Southwestern is a listening community

In the months following the events of this summer, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary stated that it is a listening community and a welcoming community. This article is one of accountability, informing our constituents and community how we have listened as we steadfastly move forward in a manner that permits students, staff and professors to flourish. Administration immediately moved forward with a host of initiatives. Select examples include:

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• D. Jeffrey Bingham, interim president, held all-employee meetings in July and August in order to hear from and pray with the campus, as well as to provide updates on Southwestern Seminary operations.

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• The Southwestern Seminary Women’s Council was established in August to (a) promote fellowship and ensure women’s groups on campus are aware of what each other is doing; (b) create synergy on campus with integrated, non-duplicating student discipling and mentoring efforts; (c) pray for students and student wives; and (d) advise the president and cabinet on women’s issues upon request. The council’s membership consists of professors, staff and students and is chaired by Terri Stovall, dean of women’s programs.

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• All Southwestern Seminary employees completed sexual harassment prevention training by Aug. 1.

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• Professors and students are attending CBMW’s Dallas Regional Conference entitled “Biblical Sexuality in a Secular Age” on Sept. 22.

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• Professors and students are attending the ERLC’s national conference entitled “The Cross-Shaped Family” in Dallas on Oct. 11-13. The conference includes panels and breakout sessions on sexual abuse and sexual assault, sexual abuse prevention and ministry, and how to effectively parent in today’s immoral culture.

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• Professors and students are attending the Sexual Abuse Summit on Oct. 23. The summit addresses the risk of child sexual abuse in ministry environments.

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• Southwestern Seminary is hosting a Life Action Ministries “Thirst Conference” on campus, Oct. 23-25. This will be an exciting event where students, staff, professors and local churches can set aside time to seek and listen to God. Join us in praying for revival and transformation of lives.

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• The trustee presidential search team is listening to God and listening to the campus through a series of prayer meetings and townhall meetings, respectively, in September and October. Continue to pray that God will give the committee unity, clarity and wisdom.

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• Offered in select classes now, the MinistrySafe Curriculum will be expanded and required of all undergraduate programs, all applicable master’s programs, and all employees and students working with children/minors beginning in the spring 2019 semester.

Southwestern Seminary has committed to ensuring that the campus is a healthy, safe and favorable environment—a campus environment that provides a place where students, staff and professors can vigorously flourish in their love for God’s Word and His mission for their lives.