Steering Committee & Contact

If you have questions concerning the UM Scholars group,
you may email the co-conveners at this LINK.
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 Wesley Allen, Jr. (Co-convener)
Lois Craddock Perkins Professor of Homiletics
Perkins School of Theology
Southern Methodist University
Elder, Indiana Annual Conference

Dr. Allen specializes in New Testament and preaching in postmodernity. With Emily Askew, he co-authored Beyond Heterosexism in the Pulpit. Also see his post on the current place the denomination finds itself: Humpty Dumpty Can't Be Put Back Together Again.
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Ted A. Campbell (Co-convener)
Professor of Church History
Perkins School of Theology
Southern Methodist University
Elder, Texas Annual Conference

Dr. Campbell specializes in Methodist history. He has been an active participant in UMC-Next conversations leading up to the May gathering at Church of the Resurrection.
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Sarah Heaner Lancaster
Professor in the Werner Chair of Theology
Methodist Theological School of Ohio
Elder, North Texas Annual Conference

Dr. Lancaster specializes in United Methodist doctrine and the authority of scripture, especially as it relates to women. She has represented the United Methodist Church in several ecumenical dialogues with an interest in unity in the Christ.
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R. Kendall Soulen
Professor of Systematic Theology
Candler School of Theology
Emory University
Elder, Virginia Annual Conference

Dr. Soulen specializes in theology that overcomes the church's long heritage of anti-Judaism. An example of his work in advocating for same sex marriage in the church can be seen in this local church presentation (begin at 41:20).
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 Rolf R. Nolasco, Jr.
 Professor of Pastoral Theology
 Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

 Dr. Nolasco is a psychotherapist with vast
 experience in cross-cultural communications. He
 recently offered the online course “Spiritual Habits
 for the Queer Soul.” He identifies as a queer person
 of color (QPOC) and his book,  God's Beloved
 Queer, will come out with Wipf & Stock this Fall.
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Ian B. Straker
Elder, New York Annual Conference

Dr. Straker is a American religious historian with interests in African American studies and Methodist history. As a participant in UMForward, Straker offers a historical perspective challenging whether the traditional plan is really traditional at all.