Current Position
John is currently Lois Craddock Perkins Professor of Homiletics at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. He has been a member of the SMU faculty since 1979.

Career Path
John's graduate work at Perkins School of Theology from 1968-71 led to a Master of Theology degree. He holds a PhD from Southern Methodist University in Old Testament (1975).

John served as Pastor at University United Methodist Church in Lake Charles, LA (1974- 1976) and taught at Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, TX (1976-1979).

"I left my position as church pastor because I knew I was called in my ministry to the classroom, since I had wanted to be a teacher since I was very small. My three years in undergraduate teaching were helpful years of seasoning, but my interest was in teaching graduate students, most of whom were preparing to pastor churches. I am greatly blessed by having been able to do that now for 24 years."

Grinnell Experience
John majored in philosophy and religion at Grinnell.

"The greatest gift Grinnell gave to me was its unrelenting demand that I think critically and for myself. This gift has been invaluable for my preaching, my writing, and my teaching these many years."

How He Can Help
"I will be more than happy to be helpful to students in any way that I can. We are always interested in nurturing and encouraging those who feel they have a religious vocation of whatever kind. The life of the mind and the spirit has been wonderfully fulfilling to me, and I would be delighted to help others see its possibilities for them. Grinnell gave me much those 30 years ago, and I would be honored to be helpful to Grinnell in any way I can. Thanks for asking."

Contact the Career Development Office if you wish to get in touch with him.