February 06, 2025
DALLAS (SMU) – Bryan P. Stone, an innovative educator, researcher and bridge-builder, is the new Leighton K. Farrell Dean of SMU’s Perkins School of Theology. He joins SMU from the Boston University School of Theology where he is associate dean for academic affairs and the E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism. A 1992 SMU Ph.D. graduate in Religious Studies, Stone is returning to SMU to lead his alma mater June 1.
New Dean
Dr. Bryan P. Stone is the new dean of UMC-related Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University (Courtesy Photo)
“Dr. Stone is a dynamic university leader who brings the skillset of active researcher, passionate educator and collaborative administrator to SMU and Perkins at a time of strategic importance for the school and for our university,” said Elizabeth G. Loboa, SMU provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “We look forward to his leadership contributions, informed by longstanding and extensive service at a R1 university located in a dynamic urban environment.”
Stone joined Boston University School of Theology in 1998, bringing his background in new church development, urban pastoral ministry and faith-based nonprofit development. He became associate dean for academic affairs in 2010. An innovator in theological education, he worked with other administrators and faculty to help develop three online/hybrid degree programs at BU, including an online Master of Arts in Religion and Public Leadership and most recently a hybrid Master of Divinity to be implemented in 2026. In addition, he guided the school in a transformation of its Ph.D. program, as well as expanding the enrollment, diversity, financial aid and retention of its student body.
In 2005 Stone co-founded and became co-director of the Theology School’s Center for Practical Theology, a center designed to strengthen the relationship between the BU School of Theology and the needs of Christian communities. His interdisciplinary vision for theological education guided Stone’s leadership in the development and expansion of dual and joint degree programs between theology and the BU schools of social work, education, music and hospitality management.
The author of ten books and more than 50 scholarly articles, Stone’s research examines evangelism, congregational development, Wesleyan theology, and theology and culture. For his 2018 book, Finding Faith Today, Stone conducted national research, examining how persons come to faith in current times. He also leads the Congregational Research and Development project at the center. Several of his books and articles explore popular culture and Christianity, including the portrayal of Christianity in popular films. His forthcoming book examines Christianity in horror cinema.
Stone graduated from high school in Austin, Texas, and earned his Bachelor of Arts in religion and philosophy from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, and Doctor of Philosophy in religious studies from SMU’s Graduate Program in Religious Studies. While working on his Ph.D., he led a church and nonprofit in a Fort Worth low-income area. Liberation Community, Inc. provided adult education, employment assistance, legal aid, youth programs and low-income home ownership program in Southeast Fort Worth. He left the Liberation Community to teach at Azusa Pacific University, while also serving as director of the Bresee Institute for Urban Training in Los Angeles for five years before joining Boston University.
Stone is well recognized as a theological leader at Boston University, but he and his wife, Cheryl, have not graduated from freshman housing since 2000. They have served for 24 years as faculty-in-residence at an 1,800-resident freshmen residence hall where he finds living with college students regularly informs his work.