New school of missions, evangelism and ministry

Beginning in August 2013, the seminary will launch a new school: the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Ministry. This school, which combines the current Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism, established in 1994, and the School of Church Ministries, 2009, will serve students of both international and domestic missions, church planting, worship leadership and both local church and educational leadership.

“The new Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Ministry consolidates the great strengths of Southern Seminary’s tradition in Great Commission ministry, in global evangelism outreach and in ministry to the local church,” said R. Albert Mohler Jr., who is president of the seminary. “In a new global age, it is vitally important that students who graduate from Southern Seminary are exposed to a comprehensive curriculum that will prepare them for the challenges of real-life ministry in the local church and the mission fields of the world. This new school will bring together a comprehensive ministry vision and Great Commission passion.

Southern Seminary was the first seminary in the United States to have an endowed chair of Christian missions,” Mohler said. “It is now the first in the nation to combine the strengths of these disciplines into one school of missions, evangelism and ministry. Missions must be more than a department; it must permeate the entire curriculum. The creation of this new school allows us to penetrate the entire institution with Great Commission urgency.”

The new school’s sole purpose will be enhancing the seminary’s Great Commission reach and its faithfulness to the local church. Mohler noted the seminary will retain all faculty in the current Graham School and School of Church Ministries, and will retain and even expand the entire curriculum. The seminary plans to name the dean of the new Graham School in coming months.

New academic leadership

Currently, Russell D. Moore serves as the seminary’s lead academic officer under the president as well as dean of the School of Theology. Earlier this year, on March 26, trustees of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention elected Moore as its next president. In light of Moore’s recent election, Mohler named Randy Stinson as senior vice president for academic administration and Gregory A. Wills as dean of the School of Theology.

Mohler said that separating the roles of academic administration and dean is now necessary due, in large part, to increased enrollment.

“Southern Seminary has now reached the point in terms of expanding enrollment such that we need to have full-time executive leadership in academic administration and thus separate the roles of dean of the School of Theology and senior vice president for academic administration,” he said. “We are experiencing record enrollment and we now look to posture the seminary to continue that growth and development. I am pleased to separate these two positions in order to facilitate the future.”

Stinson became the founding dean of the School of Church Ministries at its inception in 2009. He holds a master of divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and master of theology and doctor of philosophy degrees from Southern Seminary. He is also the former executive director and current senior fellow for the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.

“Randy Stinson is one of the most dedicated, gifted and faithful Christian servants I have ever known,” Mohler said. “It has been a tremendous privilege to have him serve with the executive team. He has shown himself to be a natural leader, a servant and collegial catalyst for the entire institution. He is a gifted servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, a passionate teacher and a man who in his marriage and family life and ministry models everything we want Southern Seminary to represent. He will serve in an outstanding way as senior vice president for academic administration and will also fulfill the responsibilities of provost.”

Wills becomes the 10th dean of the seminary’s oldest and central school since its formation in 1954. Wills joined the faculty of Southern Seminary in 1997 after serving as the seminary’s first full-time archivist starting in 1994. He is now a professor of church history, an associate dean in the School of Theology, vice president for research and assessment and director of the Center for the Study of the Southern Baptist Convention. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a master of theology degree from Duke University, a master of divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a doctor of philosophy degree from Emory University.

“Dr. Gregory A Wills is the very model of the Christian scholar,” Mohler said. “I am glad to say I first met him when he was a doctoral student, and it is a tremendous personal satisfaction now, 20 years later, to see him emerge as such a model of scholarship, consecrated learning, academic writing and classroom teaching. Throughout its history, Southern Seminary has had a succession of scholars who have served as dean of the School of Theology. Greg Wills belongs in that illustrious line and will make his own very distinctive contribution to the life and work of the School of Theology. He already has the confidence and appreciation of his peers and faculty colleagues; that will only increase as he moves into this new role and responsibility.”

Moore said of Wills’ appointment: “Gregory Wills is a brilliant choice for dean of the School of Theology. He is a world-renowned scholar, a master teacher, a gifted leader, and a godly man. He will not only have written the history of Southern Seminary, but he will also make it, as he works with President Mohler to take our mother seminary to a new level of excellence. He is committed to the vision of Boyce and Broadus, and he knows the challenges of the 21st century. Greg Wills leads with both the sword and the trowel and with the basin and the towel. Excellent choice.”

Mohler also announced Matthew J. Hall as vice president for academic services, which will include oversight of the Office of Enrollment Management and institutional research and assessment. Hall, currently chief of staff in the Office of the President, is a graduate of Southern and a doctoral candidate at the University of Kentucky.

“I am very pleased to appoint Matt Hall as vice president for academic services,” Mohler said. “Matt is a skilled administrator and a proven leader. He is also a Christian scholar, one who is unquestionably committed to the mission of Southern Seminary. He has served as executive assistant to the president and chief of staff and he will quite naturally move into this new position of expanded responsibilities.”

Expanded budget

Trustees voted to approve a budget for the 2013-14 academic year that represents a 3.3 percent increase from 2012-13.

Mohler said of the school’s fiscal health: “We are thankful for God’s continued blessing on Southern Seminary in terms of enrollment, the support of our donors and most importantly the support of Southern Baptists through the Cooperative Program. We are proud and thankful to be a Cooperative Program ministry of the Southern Baptist Convention and we are very thankful at this time to be able to move, as in previous years, into an expanded budget.”

Trustees approved the promotion of both Adam Greenway and Heath Lambert to associate professorships, and Robert L. Plummer to a full professorship. The board also granted sabbatical leave for professors Timothy K. Beougher and Bruce A. Ware and extended the contracts of seven other faculty members.

Before concluding their meeting, trustees honored the late Rick Byargeon, a trustee of the seminary who died April 4, 2013, approximately 150 days after doctors diagnosed him with cancer.

“We are so thankful for the service of Rick Byargeon and his service as a trustee of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary,” Mohler said. “His death services to remind us of what it means, regardless of the length of our days, to finish the course. We are thankful that Rick Byargeon finished his course. And we are thankful for the investment of time and energy he made in Southern Seminary.”

Byargeon was most recently the senior pastor of Temple Baptist Church, Ruston, La. Before that, he served as a pastor in other churches and on the faculties of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1993-1999; 2003-2005) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (2001-2003). Southern Seminary trustees will present a framed set of resolutions in Byargeon’s honor to his widow, Jonann, and his son, Will.

McCall, whose contributions to the Southern Baptist Convention cover nearly 70 years, profoundly shaped both Southern Seminary and the denomination in ways that continue to define them today. When he became the seventh president of the seminary in 1951 at the age of 36, he already owned a remarkable record of denominational leadership.

He served as president of three different Southern Baptist entities: New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1943-1946), the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention (1946-1951) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1951-1982). Second, he invested in denominational leadership as a very young man: he was only 28 when elected president of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Third, he exercised denominational leadership over an extraordinary period of time: 40 years across five decades of the 20th century, and then continued to be an active Baptist voice after his retirement.

By the time he retired in 1982, he had become the longest-serving president in the history of Southern Seminary. Throughout his extraordinary career, his purpose was to serve faithfully the people of God as they followed Christ in advancing his kingdom.

“A giant has fallen in Israel. The death of Dr. Duke K. McCall reminds us of the lengthened shadow one man can cast over a great denomination,” said R. Albert Mohler Jr., who is the current president of Southern Seminary. “Dr. McCall was a giant among Southern Baptists. He belongs to that great generation of Southern Baptist leaders who shaped the convention as the 20th century brought new opportunities and new challenges. He, along with Drs. W.A. Criswell and Hershel H. Hobbs, brought the Southern Baptist Convention into the modern age.

“He was Southern Baptist to the core, and he entered denominational leadership at an incredibly young age. He was president of the Baptist Bible Institute, and helped it to become New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He was the president of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, and then he came home to his alma mater, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he was to serve as president for three decades.

“His leadership at Southern Seminary represented an entire epoch in this institution’s history. He was president during some of the most tumultuous years of the twentieth century, and he guided the seminary through years marked by both peace and controversy. This campus, including the James P. Boyce Centennial Library, bears the marks of his vision and leadership. I was greatly honored to preside at the ceremony that commemorated the opening of the Duke K. McCall Sesquicentennial Pavilion when Southern Seminary marked its 150th anniversary. The Duke K. McCall Lectures on Christian Leadership bring some of the world’s great leaders to the Southern Seminary campus,” Mohler said.

He continued: “My relationship with Dr. McCall goes back to my childhood, when he came to my home church as a visiting preacher. Later, he was the president of Southern Seminary when I arrived as a student. I saw his leadership up close, and my admiration only grew. Later, I was able to develop a deep and very personal friendship with Dr. McCall, and for that I am so very thankful. When I was elected president of Southern Seminary, in the midst of difficult days in our denomination, Dr. McCall was among the very first to call me. He offered prayer and friendship from the start, and, even when he would have disagreed with my decisions, he respected the office and offered true friendship.”

Frank S. Page, current president of the Executive Committee said of McCall: “Southern Baptists are indebted to Dr. McCall. I know that I follow some great men, and Dr. McCall is one of them. He now moves to his ultimate reward and stands before our Lord. Southern Baptists have lost a great leader today. He leaves a powerful legacy.”

Chuck Kelley, the current president of New Orleans Seminary, said, “Dr. Duke McCall was one of the most influential leaders in SBC history. He made an indelible impact in New Orleans, presiding over our transition from Baptist Bible Institute to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. His influence throughout the SBC was profound, extending from our seminary to the Executive Committee to The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and beyond. Whether you agreed with him or disagreed with him, you had to take account of his perspective. He earned the respect and appreciation even of those who disagreed with him. The story of the modern Southern Baptist Convention cannot be told without including the story of Duke McCall.

“I am thankful for Dr. McCall’s giving his life in kingdom service to Southern Baptists and the global Baptist family. New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary will always be in his debt.”

Son of judge John W. and Lizette McCall, Duke McCall was born in Meridian, Miss., in September of 1914, and he grew up with his four siblings in Memphis, Tenn. Following high school, McCall entered Furman University in Greenville, S.C. There, McCall met Marguerite Mullinnix. The couple married shortly after McCall graduated from the university as valedictorian in 1935. The McCalls raised four sons.

1951, McCall beginning his presidency of Southern Seminary

After McCall graduated from Furman University in 1935, he enrolled at Southern Seminary, earning a master of theology degree in 1938 and a doctor of philosophy degree in Old Testament studies in 1942 from Southern Seminary. Through most of his student years he pastored churches, including the prestigious Broadway Baptist Church, Louisville, Ky.

In 1943, the trustees of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, at that time still called the Baptist Bible Institute of New Orleans, elected McCall, despite his youth, because he had earned a reputation for powerful preaching, evangelistic zeal and bold leadership. He looked, however, like an incoming freshman. “Are you new here too?” a freshman asked him in 1943. “Yes I am,” McCall replied, “they have just made me president.”

As president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and as president of the Executive Committee, McCall exercised visionary leadership and attracted the support of leaders throughout the denomination. He was able to move Southern Baptists to accomplish some of the challenging things that the gospel demanded of them. Though young, he demonstrated wisdom and power, and a heart to serve the churches. These things endeared him to Southern Baptist pastors and laypersons.

In 1951, the trustees of Southern Seminary brought McCall back to his alma mater. He  had already proven himself capable of bold leadership in challenging circumstances at Broadway, New Orleans and the Executive Committee. And the seminary trustees ultimately concluded that McCall was their candidate; the search committee brought him to Louisville for the interview in early August 1951. McCall accepted and became the longest serving president in the institution’s history.

On the 60th anniversary of McCall’s election, the seminary honored him at an event, Sept. 6, 2011. In an unprecedented service afforded only few institutions, Mohler led a full-to-capacity Alumni Chapel, in celebrating McCall’s more than 32 years as president of the school.

Earlier that same year, in April, the McCall Family Foundation established the Duke K. McCall Chair of Christian Leadership and the McCall Leadership Lectures series at Southern Seminary. The inaugural lecture in that series came at the anniversary celebration.

2011, McCall at a celebration
of the 60th anniversary of his
election as SBTS president

Duke K. McCall made deep and varied contributions to Baptist life throughout his remarkable career. Some of them came outside the Southern Baptist Convention, as in his long service and leadership in the Baptist World Alliance. But it was within the life of the Southern Baptist Convention that he made his most durable and impressive contributions. He launched a new era of progress for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He reconceived the work of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention in ways that resulted in advances in denominational giving, missionary expansion and institutional prosperity. And in less tangible ways, he left his imprint on Southern Baptists.

McCall leaves behind his wife, Winona McCandless, a widow whom he married after Marguerite died in 1983, and his four sons: Duke Jr., Douglas, John Richard and Michael.

“When a giant of this stature falls, we realize just how few men of his stature are,” Mohler said. “What a remarkable life. Southern Seminary is praying for the entire McCall family. Our prayers are with Mrs. Winona McCall, his beloved wife, and his four sons and their families. I am so thankful to have known Dr. Duke K. McCall as president, statesman, churchman, preacher and friend.”

The family will hold visitation services in the Duke K. McCall Sesquicentennial Pavilion at Southern Seminary, at 1 p.m., Sunday, April 7. A funeral service will be held the next day at Broadway Baptist Church, 4000 Brownsboro Road, Louisville, KY, at 10 a.m.

Gregory A. Wills is professor church history at Southern Seminary and director of the Center for the Study of the Southern Baptist Convention; Aaron Cline Hanbury is manager of news and information at the seminary.

Coats and his wife, Betsy, reside in Birmingham, Mich., where he works as a dose management specialist for Baxter Healthcare Corporation, and serves as an elder of Woodside Baptist Church, Troy, Mich.

He is also the brother of U.S. Senator Dan Coats (R-Ind.), who came out of retirement in 2010 to reclaim his seat in the Senate.

Coats graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in political science and religious studies from Michigan State University in Lansing, Mich., and has since worked in business for 35 years.

“We could not be more pleased that Peter and Betsy Coats have been led to join the Southern family,” said R. Craig Parker, vice president for institutional advancement and executive director of the Southern Seminary Foundation.

“Peter achieved success in every aspect of his business career, and his sense of calling to Southern was both powerful and clear, and I cannot wait to see all that he is going to accomplish in service to the seminary.”

Sensing that calling to vocational ministry, Coats evaluated opportunities to serve a seminary according to its theological convictions, commitment to local churches and institutional leadership. After his evaluation, Southern Seminary became his clear favorite because it provides “extraordinary training in order to serve churches and strengthen mission efforts across the world.”

Coats believes his experience managing sales for healthcare businesses offers an insight in promoting the value of Southern Seminary’s commitment to the Great Commission.

“Our mission [in institutional advancement] is to build relationships with seminary friends to secure financial contributions,” Coats said. “I firmly believe that once prospective donors are presented with this investment opportunity, they will quickly respond to the value that Southern brings to the advancement of the kingdom.”

Coats will focus his efforts on institutional advancement in the midwestern region of the United States, where he will seek donations to fund capital projects and “provide students with a low cost, high quality education.”

“With God’s guidance and empowerment, I hope to begin to open up a steady flow of donations in the Upper Midwest, which is an area served by Southern but needs considerable donor development,” Coats said. “Your prayers for this effort are needed and appreciated.”

-Craig Sanders

“Owen is an exceptionally gifted theologian and scholar who brings a gospel-gravity to his cultural commentary,” said Dan DeWitt, dean of Boyce College. “His appointment at the CBMW will greatly serve the church in continuing to understand what’s at stake in protecting and nurturing biblical gender roles.”

The council, which consists of men and women within the evangelical community from a spectrum of professional and ministerial backgrounds, considers the Bible’s teaching about “the complementary differences” between the genders as “essential for obedience to Scripture and for the health of the family and the church,” and thus seeks to promote a “complementarian” vision for gender roles as normative for the evangelical church. The Danvers Statement, a doctrinal statement produced at a CBMW meeting in Danvers, Mass., in 1987 and published in its current form in 1988, presents the theological affirmations of the council.

Strachan, who is assistant professor of theology and church history at Southern Seminary’s undergraduate school, succeeds Randy Stinson, dean of the School of Church Ministries at the seminary, as CBMW’s day-to-day leadership role. Strachan will continue his teaching ministry at the college.

“I am thrilled to work for CBMW as executive director,” he said. “Under the instruction and mentorship of complementarian leaders like Bruce Ware, Al Mohler and Mark Dever, God enabled me to see the beauty and wisdom of biblical gender roles. With many thousands of other young evangelicals gripped by the gospel, I love God’s design for men and women. I’m excited to promote this design at CBMW through an ambitious slate of events and initiatives in coming days. CBMW will continue to aid local churches in the formation of God-glorifying families even as we engage the broader cultural discussion of marriage, homosexuality and human flourishing. We are ideally positioned for such engagement, because in a world struggling to find balance on the shifting sand of opinion, we stand on the solid rock of God’s truth.”

Russell D. Moore, chairman of the board for CBMW and dean of the School of Theology at Southern, said in a news release by the organization, “Owen Strachan is a bright and energetic young thinker, brimming with wise ideas about the next stage of CBMW’s mission. I’m excited about the road-map he’s laid out for us and look forward to the future.”

In the same release, Ligon Duncan, senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Miss., and president of the CBMW, also commented on Strachan’s appointment: ”At this strategic moment, I am especially enthusiastic and grateful to have the privilege of working alongside Owen Strachan, a dynamic young scholar, in promoting the Bible’s vision for manhood and womanhood in the home and church.”

In October of last year, Strachan participated in a popular radio debate with egalitarian author Rachel Held Evans. And then in November, Strachan delivered a lecture at the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C., about evangelical cultural engagement.
- Craig Sanders

Born May 2, 1925 in Hope, Ark., Tate grew up in Washington, Ark., where he attended Washington Elementary and High School. In 1944, he enrolled at Ouachita Baptist University, from which he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1947. Tate then attended Southern Seminary, earning a divinity degree in 1952 and a doctorate in 1958. An Old Testament scholar, Tate’s doctoral dissertation is A Study of the Wise Men of Israel in Relation to the Prophets.

While finishing his education, Tate served as the pastor of Goshen Baptist Church in Glen Dean, Ky., where he met and married Julia Moorman, one of 11 children in a Methodist family from Western Kentucky. Tate and his new wife then spent three years pastoring a church in Tulsa, Okla., while he finished his dissertation. After Tate graduated, the couple moved to Texas, where he taught at Wayland Baptist College. He joined the Southern Seminary faculty in 1960.

In 1965, Tate, who became known by students for his quick wit, signed the seminary’s most important founding document, the Abstract of Principles, the signing of which is historically significant in the life of Southern Seminary. In 1992, Tate took an endowed position as the John R. Sampey Professor of Old Testament — a chair he held until his retirement from full-time teaching in 1995. This chair, intended to preserve Old Testament scholarship at the seminary, is one of Southern Seminary’s oldest and highest honored endowed professorships, held first by John R. Sampey from 1938 to 1943 and currently by Duane Garrett.

Tate authored numerous books and articles, including two works in the Word Biblical Commentary series: Psalms 51-100 and Job. He and Southern colleague, Clyde T. Fransisco, published a translation of Exodus, and he helped with Hebrew translation for the New International Version of the Bible. Tate was also editor of Review and Expositor, the seminary’s academic journal now called Southern Baptist Journal of Theology.

Tate leaves behind his wife of 55 years and his five children, Sarah McCommon, Martha Kent, Betsey Tate, Andrew Tate and Virginia Phelps, and five grandchildren.

“Craig is a man of remarkable gifts, long standing Southern Baptist experience, valuable experience in the local church, and a demonstrated expertise in building a ministry,” said R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Seminary. “To know him and his wife, Selwyn, is to know a dedicated Christian couple whose commitment to Christ, to the church, and to Southern Seminary is tangible and powerful.”

Parker takes the place of Jason K. Allen, who left Southern to assume the presidency of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Oct. 15.

Southern’s Office of Institutional Advancement and the Southern Seminary Foundation lead fundraising efforts of the seminary, from major building projects to raising money for the school’s annual fund, which defrays tuition costs for master’s degree students.

Prior to accepting this position, Parker served the seminary as vice president of business services. And before arriving at Southern, Parker held administrative roles in Tennessee churches, including 15 years as church administrator at Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova — the church once pastored by Adrian Rogers and a significant church in the history of the Southern Baptist Convention. He is also a former trustee for Guidestone Financial Resources.

Parker has been married for 35 years to Selwyn, with whom he has two adult children, Leah and Matt. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and a master’s from Murray State University in Murray, Ky.

Participating businesses include: Verizon Wireless, Summit Energy, Unique Management, FedEx, UPS, Home Instead Senior Care, Chick-fil-A, Valvoline, Charter Communications, Stock Yards Bank and Walgreens.

More than 20 door prizes will be awarded including: $50 savings bond, gift cards to Lifeway, Walgreens and more.

Conference discussions will explore practical aspects of strengthening marriages and families with special attention given to men and women preparing for gospel ministry.

This free conference is open to all students, student-spouses, faculty and staff of Southern Seminary and Boyce College. Regularly scheduled SBTS and Boyce College classes on Thursday, Aug. 23, will meet in the chapel for the duration of class. Alumni and their spouses will be welcome to attend through our Alumni Academy program. Details on Alumni Academy are available here.

Conference events will take place Thursday, Aug. 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Guest speakers will include Dennis Rainey, president and CEO of FamilyLife, C.J. Mahaney, leader of Sovereign Grace Ministries, Russell D. Moore, dean of the School of Theology and senior vice president for Academic Administration at Southern Seminary, and R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Seminary

Childcare will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis for a small fee. Childcare reservations can be made online here, or by contacting the Health and Recreation Center.

Attendees wishing to take advantage of a free lunch from Chick-fil-A must register by scanning their Shield Cards at the August 16 and 21 chapel services. The scan machines will be set up in Alumni Memorial Chapel before and after chapel services.  Students, student-spouses, faculty and staff may also sign up for lunch by stopping by the Office of Event Productions anytime prior to the first day of the event. After August 20, attendees are welcome to register for the lunch but there will be a $2 fee per person.

Students interested in attending the conference may earn course credit by enrolling in course #45910, under the instruction of Randy Stinson, dean of the School of Church Ministries at Southern Seminary. The course itself will last two days (Aug. 23-24) and will satisfy the core course requirements for 35040 Leadership and Family Ministry. While conference attendance is free, enrollment in course #45910 will incur standard tuition and fees.

Randy Stinson, a father of seven and dean of the School of Church Ministries at Southern Seminary, participated in a two-part interview with FamilyLife Today radio about biblical manhood. In part one, Stinson tells FamilyLife radio’s Dennis Rainey and Bob Lepine how his sports-loving family opted out of baseball in order to give his kids a big vision of the world. In part two, Stinson lists some of the valuable things a father should teach his son before he leaves home including: building a fire, camping, carving a turkey, lighting a grill and tying a tie. Stinson talks about the importance of a father casting a vision for his family, and then leading them in practical ways to reach their goals.

Listen to the interviews here.

Every June, 80 or more children and youth ages 4-18 spend an exhilarating week on the Southern Seminary campus “playing skillfully on the strings.”  The 10^th annual Seminary String Camp will take place June 11-15, 2012, in Cooke Hall. Students can major in violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar and, new this year, harp. They also take courses on topics including fiddle, music & movement, worship improv and voice. SBTS and Boyce faculty, students and graduates Chandi Plummer, Neal Green, Samuel Meade and Lydia Borengasser join prominent string pedagogues Cheri Lyons Kelley, Robin Chappars and Wayne Krigger in teaching classes and directing ensembles. There is a class for students at every level and a family rate is available. Early Registration runs through Monday, May 21.

This year’s Faculty Recital features harpist Anna Wicker on Monday, June 11, from 12:30-1:00 in Heeren Hall.  Wicker is an incoming M.A. Missiology student. Student Recitals are Tuesday through Thursday, 12:30-1:00 pm, and the String Camp Finale Concert is Friday, June 15, at 7:30 pm. All events are in Heeren Hall and open to the Seminary community.

For more information click here or contact Dr. Esther Crookshank at (502) 897-4795, ecrookshank@sbts.edu.

Southern Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr. presented a 10-year plan repurpose and refocus the seminary’s physical campus in a special post-chapel address to the Southern community, April 19, 2012. This dramatic step represents the most significant physical revitalization of the seminary since moving to its current location in 1926.

“One of our chief responsibilities in this generation is to ensure Southern Seminary is propelled into the future unconstrained by limitations that we have the responsibility to address now,” Mohler said. “The campus of Southern Seminary is merely a tool, but it’s a very important tool for our ability to fulfill the mission that has been entrusted to us. For that reason, we need to take responsibility in this generation to make certain that the campus continues as a great asset to our mission and does not become a liability. That explains this very significant effort to address long-term issues and also important opportunities for the campus.

“As I head into my 20th year as president, I do not want to turn over this campus to the next generation as a time bomb about to detonate,” he said. “In spite of all of its beauty and all of its utility, there are some things that are ticking as some of these buildings approach their 90th year.”

In an effort to assess the situation, the seminary hired one of the nation’s top consulting firms to evaluate the campus. The result was the quantification of $52 million in deferred (postponed) maintenance.

According to Mohler, the largest area of concern is the Mullins Complex. Built in 1926, the complex consists of Whitsitt, Mullins and Williams halls and makes up one-third of the campus. If the complex were to require plumbing or electrical replacement, the cost for each would be $4 million. Then, updating 1926 facilities to match 2012 codes would cost at least $4 million.

“We are going to look at the issue in terms of its component parts,” Mohler said. “Look at what issues are the most crucial and put it together in a package that will include some fund-raising and some use of capital.”

Mohler insisted that the seminary will draw funds for the proposed master plan neither from tuition nor other fund-raising efforts.

The Board of Trustees of Southern Seminary approved the master plan, April 17.

Dan Dumas, senior vice president for institutional administration, said about the adoption and implementation of the master plan: “After restoring the theological heritage of the seminary in the late 20th century, we are committed to restoring the historic buildings of this campus in order to align them with our mission.”

During the next 10 years, the master plan will dissolve the $52 million in deferred maintenance and position the campus for immediate and future structural and financial sustainability. Phase one will restore and update the campus, primarily in terms of housing and administrative offices. This phase requires the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention to approve a $20 million loan during its annual meeting in New Orleans, this June.

The master plan will repurpose the historical Mullins Complex as a state-of-the-art facility for Boyce College, the undergraduate school of Southern Seminary.

“Moving Boyce College into the Mullins Complex in the heart of campus will facilitate the greatest integration of the college into the life of the seminary since its inception,” Mohler said. “It will accelerate our programs that link the college and the seminary together in order to get committed missionaries and pastors onto the mission field and into the churches as quickly as possible. It will also maximize the stewardship of all of our campus facilities.”

Phase two will advance the learning community of Southern Seminary, primarily through renovation of the James P. Boyce Centennial Library. Phase three, without requiring any firm commitments, anticipates future development.

More information about the plan, including details about building projects, will become progressively more available throughout the upcoming months.

Whomever you’re rooting for, watch the game of the century live on the big screens at Boyce College and Southern’s watch party Saturday, March 31, at 6 p.m. All are welcome to gather in Heritage Hall for free pizza and fellowship.

Boyce College is hosting an essay contest that will grant a full-tuition Worldview Studies Certificate Program scholarship to one lucky winner. Eligible essays need to discuss what the entrant believes a Biblical Worldview has to do with success on a college campus. All submissions must be original. Plagiarism in any form will not be accepted. Entrants can use quotes and outside sources, but should make sure to give adequate recognition to sources through either footnotes or citations. Entries should be at least 500 words, but no longer than 1,000 words. Footnotes and citations do not count towards the word limit.

The winner will be awarded a full-tuition, at the SBC-student rate, scholarship for the Fall 2012-Spring 2013 Worldview Studies Certificate Program. Entry can be submitted via email to boyce@sbts.edu Ensure essays are in a Word document attached to the email. Include contact information in the body of the email. All submissions should be sent in by June 4, 2012.The winner of the essay contest and tuition scholarship will be notified via email July, 16, 2012.

Please direct all questions to boyce@sbts.edu

The design team received a gold award for the 2011 Southern Seminary Viewbook, a silver award for the “We Are Serious about the Gospel” book-typography graphic and a bronze award for two other entries, the Fall 2011 Southern Seminary Magazine and the Duke K. McCall 60th-anniversary program.

“I am so proud of our communications team’s effort,” said Dan Dumas, senior vice president for institutional administration. “In the design field, one is grateful for consistent singles and doubles and the occasional triple. However, these creatives step up to the plate and consistently hit home runs. Thinking outside the box is their game.”

Southern’s creative team, who received awards two years in a row, includes Creative Director Eric Jimenez, Lead Designer Tyler Deeb, Graphic Designer Andrea Stember and Manager of Photography and Social Media Jason Coobs. Steve Watters, vice president of communications, leads the team.

Deeb, who also works as a freelance designer, received bronze for three additional personal entries in the show.

The LGDA 100 Show accepts entries from professional and student graphic designers in the Louisville, Ky., area. This year’s show accommodated roughly 300 entries. Judges select winners according to the categories of graphic design, illustration, photography, interactive media and motion design.

1: Southern and Boyce Student Life are co-sponsoring a NCAA Tournament best-bracket contest. The contest is hosted through ESPN.com Anyone can sign-up and create a bracket; the best bracket owner will win an Apple TV. Bracket scoring and contest standings can be monitored on ESPN.com To sign-up and create a bracket, go here and use password: southern. Deadline to create and submit a bracket is Thursday, March 15, at noon.

2: On Thursday, March 15, Resident’s Life and Student Life will partner with Pioneer Catering to host a NCAA Tournament watch party in Heritage Hall. The event starts at 11:30 a.m. and will conclude at midnight. All are welcome to come watch the tournament and enjoy snacks and refreshments throughout the day. As a reminder to all students: the cafeteria will not offer dinner service on Thursday, food will be provided in Heritage Hall.

Southern Seminary and the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism invite all faculty, staff and students to participate in the Global Evangelism Week events, March 12 - 15, 2012.

Monday, March 12:

6:30 - 8 pm: “Connections: SBTS Mission Trips and God’s Global Purpose.” In Ingram Hall, pizza provided. Please RSVP to hcarter@sbts.edu.

Tuesday, March 13:

10 - 11 am: Southern Seminary Chapel with Dr. Andy Davis

11 - noon: “The Local Church and Missions” Q&A with Dr. Andy Davis. In Heritage Hall, light snacks/drinks provided.

7 - 8:30 pm: Great Commission Hymn Sing in Broadus Chapel. Sponsored by the SBTS Student Council and Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism.

Wednesday, March 14:

8 - 8:30 am: Prayer for the Nations in Dillard Chapel

11:15 am - noon: “Missionary Life and Calling” discussion with Dean Zane Pratt and Catherine Pratt. In Heritage Hall, light snacks/drinks provided.

Thursday, March 15:

10 - 11 am: Southern Seminary Chapel with Dr. M. David Sills

11 am - noon: “Being Foreign in America”: SBTS International students panel discussion in Legacy 303.

noon - 1 pm: “City Reaching” lunch and round table discussion. Sponsored by the Dehoney Center for Urban Ministry Training. Legacy 303. Please RSVP to hcarter@sbts.edu.

Southern Seminary’s Event Productions Office is extending junior high and high school age children of faculty/staff a discounted rate of $30 to attend the Renown conference. Those interested should register at the Event Productions Office (M-F 8 am - 4:30 pm) at x4072, or email gmaastudent@sbts.edu. Event registration deadline is March 12. Information on Renown can be found here.

The Donkey Who Carried a King offers a unique perspective on the events of Jesus’ Passion Week and calls all believers, both young and old, to follow in the footsteps of the Suffering Servant for the glory of God. Jesus was willing to leave the glories of heaven to suffer and die in this world on our behalf, so we should serve Him with all our hearts.

Donald S. Whitney

Michael A.G. Haykin

By Josh Hayes

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary now offers a degree emphasis in biblical spirituality.

With the new program, Southern gives students the opportunity to pursue the study of biblical spirituality for credit in the master of divinity, master of theology, doctor of ministry and doctor of philosophy degree programs.

“Our students need to study spirituality because at the heart of their task as ministers is the cultivation of spirituality in the lives of the individuals under their ministry, as well as spirituality in the life of their congregation as a whole,” said Donald S. Whitney, associate professor of biblical spirituality. “And as ministers, they are also required by Scripture to ‘be an example of those who believe’ [1 Tim 4:12], and this points directly to the development of their own spirituality. Our biblical spirituality curriculum is designed to prepare our students for all those responsibilities.”

Russell D. Moore, dean of the School of Theology and senior vice president for academic administration, spoke of the need for churches to learn about authentic Christian spirituality: “Our churches are facing a crisis when it comes to spirituality. Some congregations are captive to faddish and wisdom-deadening forms of pseudo-spirituality while others are in bondage to an arid rationalism. Churches and church leaders are longing for a healthy holistic Christian spirituality. Southern Seminary is ready, with such outstanding scholars as Don Whitney and Michael A.G. Haykin, to address this need.”

According to Whitney, who is also senior associate dean of the School of Theology, the addition of the program sets Southern apart in the world of theological education as the only North American institution that offers a degree emphasis in biblical spirituality in each of the four degree levels.

Whitney, who brings 24 years of pastoral experience to the classroom, and Haykin, professor of church history and biblical spirituality, will teach the majority of the biblical spirituality courses, with theology and biblical studies professors contributing other courses and doctoral colloquia. The biblical spirituality curriculum involves a cross-disciplinary approach by involving professors from the areas of systematic theology, biblical studies, historical theology and church history.

Spirituality, Whitney explained, is an area often overlooked for academic study among evangelicals. For this reason, Whitney argues it is important that evangelicals promote a view of spirituality rooted in a proper understanding of biblical authority and soteriology.

Whitney pointed out the opportunity for influence Southern now has as one of a very small number of seminaries nation-wide to offer a master of theology in biblical spirituality, and the only evangelical seminary known to offer a doctor of philosophy in spirituality.Like other Th.M. programs at Southern, the biblical spirituality degree allows students to participate in doctoral-level coursework as well as take master of divinity courses with additional requirements for course credit.

“No one should have to come to seminary in order to learn how to pray and meditate on Scripture, but realistically we know that is ideal and not always the case. But even if every student came from a ‘perfect’ church and all were sufficiently instructed in personal spirituality, they would still benefit from our biblical spirituality curriculum by learning how to teach others about these things. So, they need to learn not only the practical spiritual aspects of being disciples of Jesus, they also need to know how to disciple others. They need to be able to teach others how to pray and meditate on Scripture,” Whitney explained.

By Josh Hayes

The Kentucky Baptist Convention (KBC) announced the election of Adam Greenway as its new president, obtaining 73.1 percent of the vote, at the KBC annual meeting, November 2011.

An assistant professor of evangelism and applied apologetics, Greenway is also associate vice president for extension education and senior associate dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions and Evangelism at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

“Adam Greenway is a thoughtful, convictional leader. He will serve all Kentucky Baptists well, and I am glad he is part of our Southern Seminary faculty training the next generation of pastors and missionaries,” said Russell D. Moore, dean of the School of Theology and senior vice president for academic administration at Southern Seminary.

At 33 years old, Greenway is the youngest KBC president in history, surpassing Paul Chitwood who was elected at the age of 35. Furthermore, Greenway will be the first full-term president to serve alongside Chitwood, the recently elected KBC executive director-treasurer who served at Southern Seminary as associate professor of evangelism and church growth from 2007 until 2011.

Greenway served as the KBC’s first vice president in 2009-10, as a member of the Mission Board and, in 2009, as the chair of Mission Board Size Study Committee. Currently, he is the convention’s parliamentarian.

Greenway has held pastorates along with assistant and interim positions at churches in Florida, Texas, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. He is a member of First Baptist Church in Mount Washington, Ky. He holds an undergraduate degree from Samford University, a master of divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctor of philosophy from Southern.

Additionally, he co-edited the books Evangelicals Engaging Emergent and The Great Commission Resurgence (both B&H Academic).

The Health and Recreation Center at Southern Seminary has developed a new fitness classes, Zumba.

Zumba, for women only, is a dance-fitness program that features calorie-burning, body-energizing movements set to Latin music. The program is effective and easy-to-follow. Zumba is being offered through May 17, 2012, and is under the instruction of Anna Cary, certified Zumba instructor. Offered Tuesday and Thursday from 8-9 p.m.

Other fitness classes offered through the Health & Rec. Center include:

Aqua Alive: A great workout for your muscles without the stress on your bones, this class is perfect for the expectant and/or postpartum mothers. Under the instruction of Linda Blincoe, Aqua Alive is offered Tuesday and Thursday from 5-5:45 p.m.

The Gauntlet: For men only, this class is ideal forthose interested in beginner to intermediate circuit training. Under the instruction of Rob Maine, the Gauntlet meets in Levering Gym on Tuesday and Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Fitness Boot Camp: For women only, Boot Camp is a total body workout designed to get you moving. Includes circuit training and interspersed running created for all fitness levels. Under the instruction of Clara Stam, Boot Camp meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8-8:45 a.m.

Mommy and Me Power Walking/Strength Training: This class is designed to be fun and accessible for moms with their children. Join instructor Lindsey Lierli on the track on Monday for power walking and in the Levering Gym on Wednesday and Friday for cardio, toning and socializing. Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10-11 a.m.

Practical Pilates: Participants partake in a series of mostly mat exercises working from the body’s core. The class is low impact, focusing on form, precision and control, while correcting posture and learning balance. Monday classes are more aerobic and under the instruction of Lauren Maine. Tuesday and Thursday classes are focused on stretching and under the instruction of Latesha Purdy. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 4:45-5:45 p.m.

Beginning January 9th:

• All audio and video production requests should be emailed to southernproductions@sbts.edu
• Completed orders can be delivered via interoffice mail or picked up from the Communications office in Honeycutt 205.
• The Southern Productions office located in Norton 95, will be closing their doors to the public. For all duplication requests please fill out the production work order request on Inside Southern.
• Video recording and editing requests will be subject to production capacity and approval by the Vice President for Communications.

For a description of services visit: http://inside.sbts.edu/files/2012/01/reminder-of-media-support-division.pdf.

A Louisville native, Pierce started his law enforcement career at age 18. His tenure with the police department included service as a member of the patrol squad, a criminal investigation detective, a homicide squad detective, supervisor and commander, a 20-year member of the SWAT (special weapons and tactics) team and a police instructor for 20-years.

Pierce retired from Metro police in 2006 as a major and second division commander.

“I wasn’t planning on going back into full-time work, but after praying about it and talking with my wife about it a lot, we decided that this position was a good move,” Pierce said. “I had always said that if the right job came around, that I’d be interested. This position was a great opportunity and it just suited me in every way. I feel blessed to have the position.”

Pierce and his wife, Lynnette, are members of Southeast Christian Church where they lead an adult Bible study class on Sunday mornings. The couple has three adult children and two grandchildren.

Southern Seminary Facilities and Campus Security work around the clock to provide a safe and warm campus environment for students and staff. Please review the following policies, procedures and recommendations for a safe winter season.

Inclement Weather:

-Look to the Southern Seminary Web site to find weather-based cancellations and delayed-opening notifications. Twitter and Facebook will also have information available. Cancellations and delayed openings due to an overnight weather event will be posted no later than 6 a.m.

-Students and staff are encouraged to register for emergency text message notifications, which will include inclement weather notifications. You may sign up for text message updates here. Look also to local television and radio outlets for cancellation notifications.

-On-campus students and residents can count on food service remaining open even if campus is closed.

-The Southern Seminary Facilities crew will tend to snow removal and salting of relevant walkways.

-If Louisville is anticipating a large weather event, students and staff are encouraged to avoid over-night and long-term parking in the Honeycutt lot to ease in snow and ice removal.

Winter safety:

-Be vigilant in watching food on the stove and in the oven. Campus fire alarms are most often triggered by burnt food.

-Should the campus power go out, do not use a stove or any other appliance to heat an apartment, dorm room or office.

-Use space-heaters cautiously and correctly.

-Please water and properly tend to live-Christmas trees. Dispose of your trees soon after the holiday.

-Wear reflective clothing when exercising outdoors in the evening and be aware of those around you.

-Factor time into your schedule to clear frost, snow and ice off your car windshields, windows and mirrors. Give your car ample time to warm up. Note that obstructed driving can be a ticketed violation from city and state police.

General Safety:

-Females should try not to walk alone at night. Campus security will escort anyone that feels uncomfortable walking alone - just call x4444 or 502-897-4444. There is no reason for anyone to have to walk across campus by himself or herself.

-Should you see someone or something suspicious, call x4444 or 502-897-4444.

-Burning of candles is not permitted in on-campus housing.

-As a general rule, do not leave packages or luggage in your car, and always lock your car - even while on campus. The majority of on-campus criminal offenses are thefts from unlocked cars. Also take responsibility for locking office and housing doors and recreation center lockers.

Bob Perkins retired as chief of safety and security at Southern Seminary, Dec. 2, 2011. Before his retirement, Perkins led the Office of Campus Security for 10 years.

Perkins announced his retirement in the fall, feeling a call to focus more time in service to his local church, Emmanuel Baptist Church in Shelbyville, Ky., and continue his work as a coordinator with the Kentucky Baptist disaster relief services.

Perkins tenure at Southern included:

- Equipping all Southern Seminary and Boyce College classrooms with electronic emergency notification signs (blue-lighted signs);

- Working with the Louisville Metro Emergency Management Agency to purchase and place a 1,600-watt emergency notification siren located on the roof of the Honeycutt Student Center;

- Developing partnerships with insurance agencies to ensure the campus is adequately insured at a desirable rate;

- Growing the Office of Campus Security and Safety from a team of six to today’s 24 team members; and

- Efficiently preparing and equipping the campus for all types of weather and security events.

Southern Seminary honored Perkins’ years of service with a Dec. 14 retirement reception.

Dan Dumas, senior vice president of institutional administration, said of Perkins: “Bob, in my estimation, provided world-class leadership on every front. One of the things that stands out the most when talking about Bob’s leadership is that he was always on the spot in any type of crisis. Whenever there was something going on, he would always give up his time and be around to deal with what had to be done. He cared for the campus like it was his own and he cared for the students like they were family. What makes Bob unique and special is that he did everything with grace, care, and he is gospel-centered - and that is the most important thing. Bob did security as an expression of the Gospel and with world class leadership, and for that I am very grateful.”

Dumas and the Southern administration gifted Perkins with a framed panoramic image of the campus and a pocket watch inscribed with the Southern Seminary shield. A bouquet of flowers was presented in appreciation to Perkins’ wife, Cheryl.  The couple has five adult children and eight grandchildren.

Lawrence Smith, dean of students at Southern Seminary, said of Perkins; “Your care with the students is really appreciated. We had some situations that were pretty tender, you always handled that well and I appreciate your willingness to work so hard for our students.”

Perkins came to Southern Seminary in June 2001 after a 23-year career in Kentucky law enforcement. During his law enforcement career, Perkins served for 15 years as a detective, worked within a narcotics unit and retired as a sergeant working with a uniform platoon unit.

Since 1995 Perkins has been active with Men on Mission, a division of the Kentucky Baptist Convention (KBC) that supports on-mission activities. Within Men on Mission, Perkins offers leadership in disaster relief operations and leads disaster relief training sessions across the state.

Standard student tuition rate will be applicable and will cover the conference admission fee. The course will consist of pre-conference lectures, conference attendance and coursework. This elective will count for on-campus credit.

Together for the Gospel will provide an excellent learning experience featuring world-renowned speakers, including Southern Seminary’s own R. Albert Mohler Jr., who will deliver a plenary address. In addition, Russell D. Moore will speak at a conference breakout session.

To register for the course, students can add the course “Studies in Theology: Together for the Gospel” to their spring schedule through the normal registration process. The course number is 27177 for graduate students and TH 315 for undergraduate students.

Students who have questions about the logistics of the course can contact the Academic Records office at (502) 897-4209 and academicrecords@sbts.edu