Seminary Welcomes Rev. James Dickson as VP of Advancement

Covenant Theological Seminary is pleased to welcome Rev. James Dickson as its new Vice President of Advancement as of January 16, 2024. In this role, Rev. Dickson will oversee and provide strategic leadership for all aspects of the Seminary’s development, donor relations, and fundraising efforts, and will also focus on exploring new avenues for communicating and advancing the mission of the institution.

Rev. Dickson brings to this position a wealth of experience as a pastor and church planter. He is also a highly skilled business leader with expertise in finance, sales, banking, and real estate development. He is a graduate of Auburn University (BS in Textile Management), Emory University (MBA), and Reformed Theological Seminary–Charlotte (MDiv), and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree at Covenant Seminary.

Rev. Dickson comes to Covenant after serving as Senior Pastor at Christ Church (PCA) in Trussville, Alabama, since 2014, prior to which he was a church planter and organizer for that congregation starting in 2011. His business experience includes several years as a process engineer and supervisor at Shaw Industries in Dalton, Georgia; as a capital markets associate and investment banking relationship manager with Wachovia Securities in Atlanta, Georgia; and as a partner and Vice President with Pierce Homes of Carolina in Greensboro. James and his wife, Anna, have three children. When he is not serving the church or spending time with his family, he loves to exercise, talk football, and fish. He is the author of the recently published book A Thousand Little Moments: Grace-Shaped Parenting (Brookstone, 2023).

Of his new position, Rev. Dickson has said, “I love the church and am passionate about investing in the next generation of pastors and servant leaders. I also believe that Covenant Theological Seminary, as the seminary of the Presbyterian Church in America, is uniquely positioned to lead in this vital work. Through my Doctor of Ministry studies, I have personally experienced what I have long witnessed in the lives of Covenant alumni. The Seminary appropriately and effectively emphasizes preparing the whole pastor for a lifetime of ministry. It has been a blessing to get to know this highly competent yet humble faculty and staff, and I am eager to join the team as we serve Jesus Christ and his Bride.”

Rev. Dr. Thomas C. Gibbs, President of Covenant Seminary, noted when announcing Dickson’s appointment last July, “We are thrilled that James is joining the Covenant team. He has a wonderful combination of spiritual maturity, giftedness, and skills that make him an ideal fit for this role. As a seasoned pastor and leader, he has firsthand knowledge of, insight into, and a vision for the needs and challenges of those serving in ministry. As an experienced businessman he understands the importance of managing financial and human resources well for the health and success of an organization. His expertise in these areas will be a great blessing to us as we continue to grow our own financial health, develop resources for the church, and train future generations of leaders for our denomination and beyond.”