D. Jonathan Watts

D. Jonathan Watts, Ph.D., Oxford Foundation Fellow

Dr. Watts taught Religion, Ethics, and Speech at Snead State Community College and was the Chair of Humanities and Fine Arts until his retirement in 2020. He is currently the John Wesley Professor of Homiletics and Biblical Studies for the Graduate Theological Foundation. Dr. Watts received his Bachelor of Arts from Southern Wesleyan University in Theological Studies. His Master of Divinity degree is from Candler School of Theology, Emory University. Dr. Watts completed a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary with a project titled, Genesis to Jesus to You: A Story Journey for Christian Education. His Doctor of Theology was completed through the Graduate Theological Foundation. His Doctor of Philosophy degree is from the Graduate Theological Foundation where he did most of his coursework and research at Oxford University England. He defended his dissertation at Christ Church College, Oxford University and his work led to the publishing of the book Gospeltelling to a Digital Culture: The Forensic Reconstruction of a Good Story. Dr. Watts book titled, A Shorter History of Judeo-Christian Worship explores the history of worship in the Judeo-Christian communities and ever changing perception of what is termed "right worship."

Dr Watts received two teaching excellence awards during the 2009-2010 academic year. For his leadership and teaching excellence. He was selected to be a member of the Class of 2009 Chancellor's Award for Alabama Community College System and also received an International Award for Teaching Excellence at the 2010 International Conference of NISOD (National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development) through the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Watts is a retired Elder in the United Methodist Church.

After completing post-graduate research at the Bodleian Library, Oxford University, Oxford, England, Dr. Watts was awarded the distinction of being an Oxford Foundation Fellow. He has published the work from this research in an small book titled "Our Hearts Strangely Warmed: A Practical Theology for Worship in the Wesleyan Tradition."