James P. Bowers, Ph.D.

Executive Director / Academic Dean

Director of the Center for Pentecostal Leadership & Care

Associate Professor of Pastoral Leadership & Community Ministry

B.A., Lee College 1979

M.A., Church of God School of Theology, 1980

M.Div. Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 1983

Ph.D. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1990

Dr. James Bowers has taught as an Adjunct Professor in Christian Formation and Pastoral Ministries since 1994. He was the Church of God Theological Seminary's first ever Director of Distance Education. He developed and served as supervising professor for the seminary's first distance education course utilizing Internet delivery. He was installed as the inaugural Director of the Center for Pentecostal Leadership and Care in February 2003. In that capacity his responsibilities include directing the Church of God Theological Seminary's Lilly Endowment funded "Walking in the Spirit" pastoral leadership project. Dr. Bowers authored three successful grant proposals bringing $2.3 million to the Seminary for this initiative. He taught as a faculty team member and served as lead teacher in inaugural doctor of ministry seminars for North American and Korean students in the summer of 2001. He has also been a visiting professor in the seminary's Puerto Rico extension and has served as a pastoral advisory council member (1991-2000). Previously, Dr. Bowers served as Assistant Professor of Christian Education at Lee University and as a guest lecturer at Samford University and for the Coalition On Appalachian Ministry. He has both presented papers and been a conference respondent at various Society for Pentecostal Studies meetings. He is best known for his research in the historical development of the doctrine of sanctification in the Church of God and its relationship to discipleship and has contributed articles and chapters in various publications. More recently, Dr. Bowers authored a critique of the prosperity gospel (You Can Have What You Say) and edited Portrait and Prospect, the report on a comprehensive survey of USA Church of God pastors.

Dr. Bowers has pastored churches in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, and Virginia. He brings 20 years of pastoral leadership of local church discipleship ministries, leadership training, facilities development and community ministry to the teaching task. He has been active in community life as a preacher in inter-faith worship services, ministerial association president, literacy board member, chamber of commerce member, American Cancer Society chaplain, community recreational department coach, CASA advisory board member, school graduation speaker, community radio devotion speaker, newspaper editorialist, and has developed, directed, and participated in various forms of food, housing, and financial assistance for shut-ins, senior adults, children and the poor.

Dr. Bowers is an Ordained Bishop in the Church of God and has served as a District Overseer, a Ministerial Intern Supervisor, and is presently a member of the Church of God Denominational Committee On Doctrine and Polity and an ex officio member of the National Pastor's Advisory Council. He has been a workshop and seminar leader, state prayer conference speaker, and keynote address respondent in Seminars On Ministry at the Seminary.