RICHMOND — Sometimes in Baptist life we ask the question, “Who will lead Baptists tomorrow?”
The question is an excellent one considering the recent strife among Baptists as well as the move away from denominationalism. It also is the question driving the Heritage Fellows program of the Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies.
The Heritage Fellows program was created to provide college sophomores and juniors with opportunities to learn about Baptist heritage, to meet outstanding Baptist leaders and to contribute to Baptist thought on a particular Baptist principle.
Photo courtesy of Virginia Baptist Historical Society
Cecil Sherman discussed Baptist church polity with Katie Major (center) and Elizabeth Rose.
The process begins with each applicant completing an application of general information (name, address, school, major, etc.) but also answering questions like, “What would be lost if there were no Baptists?” or “What is the most important Baptist principle to you?” Once the applications are received, a selection committee reads and considers each one, narrowing them to three.
Those three applicants become Heritage Fellows and attend a three-day workshop in May where they meet Baptist historians, tour the Virginia Baptist Historical Society and talk with current Baptist leaders. During the retreat, the Fellows are introduced to the research topic and provide input as to the best approach for conducting the research. To help understand more about the topic, the Fellows meet with professionals serving in that area of Baptist life. By the end of the three days, the Fellows are given their assignments and are on their own to research the topic.
So what does this look like? In 2008, the Center will select the sixth class of Heritage Fellows and their topic will be ethnic ministry in Virginia. Each class has received an assignment to research some aspect of Baptist life.
Photo courtesy of Virginia Baptist Historical Society
Erin Hallissy interviews Richmond Baptist Association community missionary Margaret Allen.
The inaugural class consisted of five Fellows who looked at social ministry. Each Fellow was assigned a Richmond Baptist Association missionary to research and interview. Fred Anderson wrote in Profiles of Social Ministry, “They [the Fellows] watched as the Heritage Center saluted the present-day community missionaries … who were recognized in a public meeting and walked from the platform with pewter medals on ribbons over their necks and words of commendation in the air.” Profiles contains the papers of the Fellows on the RBA community missionaries as well as papers from Wayne Flynt, Freda Wilkins and Valerie Carter and serves as a valuable resource for understanding Baptist social ministry.
Each year the research papers of the Heritage Fellows are published. Past publications are Walking Together: The Struggles of Baptists with Polity in the 21st Century, It's All About Missions!, and Worship!. Each resource also contains writings by current scholars or leaders in that particular area of Baptist life and serves as a resource for the local congregation on current Baptist thought.
A past Fellow, Karen Vassar, states, “The Baptist Heritage Fellows program is an extraordinary scholarship opportunity that enables students to learn about and do professional research on Baptist beginnings and contemporary issues. The best experience about the program was gaining a better understanding of the struggles that leaders went through which serve as an example to inspire me and guide my own missionary journey. The program instilled in me a new sense of pride for being a Baptist and a great deal of respect for my heritage.” Vassar was a Fellow in the 2005-06 class which looked at missions. She is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and is currently in graduate school.
Like Vassar, each year the Fellows have the opportunity to meet with Baptist leaders such as Denton Lotz, former executive director of the Baptist World Alliance; John Upton, executive director of the Baptist General Association of Virginia; Bill Leonard, Baptist historian; and Earlene Jessee, former executive director of Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia. The groups have met with other leaders, including Cecil Sherman, Phyllis Rodgerson Pleasants, Deborah Loftis Schoenfeld and Mark Andrist.
Yet that is only the beginning of their journey. Throughout the year, the Fellows meet with lay leaders and church leaders throughout Virginia. Melissa Shepherd, a current Fellow, reflected on her assignment: “A couple from my home church believed me to be a fitting applicant and urged me to apply; I'm glad I did. I had an amazing time meeting people who I wouldn't have otherwise and talk about our faith and stewardship. I have come to appreciate Baptist ideals more, especially the religious freedom we have today because of the urging of Baptists many years ago. I appreciate all the aspects of the program: the scholarship, meeting with individuals, and having the opportunity to publish an essay. I have truly enjoyed my time as a Fellow and hope that I am lucky enough to return next year.”
Photo courtesy of Virginia Baptist Historical Society
From left, Mattie Patterson, Kelly Thompson and Melissa Shepherd discuss stewardship with Don Campbell of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board.
The Heritage Fellows represent the future of Baptist leaders and the Center takes the opportunity to educate these leaders seriously. The intense three-day workshop and research assignment are designed to introduce the Fellows to the basic tenets of Baptist life and to begin to unite Baptists around those beliefs.
In the words of another current Fellow, Kelly Thompson, “The Heritage Fellows program has been a wonderful blessing to me in so many ways. My project on stewardship has come at a time in my life when I need it most. I have found kindness and selflessness within each person that I have met through this project, and I look forward to being able to instill such values of stewardship in my own family one day.”
Prospective Fellows must be students actively engaged in a Baptist church and in religious life on their campus, academically strong and a sophomore or junior in a Virginia college or university during the year of their appointment. More information and an application are available at www.baptistheritage.org/fellows. The deadline for the 2008-09 class is March 1st. Each Fellow is awarded a stipend of $3,000.
The Center for Baptist Heritage & Studies was established in 2000 following an agreement between the Baptist General Association of Virginia, the University of Richmond and the Virginia Baptist Historical Society. The Center seeks to champion Baptist distinctives, history and heritage through convocations, seminars, publications, an essay contest and the Heritage Fellows program.