R. Michael Harton became interim dean of the faculty at Baptist Theological Seminary Richmond on June 1.
Harton will serve in the interim position for one year. He replaces Richard Vinson, who stepped down May 31. Vinson will continue in his role as a tenured New Testament professor at the seminary.
Harton has taught adjunctively at the seminary for five years in the distance education program and has developed curriculum for the School of Christian Ministry. He continues to serve as regional coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's Initiative for Ministerial Excellence.
A former professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Harton served for 12 years as group leader of the church ministries group at the Virginia Baptist Mission Board before joining the staff of the national Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.