Think being the biggest, richest, hottest, coolest SBC seminary doesn't matter? It does to a lot of people although I wouldn't have any hesitation in recommending any of the SBC's six plus that outstanding Seventh, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. No numbers on the latter in the SBC Book of Reports but plenty of the six. Enrollment (Full-Time Equivalent, funded and unfunded; total credit hours divided by 24) SBTS 2,294 NOBTS 1,309 SEBTS 1,278 SWBTS 1,249 MWBTS 931 GS … [Read more...] about SBC Seminary enrollment wars and other interesting data points
Seminaries
Underpaid SBC seminary faculty and other interesting data points
Ten years ago, Bart Barber made a motion for an ad hoc committee to study SBC seminary salaries. The motion was ruled out of order. There was a discussion of it on SBC Voices but I cannot find it. My view was that the seminaries should structure their compensation on market factors, supply and demand. Bart, as I recall and he can correct me, thought the pay was low and should be upgraded (or at least examined) on some other more comprehensive basis. I have no idea how seminaries make decisions on faculty pay but suspect that it involves multiple internal and external factors. Individual … [Read more...] about Underpaid SBC seminary faculty and other interesting data points
SBC seminary statistics, 2015-2016
If that sleepyhead Southern baptist Rip (Bubba) Van Winkle dozed off around 1980 and was just now rousing himself from his slumber, he would be surprised at the situation of our beloved denomination's six seminaries. Here are a few items from the book of reports this year. Total SBC Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) both funded and unfunded 1. Southern 2294 2. New Orleans. 1309 3. Southeastern. 1278 4. Southwestern. 1249 5. Midwestern. 931 6. Gateway. 490 Southwestern, which used to be the world's largest seminary is now the SBC's fourth … [Read more...] about SBC seminary statistics, 2015-2016
The Moss Perspective vs. The McKissic Perspective: Opposite Sides of the Window Interpretations of the SWBTS Preaching Photo
Rev. Otis Moss III, the eloquent and winsome young preacher who succeeded Rev. Jeremiah Wright as Pastor of The Trinity Church of Christ, Chicago, Illinois, posted on Facebook a brutal response—tantamount to a rebuke—of the five Preaching professors at SWBTS, and by extension, a rebuke of the Seminary and the SBC. Moss’ intellectual and insightful mind is on full display in his “Standing on the Outside of the Window—Looking In” interpretation of the Twitter photo. Four years ago, I was privileged to be a table mate of Rev. Moss for three hours, during an invitation-only Phoenix gathering of … [Read more...] about The Moss Perspective vs. The McKissic Perspective: Opposite Sides of the Window Interpretations of the SWBTS Preaching Photo
The Absence of a Diverse Faculty at SWBTS Created & Enlarged the Current Cultural Chasm
When the suggestion was made by one of the preaching professors at SWBTS to dress in “gangsta rap garb,” while brandishing a pistol and displaying gang signs—someone on the preaching faculty should have gently pushed back. Immediately and intuitively the inherent pitfalls in that idea should have been recognized by at least one of those Professors. No matter how noble the stated reasons given for such a photo-op might have appeared on the surface, the primary reason for not posing for and publishing the photo should have been obvious: Rationalizing and defending the optics of middle age to … [Read more...] about The Absence of a Diverse Faculty at SWBTS Created & Enlarged the Current Cultural Chasm
Open Letter to Jack Graham from NOBTS Students
This is the text of the open letter to Jack Graham by six NOBTS students. The letter was first delivered to Graham during this morning's visit to the NOBTS campus. It was released at their website, iheartcpblog.wordpress.com and they offer the option to add your name to the document. Graham preached chapel today at NOBTS and the students made "I Heart CP" t-shirts and asked questions during a forum time requested by Graham. We've covered some of the details as students have written about the situation & their concerns. I'm thankful for this letter as it's gracious, measured, but pointed … [Read more...] about Open Letter to Jack Graham from NOBTS Students
NOBTS Student T-shirts Available & Updates Throughout the Day
Today at NOBTS Jack Graham is scheduled to speak in chapel. A group of students has composed a letter to Graham, open for fellow students to sign. They were up last night printing 200 "I Love CP" t-shirts that will be available this morning beginning at 6am. Jack Graham as requested a Q&A time with NOBTS students. It should be a fascinating day and my goal is to keep you updated in the comments section of this post. 316Tees Shop says that their t-shirt designs will set the tone and the most important aspect is that they use inspired designs, and not imitations for you to wear unique … [Read more...] about NOBTS Student T-shirts Available & Updates Throughout the Day
The Story Behind the NOBTS Letter to Jack Graham & CP T-Shirt Project
Devin Haun is a student at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and associate pastor at Grace Baptist Church in New Orleans, LA. He's a service manager at The Bomb Factory, a hot rod shop in New Orleans, and has appeared on The History Channel's Big Easy Motors. He also runs a small screen printing shop. He's been married for five years and he and his wife have one daughter. I asked Devin if he would tell us about the events planned for Tuesday at NOBTS in his own words. Hello world, my name is Devin Haun and I am a student at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. I am sure many that … [Read more...] about The Story Behind the NOBTS Letter to Jack Graham & CP T-Shirt Project
NOBTS Students Plan to Let Jack Graham Know They Support the Cooperative Program
Jack Graham is scheduled to preach in New Orleans seminary chapel this coming Tuesday, March 7. Graham's been in the news lately and somehow word got around the state of Louisiana that Graham's church, Prestonwood Baptist, is planning to withhold a large amount of previously planned Cooperative Program giving in order to exert pressure on certain SBC leaders. I ran across an article from a NOBTS student, who describes what some students are planning to make sure Graham knows his actions are not appreciated. First, several students plan to write an open letter to Jack Graham and invite … [Read more...] about NOBTS Students Plan to Let Jack Graham Know They Support the Cooperative Program
SEBTS Forms New Society for Women in Scholarship
If you do not receive the daily emails from Baptist Press and Baptist News Global, I encourage you to sign up. Baptist Press is the official news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. Baptist News Global is an independent news organization that typically comes from a more moderate/liberal perspective. The advantage of reading Baptist News Global in addition to Baptist Press is that they will provide news and information that Baptist Press just isn’t going to report. With that being said, Baptist News Global had an interesting article this week. The article asks, “Can Southern … [Read more...] about SEBTS Forms New Society for Women in Scholarship