Allen-McLaurin and Stroud elected to MTSO faculty

The Board of Trustees of Methodist Theological School in Ohio has elected two new faculty members. Irene Elizabeth “Beth” Stroud was elected assistant professor of history, beginning July 1. Lisa Allen-McLaurin, who has served under appointment at MTSO since July 2023, was elected as professor of worship, music and spirituality.

Stroud comes to MTSO from Princeton University, where she serves as a lecturer in the Princeton Writing Program. She also has taught at Union Theological Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary and Sarah Lawrence College.

Her teaching interests include the history of Christianity from 1500 to the present; American religious history; Protestantism, missions and movements for social reform; African American religious history; race, religion and sexuality in American religion; and science, medicine and religion.

Stroud holds a Ph.D. from Princeton University, a Master of Sacred Theology from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary and a bachelor’s degree from Bryn Mawr College.

On May 21, the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church reinstated Stroud’s credential as an ordained elder, 20 years after that credential was revoked because of her committed relationship with another woman.

“Dr. Stroud will be a wonderful addition to our faculty,” said MTSO President Jay Rundell. “She has deep experience with ministry and the church, which, together with her strong scholarly credentials, will be a gift to our students and learning community.”

Allen-McLaurin, an ordained elder in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, is the author of books including Worship Matters! A Collection of Practical Essays on the Practical and Spiritual Discipline of Worship and A Womanist Theology of Worship: Liturgy, Justice, and Communal Righteousness.

She serves on the Arts, Religion and Literature and the Music and Religion Program Unit steering committees of the American Academy of Religion, and she is a member of the editorial board of The Methodist Review Journal.

Allen-McLaurin holds a Ph.D. and a Master of Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi; a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology, Emory University; and two bachelor’s degrees from Millsaps College.

Read a profile of Allen-McLaurin.

“Dr. Allen’s work with us this past year has blessed our seminary community and has already produced considerable fruit among those preparing to lead church worship,” Rundell said.

Methodist Theological School in Ohio provides theological education and leadership in pursuit of a just, sustainable and generative world. In addition to the Master of Divinity degree, the school offers master’s degrees in public theology, social justice and theological studies, along with a Doctor of Ministry degree.

CONTACT:

Danny Russell, communications director
drussell@mtso.edu, 740-362-3322