We are Going Back to School!
I shared in worship that I’ve been accepted to the Doctor of Ministry program at Candler School of Theology at Emory University.
Allow me to share some background. I’ve been considering D. Min. programs for many years. While at my last church, I was accepted into a Doctor of Ministry program at San Francisco Theology Seminary. I was set to begin in the summer of 2022. Becoming pastor of Northside Drive Baptist Church changed my thinking. I pushed the time-frame back and considered my new ministry context. Atlanta is home to many wonderful seminaries. I have been familiar with Candler School of Theology for many years. In 2001, when I was choosing a seminary for my Master of Divinity degree, Candler was high on my list- finally beat out by Duke Divinity School. This time Candler came out on top.
The Doctor of Ministry program is a three-year program designed for working pastors. It is tailored to the student’s ministry context. What that means is that we will be working together on this degree! My focus will be exploring how Baptist churches (like ours) can make theological moves to de-prioritize individual salvation (current American evangelicalism) while prioritizing the role of biblical justice and transformation. In other words, how can (Baptist) churches be good news in this world.
My hope is that we (you and I) can express what makes Northside Drive Baptist Church so unique and chart a course for a future grounded in a transformed community seeking to discover healing and wholeness in relationship with the world around us.
I would love to share more. Come and talk with me if you have questions.
Get ready, we start this fall!