[1]MBTS announces Steve and Mary Dighton Endowed Chair of Pastoral Ministry
By Michael S. Brooks/MBTS
KANSAS CITY (BP) – During Midwestern Seminary’s fall Commencement exercises, President Jason Allen announced the establishment and funding of the Steve and Mary Dighton Endowed Chair of Pastoral Ministry.
Steve Dighton serves as pastor emeritus at Lenexa Baptist Church in Lenexa, Kan., a church he founded 25 years ago and served as senior pastor until 2015. Dighton previously served congregations in Oklahoma before moving to Lenexa.
The pastoral ministry chair is the third endowed faculty chair in Midwestern Seminary’s history. Last fall, the seminary announced its second endowed chair, the Lee and Tammy Roberson Endowed Chair of Church History. In 2010, Midwestern Seminary and the Missouri Baptist Convention established the Missouri Baptist Chair of Partnership Missions, later renamed the Gary Taylor Chair of Missions and Evangelism.
“On occasion in higher education, institutions have the opportunity to add an endowed professorship, ensuring the longevity of particular faculty positions for years to come,” Allen said. “By God’s grace, we are delighted to now add our third endowed chair, the second in the past two months at Midwestern Seminary.
[2]“What is more, we are delighted to establish the pastoral ministry chair in honor of Steve and Mary Dighton, a testament to their faithful service at Lenexa Baptist Church for many years and their continual support for the work at Midwestern Seminary.”
Steve Dighton, who delivered Midwestern Seminary’s fall commencement address prior to being recognized, expressed gratitude for the honor and eagerness to see the fruit of the seminary’s continuing efforts to train the next generation of ministry leaders.
“Mary and I would like to express our appreciation and delight in having this new pastoral ministry chair established in our name,” Dighton said. “Over my 32 years here in Kansas City, Midwestern Seminary has always been important to me, but especially the last 10 years under Dr. Jason Allen’s presidency.
“My passion has resonated with his passion, and that is expressed in the seminary’s mission to be ‘for the church.’ Midwestern Seminary has become the seminary I always hoped and prayed it would become.”
Dighton added he is especially grateful for the pastoral ministry focus of the endowed chair, and said he is hopeful for the next generation of ministry leaders who will be equipped through the seminary’s efforts.
“Pastoral ministry has always been my priority in my 40 years of serving the local church,” Dighton said. “So, to be associated with Midwestern Seminary in this way is only fitting. My prayer is that this endowment would help train and instruct a coming generation to properly shepherd the flock of God for the glory of our Savior and the benefit of the local church.”
Rebekah Naylor SWBTS class open to anyone
By SWBTS Staff
FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) – Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is offering a class called Human Needs Ministry and Church Planting taught by well-known medical missionary and professor of missions Dr. Rebekah Naylor.
This class, which begins Jan. 18, is open to all SWBTS students for class credit, but is also available for anyone to audit for free, whether online or in person.
Poverty, hunger, natural disasters, war, and disease are found wherever God calls. Ministers don’t have to ignore physical needs in order to meet spiritual ones. Jesus Christ both preached and healed, and calls us to do the same.
Naylor has spent decades working as both a missionary and a surgeon, and in the class, she will share what she has learned about how human needs ministry and church planting work together.
This course will be offered online (live or on-demand) and on the SWBTS campus in Fort Worth, Texas. Class will meet Monday nights, 6:15-9 p.m. Central, and online students will have the option of tuning in live or watching the lectures and class discussions as recordings after the fact.
Registration is open here [4].
Gateway Seminary to hold Legacy of Faith Bible Teaching Conference
By Gateway Staff
ONTARIO, Calif. (BP) – Gateway Seminary will host a conference on Bible teaching both in person and online Saturday, Jan. 29.
The Legacy of Faith Bible Teaching Conference is designed for church leaders and will feature breakout sessions covering topics like choosing and using curriculum, beginning a special needs ministry, leading and training staff, discipleship and many more.
Select breakouts will also be available in Spanish, Korean and Mandarin.
More information and registration are available here [5].