Rev. Dr. James Brumm appointed to Faculty
January 8, 2024
Colleagues and Friends,
In consultation with Vice President of Academic Affairs Dean of the Seminary, Rev. Dr. Beth Tanner; I am happy to announce the appointment of Rev. Dr. James Brumm to the position of Assistant Professor of Reformed Church Studies (Non-Tenured).
The Assistant Professor of Reformed Church Studies directs the effective delivery, administration, teaching, supervision, and evaluation of the Reformed Ministries of New Brunswick Theological Seminary. The Assistant Professor of Reformed Church Studies will teach RCA courses, NBTS Courses as assigned by the Academic Dean, direct the Faith and Justice Fellows program – instilling in RCA students a strong sense of belonging to the RCA, serve as General Editor for NBTS Beardslee Press, and ensure a positive collaboration between RCA, RCA Archives, and NBTS.
The Assistant Professor of Reformed Church Studies will direct the Reformed Church Center ensuring that the goals of the Reformed Church Center are achieved. This is to be accomplished by using the resources of the seminary, supervising the Reformed Church Center committee, developing an academic community where free inquiry and disciplined analysis are deeply valued, and reflecting critically and prophetically on the RCA’s living traditions and its pressing concerns. The Assistant Professor of Reformed Church Studies will direct the Theological Writing Center, which equips NBTS seminarians for the rigors of theological writing, analytical reading, and critical thinking for theological education. This position provides resources and assistance for seminarians to improve their writing skills for the classroom and beyond.
Dr. Beth Tanner noted that, “Dr. James Brumm is already serving students, alumni, and pastors as director of the Reformed Church Center and the Theological Writing Center. His appointment to the faculty will add these gifts to the ongoing academic work of the faculty. He is a great addition to our stellar faculty. This appointment continues our dedication to the reformed faith in an ecumenical seminary setting. We are fortunate to have him at NBTS.”
Dr. Brumm said this about his new appointment, “While very little of what I do at NBTS will change because of this, I am excited about what this appointment means. This has long been a seminary of the whole church, rooted in the Reformed tradition, and giving Reformed Studies an official seat at the faculty table says a lot about our commitment to that. Looking at another part of my job, it also gives Theological Writing a place at the faculty table, where so many decisions about why and how we write are made, and I am grateful for that. Personally, I appreciate the confidence that my seminary has in me to do this work, even while I am daunted by standing in a line following David Demarest, Edward Strong Worcester, John Beardslee, John Coakley, E. Elizabeth Johnson, and Beth Tanner, along with so many others, hoping I can do them justice.”
Please congratulate Dr. Brumm and wish him much success in all of his endeavors.
In Joy and In Justice!
Rev. Micah L. McCreary, M.Div., Ph.D., LCP
President, NBTS
RCA General Synod Professor