About

Discipleship Commons is a site dedicated to Christian Formation and Discipleship in the Wesleyan Tradition. The Site includes a complementary facebook group. Developed by Dr. Dean G. Blevins of Nazarene Theological Seminary. Many of the links reflect current research interests and ongoing projects by Dr. Blevins.

The Reverend Dean G. Blevins currently serves as Professor of Practical Theology and Christian Discipleship at Nazarene Theological Seminary. Prior to NTS, Dr. Blevins served eleven years at Trevecca Nazarene University as Professor of Christian Education and also served as the inaugural J. B. Elizer Chair of Christian Ministry at TNU. Dean, a 1991 graduate of Nazarene Theological Seminary (MRE), received his Ph.D. in Personality and Theology (with an emphasis on Religious Education) from the Claremont School of Theology (Claremont, CA) in 1999.

An active scholar, Dean has contributed to several books and published over 50 church related or scholarly articles including writings in Christian Education Journal, Religious Education and Wesleyan Theological Journal as well as co-wrote the text Discovering Discipleship: The Dynamics of Christian Education with Dr. Mark Maddix and authored The Disciples: A Bible Study. Dr. Blevins is past President of the Religious Education Association and former chair of the Practical Theology section of the Wesleyan Theological Society. Dean currently serves on the editorial boards of Religious Education, Theological Education, and Perspectives in Science and Christian Faith, as well as served as senior editor of Didache: Faithful Teaching, an on-line academic journal dedicated to the exploration of faith, culture and higher education within the Church of the Nazarene and other Wesleyan institutions.

An ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, Dean has served as youth minister and minister of Christian Education in churches in North Carolina and Southern California. Dean has ministered in diverse settings including youth, compassionate ministry, and Christian education. In addition to teaching, Reverend Blevins has conducted a number of national workshops and serves as national consultant in youth ministry, Christian education, and clergy development.  Dean serves on the Board of Directors YouthFront (previously chair), a Kansas City based national youth ministry training organization. 

Active within his denomination, Dr. Blevins currently serves the Manual Editing Committee for the Church of the Nazarene and directs Nurturing Care with Children through Worship and Prayer, an initiative funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc. through Nazarene Theological Seminary. Dean also serves as the USA Education Coordinator for the Church of the Nazarene.

Dean currently resides in Olathe Kansas with his wife JoAnn while their daughter, Rachel, works as a strength and conditioning coach in higher education.