As the chair of the Department of Advanced Studies and director of the Doctor of Ministry program, Dr. Black is responsible for overseeing all postgraduate degrees within the School of Theology. Prior to joining APU, Dr. Black enjoyed a successful business career as a partner in an international Wall Street investment firm. As a result, he brings a unique blend of economic analysis and real-world corporate leadership experience to his field of theological study. His Ph.D. dissertation was the first to organize and track the influence of noted philosopher, theologian, and spiritual formation writer/speaker Dr. Dallas Willard. Dr. Black's theological specialization focuses on the changing nature of American evangelical theology and the effects and opportunities that exist for the Church during the transition toward an increasingly post-Christian culture. His passions lie in helping current and future church leaders navigate the evolving realities of our world while discovering and achieving their own discipleship through the process of spiritual formation, leadership development, and transformational scholarship.