FROM THE SEMINARIES: SBTS adds Irving, Presley to faculty; SWBTS changes provide 'wider opening' for doctoral students

SBTS adds Justin A. Irving and Stephen O. Presley to faculty

By Forrest Strickland

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) -- Two scholars are joining the faculty of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for the new academic year beginning in August. President R. Albert Mohler Jr. announced that Justin A. Irving and Stephen O. Presley will serve in the areas of leadership and church history.

Irving, who will serve as professor of leadership, has served for nearly 20 years in several academic and administrative capacities at Bethel Seminary in Minneapolis. Presley, who joins the faculty as associate professor of church history, brings nearly a decade of academic experience and 20 years of pastoral experience to his new position.

"These are two fine scholars and proven professors," Mohler said. "Justin Irving has lived and thrived and led in the world of ministry and leadership for years, and he will bring that wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom and into the lives of our students.

"Stephen Presley is an accomplished scholar, historian, and servant of the church. He is well respected in the world of evangelical scholarship, and he has committed his life to the education and preparation of young ministers. Both of these new professors will teach in critical areas in the seminary curriculum. This is good news, and these new professors add even more strength to the Southern Seminary faculty."

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SWBTS changes will result in 'wider opening' for doctoral students

By Staff

FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) -- Changes to the Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Educational Ministry degrees at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary will result in a "wider opening" for professional doctoral work, leaders say.

Among the changes is the introduction of the "flex option," permitting some D.Min. students to participate in the annual on-campus seminar work remotely. Additionally, the D.Ed.Min. degree is now open to graduates of the Master of Theological Studies or its equivalent.

"These changes make Southwestern Seminary's professional doctoral programs even more accessible to more ministers seeking to advance their training," said Provost Randy L. Stinson. "For especially those affected by COVID, this wider opening for other students to engage in doctoral work couldn't come at a better time."

The addition of the flex option "will allow certain students to remain connected to their doctoral studies without having to travel to Fort Worth. We feel this is the right time to add this alternative given the uncertainty of living in a pandemic," he added.

"We remain committed to excellent pedagogy and Christian formation, and making our program more available to students in this way extends those goals in exciting new ways," Stinson said.

Read the full report here.