Scott L. Thumma
Professor, Sociology of Religion/Director of IT, Web and Distance Education
B.A. (Southwestern University);
M.Div. (Candler School of Theology);
Ph.D. (Emory University)
Specialization:
Research on Megachurches, Homosexuality and Religion, Religion and the Internet, and Congregational Studies
Check out my latest book on my megachurch research - Beyond Megachurch Myths.
contact:
email: sthumma@hartsem.edu
phone: (860) 509-9571
fax: (860) 509-9551
Bio. & interests |
Curriculum Vitae | Online Writings | Courses Taught
Biographical Sketch and Interests
My favorite research interest at the moment is analyzing (read -
"surfing") religion websites and trying to understand the implications
of Internet technologies for congregational life. However, my
more legitimate research interests include the study of megachurches,
nondenominational congregations, the interface between religion and homosexuality, congregational
studies, the types and expressions of religious authority and
leadership, and qualitative methodologies in studying congregations.
At present, I have several articles and research reports on the
web. Among these are quite a few about megachurches, including 2
research reports I did for the Faith Communities Today 2000 and 2005
Study on megachurches and nondenominational congregations, a portion of
my dissertation about the characteristics of megachurches, and my list
of megachurches.
You can also find the text of two talks I gave on religion and the
Internet, one on issues of spirituality and cyberspace and the other on
the use of the Internet by religious organizations and a report on a
mini-study my students and I did with church webmasters.
I have also posted one of my articles about the relationship
between homosexuality and Evangelicalism on the site. You can also read more
about my co- edited book, Gay Religion.
Several presentations I wrote from the data of the Organizing Religious
Work project are also online. These include an extensive discussion of
the nondenominational churches phenomenon and local religious
ecologies.
In a sense, this entire web site is a collection of my bookmarked sites
that I have found helpful in the social scientific study of
religion. Many of my favorite links are included in our pages
related to Sociology of Religion and Congregational Studies pages or
those found on the religion and the web and homosexuality and religion sections. If you are interested in my research and what I have
written, a list of my publications is contained in my vita.
In case you are interested, here's some information about who I am:
I am a faculty member at Hartford Seminary with my academic home being
the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. In this position I
teach in the Seminary, do research, and advise students.
Also, I administrate all the Seminary's web sites (there are over
8 of these) and the direct our online distance education program.
I am also in charge of the school's information technology
efforts.
Additionally, I assist Joe Coalter in coordinating a Lilly Endowment
project to assist organizations in improving their web presence. As a
part of this effort, I am editor of the newsletter "InSites into
American Religion."
Prior to my appointment at Hartford Seminary I taught at several
institutions in and around Atlanta, GA as an adjunct faculty
person. I also had a social and religious research consulting
firm for 6 years. My consulting company, Congregational
Consultants, was used by numerous church, denominational and secular
organizations to study aspects of their organizations.
I have a Ph.D. in religion from Emory University, an M.Div. from
Candler School of Theology and a B.A. from Southwestern University.
One might assume from my educational choices that my religious
affiliation is Methodist, however, that is not the case. I grew
up independent Baptist, although many of my kin are Mennonite. I
have been involved over the years with Methodist, Presbyterian,
Episcopal, Southern Baptist congregations, with nondenominational
megachurches, and with small independent charismatic fellowships.
At present I do not belong to any congregation. I think of myself
not as one affiliated with a denomination but as a spiritual
person who occasionally affiliates with particular congregations.
I am married to a wonderful spouse, Jennifer and we have three
children, Katherine, Benjamin and Madeline. In addition we have
two cats (Ashes and Socks), a black lab (Bob), and a guinea pig
(Jack). If you are still interested in learning more about my
life... you need to get a life of your own!
Courses Taught:
