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A Mini-Sabbatical at the Center by Jim West
Pastor, Petros Baptist Church
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First, my hosts were amazingly kind. Buddy Shurden and Bruce Gourley are scholars of the highest caliber and when questioned concerning this or that matter, they were on the spot with the most coherent answers. Second, the staff at the Tarver Library, Special Collections Department were so very, very helpful. They assisted me with such things as re-learning the use of microfilm readers and searching for print books with ancient covers on tall shelves. Their collection of Baptist documents is astonishing and their computer search mechanism was a time saver and a profoundly useful tool. Third, my research centered on the practice of late 19th century Baptists regarding Church discipline and excommunication. The materials available to me were the sorts of things that one simply cannot lay hold of outside such a specialized environment. It is with gratitude that I wish to thank the Center, its directors, and the Library staff for their hospitality. Fourth, Mercer University is itself a beautiful campus in a very lovely city. There's more than enough to do and see during the "down times" in the evening to keep one both refreshed and engaged. Fifth, and finally, the time spent in fellowship with Buddy and Bruce was simply wonderful and edifying. Our discussions were wide ranging, going beyond the matters of practical research into present Church practice and polity. We shared fine meals together at the Mercer Cafeteria (which served food a far cry better than what we 40 somethings had in college so many years ago!) and at a number of local restaurants. I learned a great deal, read a great deal, thought a great deal, relaxed a great deal, was edified a great deal, and came away from the week wishing in some respects that it had lasted two or three.
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The Center for Baptist Studies, Mercer University, 1400 Coleman Avenue, Macon, GA 31207 Phone (478) 301-5467 |
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The Center for Baptist Studies at Mercer University
was extraordinarily kind to invite me to be the thirteenth Newman
Scholar. In reflecting on my experience there, a number of highlights
stand out in my mind.