Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) is pleased to announce that the Reverend Doctor Brandon Thomas Crowley will join EDS as Director of Theological Education and Senior Research Fellow in Religion, Homiletics, and Ecclesiology – a new position. Dr. Crowley is an African American pastor, author, and scholar in religion, theology, and queer theory. He brings a wealth of experience at the intersection of academic theology and faith-filled, grassroots activism for justice. His leadership marks a significant step in EDS’s ongoing work to provide accessible, justice-focused theological education for the next generation of faith leaders.
As EDS explores new models for theological education beyond traditional accredited graduate programs, the Rev. Dr. Crowley brings a crucial commitment to bridging the gap between the academy and the church. “Effective theological education must be both intellectually robust and practically grounded in the needs of local communities,” said the Rev. Dr. Crowley. “I believe that when we see each other in opposition, we limit the full reach that we could have if we were to listen to each other. The church is active on the ground, and the academy provides the contemplative space to think more broadly about why and how we do that work.”
The Rev. Dr. Crowley has lived in the intersection of church and academy through his ministry as the Senior Pastor of the Historic Myrtle Baptist Church in Newton, Massachusetts, one of the nation’s oldest Black congregations, and as a Lecturer in Ministry Studies at Harvard Divinity School, one of his alma maters.
This commitment to both theory and practice is a core theme in Dr. Crowley’s work, including his book, Queering Black Churches: Dismantling Heteronormativity in African American Congregations. The book provides a systematic approach for challenging long-standing assumptions within Black churches, advocating for a “Black ecclesial Queering” methodology that centers on the lived experiences of Black Queer people. Dr. Crowley sees this as an act of subversion that calls the church back to its original intent as a counter-cultural and safe space for all people. This work reflects his broader belief that “queering” – as a verb – is about fostering equity and dismantling systems of oppression within the church and beyond, whether they be related to gender, race, sexual orientation, ability, socioeconomic status, or any other identity that has been marginalized.
In this new role, the Rev. Dr. Crowley will be responsible for developing and overseeing a wide range of innovative educational programs, recruiting instructors, establishing new pathways for supporting emerging scholars, and forging strategic partnerships – all with the goal of sharing resources to meet the educational and formational needs of today’s church.
“EDS has the opportunity to decolonize theological education, to bring scholars who haven’t been heard to the table, and to creatively meet needs with the boundaries and limitations of a traditional seminary,” said the Very Rev. Lydia Kelsey Bucklin, President and Dean of EDS. “I’m thrilled to have Brandon Crowley on board and I am confident he will challenge the status quo, bring bold vision to deepen the ethos of EDS, and be a phenomenal partner in creatively envisioning new paths forward.”
The Rev. Dr. Crowley earned a Ph.D. in Church and Society and a Master of Sacred Theology from Boston University’s School of Theology. He also earned a Master of Divinity from Harvard University’s Divinity School and a Bachelor of Arts in Religion with a moral cosmopolitan pastoral leadership certificate from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. He was ordained in the Progressive National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., and licensed by the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.
The Rev. Dr. Crowley is originally from Rome, Georgia and currently resides in Boston, Massachusetts. He began the position with EDS on August 1.
Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) is dedicated to nurturing moral leadership through theological education, spiritual formation, and community transformation. The school aims to equip future leaders in The Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion, and beyond with the necessary skills and mindset to lead their communities in an ever-changing world. EDS strives to meet the growing demand for Episcopal theological education and ensure broader access to innovative programs. EDS strengthens partnerships, provides theological education for lay and clergy leaders, and fosters meaningful conversations on Christianity and social justice.
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Contact:
Mary Grace Puszka
Episcopal Divinity School
(646) 337-2799
[email protected]
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