Personal Data
Born August 18, 1954 in Sandwich, Illinois.
Married January 11, 1986, to the former Laura Ann Niemann of Louisville, Kentucky.
Two children: James Robert, born March 30, 1996; Stephen Michael, born April 14, 2000.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities (Religion Concentration), Florida State University, 1983. Dissertation: "Henry Ward Beecher and the Political Pulpit"
Master of Divinity, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1979.
Bachelor of Arts (Cum Laude), Stetson University, 1975. Major: Speech and Theatre.
Professional Experience
Dean and Professor of Christian Ministry, Graduate School of Ministry, Anderson Univertsity, Anderson, SC. 2008-Present.
Executive Editor, Preaching Magazine, Salem Communications, Nashville TN. 2006-Present
President/CEO, American Ministry Resources LLC, Franklin, TN. 2002-2006.
Executive Vice President and Associate Professor of Christian Studies, Union University, Jackson, TN. 1996-2001.
Director of Public Relations and Adjunct Professor of Christian Preaching, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY. 1993-1996.
Director of Development and Church Relations, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama. 1987-1993.
Director of Communications, Southern Baptist Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. 1984-1987.
Associate Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Tallahassee, Florida. 1982-1984.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida. 1981-1983.
Assistant to the President/Director of Media Services, Cuneo Advertising, Inc., Tallahassee, Florida. 1980-1981.
Director of Public Affairs/Adjunct Professor of Religion, Palm Beach Atlantic College, West Palm Beach, Florida. 1978-1980.
Pastor, Union Flatrock Baptist Church, Osgood, Indiana. 1976-1978.
News Director/Director of Communications, Southern Baptist Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. 1975-1978.
Additional Professional Activities
Editor and Publisher of Preaching Magazine, and Executive Director of the American Academy of Ministry. 1985-Present.
Director, National Conference on Preaching (annual series) and International Congress on Preaching (every fifth year).
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Coral Springs, Florida. 1979-1980
Interim Pastor, West End Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alabama. 1987-1988
Interim Pastor, Forest Hills Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alabama. 1989
Interim Pastor, Brook Hills Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alabama. 1990
Interim Pastor, Walnut Baptist Church, Walnut, MS. 1998.
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, McKenzie, TN. 1999-2000.
Preacher for revivals, conferences, services.
Member, Advisory Council, MovieMinistry.com
Honors and Recognitions
Clyde T. Francisco Preaching Award, Southern Seminary. 1976.
Listed in 2000 and subsequent editions, Who's Who in America.
Listed in 21st edition, Who's Who in the South and Southwest.
Listed in 4th edition, Who's Who in Religion.
Listed in 1991 edition, Who's Who Among Emerging Leaders in America.
Series of awards from Baptist Public Relations Association for work in writing, design, advertising. 1977-1995.
President, Baptist Public Relations Association, 1992-93.
Listed in Outstanding Young Men of America. 1977, 1978.
Publications
Joy in Ministry: Messages in Second Corinthians. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1989.
Editor, Preaching With Power. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2006.
Editor, Communicate with Power: Insights from America's Top Communicators. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1997.
Editor and Contributor, Handbook of Contemporary Preaching Nashville: Broadman Press, 1993.
Editor and Contributor, 1996 Abingdon Preaching Annual. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1995.
Editor and Contributor, 1997 Abingdon Preaching Annual. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996.
Editor and Contributor, 1998 Abingdon Preaching Annual. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1997.
Editor and Contributor, 1999 Abingdon Preaching Annual. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1998.
Editor and Contributor, 2000 Abingdon Preaching Annual. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1999.
Editor, Great Preaching 1989-2002. (Sermon anthologies published annually by Preaching Resources, Inc.)