James Deaton has resigned as managing editor for Brethren Press. He concludes his work with the Church of the Brethren on May 24. He will be taking a position as communications content editor for the Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Deaton began his work with Brethren Press on Oct. 29, 2007. Over close to 15 years on the staff of the denomination’s publishing house, he has edited curriculum, books, and the bulletin series; supervised freelance writers, editors, and designers; overseen the Church of the Brethren Yearbook; and managed the production process for the publishing house.
Special projects of note during his tenure include the most recent additions to the Inglenook Cookbook series–The New Inglenook Cookbook and Inglenook Desserts. Deaton has “shepherded” A Guide for Biblical Studies as the longest-running Bible study curriculum from Brethren Press. He also has been instrumental in the continuing success of the Advent and Lent devotionals, which in Advent 2021 broke all previous sales records for the series.
In addition, Deaton has represented the Church of the Brethren on the Committee on the Uniform Lessons Series, administered by the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC). The committee creates outlines that serve as a basis for Bible study curriculum, and which are used by many denominations and publishing partners. Brethren Press uses the adult curriculum outlines for A Guide for Biblical Studies.
His work with the Church of the Brethren Yearbook included membership in ASARB, an association of statisticians of religious bodies. He also helped lay the groundwork for improvements to the ways directory and statistical data are collected from congregations and districts, and created surveys and studies of the way the COVID-19 pandemic has affected worship attendance.
Deaton holds a master of divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
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