SBC Seminaries

The six Southern Baptist Convention Seminaries are being blessed by God. Our students are impacting the world for the cause of Christ and God is being glorified as a result. Recently Dr. Paige Patterson addressed the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC). During his address Patterson said that the SBTC is his favorite convention because, “you are the people that set the pace that do it right with the CP [Cooperative Program] with the view of getting your arms around the whole world. It is my joy to tell you that things are going wonderfully well. Four of the six seminaries are now in the top 10 largest seminaries in America and all six are in the top 25. In other words, they are all growing. Thank you Texas Baptist, because you are making it possible. Through your prayers, and CP gifts you are making it possible."[1]

Likewise, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary’s board of trustees recently voted to approve construction of a new 59,000-square-foot student center. Additionally, a report issued at the board of trustees meeting, held October 14-15, 2002 confirmed that the enrollment for the fall 2002 semester at SEBTS increased by 3.8 percent.[2]

Equally exciting news was delivered at the board of trustees meeting at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY on October 15, 2002. “The board, meeting in the new Rice-Judson Conference Center for the first time, listened as President R. Albert Mohler, Jr. detailed a handful of needs that have developed because of recent growth at the Louisville, KY seminary. One of those is parking, which has been limited this fall as enrollment has grown to more than 2,400 students. That figure includes more than 500 Boyce College students, an increase of 100 students over the previous year.”[3]

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) continues to break enrollment records. “For the second year in a row, New Orleans Seminary has enrolled more than 3,000 students, nearly doubling its size from 20 years ago. Most of the increase is in the number of students enrolled in on-campus programs, the president reported, with enrollment in the master of divinity program setting a new record with 1,000-plus students.”[4] NOBTS president Charles Kelley also indicated that more students enrolled in the summer semester than in the previous three summers combined.[5]

Additionally, Golden Gate Baptist Theological seminary continues to flourish. During their October 6-8, 2002 meeting the seminary’s board of trustees heard reports that indicated that “the seminary finished its 2001-02 fiscal year in the black.”[6] Furthermore, the reports indicate: the Mill Valley campus has two new professors, an expanded Campus Life Association and a new women’s ministry coordinator; the Arizona regional campus has relocated to Scottsdale, AZ and added three new professors; the Pacific Northwest campus reported the addition of Saturday classes, a library expansion, and two new adjunct faculty; The Rocky Mountain campus has experienced a 70 percent increase in enrollment (compared to last fall), and has one new fulltime faculty member.[7]

Finally, Midwestern Seminary reports increased enrollment, record donation, and campus expansion projects. The Midwestern trustees approved the implementation of a five-year $2 million capital campaign to pay for the 34,000-square-foot building and 24 acres of land that the seminary purchased this past spring. Additionally, the trustees approved the acceptance of a gift of the Covenant Baptist Church 25,000-square-foot building and 5 acres in down Kansas City.[8] Midwestern President Phil Roberts said of the estimated $2 million donation, “This is the single most valuable donation to Midwestern in our history.”[9] The trustees also heard reports that indicated that last year’s full-time enrollment at the seminary was up by seven percent, and that the student housing is more than 90 percent occupied.[10]

Judging from the above reports one must conclude that the SBC is doing something right in its attempt to honor the Lord, defend the inerrancy of the Bible, and share the Gospel around the globe and that God is blessing his servants. To God be the Glory. Amen!

[1]Paige Patterson quoted in “SBC entities express gratitude for generosity of SBTC churches,” by Melissa Deming, Southern Baptist Texan, November 15, 2002, page 11.

[2]Kelly Davis, “New construction, Patterson’s 10th year highlighted Southeastern trustee meeting,” in Southern Baptist Texan, November 15, 2002, page 17.

[3]Michael Foust, “Enrollment growth prompts changes at SBTS,” in Southern Baptist Texan, November 15, 2002, page 17.

[4]Shannon Baker, “NOBTS trustees name building honoring SBTC support during uncertain times in Texas,” in Southern Baptist Texan, November 15, 2002, page 18.

[5]Ibid.

[6]Amanda Phifer, “Accreditation task force at work at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary,” in Southern Baptist Texan, November 15, 2002, page 19.

[7]Ibid.

[8]Stacy Hamby, “Midwestern Seminary trustees approve new theological journal, capital campaign,” in Southern Baptist Texan, November 15, 2002, page 19.

[9]Ibid.

[10]Ibid.

[ November 23, 2002, 06:55 AM: Message edited by: BibleboyII ]

 

Not at all. The Mormons do not bring honor and glory to God. They teach a false message. However, the conservative SBC seminaries do bring honor and glory to God because we stand for the inerrancy of the Bible, the truth of God's Word, and our students are out there sharing the Gospel everyday. I praise God for my faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who are so willing to take up their cross and follow the Lord wherever He may lead. Likewise, I praise God for all the ways that He has and continues to bless the SBC seminaries. That's the point of the original post.

[ November 24, 2002, 04:09 AM: Message edited by: BibleboyII ]