Bartlett had a long career, holding both academic and pastoral positions. As an ordained minister of the
American Baptist Churches, USA he served as the Senior Minister for congregations in Minnesota, Illinois, and California. He was also on the faculty at schools such as American Baptist Seminary of the West and Graduate Theological Union, The Divinity School of The
University of Chicago,
Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia,
Yale Divinity School, and
Columbia Theological Seminary. He was Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Yale Divinity School for eleven years. At both Yale Divinity School and Columbia Theological Seminary he was a distinguished faculty member and was honored as professor emeritus. He also served as theologian in residence at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. He served for several years on the Editorial Board of works such as
Interpretation and
Preaching Great Texts. He has also been on the Board of Consultants for the
Journal of Religion and the National Advisory Board for the
Christian Networks Journal. He worked on the Feasting on the Word commentary series. He and
Barbara Brown Taylor were co-editors for this twelve volume series that aimed at giving pastors and educators a variety of views on scripture that could be easily utilized. == Writings ==