Professional Experience

• Mount Vernon Nazarene University
  • Professor of Inter-Cultural Studies, 2019 to present
  • Professor of Biblical Literature, 2007 to present
  • Master of Ministry Program Coordinator, Video-Conferencing and Online Professor 2014 to 2017
  • Certificate of Ministry Program Coordinator, Video-Conferencing Professor, 2015 to 2017
  • Affiliate Professor, Nazarene Theological Seminary, 2013 to 2020
  • Multi-Campus Seminary Liaison (MVNU), Nazarene Theological Seminary, 2011 to 2018
  • Dean, School of Theology and Philosophy, 2003 to 2018
  • Associate Professor of Religion 2002 to 2007
  • Assistant Professor of Religion, 1999 to 2002
• Other Employment
  • Professor, Online Classes, Nazarene Bible College, 1999 to 2003, 2018 to present
  • Instructor, United Methodist Summer Licensing School, New Testament, Claremont School of Theology, 1991 to 1999
  • Adjunct Professor, New Testament Studies, Azusa Pacific University, 1993-1994
  • Adjunct Professor, Los Angeles Pacific University, 2018-present
  • School Administrator, Highland Avenue Christian School, 1991-1995
  • Education Pastor, Highland Avenue Community Church of the Nazarene, 1990-1999
  • Children's Pastor, Highland Avenue Community Church of the Nazarene, 1987-1990
  • Adjunct Professor, Resident Counselor, Special Events Coordinator, Trevecca Nazarene College, 1982-1984
  • Professor, European Nazarene College, 1979-1981

Professional Organizations

• Association of Nazarene Sociologists and Researchers
• Ordained Elder, Church of the Nazarene, International
• Society of Biblical Literature
• Wesleyan / Holiness Women Clergy, International
• Wesleyan Theological Society

Awards and Recognitions

• Selected for CCCU Leadership Development Institute for Women, June 2004
• Research Assistant, The Bible and Epic Project, Institute for Antiquity and Christianity, 1990-1991
• Tuition Fellowship, The Claremont Graduate University, 1987-1989
• Student Body President, Nazarene Theological Seminary, 1976-1977
• Outstanding Student Award, Nazarene Theological Seminary, 1976-1977

Published Works and Presentations

• “Steward of the Scriptures” The Pastor as Theological Steward. The Foundry, In-process, 2022?)
• “Tackling the Challenging Passages in the New Testament” Faithful to the Call, Chapter 3, The Foundry, 2022.
• Ruth & Esther, Shaped by Scripture series of Bible Studies, The Foundry, 2022.
• James, Shaped by Scripture series of Bible Studies, The Foundry, 2020
• Global Wesleyan Bible Dictionary Advisory Committee and author for entry on “Hope” for the Global Wesleyan Bible Dictionary. (2020)
• Foundations for Women’s Ordination Module for USA/Canada Course of Study, Church of the Nazarene: primary editor and one of the authors. Faculty Guide and Student Guide (September 2014)
• The Fruit of the Spirit: Evidence of the Flourishing Christian Life, WordAction Publishing Company, Dialog Series, Fall of 2013.
• "Practical Wisdom from James," The Bible Tells Me So: Reading the Bible as Scripture, edited by Richard P. Thompson and Thomas Jay Oord (SacraSage Press: Nampa, Idaho, 2011).
• Serrão, C. Jeanne Orjala. James, A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary Series. Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press, 2010.
• “To the Praise of His Glory: Ephesians,” Adult Faith Connections (Winter 2010), Sessions 5-13 (Co-wrote with students: Christina Bush Bohn and Shannon Pavlovic Edwards.)
• “No Other Gospel: Galatians,” Adult Bible Fellowship Study Book (JJA07) 5 Expositions and 1 bonus session
• Faith and Gender Equity: Lesson Plans Across the College Curriculum, (2007) Editors C. Jeanne Serrão and Susie C. Stanley. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers. (Result of WHWC Educational Initiative)
• Discovering the New Testament, Nazarene Publishing House (Date of Publication: February 2005). Wrote 4 chapters for this collaborative college-level textbook. Was subsequently combined with OT text into Discovering the Bible.
• New Testament History and Literature, Curriculum Module for Pastoral Ministries, Church of the Nazarene, Course of Study, 2002.
• Developed and taught the Introduction to the New Testament course for the EXCELL Associate of Arts Degree (2001)

• 5 Commentaries on James. For Illustrated Bible Life Resource. March 2023. Publishing date.
• Four expositions on Titus/Philemon. Adult Faith Connection. Unit 3: for Summer 2023 quarter. The Foundry.
• False Prophets in Ephesus. Article for Illustrated Bible Life Resource. Summer 2022 publishing date, The Foundry.
• Feature article for Holiness Today (January/February 2020 issue): “Why Did Jesus come: To fix the OT Covenant or to fulfill it?”
• Six Expositions on 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Adult Faith Connection, Unit 1 for Summer 2021, The Foundry.
• Athens, Locations and Philosophy. Article for Illustrated Bible Life Resource. Summer 2019 publishing date.
• Food Sacrificed to Idols (Revelation 2:18-29). Article for Illustrated Bible Life Resource.
• Paul’s Argument for Sexual Purity (I Corinth 6:9-20). Article for Illustrated Bible Life Resource
• “Meet Five Unique Women in Jesus' Family Tree” in the “Our Message” column of the November/December 2010 issue of Holiness Today. (http://www.nph.com/nphweb/html/h2ol/article.jsp?id=10009814)
• “Reclaiming the Radical Story,” Holiness Today, May/June 2009 (Part 1: http://www.nph.com/nphweb/html/h2ol/article.jsp?id=10008070), September/October 2009 (Part 2: http://www.nph.com/nphweb/html/h2ol/article.jsp?id=10008810) with Dr. Kent Brower
• Contributed two advent devotionals for MVNU Advent Devotional booklet (2007)
• "Truth in Any Language" Holiness Today, November/December 2006 (http://www.nph.com/nphweb/html/h2ol/article.jsp?id=10008386)
• Article for Illustrated Bible Life, “Crossing Cultural Barriers" (Acts 10:34-49) (May 2006)
• Article for Illustrated Bible Life: Fertility Cults and Mystery Religions (Winter 2003-2004)
• Article for Illustrated Bible Life: Views of the Inspiration of the Bible (Fall 2003)
• Column for Holiness Today: Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness. (May 2003)
• Editor's Forum panelist for Holiness Today. 11/2002

• Ph.D. in Religion, The Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California (1996)
  • Dissertation: Holiness and Sexual Ethics in Paul: An Analysis of the Use of Social Sciences in the Study of the New Testament
• M.A. in Religion, The Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California (1993)
• M.A. in Missions Summa Cum Laude, Nazarene Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri (1978)
• M.Div. in Biblical Studies Summa Cum Laude, Nazarene Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri (1977)
• B.A. in Biblical Literature/Language Magna Cum Laude, Mid-America Nazarene University, Olathe, Kansas (1974)