Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary is pleased to welcome back Dr. Scott M. Gibson (MDiv ‘83) as the Haddon W. Robinson Chair of Preaching. A distinguished alumnus and longtime faculty member, Dr. Gibson returns in 2026 for an appointment of at least two years, continuing the seminary’s longstanding commitment to excellence in preaching and the training of pastors to faithfully proclaim God’s Word.

“Dr. Scott Gibson is a towering figure in the field of homiletics and he brings to his appointment both a passionate commitment to training pastors in the preaching of God’s Word and decades of experience building programs that do just that,” says Academic Dean Dr. Gerry Wheaton (MAOT & MANT ‘03), also an alumnus of Gordon-Conwell.

Dr. Gibson first joined Gordon-Conwell in 1991 and went on to serve for 27 years as the Haddon W. Robinson Professor of Preaching. After completing his Master of Divinity at the seminary, he pursued advanced studies at Princeton Theological Seminary (ThM in homiletics), the University of Toronto (MA in church history), and the University of Oxford (DPhil in church history), where his research focused on the life and preaching of A.J. Gordon—one of the seminary’s namesakes. He also served as a pastor and interim pastor in churches in Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts.

Following his tenure at Gordon-Conwell, Dr. Gibson joined Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary, where he held the David E. Garland Endowed Chair in Preaching and founded the PhD in Preaching program. After retiring from Truett in 2025, he continues as a lecturer in preaching there and remains active in teaching, preaching, and speaking at churches, conferences, and seminaries.

Dr. Gibson is widely recognized for his scholarly contributions to the field of homiletics. He is the author and editor of numerous influential works, including The Big Idea of Biblical Preaching, Preaching with a Plan, and Preaching Hope in Darkness, co-authored with Dr. Karen Mason, professor of counseling and psychology at Gordon-Conwell. He has served as editor of The Journal of the Evangelical Homiletics Society since 2000 and previously edited the ABE Journal for 14 years. His current projects include Preaching Perspectives and an edited volume on lessons learned in preaching, both forthcoming in 2027.

An ordained Baptist minister, Dr. Gibson is co-founder and past president of the Evangelical Homiletics Society. His teaching and research interests include contemporary issues in preaching, discipleship, pastoral ministry, and the history of preaching and evangelicalism.

Dr. Gibson will begin teaching preaching courses in the fall. Of his return, he shares, “I’m excited and pleased to return home to Gordon-Conwell to assist in fortifying the legacy of preaching at the seminary. Serving alongside Dr. Patricia Batten, assistant professor of preaching, our hope is to inspire students and pastors to preach the Word with skill, confidence, and commitment so that the church might be made strong and mature in Christ.”

Through this new appointment, Dr. Gibson continues a lifelong calling to equip pastors and ministry leaders to preach faithfully and effectively for the sake of the Church.