SEBTS holds first Engaging Exposition Preaching Conference
By Mary Asta Mountain, SEBTS
WAKE FOREST, N.C. — On Monday, Sept. 16, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) and the Center for Preaching and Pastoral Leadership (CPPL) hosted the inaugural Engaging Exposition Preaching Conference. Welcoming more than 150 pastors and church leaders to campus, the conference consisted of four sessions, breakout opportunities and a panel discussion with key speakers.
“The goal of the Engaging Exposition conference is to encourage and challenge pastors to grow in their preaching,” said Chuck Lawless, senior professor of evangelism and missions at Southeastern and director of the CPPL. “This year’s theme has been ‘The Preacher’s Character,’ and our primary speakers each addressed this issue through preaching the Word.”
Southeastern’s mission is to equip students to serve the local church and to fulfill the Great Commission, and the CPPL exists to further this mission, acting as an intentional bridge between the seminary and the local church. With the goal of equipping and encouraging local church leaders, the CPPL seeks to help pastors lead healthy, disciple-making churches for the glory of God around the world.
This week’s conference challenged and encouraged pastors in their ministry within a community of like-minded leaders seeking to faithfully shepherd their flocks for God’s glory. Following the theme of “The Pastor’s Character,” the conference addressed the need for pastors to be transformed and motivated by God’s Word. Key speakers included Robert Smith Jr., Jimmy Scroggins, James Merritt and Scott Pace.
“I want to contend this morning,” Smith told attendees, “that it is the pouring of character in us by the power of the Spirit of God — for the purpose of conforming us to the image of God’s dear Son — that makes the difference.”
Exploring further how God and His Word mold a pastor’s heart, attendees had the opportunity to hear from Southeastern faculty Allan Moseley, Chuck Quarles, Dwayne Milioni and Chuck Lawless in breakouts between the main sessions. Breakouts ranged on topics from the heart of the pastor for his congregation to the prayer life of the pastor and qualifications for pastoral leadership.
Grateful for the opportunity to serve and strengthen pastors in their ministry, Southeastern and the CPPL look forward to providing future opportunities, resources and conferences that will help equip local churches and their leaders to make disciples in their congregations and around the world.
To access resources and learn more about future events with the CPPL, visit pastorscenter.org. To learn more about how Southeastern partners with local churches, visit the Equip Networks website at sebts.edu/equip.
SBTS offers online-only Ph.D.
By Jacob Percy, SBTS
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) has announced the launch of its new online Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Studies. The program is designed to equip students with the academic rigor and practical skills necessary for impactful ministry and scholarly contribution without the need to relocate or pause their current ministry engagements.
“Technological changes continue to adjust the world of higher education, allowing us to offer programs online at the highest quality of scholarship with the most effective distribution of opportunity,” said SBTS President R. Albert Mohler, Jr. “I am excited to announce that these changes allow us to introduce the new online Ph.D. in Christian studies, which marks another innovative step in our goal to deliver accessible, world-class theological education.”
Southern Seminary said the new Ph.D. is part of the school’s commitment to providing accessible, high-quality theological education to ministry leaders and pastors worldwide. This program is uniquely designed to accommodate those who are passionate about deepening their scholarship even as their current context does not allow them to travel to Louisville for doctoral studies by providing a fully online format, allowing students to balance their academic pursuits with their ministry responsibilities.
The curriculum spans multiple disciplines, from biblical and theological studies to practical theology, ensuring a comprehensive academic experience that prepares students for the diverse challenges of contemporary ministry. This multidisciplinary approach reflects Southern Seminary’s dedication to equipping leaders for effective teaching, advanced scholarship and missional service. By offering this program online, Southern Seminary aims to extend the global reach of the degree, making it possible for students everywhere to benefit from the rigorous academic training that Southern Seminary is known for.
Live online lectures and comprehensive evaluations are part of a learning experience designed to maximize accessibility. Students in the program will continue to be guided by the supervision and mentorship of Southern Seminary’s faculty and will complete a scholarly dissertation in a specific research area.
For more information about the Ph.D. in Christian studies, visit sbts.edu/online-phd.
