John R. Allen, co-owner and Funeral Director of Allen Funeral Home in Morristown, has recently completed a Certification in Advanced Christian Studies. This certification, awarded through a collaboration between Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., and the Richard and Julia Wilke Institute for Discipleship at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, reflects his commitment to deepening his theological knowledge.
The program, which spans one year, is available to both clergy and laity and provides an in-depth understanding of the Methodist tradition. Participants engage with a rigorous curriculum covering six core areas, including Methodist identity and history, the divinity of Christ, Christian ethics, eschatology, the Psalms, and the role of women in the historic Christian church. Each subject area consists of 8 to 12 weeks of study, featuring weekly lectures from prominent Christian scholars across the United States.
Allen has been actively pursuing formal theological education for over a decade. He began his journey in 2012 and earned a Master’s Degree in Ministerial Studies from Southwestern College in 2018. As a Certified Lay Minister in the Methodist Church, Allen has also contributed to the education of others by teaching courses within the Certified Lay Minister program since 2014. Additionally, he served as District Director of Lay Servant Ministries in the Holston Annual Conference for several years.
Beyond his educational pursuits, Allen remains deeply rooted in his community through his work at Allen Funeral Home. He views his role in funeral service as a calling grounded in compassion, presence, and pastoral care. His ongoing theological education underscores a commitment to lifelong learning and dedicated service within both the church and the Morristown community.
In a statement reflecting on his recent achievement, Allen emphasized the importance of integrating faith with service, noting that education plays a vital role in equipping individuals to better support their communities. As he continues to educate himself, Allen remains an influential figure in both the funeral service and local ministry sectors.
