Present Position
Hartford Seminary Faculty, Professor of Sociology of Religion and Director of Distance Education and Doctor of Ministry Program
Education
Ph.D., August, 1996. Division of Religion, Ethics and Society Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
M. DIV., May 1987. Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
Graduated magna cum laude with Masters Honors Thesis.
B.A., May 1983. Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX.
Major: Psychology.
Undeclared minors: Religion, Sociology, and Philosophy. Graduated cum laude.
Dissertation
The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: Megachurches in Modern American Society.
Committee: Nancy T. Ammerman (director), Steven M. Tipton, Frank Lechner, R. Stephen Warner, Robert Franklin
Masters Thesis
Straightening Identities: Evangelical Approaches to Homosexuality.
Committee: Nancy T. Ammerman (director), Steven M. Tipton (reader).
Publications
Forthcoming:
“Megachurches: Raised on Charisma, Sustained on Shared Leadership” with Charles C. Manz and Karen P. Manz in Share the Lead Stanford University Press.
Published:
The Other Eighty Percent: Turning Your Church's Spectators into Active Disciples. with Warren Bird, Jossey-Bass - Leadership Network Series. May 24, 2011
“Creating a new heaven and a new earth: Megachurches and the reengineering of America’s spiritual soil.” With Elizabeth Leppman in Engineering Earth: The Impacts of Megaengineering Projects. Editor Stan Brunn Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer Publishing, December 2010.
“Negotiating a Religious Identity: The Case of the Gay Evangelical,” in Sexuality and Religion edited by Stephen Hunt, Ashgate, November 2010.
“Megachurches, their practices and theology” entry for The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity, editor Daniel M. Patte Cambridge University Press, September 2010.
“Internet technologies and congregational life” entry for The Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity, editor Daniel M. Patte Cambridge University Press, September 2010.
“Megachurch” entry for The New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture, University of Mississippi Press, June 2010.
“The Megachurch Phenomenon: reshaping church and faith for the 21st century” The Cambridge History of Religions in America editor Stephen J. Stein, Cambridge University Press, 2010.
“The Order of Christ Sophia and Traditional Protestant Churches” In Children of Jesus and Mary: A Study of The Order of Christ Sophia, editor James Lewis Oxford University Press, November 2009.
“Death of Denominations” article in The Progressive Christian Nov/Dec 2008 pp.22-24.
Beyond Megachurch Myths: What We Can Learn from America's Largest Churches With Dave Travis, (J-B Leadership Network Series) Jossey-Bass 2007.
“The Shape of Things to Come: Megachurches, Emerging Churches and Other New Religious Structures Supporting an Individualized Spiritual Identity.” Chapter in Faith in America: Changes, Challenges, New Directions. Editor Charles Lippy, Praeger Press 2006.
“Homosexuality and Evangelical Christianity” entry in Encyclopedia of Homosexuality and Religion, Editor Jeffrey S. Siker. Greenwood Press 2006.
“‘Open and Affirming’ of Growth? The Challenge of Liberal LGB-supportive Congregational Growth.” Chapter in Why Liberal Churches Are Growing. Editors Martyn Percy and Ian Markham. Oxford: Basil Blackwell 2006.
Gay Religion: Innovation and Continuity in American Religion. Co-editor Edward Gray Alta Mira Press, December 2004.
“Introduction,” “Denominational introduction,” “Sectarian groups introduction,” “Appendix: LGBT groups in the United States” author of sections written for Gay Religion: Innovation and Continuity in American Religion. Alta Mira Press, December 2004.
“Goliaths in the Midst: Lutheran Megachurches,” co-authored chapter in edited volume Contemporary American Lutheranism, Richard Cimino (ed.) Eerdmans Press 2003
“Ecumenical and interfaith potential still alive.” Christian Century, 7/17/2002, Vol. 119 Issue 15, p15.
“Megachurches” entry in Encyclopedia of Fundamentalism, Brenda Brasher, ed. Routledge Press. 2001.
Participated in project on Globalization, Technology and Spirituality Project, written comments published in proceedings of conference, Steve Jacobsen, University of California, Santa Barbara, Center for the Study of Religion. 2000
“Methods in Studying a Congregation” chapter in Studying Congregations Ammerman, Carroll, Dudley, & McKinney (eds.), Abingdon Press, 1998.
“The Gospel Hour: Liminality, Identity, and Religion in a Gay Bar.” published in Contemporary American Religion: An Ethnographic Reader, Eiesland and Becker (eds.), Alta Mira Publishers, 1997.
“Amazing Grace: Gay Gospel in a Southern City” published in A Rainbow of Religious Studies. Vol. 7 Gay Men's Issues in Religious Studies. Clark and Goss (eds.), Monument Press, 1996.
“Megachurches of Atlanta” article in Religions of Atlanta: Religious Diversity in the Centennial Olympic City. Gary Laderman (ed.), Scholars Press. 1996.
“Rising out of the Ashes: An Exploration of One Congregation's Use of Southern Symbolism” article in Religion in the Contemporary South: Diversity, Community, and Identity, White and White (eds.), Southern Anthropology Proceedings, No. 28 University of Georgia Press, 1995.
“Negotiating a Religious Identity: The Case of the Gay Evangelical” article in Symbolic Interaction: An Introduction to Social Psychology. Herman and Reynolds (eds), General Hall Publ., 1994, p.224-38.
“Negotiating a Religious Identity” Sociological Analysis Vol.52: 4 Winter 1991, p.333-347.
“Seeking to Be Converted: An Examination of Recent Conversion Theories” Pastoral Psychology Vol.39 January, 1991, p.185-194.
Internet and Web
Sites created and/or maintained:
Web Publications:
- Research report "Not Who You Think They Are: A Profile of the People Who Attend America's Megachurches" 2009
- Research report on Megachurches Today 2008 - "Changes in American Megachurches"
- Research report on "Megachurches Today 2005"
- Research report on "Faith Communities Today Megachurch 2000 Study"
- Research report on Faith Communities Today "Nondenominational Protestant Churches Study"
- Sociology of Religion Encyclopedia Project
- Hartford Institute Email Newsletter “News and Notes” 25 issues to date
- Research report on Church Webmaster Study
- “Walking the Cyber-Labyrinth,” article on the implications of the web on religious life.
- “Exploring a Mega-trend,” article on the basic characteristics of megachurches.
- “Connectionalism beyond the Denomination: Local Religious Ecologies and Beyond.”
- “Non-denominational Identities and the Networks that support them.”
- Content for a majority of the hundreds of web pages on the HIRR and FACT web sites.
Conference Presentations
“The View from the Comfy Padded Pew: New Data on Megachurch Attendees” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association for the Study of Religion, Economics, and Culture in Washington D.C. April 2009.
“Where 2 or 3 Thousand are Gathered: Overview of Findings of a National Field Study of Megachurch Attendees” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Religious Research Association in Louisville, KY. October, 2008.
“Growing Up and Leaving Home: Megachurches That Depart Denominations” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Religious Research Association in October, 2007.
“The Business of Megachurches” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association for the Study of Religion, Economics, and Culture in October, 2007.
“Church Writ Large: A Profile of Megachurches in the United States” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Religious Research Association in October, 2007.
"Outreach Lessons From the Fastest Growing Megachurches" A presentation given at the National Outreach Conference in San Diego, CA, November 2006
"Regularly Attending to Internet Altars: A new look at the use of the Internet by churches." A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion in Portland, OR, October, 2006
"The Business of Megachurches" A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association for the Study of Religion, Economics, and Culture in Portland, OR, October 2006
‘CHURCH Writ Large: A Profile of Megachurches in the United States’ Organized two sessions on megachurches and presented this paper at the annual meeting of the Religious Research Association in Portland, OR, October 2006
“The Place of the Megachurch” A paper presented at the Eastern Sociological Association annual meeting in Boston, MA February, 2006.
“Do online surveys work: It depends on the audience.” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Religious Research Association in Kansas City, MO. October, 2005.
“Answering the Reporter’s Call” Panelist in a workshop at the American Academy of Religion annual meeting in Atlanta, GA. November, 2003.
“Are We Public Educators: A Discussion with Journalists of Religion” co-organizer, convener and presenter at the annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion in Norfolk, VA. October, 2003.
“The Mega-Church Engaged.” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Religious Research Association in Norfolk, VA. October, 2003.
When Theology is the Causal Variable.” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association of Sociology of Religion in Atlanta, GA. August, 2003.
“Religion and the Internet” Invited presentation at Louisville Institute Sabbatical Grant Consultation. Louisville, KY. April, 2003
“Of Mice and Members: Using the Web to Research Religious Phenomena” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion in Salt Lake City UT. October, 2002.
“A Sunday Drive on the Information Superhighway: The Use of Web-based Research by Religious Groups” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Religious Research Association in Salt Lake City UT. October, 2002.
“Being a Public Educator” Organizer, convener and one of the presenters in a panel session at the annual meeting of the Religious Research Association in Salt Lake City UT. October, 2002.
“Religion and the Internet” Paper given at Communications Forum lecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on April 18, 2002.
“The Hartford Institute for Religion Research web site – A Resource for Research and Teaching.” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion in Columbus, Ohio. October, 2001.
“Internet Strategy: Design and Technology for a Web-User World.” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Religious Research Association in Columbus, Ohio. October, 2001.
“Christianity: Present and Future.” Presentation to the Religion Newswriters Association, Boston, MA, September, 2001.
“Assessment of the Life Work of Margaret Poloma.” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Southern Sociological Society in Atlanta, GA. April, 2001.
“Show me the data: The web as a publishing medium for denominational research findings.” Organizer, convener and one of the presenters in a panel session at the annual meeting of the Religious Research Association in Houston, TX, October, 2000.
“Exploring a Goldmine? ‘American Church Lists’ as a Research Source.” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Religious Research Association in Houston, TX. October, 2000.
“Gender, Sexualities and Religious Research” Paper presenter in a Special Plenary Session at the annual meeting of the Religious Research Association in Houston, TX. October, 2000.
“Ethics and Research Standards of On-line Self-publishing” One of the presenters in a panel session at the annual meeting of the Religious Research Association in Houston, TX. October, 2000.
“Non-denominational Identities and the Networks that support them.” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Religious Research Association in Boston, MA. November, 1999.
“Revisiting the Cross: Routinization and Revival within the Assemblies of God.” Co-authored with Margaret Poloma, A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion in Boston, MASS November, 1999.
“Describing and measuring Congregational Change in Independent Christian Churches.” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Religious Research Association in Boston, MA. November, 1999.
“Surfing for Saints: Tour of Religious and research sites.” Organizer, convener and one of the presenters in a panel session at the annual meeting of the Religious Research Association in Boston, MA. November, 1999.
“Connectionalism Beyond the Denomination: Local Religious Ecologies and Beyond.” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association of Sociology of Religion in San Francisco, CA. August, 1998.
“The Gospel Hour: Liminality, Identity, and Religion in a Gay Bar.” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion in Nashville, TN. November, 1996.
“Amazing Grace: Gay Gospel in a Southern City” A paper co-written with Edward Gray and presented at the American Academy of Religion annual meeting in Philadelphia, Pa. November, 1995.
“The Megachurch: A Sacred Power in a Secular Society.” Keynote lecture given at Catholic University of America, School of Architecture Summer series. June, 1995.
“And Like a Phoenix: The Influence of `New South in a Southern Congregation” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion in Raleigh NC, October 1993.
“Issues in Qualitative Research: The Interface between Qualitative and Quantitative Research in Fieldwork” Organized and convened a roundtable discussion at the annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion in Raleigh, NC, October 1993.
“Switching In: Mainline Charismatic Converts in One Nondenominational Congregation” A paper presented at The Institute for the Study of American Evangelicalism consultation held at Princeton, NJ, October 1993.
“Sketching a Megatrend: The Phenomenal Proliferation of Very Large Churches in the United States” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association of Sociology of Religion in Miami FL, August 1993.
“Rising from the Ashes: An Exploration of One Congregation's Use of Southern Symbolism” A requested Key Symposium paper for the annual conference of the Southern Anthropological Society, Savannah, GA, March 1993.
“Beyond the Objective Observer: Problems in Qualitative Research” Organized and convened a roundtable discussion session at the annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion in Washington, D.C. November 1992.
“Where Two or Three Are Gathered: Experiences in Group Interviewing” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion in Washington, D.C., November 1992.
“The Spy Among Us: Problems in Researching a Congregation” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association of Sociology of Religion in Pittsburgh, PA, August 1992.
“Quench Not the Spirit: The Effects of Bureaucracy on Charisma” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion in Pittsburgh, PA, November 1991.
“A Good Shepherd?: An Analysis of the Appeal of a White Minister for African American Christians” A paper presented at the Southeast regional meeting of American Academy of Religion in Atlanta, GA, March 1991.
“Seeking to Be Converted: An Examination of Recent Conversion Theories” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion in Salt Lake City, Utah, October 1989.
“Preserving the Reverence for Life in the Whirlwind of AIDS,” Coauthored with Mark Sciegaj. A paper presented to the Director's Staff, Georgia Division of Public Health, Department of Human Resources, Atlanta, GA, November 1987.
“Conservative Christian and Homosexual: A Feat of Religious Accommodation” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion in Louisville, KY, October 1987.
“Conflicts of Autonomy: AIDS and Preventive Health Care Policies” Coauthored with Mark Sciegaj. A paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, Las Vegas, NV, October 1986.
“Straightening Identities: A Look at Two Evangelical Approaches to Dealing with Christian Homosexuals” A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Association for the Sociology of Religion, New York City, NY, August 1986.
Teaching Experience
"Strength at any Size: Dynamics of Size in Congregations." Spring 2010
“Global Pentecostalism” Fall 2009
“Global Religious Movements” Spring 2009
“Growing Healthy Churches” Summer 2008
“Studying Congregations" Summer 2005, Summer 2007, Summer 2010
“Religious Megatrends” Spring 2005
“Evangelicalism” Spring 2007
"Megachurches: What Can My Church Learn from These Giants" Summer 2006, Summer 2009
"Contemporary American Religion" Fall 2005
"Varieties of Gay Religious Life” online course Fall 2004, Fall 2006, Fall 2008
“Congregational Studies Institute” Hartford Seminary, Summer 1998, Summer 2001, Summer 2002, Summer 2004
“American Religious History” Hartford Seminary, Spring 2004
“Sociology of Religion” Hartford Seminary, Fall 1999, Fall 2003, Fall 2010.
“First Year Dmin Colleague Group” Hartford Seminary, Fall 2002, Spring 2003.
“Pentecostalism” co-teaching with Efrain Agosto Hartford Seminary, Spring, 2002.
“Religion and the Web” Hartford Seminary, AM-610, Fall 2000.
“The Death of Denominations” RS-437, Spring 1999.
“Understanding Congregations” assisted Nancy Ammerman, Hartford Seminary, Spring 1998.
“Social Ethics” in the health arts program of the College of St. Francis, Spring 1997, Fall 1996, Spring 1996.
“The Social Dynamics of Congregational Life” in Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Fall 1996, Spring 1994.
“Religion in American Society” in Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Spring 1996.
“Introduction to Sociology” in the undergraduate Sociology Department at Oxford College of Emory University, Fall 1995.
“Performing our Theological Task” Course of Study School, Emory University, July 1995.
“World Religions” in the undergraduate health arts program of the College of St. Francis, Summer 1995.
“Religion in America” in the undergraduate health arts program of The College of St. Francis, Fall 1994 and Fall 1995.
“Fundamentalism” in Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Fall 1994.
“The Individual and Society” in the undergraduate department of Sociology, Emory University, Spring 1993.
“Sociology of Religion” in Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Spring 1993.
Research Experience
Faith Communities Today megachurches 2011 and Nondenominational study 2010.
Research on nondenominational churches for the 2010 Religious Congregations Membership Study $35,000 funding to do the research
12 megachurch field research study with Leadership Network granted $150,000 2008
Researcher for Faith Communities Today/ Cooperative Congregations Study Project. Hartford Seminary, Studies of megachurches and nondenominational Protestant churches. 1998-2009. 4 national studies of megachurches, served on steering committee, webmaster
Co-Director of multimillion dollar granted Lilly Web Site development project with 25 organizations (2002-2011)
Consultant to Web Re-design Project and Institute Networking Project with Louisville Presbyterian Seminary Resourcing American Religion Web Site. 2002-2006.
Consultant to web re-design of Practicing our Faith web site. 2002.
Contract Research Project for Hartford Seminary Ian Markham, Interfaith programs in ATS Seminaries. 2002.
Project manager for Organizing Religious Work Project, Hartford Seminary also assisted in study of Assemblies of God pastors and Study of Vineyard Fellowship pastors. 1997-2000.
Independent Consultant, Congregational Consultants, Specializing in congregational consulting, church research, and denominational consultation. 1994 to present. Consultant to Candler School of Theology; St. Joseph Hospital; Atlanta Interfaith Health Project, Carter Center of Emory University; The United Methodist General Council on Ministries; and Charter Brook Hospital. 1990-1997
Project Researcher for Research Project on the Faith and Practice of the Congregation, Dr. James W. Fowler and Dr. Thomas Frank, co directors 1988 1989.
Researcher for World Methodism and World Issues project, Dr. Earl Brewer and Dr. Mance C. Jackson, co-directors. Co-wrote the published document World Methodism and World Issues: A Research Report with Dr. Brewer for the World Methodist Council. 1986-1989.
Assistant to the Director, Center for Religious Research, Candler School of Theology, Emory University. Director Nancy T. Ammerman, Data collection for study of Southern Baptists. 1984-1986.
Honors and Awards
- Grant from Louisville Institute $12,000 2008-09
- Grant from Lilly Endowment $25,000 redesign of HIRR website 2007
- Post-doctorate, Hartford Seminary, Hartford Institute for Religion Research, Hartford, CT 1997-2000
- Dissertation Fellowship, Louisville Institute for the Study of Protestantism and American Culture, 1992 93.
- Religious Research Association, Research Grant, Summer 1991.
- Emory Graduate Fellowship, 1988 1992.
- Dean's Award, Candler School of Theology, 1983 1986.
- Member, Psi Chi, Psychology Honors Society, 1983.
- Member, Theta Chi, Theology Honors Society, 1985.
- Awarded Outstanding Theology Student, Southwestern Univ., 1983.
Service to the Profession
Webmaster of Robert Bellah’s web site 2003 to present.
Webmaster for Religious Research Association, 1999 to present
Religious Research Exchange Listserve manager, 2000 to present
Publicity Committee chair, Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, 2000 to 2010
Publicity Committee chair, Religious Research Association, 2000 to 2010
Research Planning Committee chair, Religious Research Association, 2000 to 2010
Webmaster for American Sociological Association, religion section, 2002 to 2006
Awards Committee, Religious Research Association, 3 years, chair 1 year 1998-2000
Student Paper Committee member, Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, 2000
Article reviewer for Sociology of Religion, Review of Religious Research, American Sociological Review
Book reviewer for several Publishers
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