Rev. Dr. James P. Sweeney comes to us from Massachusetts, where he has been actively involved in pastoral ministry, teaching at both undergraduate and seminary institutions, and engaged in biblical and theological scholarship. Dr. Sweeney has three earned degrees: a B.A. in Religion and Philosophy from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY (1989); an M.A. in New Testament, with a full concentration in Old Testament, from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, MA (1993); and a Ph.D. in Theological Studies, with a New Testament concentration, from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL (2000).

Dr. Sweeney has engaged in all aspects of pastoral ministry for more than fourteen years in two Congregational Churches in both Peabody, MA (1992–1994) and, more recently, in Chelmsford, MA (1998–2010). He is an ordained minister of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference.

In addition to his wide experience as a pastor, Dr. Sweeney has taught more than sixty graduate and undergraduate courses on more than twenty course subjects. He has taught adjunct courses in Greek and New Testament subjects at three of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary’s campuses from Spring 2000 to Summer 2010: Boston, MA (Center for Urban Ministerial Education); South Hamilton, MA; and Charlotte, NC. He has additionally taught undergraduate adjunct courses in Greek and New Testament subjects at Gordon College, Wenham, MA, from Fall 2001 to Fall 2007.

In terms of scholarly endeavors, Dr. Sweeney is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature and the Evangelical Theological Society. He has presented a dozen papers at the annual meetings of the Evangelical Theological Society. He has further authored some sixty articles, book reviews, and book review articles in prominent theological journals, including Expository Times, Journal of Biblical Literature, Bibliotheca Sacra, Review of Biblical Literature, Trinity Journal, and Journal for the Evangelical Theological Society.

At the personal level, Dr. Sweeney is happily married to his wife Verne, an Ohio native. He enjoys reading, walking, light hiking, cycling, travel, and, of course, following some New England sports!

Dr. Sweeney’s favorite Scripture is Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28–30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”