Dr. Kevin Watson

Director of Academic Growth & Formation

Dr. Kevin M. Watson is the Director of Academic Growth & Formation at Asbury Theological Seminary. He is anchored at Asbury’s Tulsa site. Prior to joining Asbury Theological Seminary, Watson taught at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, and Seattle Pacific University. Dr. Watson received a B.A. from the University of Oklahoma (Political Science), an M.Div. from Wesley Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Southern Methodist University.

Dr. Watson’s calling is to work to raise up the next generation of leaders for the church. He is passionate about discipling students and loves praying with them. He enjoys preaching and teaching at conferences, denominational gatherings, and within the local church. Dr. Watson has published articles in a variety of scholarly and ecclesial publications. He is also the author of the following books:

• Doctrine, Spirit, and Discipline: A History of the Wesleyan Tradition in the United States. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, forthcoming 2024.
• Old or New School Methodism? The Fragmentation of a Theological Tradition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2019.
• Pursuing Social Holiness: The Band Meeting in Wesley’s Thought and Popular Methodist Practice. New York: Oxford University Press, 2014.
• Perfect Love: Recovering Entire Sanctification – The Lost Power of the Methodist Movement. Franklin, TN: 2021.
• The Band Meeting: Rediscovering Relational Discipleship in Transformational Community. With Scott T. Kisker. Franklin, TN: Seedbed, 2017.
• The Class Meeting: Reclaiming a Forgotten (and Essential) Small Group Experience. Wilmore, KY: Seedbed, 2014.
  La Reunión de Clase: Recuperando una experiencia de grupos pequeños olvidada (y esencial). tr. Oscar Aguilar M. Franklin, TN: Seedbed, 2017.
• A Blueprint for Discipleship: Wesley’s General Rules as a Guide for Christian Living. Nashville, TN: Discipleship Resources, 2009.
• Reclaiming the Wesleyan Tradition: John Wesley’s Sermons for Today. With Douglas M. Strong, Sarah B. Dorrance, Robert McDonald-Walker, and Ingrid Y. Wang. Nashville, TN: Discipleship Resources, 2007.

Dr. Watson is an ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church. He has pastored churches in Oklahoma and Texas. In addition to his role with Asbury Theological Seminary, he also serves as Scholar in Residence at Asbury Church in Tulsa, OK. He is married to Melissa Watson and they have three children in high school, middle school, and elementary school.