Donald A. Wells

Don has been Old South’s Theologian-in-Residence since September 2008.  In this role, he teaches classes in theology and Christian spirituality, and assists the Senior Minister, as needed, with worship leadership, occasional preaching, and other projects as they arise. Don is a Pastoral Theologian whose life and ministry have been immersed in the church, both local and ecumenical. His experience and academic background provide an important perspective on the intersection of faith and contemporary life. Don’s series of “On the Road” articles, which have appeared in various Old South publications, explore familiar themes and stories of the Bible through new lenses.

Don is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, and has served as pastor of three churches in Massachusetts: Cambridge, Lexington and Melrose.  He also taught for a semester at Boston University and co-managed The International Fellowship House, Boston, while completing his Ph.D. dissertation.
 
Don’s most recent position was as Executive Director of the Massachusetts Bible Society (MBS), a progressive educational agency which works to promote biblical literacy and biblical justice. A major focus of his work at MBS was helping increase awareness of the multiple voices embedded in the biblical texts, and of those from around the world who are reading those texts, including feminists, Womanists, and all who have been marginalized.  He served MBS for 19 years and was named Emeritus in 2007.
 
Don has served on numerous boards and commissions and currently holds memberships in The American Academy of Religion and The Society of Biblical Literature. He is a Field Education Supervisor at Harvard Divinity School and is an Associate Member of the Iona Community.
 
In recognition of his years of service, the Trustees of the Massachusetts Bible Society established a Preaching Prize in his name. The award is given annually to a student from any of the Boston area theological schools who prepares the best sermon on a biblical text that lifts up social justice themes.

Don’s wife of 42 years, Elizabeth Granlund Wells, was an integral part of all of his work and her memory continues to inspire him. Together they parented two children, Jeremy and Pamela. He is the proud grandfather of Nour, whose name means “light” in both Turkish and Arabic. Don has been known to play a mean game of tennis (more gentle with each succeeding year!), enjoys reading, writing, cooking (basic!), and hiking the back shore of Great Cranberry Isle, Maine, where he serves as Pastor of the Island’s church each August.