Yesterday's Dallas Morning News published a story about the scholarships that Bob Stephenson, founder of Mainstream Oklahoma Baptists, gave for Baptist Seminary students to attend the Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant. 178 seminary students, most of them doctoral candidates, attended the Atlanta meeting. Here's a quote from Bailey Nelson, a student at McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta:
Bailey Nelson, the program's coordinator, said her involvement has been an inspiration.
"I am overwhelmed by the diversity of the group and the passion they show," Nelson said. "They are driven and hungry. Their big question is: What's next?"
Nelson said the meeting has been a watershed moment for many members of the group who are beginning to understand their role as Baptists.
"We can't wait for others to tell us what to do. It's time for us to decide for ourselves," she said. "It's not about becoming members of the power structure; it's about developing relationships."
Because there had been no contact among the seminarians prior to this week, Nelson said the students are exploring ways to keep in touch after the event. "There's been talk about starting a Facebook group to stay connected with each other through e-mail, and there are others who are talking about collaborating on a book."
1 comment:
I was one of the students lucky enough to attend the NBC on a Stephenson scholarship. When I graduated from college, the incident with Russell Dilday at Southwestern had just happened. I told myself at that time, "If this is what it means to be Baptist, I want no part of it." After the NBC, I find myself saying, "If this is what it means to be Baptist, I can't wait to be a part of it."s
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