Christopher B. James

Christopher B. James is PhD Candidate (ABD) in Practical Theology program, with a dual-concentration in Church & Society and Evangelism.  He holds B.A. in Christian Education and Ministry from Wheaton College, a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, as well as certificates in Spiritual Formation from the Renovare Institute and Mission & Ecumenism from the Boston Theological Institute.

With his wife, Lindsay, he has served in several ministerial positions and is a candidate for ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA).  His research interests concern the ecclesial implications of contemporary conversations about “missional church” and “spiritual formation” particularly among American Evangelicals.  Recent publications include “Some Fell on Good Soil: Church Planting in Religious Ecologies” (Witness 2013), “Missional Acuity: 20th Century Insights Toward a Redemptive Way of Seeing” (Witness 2012), “Education that is Missional: Toward a Pedagogy for the Missional Church” (forthcoming) and entries on Practical Theology and Christ & Culture in the Encyclopedia of Christian Education (forthcoming).  His dissertation is a project in practical ecclesiology examining ecclesial identity, spirituality, and mission in new Seattle churches, with tentative title “New Ecclesial Life in a Post-Christian Context: A Practical Ecclesiology.” Chris accepted a faculty position in Evangelism and Missional Christianity at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, where he will begin teaching January 2015. Chris can be found online at www.jesusdust.com, www.newseattlechurches.com and @chrisbjames.