With appropriate academic fanfare, Ronald W. Crawford, 56, was inaugurated as president of the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond on Oct. 22.
A crowd of about 300, which included BTSR faculty, administrators, members of the board of trustees, guests and well-wishers, assembled in the sanctuary of Richmond's First Baptist Church for the 90-minute ceremony.
Photo by Jim White
Ronald Crawford addresses participants attending his presidential inauguration at First Baptist Church in Richmond.
When asked why so much time had lapsed between his election as president on July 1, 2007, and his inauguration, Crawford joked that it was a long period of probation. More seriously, he remarked “today's celebration is not about a person — it is about a dream; a dream born of a hunger for freedom in the Baptist heart.”
Among those participating in the event was Sherrill Stevens, now retired, who was pastor of Montrose (now Carlisle Avenue) Baptist Church in Richmond when Crawford served as his associate.
“Ron was very mature and serious even as a young man. He was very personable, very dedicated to his task. He did a superb job,” Stevens reported in his remarks.
BTSR trustee chair Chris Caldwell, pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., referred to Crawford's long association with the seminary, both as a supporter from the beginning and as a member of the initial board of trustees. He was elected, Caldwell said, “because he is a strong leader with passion for the local church and the sound theological education you need to serve there.”
In his inaugural remarks, Crawford repeatedly referred to the dream with which BTSR began and continues. His “dreams,” which follow, constituted the main points of his address.
Photo by Jim White
Retired president Thomas Graves presents a towel to Crawford. The towel has become the seminary's symbol of servant leadership.
• “A dream — theological education is best accomplished in an ecumenically open context.
• “A dream — academic and ministry excellence can be woven into a beautiful tapestry in praise of God.
• “A dream — women will become equal partners in ministry.
• “A dream — affirming justice as a biblical mandate.
• “A dream — servant leadership best fits historic Baptist theology and the example of Jesus.”
“Even so,” he reminded the audience, “dreams are fragile. As BTSR's dream has been affirmed in the deep places of my soul, my mind has been impressed with the fragile nature of inspiring, holy dreams.
“The twenty-first century is not going to be a friend of quality theological education. The so called post-denominational, post-modern culture is too self-absorbed, too driven by immediate gratification, too ignorant of history, too undiscriminating of spiritual depth and quality, and too short-sighted to be a friend to institutions committed to educational quality, spiritual depth, and foundation-building.”
Photo by Jim White
Crawford recesses from the sanctuary following the service, holding the towel which symbolizes the ministry servanthood.
A moment of great irony occurred when former BTSR president Tom Graves presented to Crawford a towel symbolizing servant leadership. It was Crawford, then chair of the seminary's board of trustees, who had years before presented the towel to Graves during the latter's inauguration as president.
The seminary, founded in 1991, owns and operates from primarily four buildings on the former Presbyterian School of Christian Education campus in north Richmond. It has 140 students enrolled in degree programs with an additional 100 students enrolled in continuing education programs.
A native of Virginia, Crawford is a graduate of North Carolina State University, and holds master's and doctor's degrees from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also earned a master of public administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.
He was pastor of College Park Baptist Church in Orlando, Fla., before being elected president, and has been a pastor of three Virginia Baptist congregations.
He also is a former president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia.