles in The World of Antebellum America: A Daily Life Encyclopedia. Edited by Alexandra Kindell. (Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO), forthcoming.
- “Clergy”
- “Finney, Charles Grandison”
“Joan of Arc,” in The World’s Greatest Religious Leaders: How Religious Figures Helped Shape Religious History. Edited by Scott Hendrix and Uchenna Okeja. (Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO), forthcoming.
Articles in in The Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States. Edited by George Kurian and Mark Lamport. (Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2016).
- “Born Again” (p. 302)
- “Coe, George Albert” (pp. 607-08)
- “Crawford, Percy B.” (pp. 651-52)
- “Crittenton, Charles Nelson” (pp. 662-63)
- “Cummins, George David” (pp. 672-73)
- “Denominationalism” (pp. 702-03)
- “Faith-Based Organizations” (p. 853)
- “Harris, Samuel” (pp. 1047-48)
- “Legalism” (p. 1338)
- “Mears, Henrietta” (pp. 1474-75)
- “Protestant Work Ethic” (p. 1879)
- “Religious Education Association” (pp. 1934-35)
- “Separatism” (pp. 2077-78)
Articles in The Encyclopedia of Christian Education (3 vols). Edited by George Kurian and Mark Lamport. (Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2015).
- “Asbury Theological Seminary” (pp. 77-79)
- “Bugenhagen, Johannes” (pp. 173-74)
- “Calvin College” (pp. 180-181)
- “Chrysostom, John” (pp. 281-82)
- “Cyril of Alexandria” (pp. 370-71)
- “Fruit of the Spirit” (with John A. Adams, pp. 524-25)
- “Hendricks, Howard” (pp. 582-83)
- “Human Trafficking” (with Gina Shaner Farcas, pp. 613-14)
- “Justin Martyr” (pp. 670-71)
- “Little, Sarah” (pp. 751-52)
- “Shema” (with J. Chase Franklin pp. 1146-47)
- “Zwingli, Huldreich” (pp. 1425-26)
Articles in Lexham Bible Dictionary. Edited by John Barry and Lazarus Wentz. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2012).
- “Baptism”
- “Claudius, Emperor”
- “Conversion”
- “Domitian, Emperor”
- “Early Church Worship”
- “Essenes”
- “Marriage Present”
- “The Sophia of Jesus Christ” (with Sarah Parkhouse)
- “Robinson’s Arch”
Popular Articles and Review Essays
“Exploring the Transformative Dimensions of Global Learning.” MSU Center for Higher & Adult Education Report (forthcoming 2018)
“The Effect of Campus Support, Undocumented Identity, and DACA Status on the Civic Engagement of Latinx Undergraduate Students” (with Stephanie Aguilar-Smith). Association of College Unions International Bulletin, November 28, 2017.
“Engaging the Rational and Delightful in Ministry with STEM Professionals.” Seedbed (seedbed.com), June 3, 2016.
“Involving Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Professionals in Your Congregation.” Seedbed (seedbed.com), May 20, 2016.
“Scientists and the Congregation: Surveying the Landscape.” Seedbed (seedbed.com), May 6, 2016.
“Intergenerationality: Pipedream or Possible? A Review of Intergenerational Christian Formation.” Seedbed (seedbed.com), Feb. 11, 2014.
“Toward a Revival of Catechesis in Youth Ministry.” YouthWorker Journal (youthworker.com), Feb. 7, 2014.
“A Baptist’s Ode to Catechesis.” Seedbed (seedbed.com), Oct. 11, 2013.
“Three Powerful Christian Practices for Youth Ministry.” YouthWorker Journal (youthworker.com), Sep. 19, 2013.
“Taste the Evangelical Rainbow: A Review of Why We Belong.” Seedbed (seedbed.com), Aug. 9, 2013.
“Happy Birthday John Calvin (1509 – 1564): 10 Things You Need to Know.” Seedbed (seedbed.com), July 10, 2013.
“Education in the Life of Faith.” Seedbed (seedbed.com), June 27, 2013.
“Worship Leaders, Be Catechists!” Seedbed (seedbed.com), Feb. 22, 2013.
“Redemptive Catechesis: Rethinking Theological Teaching.” Seedbed (seedbed.com), Jan. 15, 2013.
“John Wesley’s Approach to Christian Formation.” Seedbed (seedbed.com), Sep. 7, 2012.
“Reigniting the Church’s Educational Ministry.” Seedbed (seedbed.com), May 10, 2012.
“A Calvinist Admires Wesley: Towards Fruitful Theological Discussion.” Seedbed (seedbed.com), March 20, 2012.
Sermons
“Gospel Convictions (Acts 5:27-32).” Preaching 31(4) (January/February 2016).
“Follow Me (John 21:1-19).” Preaching 31(4) (January/February 2016).
“Remember His Words (Luke 24:1-12).” Preaching 31(4) (January/February 2016).
“Recognizing True Life (Luke 3:15-17, 21-22).” Preaching 31(3) (November/December 2015).
“Glimpse the Glory of the King (John 2:1-11).” Preaching 31(3) (November/December 2015).
“A Purposeful Adoption (Eph. 3:1-4)” Preaching 31(3) (November/December 2015).
Curriculum
Frequent curricular contributor to InTeen™ Bible Study (Chicago: Urban Ministries Inc. UMI) (2016 to present).
Book Reviews
60+ reviews in a myriad of academic, professional, and popular journals, such as Christian Education Journal, Religious Education, International Journal of Christianity and Education, Journal of Youth Ministry, Journal of Discipleship and Family Ministry, Journal of Spiritual Formation & Soul Care, Great Commission Research Journal, Journal of Adult Theological Education, Evangelical Missions Quarterly, Bulletin of Ecclesial Theology, Themelios, Reviews in Religion and Theology, Asbury Journal, Journal of the Evangelical Homiletics Society, Scottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology, Religious Studies Review, Anglican Theological Review, Seedbed, Bible Study Magazine, and YouthWorker Journal. Comprehensive list available upon request.
