Background
Thomas, Norman Ernest was born on March 29, 1932 in Manchester, New Hampshire, United States. Son of George Ernest and Mildred Winslow (Klein) Thomas.
Thomas, Norman Ernest was born on March 29, 1932 in Manchester, New Hampshire, United States. Son of George Ernest and Mildred Winslow (Klein) Thomas.
AB, Yale University, 1953; Master of Divinity, Yale University, 1956; Doctor of Philosophy, Boston University, 1968.
Pastor, Errol Heights Methodist Church, Portland, Oregon, 1956-1959;
national director Christian Education, youth work, United Methodist Church, southern Rhodesia, 1962-1966;
urban secretary, Christian Council of Rhodesia, 1967-1970;
senior lecturer, dean students, United Theological College, Salisbury, Rhodesia, 1970-1972;
dean studies and associate director, Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation, Kitwe, Zambia, 1973-1976;
staff associate Africa Task Force, Board Global Ministries, United Methodist Church, New York City, 1976-1978;
director mission and evangelism progressive and lecturer, Boston University, 1978-1983;
Vera B. Blinn professor world Christianity, United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio., since 1983;
trustee, United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio. Visiting lecturer Pacific School Religion and Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, California, 1972. Visiting lecturer missions Division School, Yale University, New Haven, 1976-1978.
Visiting professor humanities and international studies Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, 1978. Member Executive Committee New England Graham Crusade, 1981-1983. Growth Plus consultant Board Discipleship, United Meth Church, since 1987.
Core mission interpreter Board Global Ministries, United Methodist Church, since 1980. Chairman of the Board global ministries N.H. Conference, United Methodist Church, 1982-1983).
Member International Association Mission Studies (Executive Committee since 1988, chairman documentation, archives and bibliography working group since 1988), American Society Missiology (board directors 1981-1984), Association professors of Mission, N. American Academy Ecumenists (Executive Committee 1986-1988), American Case Study Institute (board directors 1985-1988), Academy for Evangelism in Theological Education, Society Christian Ethics, Society for Science Study of Religion.
Married Winifred Ellen Williams, September 9, 1955. Children: Paul Norman, Mary Ellen, Bruce Alan, Jean Elizabeth.