James F. Cobble, Jr., received his master of divinity degree from McCormick Theological Seminary, and also has doctoral degrees from both Princeton Theological Seminary and the University of Illinois. He combined his training as a pastor and educator with extensive research and writing in the field of church administration, writing or co-writing 20 books and receiving induction into the church management "hall of fame" by the National Association of Church Business Administration (NACBA). He is now retired.