The Rev. Dr. Douglas D. Tzan is the Director of the Doctor of Ministry and Course of Study programs at Wesley.  He is also an Assistant Professor of Church History, Mission, and Methodist Studies.  An ordained elder in the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference, he also serves as the senior pastor at the Sykesville Parish (St. Paul’s and Gaither United Methodist Churches) in Sykesville, Maryland. He is the Vice President of the United Methodist Historical Society, and his research interests include the history of Christian mission, Methodist history, and world Christianity.  

Education

Ph.D., Boston University, Religious Studies

M.Div., Iliff School of Theology, with distinction

B.Ar.Sc., South Carolina College, magna cum laude with honors

Research Interests

History of Christian Mission

Methodist History

World Christianity

Publications

William Taylor and the Mapping of the Methodist Missionary Tradition: The World His Parish. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2019

John Dempster and the Missionary Origins of Methodist Theological Education.” Methodist History 58, nos. 1 & 2 (October 2019/January 2020): 18-28

“Redeeming Vanity Fair: Theological Debates over Fundraising within the W.F.M.S.” Methodist History 55, nos. 1&2 (October 2016/January 2017): 73-85

“Arioi for Christ: An Exploration of Early Missions by Society Islanders.” Missiology: An International Review 37, no. 2 (2009): 221-235

Relevant Classes Taught

Doctor of Ministry:

Project Seminar

Masters:

United Methodist History

History and Doctrine in Methodist Traditions

The Church in History II: Reformation to Present 

Course of Study:

Mission

Our Mission from God: Transforming Agent

Theological Heritage I: Introduction

Theological Heritage IV: Wesleyan Movement