Molly Marshall, one of the most consequential Baptists in modern theological education, will retire from the presidency of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in June 2027.
This will be her second retirement, following her 2020 departure from Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas. About a year later, she was invited to serve as interim president at United Seminary and less than a year later was named to the permanent position.
Both schools experienced dramatic transformations under her leadership.
Both schools experienced dramatic transformations under her leadership.
Central was in a financial crisis when she was elected president in November 2004. Under her leadership, the seminary not only turned around financially but more than quadrupled enrollment. She also led the American Baptist Churches in the USA school to sell its campus and downside to more suitable space. Central Seminary also began a relationship with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
At the time, she was the first woman to lead any Baptist seminary accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.
The past six years at United Seminary — founded by the United Church of Christ — have produced similar dramatic results. Giving has grown, new endowed academic chairs were funded, and enrollment increased 57%.
Dianne Oliver, chair of trustees, said: “President Marshall’s impact on United is really extraordinary, and she will leave a profound legacy at the institution. Clearly, she has been successful in the ways often highlighted for an outstanding president — record enrollment, expanded academic programs and financial stability, building a strong foundation for the next steps on United’s journey. Add to these leadership successes Molly’s theological acumen and prophetic voice in challenging times, and it is easy to see the scope of her leadership. Just as importantly, though, Molly has helped create a deep sense of community among the faculty, staff, students, trustees and the broader community who support the work of United. Her leadership and accomplishments ensure United will keep living into the fullness of its mission and vision as the context for theological education continues to evolve.”
Archival photo of Molly Marshall
Academic administration was the second act of an already notable career Marshall enjoyed as a theology professor.
After graduating from Oklahoma Baptist University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, she became the first female hired to teach in Southern Seminary’s School of Theology. That was 1983, in the early days of the Southern Baptist Convention’s so-called “conservative resurgence.”
Her progressive views, combined with the fact she was a woman teaching theology, made her a lightning rod for SBC conservatives. She also played a critical role in founding Southern Baptist Women in Ministry, a group now known as Baptist Women in Ministry.
Marshall was one of the most popular teachers on Southern’s campus while enduring withering attacks from conservative critics.
A decade later, a conservative seminary president had been installed and the trustee board had flipped to a conservative supermajority. In 1994, she chose to resign her position rather than face a “heresy trial” demanded by trustees and the seminary’s new president, Al Mohler, who was on his way to becoming the leading theological apologist for the conservative movement.
At the time, Mohler said Marshall being a woman teaching theology was not the issue: “The gender of the professor has absolutely nothing to do with this issue. The issue is not the gender of the professor, but the substance of what the professor teaches or advocates.”
Currently, there are no women teaching in Southern’s School of Theology, and there have not been since Marshall’s departure. Mohler more recently has been leading the charge in the SBC against female pastors — in “title or function” — and has declared a woman should not speak on a podcast discussing a male pastor’s sermon.
Marshall’s entire career has been one of firsts — first female to earn a Ph.D. in theology from Southern Seminary, first female named to the School of Theology faculty at Southern Seminary, first female president of Central Seminary, and first female to lead any Baptist seminary accredited by ATS.
Related:
Marshall to retire from Central Seminary in 2020
Marshall says ‘scandalous providence’ preserved her life’s work
Becoming a ‘midwife of grace’ — an interview with Molly Marshall | Opinion by Mallory Challis