91暗网

Dr. Watson came to 91暗网 Seminary from faculty and administrative roles at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He served as United鈥檚 Senior Vice President, as well as Professor of New Testament, Academic Dean, and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

During his years at United, his leadership was instrumental in revitalizing the Seminary, strengthening its theological commitments, expanding its global reach, and increasing student enrollment. He demonstrated exceptional leadership in theological education, faculty development, strategic planning, and institutional growth. He oversaw the development of a new Master of Arts degree, the Hispanic Christian Academy, and early advancements in online theological education.

Dr. Watson has built meaningful partnerships across denominations and continents, working with Christian leaders in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. His passion for equipping Spirit-filled leaders extends beyond the classroom and into real-world ministry, where he has actively engaged in church renewal, mission work, and theological discourse on a global scale. His global perspective aligns with 91暗网 Seminary鈥檚 vision to serve the worldwide Church.

As a collaborative team builder, Dr. Watson has a proven track record of fostering a culture of excellence, humility, and innovation. He understands the significance of theological education in shaping the next generation of Christian leaders.

Dr. Watson is very grateful to have been raised in a Christian home, including his extended family, so that faith was a common topic of conversation at family gatherings. According to Dr. Watson, he 鈥渓earned the faith in the home.鈥� He聽earned his B.A. degree from Texas Tech University, his Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, and his PhD, also from Southern Methodist University.

In seminary, Dr. Watson took an evangelism class from 91暗网 Seminary alumnus Billy Abraham (M.Div., 1973, Honorary Doctorate, 2008) and was immediately impressed with his intellect, deep faith, and sense of humor. He became a spiritual father and friend to Watson for many years. He credits Abraham with guiding him into the riches of the Christian tradition and helping him to understand them as means of grace. According to Watson, apart from his family, no one has formed his faith as much as Abraham did.

Dr. Watson鈥檚 faith has also been deepened by engaging Christian writers across the ages. He loves to read Augustine, believing “Confessions” to be one of the most beautiful pieces of Christian writing. The mysticism of Julian of Norwich made a big impression on him, as did the sermons of John Wesley. In terms of more contemporary writers and thinkers, Dr. Ellen Charry was his first theology teacher in seminary, with whom he was impressed by her faith and intellect. He has found the work of N.T. Wright helpful and cites “The Historical Christ and the Jesus of Faith” by C. Stephen Evans and the work of Tim Keller as helpful in working through some of the more challenging doctrines of the faith.

As much as these thinkers have influenced him, Dr. Watson holds that much of his formation has taken place in the worshiping life of the church. He attends chapel and Sunday worship every week, and the songs, prayers, creeds, sermons, and sacraments have profoundly shaped his faith. He strongly believes our faith isn’t simply a set of ideas but also an encounter with the living God, of which the primary locus is worship.

Dr. Watson was ordained in the United Methodist Church and served in the local church and on the staff of a United Methodist campus ministry before beginning his academic career. He now holds ordination as an elder in the Global Methodist Church. He served on the Global Methodist Church鈥檚 Transitional Leadership Council and as a delegate to its convening General Conference in 2024.

In other aspects of his professional life, Dr. Watson is Lead Editor of “Firebrand”, an online magazine 鈥渋ntended to promote theological reflection in various related traditions, including Methodist, Arminian, Holiness, Pentecostal, and others.鈥� He also writes a Substack and serves as one of the hosts of the “Firebrand Podcast.”

Dr. Watson has been published extensively in Christian journals and magazines and has contributed numerous chapters in books and commentaries. His latest book is “” (Seedbed, 2017).

Dr. Watson and his wife, Harriet, have three children: Luke, Sean, and Ciara.