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DALLAS (¿ì»îÁÖÐÔÏ¢) – On June 1, 2025, Dr. Bryan P. Stone returned to the ¿ì»îÁÖÐÔÏ¢ campus as the new Leighton K. Farrell Dean of Perkins School of Theology at ¿ì»îÁÖÐÔÏ¢.

A 1992 Ph.D. graduate in religious studies from ¿ì»îÁÖÐÔÏ¢, Stone joins Perkins after a 27-year tenure at Boston University School of Theology, where he served as the E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism and, for the last 15 years, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

The appointment, announced in February, marks a joyful homecoming for Stone, whose deep commitments to theological education and The United Methodist Church align closely with Perkins’ mission and values. His academic journey has been characterized by innovation, inclusion and a passion for equipping Christian leaders for service in a changing world.

“Bryan Stone brings a wonderful depth of experience,” said the Rev. Katherine Glaze Lyle (M. Div., 1993), chair of the Perkins Executive Board. “He is coming back to the place where he earned his doctorate because he loves Perkins and ¿ì»îÁÖÐÔÏ¢. I am thrilled to have someone with that depth of love for and commitment to the institution.”

In addition, his wide-ranging experience in academic leadership and ministry makes Stone uniquely suited to lead Perkins into its next chapter.

“The future of theological education must be more expansive than the sole purpose of clergy preparation,” Stone said. “Clergy preparation is still central, but this is a time to recover the aim and purpose of theological education as much more fundamentally the practice of knowing and loving God and the things of God. Theology is for all the people of God.”

At BU, Stone co-founded the Center for Practical Theology in 2005, fostering collaboration between the academy and local faith communities. He helped launch several online and hybrid programs, including an online Master of Arts in Religion and Public Leadership and a forthcoming hybrid Master of Divinity. Under his leadership, the school expanded its Ph.D. program, enrollment, diversity, and financial aid.

An accomplished scholar, Stone is the author of 10 books and more than 50 articles. His research spans evangelism and congregational development, theology and film, Wesleyan theology and theology and culture more generally. His 2018 book Finding Faith Today examines how people come to faith in contemporary contexts. His current research explores Christianity in horror cinema — a testament to his creative, interdisciplinary approach.

 Originally from San Diego, California, Stone earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern Nazarene University and a Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary. While a Ph.D. student at ¿ì»îÁÖÐÔÏ¢, he founded Liberation Community Inc., an urban ministry in Fort Worth.

Stone credits his formative years at ¿ì»îÁÖÐÔÏ¢ — especially the mentorship of theologian Schubert Ogden — for shaping his theological vision. 

“I only applied to one school,” he recalls, “because I wanted to study with Dr. Ogden and immerse myself in a strong Wesleyan tradition. I got fully immersed in the Perkins community, and that experience has never left me.”

What drew Stone back to ¿ì»îÁÖÐÔÏ¢ and Perkins, he said, was a shared commitment to the mission of The United Methodist Church.

“Perkins has a rich tradition as a leader in Wesleyan studies, and we’re dedicated to providing the next generation of leaders with the education and tools they need to serve effectively and out of a deeply formed spiritual and moral center,” he said.

 At BU, Stone and his wife, Cheryl, served as faculty-in-residence in a freshman dorm for 24 years. Their weekly open-door evenings and community events became cherished traditions.

“We created a space for students to talk about anything — from theology to career choices to pop culture,” Stone said. “It was a joy to be part of their formative journeys.”

While he won’t reside in a dorm at ¿ì»îÁÖÐÔÏ¢, Stone hopes to bring that same spirit of hospitality to his new role. He’s excited to collaborate with faculty, students, alumni and friends to reimagine theological education for the 21st century.

“In these challenging times, we’re focused on making theological education more accessible, innovative and responsive to the needs of the church and the world,” Stone noted. “I believe that through multiple forms of collaboration, we can address the issues facing us today and strengthen the mission of the United Methodist Church.”

“Bryan Stone has shown that he thinks creatively and entrepreneurially, both as a pastor and in his professional life as an educator,” said Lyle. “I think that will be to Perkins’ great benefit.”

Watch Dr. Bryan P. Stone sharing his vision for Perkins School of Theology in .

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, founded in 1911, is one of five official University-related schools of theology of . Degree programs include the Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Ministry, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Pastoral Music as well as the Ph.D., in cooperation with