James H. Furr

Kairos Affiliate Professor

PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

MDiv, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Dr. Furr has served as a congregational leader, professor, consultant, and trainer for nearly 50 years. He received a PhD from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Church and Community Studies, a discipline that considers the dynamics of congregational life and leadership, as well as the interaction between the church and culture. Additional doctoral study was in the field of Christian Ethics. His MDiv from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary included a Biblical Studies concentration. He earned a BA from Texas Tech University focusing on Telecommunications and Sociology. As a Senior Church consultant with the Union Baptist Association in Houston, Dr. Furr provided training and consulting services to pastoral leaders for fifteen years. UBA is comprised of 600 congregations that vary widely in style, size, and ethnic heritage.

Dr. Furr served for six years in the School of Theology at Houston Baptist University where teaching responsibilities included practical theology, Christian ethics, and spiritual formation. Between 2001 and 2004, he directed the Houston Profile Project, a massive undertaking that assessed the spiritual and social status of the Houston metropolitan area. Dr. Furr has provided training and consulting to congregations, church organizations, and pastoral leaders of many denominations across the country. He is co-author of the popular book Leading Congregational Change and the accompanying workbook. He currently serves as Affiliate Faculty with Kairos University, and offers training, consulting, and networking services with Christian leaders.  

His spouse, Dr. Rhonda S. Furr, served as professor of musicology and organ at Houston Baptist University for more than 30 years, as well as a church organist including 17 years at the First Presbyterian Church of Houston. The Furrs have four children and eleven grandchildren. They live in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.

Publications & Presentations:

Leading Congregational Change: A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey. (co-author), Jossey-Bass, 2000.

Leading Congregational Change Workbook (co-author), Jossey-Bass, 2000.

back to all staff