We all know that the church in North America is struggling. Every day we read about denominational staff cut backs and budget woes. Religious schools and institutions are suffering. And yet we in the church believe God is not through with us. Recently I have read about another financial struggle and it is one that hits close to home for me and should for many Baptists.
As a graduate of Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond I grieved as I read the article about the financial woes. I am aware things have been tight, but the article stressed the struggles and also discussed a possible merger with Chowan University. I have also read the response from BTSR and feel much more hopeful.
Derik Hamby
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The financial woes have nothing to do with the fact that we who support BTSR are “moderate.” I know that there are many factors we could point to for the financial struggles at BTSR. The truth is our economy has not been good. The reality is that moderate Baptists are not as large as the Southern Baptist Convention. We have more schools and less churches and it doesn’t take an economical genius to see that as we added schools to the equation less money would be coming to each school. We could talk about what led to this financial struggle, but I prefer to address this issue in a different way.
I left a certain school in Louisville, Ky., when I was denied historic Baptist freedoms. I left when I was told what I could believe and not believe to be Baptist. I moved 12 hours from my home because I had a dream that Baptists should be Baptist. I made up my mind before I had ever stepped foot in Virginia that I would leave my state of Kentucky to attend BTSR.
At BTSR I found healing, love and grace, and received an excellent education. My professors were pastors to me and they helped me reclaim my hope in the Baptist story. I was taught practical skills in ministry and how to be a serious student. I was blessed by so many wonderful professors. Dr. Glen Hinson taught me about spirituality. Dr. Cecil Sherman taught me how to be a Baptist preacher and what it meant to be Baptist. Dr. Tom Graves was my president and he showed me what leadership was about and made me believe in the Baptist tradition again. I was blessed to learn about congregational leadership from Dr. Bob Dale. I had Dr. Elizabeth Barnes in theology and Dr. Chuck Bugg in preaching. Dr. Linda Winstead taught me New Testament .
While at BTSR I served in a local Virginia Baptist church and the seminary guided me through supervised ministry. I made good friends and sat through some wonderful chapel services. When we began we had our classes in a house and borrowed space from the Presbyterians. I lived with the students of Union Theological Seminary. At my graduation I received a towel with my name on it to remind me that I was a servant and that towel sits near my desk to this day. My notes from Dr. Sherman’s “Life and Work of the Pastor” have been a guide since I graduated in 1998. I have always felt that Dr. Graves is a personal hero of mine and an inspiration. Some of my best years were at BTSR. I will never forget those days and they remain a cherished part of my past.
Since graduation I have been in ministry in other states and have continued my ministerial journey. I am now serving again in Virginia and I continual give thanks for the impact BTSR has had on me. My prayer is for this wonderful and beloved school. Whether BTSR merges with another school or not I will give thanks. What I refuse to accept is that BTSR will close its doors. This simply is not a scenario I can accept.
I am praying that folks will support this wonderful school and make sure that the dream launched 20 years ago does not die on our watch. This school played a crucial role for Baptists in our darkest days. When we had lost so much and there were those who robbed us of our denomination those early leaders stood up and provided a place that knew what it meant to be Baptist. We must not forget what the state of Baptist life was when this brave new step was taken and how difficult those days were for those who took it. We must not forget what BTSR represents and the shelter this school provided for Baptists and professors who saw a systematic dismantling of a denomination.
I believe BTSR will be here in 20 more years. I really do. And I hope that Baptists will make sure this belief is a reality.
In the mid-1990s I came to Richmond wondering if I could remain Baptist. I wondered if my voice mattered. I left in 1998 knowing what it meant to be Baptist and learning that my voice did intend matter.I have tried to carry the vision of being Baptist I experienced in those days in the churches I have served. The current status of the church in North America is difficult. With the churches struggling to survive, conflict on the rise and so much confusion, a place of grace and learning like BTSR is needed that much more.
So pray if you can pray. Give if you can give. And thank you BTSR for being there for me. May you continue to be there for generations to come!
Derik Hamby is pastor of Randolph Memorial Baptist Church in Madison Heights, Va., and a trustee of the Religious Herald.