Barnabas File

Daniel Aleshire, executive director of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) has written an apology (used in the theological meaning as a “defense”) entitled Earthen Vessels: Hopeful Reflections on the Work and Future of Theological Schools . His approach is that of “appreciative inquiry,” describing what the schools do best when they are doing that for which they were designed. One of his most helpful chapters is entitled “The Future of Theological Schools: The Church and Higher Education.” The presentation in this chapter is based on a paradigm articulated by David Tiede, former president of Lutheran Seminary. Tiede argued that theological schools in North America have developed in three phases—abbey, academy, and apostolate. Each is an important part of contemporary theological education. Theological schools were originally founded by denominations as an extension of the church—a place of prayer, study, and preparation for ministry. Over time, ...

The remarks made by Cecil Sherman, former CBF coordinator, at the General Assembly in Memphis have elicited response from two groups. First, there are those who feel that his use of the term Holocaust in referring to the “former unpleasantness” within the Southern Baptist Convention was an overstatement that offends our Jewish friends and diminishes their suffering under the Third Reich. Second, there are those who are tired of hearing about that “former unpleasantness” and want to move on. Whatever I say about Dr. Sherman's remarks will offend someone, but here goes. I agree with my friend and fellow blogger Danny Chisholm that although “no one was injured or killed” in the SBC turmoil, people did suffer. I personally knew (and know) people who were emotionally hurt, psychologically damaged, and economically harmed as a result of this conflict. Because of them, a new generation of leaders can hope for something better. We have to honor and respect the sacrifice of our founde...

In the fall of 2005, Central Baptist Theological Seminary launched its “Teaching Church” initiative. This initiative is described on the seminary’s website in this way: A new vision for making theological education more accessible is becoming a reality. Rather than requiring all learners to come to the historic campus in Kansas City for their ministry preparation, Central began offering classes toward degree and certificate programs at four sites - Omaha, Nebraska; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma;, and Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Central is using an apostolate model, which means that theological education will be more itinerant and more closely linked to congregational contexts. Three years into this effort, two of those sites are alive and well—Milwaukee and Murfreesboro (and the seminary has relocated to a new site in Shawnee, a suburb of Kansas City). The way that these programs are administered and staffed continues to evolve, but the seminary is remaining true to the vi...

We have just completed the 18th General Assembly of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in Memphis. This assembly was publicized as the first CBF General Assembly held in Tennessee but that does not really tell the whole story. To put things in perspective, let me provide a little excursion into Tennessee history, culture, and economics. When our family first moved to Tennessee in 1970, Winfield Dunn (from Memphis) had just been elected governor. The state had long promoted tourism with the slogan “Welcome to the three states of Tennessee.” It was the message one saw when first driving into the state. One of Dunn’s campaign initiatives (if not a promise) was to do away with the slogan and promote the unity of the state. So, the theme became “Welcome to the GREAT state of Tennessee.” Dunn’s motives may have been pure, but the initiative was doomed to failure. There are three distinct parts of Tennessee; they are usually called “grand divisions.” Moving from west to east, the west portion...

At the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly, Baptist Women in Ministry will officially release its annual State of Women in Baptist Life Report. I have only scanned the report, but the message is clear: moderate Baptists talk a better game regarding women in ministry than we practice. In recent days, I have personally observed one young woman, a recent seminary graduate, turn to a not-for-profit agency rather that work in a Baptist church. Another seasoned woman minister left Baptist life to serve in a church staff position in another denomination. I hear the pain of women seeking to justify their calls to ministry and struggling to overcome old stereotypes. The report may say that things are better, but we still haven't caught the vision that God calls both women and men to serve the church by exercising their God-given gifts. The limitation on this calling are man-made not God-imposed. Certainly, we have a hard time imagining women in certain roles, such as the p...

Isn’t it interesting that one of the key charges that Jesus’ detractors brought was, “This man received sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2)? Table fellowship was a key part of Jesus’ ministry. He enjoyed the give and take of a dinner party, and he opened his table to all who would come. This was a radical statement in his day, and it often still is in ours. As we stand at a point in history where we will see an African-American nominated for President of the United States, how many of us can think back to a time of “colored” water fountains, separate waiting rooms for black and white at the bus or train stations, and so-called “separate but equal” schools? There was a point in the South when blacks and whites would never sit down at a table together for a meal. It was unthinkable. Since table fellowship was so central to the ministry of Jesus, perhaps it is in fellowship around the table in Emmaus that the two disciples who unknowingly been been walking with Jesus finally reco...

About three years ago, I submitted a proposal to the Great Commission Council (missions committee) of First Baptist, Murfreesboro, to undertake a new church start in a growing area on the west side of town. Today the bank account was closed, the website went dark, the insurance was cancelled, and a letter of appreciation was sent to those who were supportive of this effort by their participation and/or prayers. I could spend a lot of time in analysis of why Trinity Baptist Church did not happen (and I have written a final evaluation of the effort). Today I celebrate one of the good things that came out of that effort--the home Bible study fellowship groups that were formed. Three groups were functioning at one time or another. Each were hosted in homes and drew a respectable number of people. As you would expect, those who attended were like those who hosted. Older adults participated in a group hosted by a retired couple; young adults came to the gr...

I have spent this week in Richmond, Virginia, in a training conference sponsored by the Center for Congregational Health. Our teachers and facilitators, Beth Kennett and Chris Gambill, are committed professional church consultants, but they are also ministers who love the church (despite everything). As we have talked this week about conflict, staff development, visioning and other topics, I have been reminded more than once that most issues in the life of a church are ultimately resolved by the Spirit of God. Several years ago, I heard Alan Roxburgh say, “The Spirit of God is among the people of God; therefore, the wisdom to address the challenges of witness and mission in a discontinuous environment exists among the people and needs to be called forth within each and every community.” Most congregations have more resources available to them than they realize. These include gifted people, space, time, finances, and the Spirit of God. The challenge is to take the time to discern th...