Seminary life is profoundly different in 2024 than it was in the late 1980s when I was a seminary student. Looking back, I marvel at the transformation that has taken place in theological education. The rhythms of seminary life, the…
‘What is it you women want?’ BWIM speaker has some suggestions
“What is it you women want?” That’s the lingering question most often asked of Baptist women in ministry, Pam Durso told the 40th anniversary gathering of Baptist Women in Ministry Oct. 3. The former executive director of the organization, who…
Baptist Women in Ministry was founded as a ‘justice movement,’ seminary president tells 40th anniversary gathering
Consistent with the proclamation of Jesus in his hometown sermon, Baptist Women in Ministry was founded 40 years ago as a “justice movement,” a seminary president told the opening worship service at BWIM’s 40th anniversary celebration in Louisville, Ky. “Jesus…
Leaving church, part 4: The coming clergy shortage
Baptist churches may soon face clergy shortages like other faith traditions. Emily Brown, in a February 2022 Relevant article, “The Great American Clergy Shortage is Coming,” noted: “Roughly 3,544 Catholic parishes in the U.S. lack a parish priest,” and “in…
Leaving church, part 3: ‘Opposition to leadership’
In the face of opposition to leadership, successful leaders never give up or walk away. At least, that is what leadership experts tell us. Instead, these experts suggest persistence and dogged determination as appropriate responses to opposition. This viewpoint is…
Leaving church, part 2: The Great Baptist Resignations and COVID
The recent surge of COVID cases led one of my (Carol) pastoral colleagues to lament, “It feels like we are living a terrible version of the film Ground Hog Day.” In Columbia, Mo., where I live, we have more COVID…
Leaving church: So many Baptist resignations
This is the first in a series based on new research by Pam Durso and Carol McEntyre conducted among Baptist pastors who have left their congregations during the pandemic. In May 2020, during the early days of the global pandemic,…
At Central Seminary, Durso inauguration moves to virtual platform
Central Baptist Theological Seminary inaugurated Pamela Durso as its 11th president in a virtual ceremony Jan. 7. Held on Zoom and Facebook Live platforms, the service included greetings from denominational and theological education organizations, charges from the various Central constituencies,…
Trend toward online learning gives seminaries an advantage amid COVID
CBF-partner theology schools are making significant shifts as they prepare for a fall semester to commence in the middle of the global pandemic. After finishing the spring semester with online instruction, some are planning to offer a variety of options…