Skip navigation
Robertson Hall, which houses the law school of Regent University Virginia Beach.
James Flynn, D.Min.
Associate Dean of Instruction & OperationsDirector of D.Min. ProgramAssociate Professor

James Flynn, D.Min.

Bio

Dr. James Flynn serves as the director of the School of Divinity’s Doctor of Ministry program where he is an associate professor of Practical Theology. He teaches about the practical aspects of local church and parachurch ministry with a special emphasis on ministerial leadership, administration and wellness.

Flynn came to Regent in 2000 to complete his doctoral studies and graduated in 2002 from the Doctor of Ministry Program. He has served on the faculty of the School of Divinity since 2002, as well as serving as administrative dean from 2002-2004 and director of the D.Min. program since 2006. Before coming to Regent, Flynn served as associate pastor and then senior pastor of the church that he helped plant in 1976 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His intimate involvement with the church, its growth, and practical ministry, along with his education, serve as the foundation for his instruction today.

Flynn was ordained in 1984, and continues his pastoral ministry today, as he is privileged to help ministers both discover their calling and prepare for greater harvest and fruitfulness in their ministry work. At Regent, Flynn has taught leadership in church and ministry, Christian education, preparation of biblical messages, pulpit ministry, pastoral theology, ministerial health and wellness, vision, mobilization and management, and strategic planning for ministry. His particular interest is equipping ministers to be fruitful leaders in ministry with the tools and skills they need to fulfill their calling and advance the Kingdom of God. Special research interests include ministerial health and wellness and the application of digital technology to online ministerial training.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Pastoral Care and Conflict
Preaching and the Preacher
Church Revitalization

Credentials

B.A., Geneva College (1992); M.Div.. Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (1999); D.Min., Regent University (2002)

Publications

Book &aamp; Book Chapters:

Flynn, James T., Tjiong, Wie L., West, Russell W. A Well-Furnished Heart: Restoring the Spirit’s Place in the Leadership Classroom. Fairfax: Xulon, 2002.

Flynn, James T. Words That Transform: Preaching as a Catalyst for Renewal. Lanham: University Press of America, 2010.

Journal Articles:

“MOOCs: Disruptive Innovation and the Future of Higher Education.” Christian Education Journal (CEJ), Spring 2013 Special Edition: Digital Discipleship – Christian Education in a Digital World

“Theological Reflection as a Catalyst for Leadership Convergence through the D.Min Dissertation.” Journal of Christian Ministry, Vol. 3, Spring 2011.

“Firewall: Health Essentials for Ministers and their Families.” Christian Education Journal, Series 3, Vol. 6, No. 2, Fall 2009.

Flynn, James. “Martin Luther King,” in Testimoni Della Fede: Nelle Chiese Della Riforma (Witness of the Faith in Reformed Churches). Rome: Citta Nuova Editrice, 2010, 222-224.

Kurian, George Thomas and Mark A. Lamport, eds. The Encyclopedia of Christian Education, Vol. 1, "Christian Education in the Early Church," by James T. Flynn. (Lantham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2015), 428-429.

Kurian, George Thomas and Mark A. Lamport, eds. The Encyclopedia of Christian Education, Vol. 2, "Printing Press," by James T. Flynn. (Lantham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2015), 992.

Kurian, George Thomas and Mark A. Lamport, eds. The Encyclopedia of Christian Education, Vol. 3, "Athens vs. Berlin Model of Theological Education," by James T. Flynn. (Lantham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2015), 1269.

Kurian, George Thomas and Mark A. Lamport, eds. The Encyclopedia of Christian Education, Vol. 3, "Berlin Model of Theological Education," by James T. Flynn. (Lantham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2015), 1270-1271.

“Leading with the Word.” James T. Flynn. Foundations for Equipping Leaders (FEL), Volume 10. Leadership Training International (LTI), Chesapeake, Virginia, 2003. This volume addressed teaching in the context of leadership development for equipping emerging church-based leadership. The FEL curriculum is marketed as a 14 volume leadership training series.

Presentations:

“A Well-Furnished Heart – Restoring the Spirit’s Place in the Leadership Classroom." Paper Presentation: James T. Flynn & Wie L. Tjiong. North American Professors of Christian Education (NAPCE), Annual Conference: San Diego: October 24-26, 2002.

“The Renewal Movement and Theological Education: Opportunities for Dialogue and Exploration on Contextualized Theological Education.” James T. Flynn and Wie L.Tjiong. Presented by Dr, Tjiong at the International Pentecostal Theological Conference at the Auckland Park Theological Seminary in Johannesburg, South Africa, Monday September 13-14, 2004.

“Passing the Torch: Reshaping Renewal-oriented Theological Education for the Emerging Twenty-First Century Church." James T. Flynn and Wie L.Tjiong. Presented by Dr. Flynn at a plenary session of the Society for Pentecostal Studies conference in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on March 12, 2005.

“Podcasting and the Global Classroom.” Presentation for the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) at its Regent Showcase of Innovations in Online Pedagogy, Virginia Beach, Virginia, April, 2006.

“Podcasting in Higher Education: Current Trends and Applications.” Presentation at the North American Professors of Christian Educators (NAPCE), Annual ConferenceSan Jose, California, Friday, October 19, 2007.

“Developing Curriculum with Biblical Integration.” A workshop delivered to the faculty of Calvary Christian School System, Norfolk, Virginia, for faculty in service training, Thursday, September 06, 2008.

“Firewall: Health Essentials for Ministers and their Families.” Presentation at the North American Professors of Christian Educators (NAPCE), Annual Conference Atlanta, Georgia, Saturday, October 18, 2008.

“Theological Reflection as a Catalyst for Leadership Convergence through the D.Min. Dissertation.” Association of Doctor of Ministry Educators (ADME), Annual Conference Dallas, Texas, Friday & Saturday, April 17 & 18, 2009.

“Firewall: Health Essentials for Ministers and their Families.” Presentation at the Society of Evangelical Friends East Coast Regional Pastors’ Conference, Virginia Beach, Virginia, Wednesday, April 22, 2009.

“Biblical Worldview as a Catalyst for Biblical Integration.” A workshop delivered to the faculty of Calvary Christian School System, Norfolk, Virginia, for faculty in service training, Thursday, September 03, 2009.

“God-Tech: Putting Technology to Work for Christian Education.” A paper and workshop presented at the North American Professors of Christian Educators (NAPCE), Annual Conference, Louisville, Kentucky, Saturday, October 17, 2009.

“Using Technology Effectively.” Professional development seminar workshop facilitator. North American Professors of Christian Education (NAPCE), October 21, 2010.

“Scripture as a Catalyst for Effective Online Spiritual Formation.” Flynn, James T. Presentation at the North American Professors of Christian Education (NAPCE), October 21, 2011.

“Using Social Media as Part of Teaching and Learning.” Flynn, James T., John Kahler, Paul Tippy. Presentation at the Association of Theological Schools 2010 Chief Financial Officers Society/ Technology in Theological Education Group Conference in Orlando, Florida, November 18-20, 2010.

“Online Learning Community and Discussion.” Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky, February 20, 2012. Presented to the faculty, board, administration, and key donors at Asbury Seminary and College.

“Online Student Marketing, Recruiting, and Advising Strategies.” Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky, February 20, 2012. Presented to the faculty, board, administration, and key donors at Asbury Seminary and College.

“Building Bridges: Social Media, Discipleship, and the Intergenerational Divide." Society for Professors of Christian Education (SPCE), Dallas, Texas, October 19, 2012.

“MOOCs, Disruptive Innovation, and the Future of Higher Education.” Society for Professors of Christian Education (SPCE), Chicago, Illinois, October 19, 2013.

“The Psychology & Design of M-Learning: Teaching for the Mobile Global Revolution." Society for Professors of Christian Education (SPCE), Washington, D.C. October 18, 2014.

Affiliations

Appointments: Board Member, Society for Professors in Christian Education (SPCE) – 2010-2015; Vice President and Conference Chairperson, SPCE (2013): “Digital Discipleship: Christian Education in a Digital World”; Guest Editor: Christian Education Journal (Series 3, Vol. 10, No. 1 – 2013) on Digital Education.

MEMBERSHIPS

Institutional Review Board

Awards

Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence, Presented November 02, 2009, by Regent University for outstanding contribution to teaching excellence.