Reverend Raquel A. St. Clair, Ph.D.
Executive Minister, St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church
Email: rstclair@stjamesame.org
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Executive Minister, St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church
and Director of the St. James Christian Learning Center with thirteen
years of significant experience in the ministry of God’s Word,
emphasizing applications in teaching, curriculum development,
ministerial and teacher training, preaching, worship leadership, and
administration. Career enhanced by considerable knowledge of the
biblical languages and a variety of exegetical methodologies. A
highly effective communicator and published author. Academic
career distinguished by various awards and fellowships and
culminating in a Doctor of Philosophy in New Testament Studies, a
Masters of Divinity with a concentration in Biblical Studies and a
Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies.
EDUCATION
Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ n 2005
Ph.D. in New Testament Studies
Dissertation: “Call and Consequences: A Sociolinguistic Reading
through a Womanist Cultural Lens of Mark 8:31-38”
Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ n 1995
M.Div. with a concentration in Biblical Studies
Honors Thesis: “Cross-Talk at the Intersection of Biblical Interpretation and Womanist Theological Inquiry: An Exegesis of Mark 8: 31- 9:1”
Yale University, New Haven, CT n 1992
B.A. in Religious Studies
Areas of Concentration: Christianity, Afro- American Studies
Thesis: “A Bridge Over Troubled Waters: How Christianity Provided a Framework for an African- American Worldview”
LICENSURE & ORDINATION
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Licensed to Preach, 1995
Ordained Itinerant Deacon, 1996
Ordained Itinerant Elder, 1998
Dissertation Fellowship, Fund for Theological Education,
1999 – 2000
President’s Doctoral Fellowship, Princeton Theological Seminary,
1995 –1999
New Testament Fellowship, Princeton Theological Seminary,
1995
Expository Preaching Prize, Princeton Theological Seminary,1995
William Fries, III Scholarship, Yale University, 1988- 1992
National Merit Scholar (National Negro Achievement
Scholarship), 1988
Outstanding Young Women of America, 1997
EXPERIENCE: ACADEMIA
Director, St. James Christian Learning Center. Developed overall
structure and academic program as well as the curriculum, certificate
programs and overall course structure. Responsibilities include
providing academic guidance for students. Produce yearly handbook
describing the institution, course offerings, policies and procedures.
Hire and supervise faculty. Insure the accurate recording of student
grades, form collaborative relationships with other educational
institutions and teach courses. Oversee marketing and student
recruitment.
Significant Accomplishments:
§ Christian Studies and Christian Ministry Certificates accepted for credit at Essex County College, Newark, NJ
§ Approved by the NJ Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church for ministerial training leading to ordination
Courses taught at the St. James Christian Learning Center, Newark, NJ:
Instructor – Introduction to the New Testament n 2001, 2003
Developed syllabus and overall course structure and administered all grades.
Instructor –Introduction to Christian Theology n 2000, 2003
Developed syllabus and overall course structure and administered all grades.
Instructor – The Gospel of Mark n 2002
Developed syllabus and overall course structure and administered all grades.
Instructor –Biblical Interpretation n 2002
Developed syllabus and overall course structure and administered all grades.
Instructor – The Historical Witness of the Christian Church n 2001
Developed syllabus and overall course structure and administered all grades.
Instructor – Introduction to the Old Testament n 2000
Developed syllabus and overall course structure and administered all grades.
At Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ :
Teaching Assistant to Professor Brian Blount in “The Gospel of Mark ” n 1999 Facilitated weekly review sessions, met with students upon request, and graded all written work, including final exam papers.
Teaching Assistant to Dr. William Watley in “Preaching Biblical Stewardship” n 1997. Collaborated on curriculum and student grading, assisted in facilitating sermon critiquing sessions, and met with students upon request.
Teaching Assistant to Professors Donald Juel and Beverly Gaventa in “Introduction to the New Testament” n 1996 Facilitated weekly review sessions, met with students upon request, and graded written assignments.
Tutor- New Testament Greek, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ n Summer, 1995
Teaching Assistant to Professor Elizabeth Edwards in “New Testament Greek.” n 1994-1995 Collaborated on curriculum and exam development, facilitated weekly review sessions, met with students upon request, and graded all written work, including final exams.
Tutor—Writing Center n 1993- 1994 Reviewed and edited student papers to correct spelling, grammatical, and compositional errors.
Research Assistant for Dr. Geddes Hanson n 1993-1995 Research, copy and compile information on organizational management for the publication of a book.
At other academic institutions:
Guest Lecturer (Womanist Biblical Interpretation and Preaching) at
Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ n October, 2008.
Guest Lecturer (Womanist Biblical Interpretation) and Chapel
Preacher at Drew School of Theology, Madison, NJ n October,
2007.
Chapel Preacher at Union Presbyterian School of Christian
Education, Richmand, VA n
February, 2008.
EXPERIENCE: ECCLESIAL
Executive Minister, St. James AME Church, Newark, NJ, 1998 – Present
Oversee all ministerial and administrative operations, supervise the
heads of ministry departments, oversee the development and
organization of the ministerial staff, supervise Field Education
students, facilitate ministerial and lay training sessions, preach and
participate in worship as assigned by the Senior Pastor, provide
spiritual guidance for the membership.
Supervisor, Supervised Ministry Programs, 1998- Present
Supervise students from Princeton Theological Seminary, New
Brunswick Theological Seminary, Drew Theological Seminary and
Union Theological Seminary.
Minister to Women, St. James AME Church, Newark, NJ, 1995- 2007
Teach Women’s Bible Study, facilitate workshops, plan retreats,
convocations and special services, develop lay leaders to participate in
the ministry and provide spiritual guidance to the women of the church.
“Womanist Interpretation,” New Interpreter’s Bible Handbook on
Preaching, Abingdon Press n Spring, 2009
Most Effective Black Preachers Prepare Their Sermons (vol. II),
Abingdon Press n Spring, 2009
Discipleship in Mark’s Gospel, Fortress Press n October, 2008
“Womanist Biblical Interpretation,” True to Our Native Land: An
African American Biblical Commentary, Fortress Press n May, 2007.
“Interpreting Scripture for the Purpose of Writing a Sermon,” The
African American Pulpit, Judson Press n Summer, 2004.
“Prayerful Exegesis,” The African American Pulpit, Judson Press n
Summer, 2002.
The African Presence in the Bible: Gospel Sermons Rooted in History, coauthored with William D. Watley, Judson Press n 2000.
LANGUAGES
English – native language
Spanish—verbal and written competency
French, German—proficiency in the translation of written texts.
Biblical Hebrew, Aramaic, Koine Greek- ability to read and
translate written text.
§ Secretary, St. James Preparatory School Board of Directors, 2007
§ Vice Chairperson, Visions Economic Development Corporation,
2005
§ Vice Chairperson, St. James A.M.E. Development Corporation, 2004-present
§ Society of Biblical Literature, 1995- present
§ American Academy of Religion, 1995- present
§ Member, Advisory Board, The African American Pulpit, 2001- 2004
§ Co- Coordinator, The Women’s Center, Princeton Theological Seminary, 1994- 1995
§ Chaplain, Association of Black Seminarians, Princeton Theological Seminary, 1994-1995
§ Board of Governors, The Women’s Center, Princeton Theological Seminary, 1993- 1994
§ Member, Association of Black Seminarians, Princeton Theological Seminary, 1992- 1994
§ Chairperson, Church Council, Black Church at Yale, 1992
§ Chaplain, Yale Gospel Choir, 1990- 1992