Perhaps I'm an opportunist, but whenever things happen that are not likely to happen again, I try to take advantage. As, for example, in 1986 while spending a weekend with my family in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park when I learned that a telescope had been set up on Clingmans Dome for tourists to observe Halley's Comet.
Since the opportunity presents itself only every 76 years, I dragged my daughter and son in the middle of the night to the top of a mountain. There we were disappointed to observed a tiny white fuzzy spot in the telescope lens. Or, maybe it was lint. At any rate, not every opportunity pans out.
On the way back down the mountain my 8-year-old son tried to console me. “It's OK, Dad. When it comes again in 76 years we can see it then. (Pause) I'll be 84 and you'll be ….” He had trouble tallying such a large number.
So just because I see an opportunity doesn't mean anything. But, I do see something so unusual that Halley's Comet may come back before it happens again. The two seminaries in Virginia supported by BGAV funds will both be without presidents.
Now, I have tremendous respect for both Tom Graves, president of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, and Randel Everett, president of the John Leland Center for Theological Studies, so the opportunity has nothing to do with them—only the timing of the presidential vacancies.
Am I the only person who has secretly wondered whether Virginia Baptists, even with partners, can continue to adequately support two seminaries in the state?
I have very good friends (I hope not soon-to-be former friends) in each seminary so I am an equal opportunity offender.
I understand that the natures and emphases of the two seminaries are different. I also understand that it is human nature to resist seeing changes come to something into which one has invested heart and soul. The administrations, staffs and faculties of the two schools have invested countless hours and Pauline effort into training men and women for ministry. No one could or would discount what they have accomplished.
But neither am I willing to discount the other investors—those we continue to approach asking them to give generously to theological causes in Virginia. In effect, we have returned to the pre-Cooperative Program era when, prior to 1925, each “society” was responsible for raising its own funds.
In those days, the societies with compelling ministry stories (like the orphanages as they were called then), or who were fortunate enough to have great speakers plead their causes (men like W.E. Hatcher) fared pretty well. Others did poorly or paid fund-raisers to raise money for them.
Aside from the funding, however, I have to wonder about theological issues that compel me to ask about such a possibility. Although differences were evident even in the New Testament, the spiritual imperative is that in Christ we are one. In Christ we are to be good stewards. I wonder if duplication of effort is wise.
Although natural inclinations seek to protect self interests, if ever Christians should be able to sacrifice self interest for the sake of the Kingdom, one would think it would be those theological stalwarts who teach the precepts of the Spirit.
Without doubt, someone will ask why my faith is so weak that it doubts that both seminaries can be fully funded through the generous offerings of God's people. Perhaps it is a weak faith that raises the question. I believe, however, that the question of my faith's strength aside, faith needs to be courageous enough to ask unpopular questions.
Each of the two appears on the surface to have distinct advantages. Leland has established multiple sites. BTSR has a central campus.
What keeps a merger or a working administrative partnership of some kind from working? I don't propose to know. Perhaps the difficulties are so great as to be insurmountable. But if we don't explore the possibilities, we will never know.
I don't imagine that we will soon return to a time when Cooperative Ministry monies will support all religious causes Virginia Baptists care about, but with both presidential positions vacant it behooves the right people to ask the right questions about partnering for Kingdom causes.