Professor, Methodist Chair of Divinity
Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School invites individuals interested in serving in a Christian university environment to apply for the position of Methodist Chair of Divinity, at the rank of Full Professor. This is a tenure-track, full-time faculty, 9-month appointment, to begin either in August 2024 or January 2025, subject to negotiation.
The Methodist Chair of Divinity is one of five chairs endowed by Ralph Waldo Beeson in his initial gift to establish a graduate theological school at Samford University. The holder of the chair works collaboratively to prepare God-called persons to serve as ministers in the church of Jesus Christ – teaching courses in the Divinity curricula, giving support and guidance to students preparing for ministry leadership, and directing the programming for the Certificate in Wesleyan Studies. This faculty member plays a key role in helping the school develop and strengthen relationships with Methodist and Wesleyan tradition congregations and denominational entities. Beeson Divinity School is a Recommended Educational Institution of the Global Methodist Church for the completion of educational requirements by candidates for ordination.
The successful candidate will be a committed evangelical Christian and a leading Wesleyan/Methodist church person who can serve effectively as an ambassador for Beeson among Wesleyan/Methodist people and churches worldwide. Candidates must be compatible with the school’s interdenominational ethos and its theological commitments (as evidenced by an appropriate Wesleyan response to the Baptist Faith and Message [1963]). Qualified candidates will hold a Ph.D. in a theological discipline. They must be a recognized scholar in their field, with a demonstrated record of outstanding teaching and proven research agenda and publications. Salary is dependent upon qualifications, previous academic teaching experiences, and scholarship accomplishments.
Beeson Divinity School (beesondivinity.com) was established in 1988 through the generosity of Ralph Waldo Beeson. The mission of the school is to prepare God-called persons to serve as ministers in the church of Jesus Christ by providing quality theological education in a community that worships the Triune God and cultivates authentic Christian spirituality. Beeson offers the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Theological Studies, Master of Christian Counseling, Master of Theology, and Doctor of Philosophy. All degrees are accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the U.S. and Canada (COA/ATS). Beeson is one of ten schools that comprise Samford University.
Samford University (samford.edu) is a leading nationally ranked Christian University. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. It is the largest privately supported and fully accredited institution for higher learning in Alabama. Located in the Birmingham, Alabama, suburb of Homewood, with 425 full-time faculty and more than 5,700 students representing 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 22 countries. Samford is ranked #10 in the U.S. for the quality of career preparation provided to its students according to a newly published ranking, “The Top U.S. Colleges for Career and Learning-Related Opportunities,” in The Wall Street Journal. The University is dedicated to the promotion of rigorous academic inquiry in a Christian setting. The University seeks and prefers employee applicants of the Christian faith and offers competitive salaries with a generous benefits package. Samford University and Beeson Divinity School embrace diversity in our faculty, students, and staff and encourage applications from those who would add to the diversity of our academic community.
Applications will be reviewed May 1 through May 31, 2024 and applications will no longer be accepted after May 31, 2024. Please submit (combined into one PDF) a cover letter, application for faculty position, faculty applicant Christian mission statement, curriculum vita, and three letters of recommendation with contact information. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States, as Samford will not sponsor any employment visas for this position. 9-month faculty starting in January will be paid 50% of their 9-month salary evenly over the 8 months January through August.
“Application for Faculty Position” can be found at: https://www.samford.edu/departments/files/Human_Resources/application-for-faculty- employment.pdf
“Faculty Applicant Christian Mission Statement” can be found at: https://www.samford.edu/departments/files/academic-affairs/Faculty-Applicant- Christian-Mission-Statement.docx
Application materials should be sent to: FACAPP@samford.edu (Subject line: Methodist Chair Search). Questions may be addressed to the chair of the search committee, Dr. Douglas Sweeney (dsweeney@samford.edu).
Except as specifically exempted by federal law requirements, Samford University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, disability or age in the administration or application of its educational programs and policies, admissions policies, employment policies, scholarship and loan programs. Consistent with its Christian mission and organizations, Samford is exempt from the religious provisions of Title VII pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Sections 2000e-1(a) and 2000e-2(e).
