Note: Two Dakotas Conference elders, Rev. David Schnasa Jacobsen and Rev. Randy Maddox have been named to the New Room Books editorial board.

NASHVILLE, Tenn., August 15, 2016 –The publishing ministry of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) of The United Methodist Church has announced the editorial board members for its academic publishing imprint, New Room Books. Named for John Wesley’s New Room in Bristol, England, New Room Books is a reviewed academic monograph series that offers scholars from the Methodist tradition and their students a way to share the benefits of research and in-depth study.

Photo: Rev. Randy Maddox, Dakotas Conference elder, Duke Divivinty School, will serve as on the editorial board for the New Room Books. File photo.

GBHEM is tasked with tending and growing the intellectual life of The United Methodist Church. The agency’s publishing ministry, particularly New Room Books, helps the church embody the rigorous intellectual, evangelical spirit that John Wesley so passionately advocated. “John Wesley had high expectations for the Methodist circuit riders, expecting them to read and study, so that they could understand, experience, and share the depths of Christian faith. This expectation continues in the high level of training expected of United Methodist clergy and in the interest of the laity in exploring and deepening their faith,” says Dr. Matthew Charlton, assistant general secretary in the Division of Higher Education at GBHEM. Charlton, along with Rev. Shannon Conklin-Miller, assistant general secretary in the Division of Ordained Ministry, share oversight of the publishing ministry. Dr. Kathy Armistead is the publisher.

Charlton, who has authored and edited several texts, is pleased with the editorial board’s membership and believes it will help the publishing imprint live up to the high expectations of The United Methodist Church. “Each member of the New Room Books editorial board is an accomplished scholar, having produced work that impacts their field and are, as such, well regarded in academic circles and in the church,” he says.

Photo: Rev. David Schnasa Jacobsen, Dakotas Conference elder, Boston University School of Theology, will serve on the editorial board for New Room Books. File photo.

The 22 inaugural members of the New Room Books Editorial Board are:

Ted A. Campbell (Perkins School of Theology)
Carlos F. Cardoza-Orlandi (Perkins School of Theology)
Margaret Ann Crain (Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary)
Mark Y. A. Davies (Oklahoma City University)
*David Schnasa Jacobsen (Boston University School of Theology)                                            Raymond Simangaliso Kumalo (Seth Mokitimi Theological Seminary, South Africa)                 John R. Levison (Perkins School of Theology)
Priscilla Pope-Levison (Perkins School of Theology)
*Randy L. Maddox (Duke Divinity School)
Hilde Marie Øgreid Movafagh (UM Seminary and Norwegian School of Theology, Norway)
Amos Nascimento  (University of Washington)
Michael Nausner (Reutlingen School of Theology, Germany)
Sergei Nikolaev (Moscow United Methodist Theological Seminary)
F. Douglas Powe Jr. (Wesley Theological Seminary)
Lallene J. Rector (Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary)
Russell E. Richey (Candler School of Theology)
Elaine A. Robinson (Saint Paul School of Theology)
Karen B. Westerfield Tucker (Boston University School of Theology)
Traci West (Drew Theological School)
Ben Witherington III (Asbury Theological Seminary)
Anne E. Streaty Wimberly (Gammon Theological Seminary)
K.K. Yeo (Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary)                                                           

K.K. Yeo writes, in response to being asked to serve on the editorial board, that he is committed to service on the editorial board, “for the sake of the rigorous intellectual life of The United Methodist church and its missions and for blessing the writings of our faculty colleagues.”

Later this year, GBHEM’s second publishing imprint, Foundery Books, will release its first title. Representing the rich diversity of the church, Foundery Books are accessibly written by Methodist/Wesleyan experts who emphasize church life and ministry. The book, A Wesleyan Theology of the Eucharist: The Presence of God for Christian Life and Ministry by general editor Jason E. Vickers, PhD, Professor of Theology at Asbury Theological Seminary, will be available in November.

*Dakotas Conference clergy members.