Mentoring Pastors

Willard S. Bass Professor of Christian Ethics
mellison@bts.edu

B.A. Davidson College
M.A. Divinity School, University of Chicago
M.Phil., Ph.D., Union Theological Seminary

Joined Bangor Theological Seminary in 1981

Recent Publications

Sexuality and the Sacred: Sources for Theological Reflection, second edition, edited with Kelly Brown Douglas (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010)

Heterosexism in Contemporary World Religion: Problem and Prospect,edited with Judith Plaskow (Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 2007)

Same-Sex Marriage?: A Christian Ethical Analysis (Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 2004).

Body and Soul: Rethinking Sexuality as Justice-Love, edited with Sylvia Thorson-Smith (Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 2003)

Erotic Justice: A Liberating Ethic of Sexuality (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1996)

Numerous published essays on same-sex marriage, gender justice in Protestant Christianity, and changing patterns of family life.

Areas of Expertise and Interest

An ordained Presbyterian minister, Dr. Ellison lectures widely on ethical issues related to human sexuality, health care, and economic justice. He co-chairs Maine’s Religious Coalition Against Discrimination, is a member of the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, and serves on the advisory board for the Religious Institute on Sexuality Morality, Justice, and Healing.

“Theological education should spark in us a desire for greater justice and compassion in all things. At BTS teachers, students, and staff work hard to sustain a welcoming learning environment. We encourage each other to take risks, explore real questions, and learn how to make a difference while rediscovering the transforming power of God’s Spirit in the old and the new. Anything less isn’t worth the bother, now is it?”