Release date: May 15, 2008

Black Church Studies Director Named at Theology School

Contact: Elaine Justice, 404-727-0643, elaine.justice@emory.edu

Contact: Kelly McLendon, 404-727-4481, kelly.mclendon@emory.edu

Teresa Fry Brown, associate professor of homiletics at Emory University's Candler School of Theology, has been named director of the school's Black Church Studies Program as part of its effort to educate faithful leaders for the church and its ministries in the world.

"In her role as scholar, teacher and dedicated servant in her own church, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Dr. Fry Brown embodies the best of Candler's tradition of serving both the academy and the church," says Jan Love, dean of Candler. "She will be a powerful and creative leader for the Black Church Studies Program and for the whole community."

Fry Brown has written articles for "Those Preaching Women, Vol. 3" and "The Abingdon Women's Preaching Annual." Her research interests include homiletics (preaching) with an emphasis in African American and womanist styles, and womanist ethics, sociology and history focusing on African American spiritual values.

"As a child of the black church and an adult steeped in the black church tradition, I relish the opportunity to continue to assess, learn, teach, preserve and disseminate historical and contemporary information about the power, paucity and possibilities of the black church and black congregants as integral to American religious history," says Fry Brown.

"Candler aspires to be a destination school of theology for all who want to understand the role of religion and race in shaping Christian communities in the county and the world," says Love. "The Black Church Studies Program is at the center of this commitment and our determination to engage diverse communities and reach across racial differences to enhance our witness to the love, grace, justice and mercy of Jesus."

"As long as there is a black church tradition, there will be a necessity for a Black Church Studies Program," says Fry Brown. She adds that part of her vision for the program is to solidify ongoing relationships with Atlanta area black religious communities in particular and faith communities in general, and to foster renewed black alumni relationships through mentorship programs with students.

Emory University (www.emory.edu) is known for its demanding academics, outstanding undergraduate experience, highly ranked professional schools and state-of-the-art research facilities. Perennially ranked as one of the country's top 20 national universities by U.S. News & World Report, Emory encompasses nine academic divisions as well as the Carlos Museum, The Carter Center, the Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Emory Healthcare, Georgia’s largest and most comprehensive health care system.

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