Rev. Dr. Nora Tubbs Tisdale

The Rev. Dr. Nora Tubbs Tisdale joined Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church as part-time Consulting Theologian in January of 2003. Her duties include: overseeing curriculum and faculty development for the Center for Christian Studies and teaching in the Center, staffing the Ministerial Candidates Committee of the Session, and supervising the church's seminary interns. In addition, she regularly shares in Sunday morning worship leadership, prepares families for Christian baptism, and serves as a staff resource for the Worship Group of session.

Dr. Tisdale comes to Fifth Avenue after serving for thirteen years on two Presbyterian seminary faculties: Princeton Theological Seminary (where she held the Elizabeth M. Engle Chair in Preaching and Worship) and Union Theological Seminary in Virginia (now Union-PSCE) where she also taught preaching and worship. She is the author/editor of five books, and has preached, lectured and led seminars throughout the U.S. and beyond. She currently serves as President of the North American Academy of Homiletics (the professional society for teachers of preaching.)

A native of North Carolina, Nora received her B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, her D. Min. from Union Theological Seminary in VA, and her Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. Before becoming a seminary professor, she served as a volunteer missionary in Seoul, Korea, as co-pastor of four churches in central Virginia, and as one of three Presbyterian Church representatives on the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches. "I have been delightfully surprised by God in this call to Fifth Avenue, says Dr. Tisdale, and I look forward to working with this dynamic congregation where the commitment to Christ is deep, and where thoughtful faith and faithful service in the world go hand in hand."