April 22, 2008 | By Gary D. Myers
NEW ORLEANS – Trustees at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary have approved a new master’s program focusing on women’s studies, a new apologetics institute and elected a new faculty member.
A new Master of Divinity degree track in Women’s Studies, approved by trustees April 15, is set apart from the women’s ministry degrees at NOBTS by the increased emphasis on biblical languages, biblical exegesis, theological and historical reflection and exploration of biblical gender roles. In addition, the degree provides the same core ministerial competencies of the seminary’s other master of divinity programs.
The 95-hour degree plan is designed to help women address the needs and concerns of women from a biblical basis. The program also includes a built-in internship component to provide women with supervised, practical experience ministering to the needs of women.
“This specialized focus in women’s studies will provide our female students an excellent blend of both the classical theological disciplines and practical experience,” NOBTS provost Steve Lemke said. “Not only will it afford focused training in theology and the biblical languages, but it also has a practicum for a mentored experience in women’s ministry leadership.”
NOBTS has been a leader and innovator in the area of practical women’s ministry through programs on the certificate, undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. NOBTS was among the first seminaries to begin training for women who minister to women. The new degree enhances the overall program by providing a rigorous degree for women who will be leaders in the biblical and theological formation of women.
The board approved the development of the Institute for Christian Apologetics at NOBTS. The institute, led by NOBTS professor and Greer-Heard Forum director Bob Stewart, is designed to equip Christians to give informed answers about the Christian faith.
The main purposes include offering apologetics training through conferences and events; developing resources for churches and ministers; producing an online apologetics journal; and coordinating evangelism trips involving apologetics.
“Apologetics is one of the greatest interests of our students,” said Lemke. “The Greer-Heard Forum and this new Institute for Christian Apologetics will help us take our training in apologetics to the next level. The Institute will provide a vehicle for our faculty to address a variety of issues in apologetics in which they have great expertise, including dealing with the claims of the new atheism, defending the reliability of Scripture, and confronting world religions and cults.”
The trustees elected Jim Parker, associate vice president for operations, to the faculty. He will serve as associate professor of biblical interpretation.
Before coming to NOBTS in July 2007 to lead the operations department, Parker served as pastor at Ashby Baptist Church in Brierfield, Ala. The church was one of ten churches destroyed during a rash of church arsons in 2006.
Parker earned a master of divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctor of philosophy degree from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary.
In addition to his ministry experience, Parker has close to ten years of teaching experience on the undergraduate and graduate levels. He has served as an adjunct faculty member/instructor at Lee College in Baytown, Texas; Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Ala.; Lawson State Community College in Bessemer, Ala.; Birmingham Theological Seminary; and NOBTS.
Seminary President Chuck Kelley announced the appointment of Craig Garrett as the new dean of students. A current doctor of philosophy student in psychology and counseling, Garrett came to NOBTS in 2006 after serving five years as chaplain for the Calder Woods Retirement Community in Beaumont, Texas. The retirement center is owned and operated by Buckner Baptist Benevolences.
Since his arrival on campus, Garrett has served the seminary in several roles including a recent stint as managing director of the Providence Learning Center – the seminary’s conferencing and continuing education program. He also taught undergraduate courses in Leavell College.
Garrett earned his bachelor of arts degree at Texas A&M University and a master of education degree at Lamar University in Beaumont. He has completed master’s-level work at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and NOBTS.
An ordained minister and licensed professional counselor, Garrett will provide pastoral leadership to student and he oversee the student services area including financial aid and campus life. Garrett will also be a part of the seminary’s administrative council along with the president, provost, and NOBTS vice presidents.
Trustees also granted tenure to Reggie Ogea, associate professor of leadership and pastoral ministry; Donna Peavey, assistant professor of Christian education in Leavell College; and Ed Steele, assistant professor of music in Leavell College. Steele also received a faculty rank promote to associate professor.
Kelley also announced that Kathy Steele was named director of clinical training in the psychology and counseling program.
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