Category: September 2023

Welcome from the Dean

Post author By 46779326
Post date August 31, 2023

As the faculty and staff prepared for the beginning of the fall semester, I was interested in meeting with Perkins’ new students. The orientation for our new students showed that they are eager to begin their theological education and that they are excellent students who are ready!

Houston-Galveston hybrid program orientation

In my conversations with several of our new students, I discovered a wide range of academic interests. A few are curious about Biblical studies, some are interested in the Hebrew Scriptures, and still others are seeking a thorough understanding of the New Testament. Of course, there were students with a keen interest in the Biblical languages, either Hebrew or Greek. Those who enroll in a Biblical language have three semesters of work before them: two semesters of learning the language and a semester of exegesis. Certainly, it is challenging work.

Others are more interested in theology, while others are more drawn to the history of the Christian Church. As I listened, I learned most of our new students came prepared and interested in the Perkins theological education. This is an excellent group of students with knowledge, passion and determination.

As proud as I am of our new students, I am equally proud of our faculty. In the past few months, there have been occasions for conversations with our faculty and learning about that on which they have been working. They have shared their scholarship with me, and I am looking forward to the publishing of several books and articles. The faculty are diligent in their work, and I hope many of you are grateful for them.

In order for theological education to occur, there is a significant group of staff members who are vital to Perkins’ educational endeavors. It could not happen without the persons who work in Bridwell Library, the school’s administrative staff, the enrollment management team and several others who are deeply committed to Perkins and our work of forming students for their vocational callings.

Thank you to all for your commitment and your work for Perkins.

Bishop Michael McKee
Leighton K. Farrell Endowed Dean, ad interim

News Perspective Online September 2023

Fall Convo — Save the Date!

Post author By 46779326
Post date August 31, 2023

To Come

News Perspective Online September 2023

Development Update

Post author By 46779326
Post date August 31, 2023

As we begin the Fall 2023 term at Perkins School of Theology, I want to remind you that our Development office continually works to facilitate gifts to Perkins that benefit the important ministry of education.

My assistant, Rose Burns, and I are laser-focused to find sources for funds to aid the development of Perkins. Much of our attention is on raising money for scholarships so that our students do not incur insurmountable debt as they finish their various degrees. We continue to make strides in raising scholarship dollars. Generous donors make this mission possible, and you can be involved in this important work in many ways.

Each year, Perkins holds three Faith and Business Luncheons. The first on this year will take place Monday, Sept. 18 and features Mr. David McAtee, Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel for AT&T. David is an outstanding Christian layman. He will be sharing his story in an interview format. The luncheon is free and open to all by reservation. To make a reservation click here. Be on the lookout for future announcements about the January and April luncheons.
Our annual spring Scholarship Luncheon will take place March 19, 2024, and will feature Mr. Clark Hunt, a member of the SMU Board of Trustees and Chairman and CEO of the Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs. Details of how you can secure a seat for yourself or, even better, sponsor a table for you and your guests will be available soon. The event will take place on the SMU campus in the Martha Proctor Mack Ballroom.
This fall, the final installation of the Caren and Vin Prothro Organ is being accomplished. The organ is a historic E. M. Skinner organ built in 1917 and totally refurbished for Perkins Chapel. Our organist professors tell me that it is a perfect size and sound for our Chapel. A dedicatory concert will take place in the early spring on a yet-to-be-determined date. It will be in service for the Lessons and Carols of Christmas at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30. Watch for an announcement of that important and well-attended event. We have many to thank for this instrument … not the least of which are Bill and Gay Solomon, who gave the lead gift so the purchase in rebuilding could be made. Gay is a member of the Perkins Executive Board. For information about the organ, click here.
Two important committees will each meet twice this year. The Perkins Campaign Steering Committee convenes on the morning of October 4 and again on March 8, 2024. As of this month, the Perkins Campaign has raised almost $31.5 million. We expect that total to increase significantly during the course of this year.

The other important committee is the Perkins Executive Board, a group of individuals who care deeply about Perkins’ mission and its students, faculty and staff. For information about the Executive Board, click here. I will be introducing you to the Executive board members in a future article.

Next month I will introduce you to this year’s Perkins Scholars and Baugh Scholars. Remember, every scholarship dollar is important. Don’t forget about the Perkins giving page or, if you would rather reach out and talk, here is our information:

Perkins Office of Development
PO Box 750133
Dallas, TX 75275-0133

John A. Martin, Director of Development
214.768.2026

(cell) 585.230.3036
johnma@smu.edu

Rose Burns, Advancement Associate
214.768.3688
maburns@smu.edu

News Perspective Online September 2023

Student Life at Perkins: Ministry Dallas, Fall Banquet and more

Post author By 46779326
Post date August 31, 2023

Before fall semester classes started, students, faculty and staff had an opportunity to go out in the Dallas community to serve others. As part of this year’s Ministry Dallas activities, held Aug. 16-20, Perkins students and staff spent a day at Joppy Momma’s Farm to assist with the farm work and then to

Ministry Dallas at Bonton Farms Market Cafe

Bonton Farms Market Cafe for lunch. The following days took them to

Lovers Lane UMC and Crossroads Community Services, and many people gathered together for worship at Hamilton Park UMC on Aug. 20.

Welcome Week at Perkins was full of activities, including a Popsicle Party, the Feast of Beginnings, and the Fall Banquet.

News Perspective Online September 2023

Faculty News

Post author By 46779326
Post date August 31, 2023

Dr. James Lee, Associate Professor of the History of Early Christianity, was interviewed for the University of Notre Dame’s Wisdom Project on YouTube. The Wisdom Project at Notre Dame explores various dimensions of Wisdom, both in and beyond religious traditions. The Wisdom Project’s YouTube channel is hosted by Dr. Gabriel Said Reynolds, Professor of Islamic Studies and Theology. Dr. Reynolds asked Dr. Lee about wisdom in the book of Job, Augustine’s understanding of wisdom in relation to faith and reason, and wisdom according to the early Greek Christian tradition. https://youtu.be/9k9QCrmHZ9M

Dr. Lee also was invited to teach a 3-week theology course at the University of Notre Dame in July entitled, “Christian Doctrine for Catechists,” for the Echo Graduate Service program. The Echo program helps to form lay leaders for service in the church. Students serve at a parish or school during the academic year while earning a Master of Arts in Theology from the University of Notre Dame. https://mcgrath.nd.edu/service-learning/echo-graduate-service-program/

Dr. Susanne Scholz, Professor of Old Testament, is organizer of the upcoming research symposium “Law, Religion and Social Progress in the Age of COVID-19,” scheduled for Sept. 17-19 at Perkins School of Theology. The pandemic has had great impact on social progress within and across societies. This symposium, sponsored by SMU’s Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute (DCII), explores notions of social progress, during pandemic and ‘post’-pandemic times, within a diversity of national and international contexts, primarily through the prism of law and religion. Scholars from around the world (Britain, Canada, Japan, Nigeria and the United States) will present their work located in various academic disciplines (religious studies, law, anthropology, rhetorical studies, political science, social science and theological studies). For more information and to register: https://people.smu.edu/lawreligionandsocialprogress/

Dr. Jaime Clark-Soles, Professor of New Testament and Director of the Baptist House of Studies at Perkins, was part of a panel – “Sacramental Plants and Fungi: Historical and Scientific Insights for the Religious Life – at the recent Parliament of the World’s Religions gathering in Chicago. The panel, moderated by religion historian Elaine Pagels, also included noted author and speaker Richard Rohr.

Dr. Jack Levison, W.J.A. Power Professor of Old Testament Interpretation and Biblical Hebrea, recently was interviewed by Kevin Krueger for the “Breakaway” podcast on WGTS-FM (Washington, D.C.) Listen to the in-depth interview on Levison’s latest book, Seven Secrets of the Spirit-Filled Life.

News Perspective Online September 2023

Alumni Updates

Post author By 46779326
Post date August 31, 2023

Rachel Mumaw (M.Div. ’23) is the newest pastoral resident at Second Baptist Church in Liberty, Missouri. Rachel is getting married in September to her fiancé, Noah, and will start her new position on Oct. 2.

Dr. Charles Barker, (d. June 2023), Perkins Alum (M.T.S. ’14), who initiated moves in making DFW a compassionate city following the Charter for Compassion and who served as President of Compassionate DFW for many years, was given the Karen Armstrong Humanitarian Award at a banquet during the Parliament to the World’s Religion in Chicago. His beloved spouse, Conoly, flew in from Dallas and attended the Parliament banquet in his honor to receive the posthumous award in his stead.

Dr. Christinah Kwaramba’s (M.T.S. ’09) work in Clinical Pastoral Education was featured in an article on the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s website.

Laura Cooper Fitzgibbon (M.Div. ’07) has accepted a call to Manassas Presbyterian Church in northern Virginia, beginning Sept. 15.