On this site you will find information about my work as a historian of Christian worship as well as links to some of my public presentations on various topics.
I am a historian of Christian worship with particular interests in the early church and the last 250 years. I am passionate about enriching the worship life of current congregations, regardless of style. I believe that careful reflection on the worship of other Christians—whether past or present, whether Protestant, Roman Catholic, or Eastern Orthodox—can serve to enrich the church today.
Lately I have been bringing that approach to inspire contemporary songwriters, having grown concerned about the lack of a Trinitarian dimension in so much worship music.
I am a member of the Charles Wesley Society, for which I am president.
In addition to being a professor at Duke Divinity School, I also teach in the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies in Orange Park, Florida.
I am also Rev. Ruth, having served as a pastor for three different appointments in the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.