|
Encouraging scholarship, strengthening faith identity, and interpreting contemporary issues in Baptist life. |
||
 |
|
Newman Scholar: |
|
Home • Staff • Local Church • News & Views • Issues • Bulletin • Conferences / Seminars • Sabbaticals • Certificate • Links |
||
|
By Randall Rich Pastor of Prentiss Baptist Church Prentiss, Mississippi
Return to Sabbaticals
Homepage Opening the usual mountain of mail one day, there was an envelope from the state Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Inside was a series of pamphlets on Baptist History published jointly by Baptist History and Heritage Society and the William H. Whitsitt Baptist Heritage Society. Titles like Turning Points in Baptist History and Liberty of Conscience drew me into a world long forgotten. I chastised myself for not paying better attention to Dr. Bill Leonard, Dr. Daniel Holcomb and Dr. Claude Howe when I had the chance during seminary days. Included with the pamphlets was a brochure on The Center for Baptist Studies at Mercer University. It offered pastors a mini-sabbatical to study Baptist history and heritage under the leadership of Dr. Walter B. Shurden, one on one. I quickly responded and was fortunate enough to be the second pastor to be named an A.H. Newman Scholar in the Center for Baptist Studies at Mercer University. I approached this mini-sabbatical like any of the other continuing education opportunities I take in each year. I had no idea how revolutionary this one would be. I received a reading list about two months before I was to arrive on campus. The list was daunting at first. Most pastors have little time to do the reading required for three sermons and two class a week, much less something of this magnitude. Two of the six sections were to be complete before arrival and four assignments on campus. When I began reading, I was hooked. Nagging questions of today were placed in events of history. I read about people who bled and died for things I believed, but was afraid to practice. Some of the reading was heavily academic but most of it read like a current newspaper. Suddenly the static in the Baptist family of faith made sense and I was ready to land on my convictions whether politically correct or not. I arrived at Mercer’s Macon, Georgia campus on a Sunday afternoon expecting to spend a week in a typical college dormitory. I was overjoyed to find that I would be staying in the Lee Alumni House, a beautiful Victorian home on the corner of the campus. The comfort was almost overwhelming. After attending church with Dr. and Mrs. Shurden Sunday night, the work began Monday morning. I know the idea of spending a week in the library brings back painful memories of school days, but this was one of the most exciting things I have done in years. The collection of books on Baptist history and heritage is the most complete I have ever seen. Access was granted to the Special Collection section of the Jack Tarver Library where even more rare books are available. Instead of reading quotes from our Baptist forefathers, I was able to read the work of their own hands. I met with Dr. Shurden and assistant Greg Thompson on a daily basis. We reviewed the day’s reading as well as enjoyed sweet fellowship. I re-energized my respect for our history and the marvel of God’s grace in using this people called Baptists for almost four centuries. If you are looking for a place to “get the facts straight” in your own mind, find a week and take part in this adventure. For more information, contact The Center for Baptist Studies at Mercer University, 1400 Coleman Avenue, Macon, Georgia 31027-0001, (478) 301-5467, or http://www.mercer.edu/baptiststudies. I assure you that being a Baptist will take on a new luster.
|
||
|
The Center for Baptist Studies, Mercer University, 1400 Coleman Avenue, Macon, GA 31207 Phone (478) 301-5457 |
||
A Mini-Sabbatical at the Center