Submissions

Author Guidelines

Authors are invited to make a submission to this journal. All submissions will be assessed by an editor to determine whether they meet the aims and scope of this journal. Those considered to be a good fit will be sent for peer review before determining whether they will be accepted or returned for rejected.

Before making a submission, authors are responsible for obtaining permission to publish any material included with the submission, such as photos, documents and datasets. All authors identified on the submission must consent to be identified as an author. Where appropriate, research should be approved by an appropriate ethics committee in accordance with the legal requirements of the study's country.

An editor may desk reject a submission if it does not meet minimum standards of quality. Before submitting, please ensure that the study design and research argument are structured and articulated properly. The title should be concise and the abstract should be able to stand on its own. This will increase the likelihood of reviewers agreeing to review the paper. When you're satisfied that your submission meets this standard, please follow the checklist below to prepare your submission. 

The Theology, Education, and Social Sciences Journal in the Black Church Context (TESS) accepts submissions across three distinct paths. Please ensure your manuscript follows the citation style corresponding to your discipline:

1. Theology and Practical Theology Submissions: Must strictly follow the Chicago Manual of Style (Notes and Bibliography system).
2. Education and Social Sciences Submissions: Must strictly follow the APA Style Manual (7th Edition).

Manuscript Formatting:
- File Format: All submissions must be uploaded as a Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) file. PDFs are not accepted for initial submission.
- Length: Original research articles should be between 5,000 and 8,000 words. Field and pastoral essays should be between 1,500 and 3,000 words.
- Typography: Use 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced throughout, with 1-inch margins.
- Abstract: Include an abstract of no more than 250 words and 4–6 keywords.

Ensuring a Blind Review:
Because TESS utilizes a rigorous double-blind peer review process, authors must remove all identifying information from the manuscript file prior to submission. Delete author names, institutional affiliations, and acknowledgments from the text. Check the file properties in Microsoft Word and remove personal metadata before uploading.