April 24, 2000

Southern Seminary revokes
faculty conservative hiring document
___By Trennis Henderson
___ Kentucky Western Recorder
___ LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP)--Symbolically marking the completion of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary's conservative shift, trustees voted April 10-11 to eliminate the school's "Covenant Renewal" document.
___ The agreement was adopted in 1991 by trustees, faculty and administrators during the height of political turmoil in the Southern Baptist Convention. It was designed to promote "fairness in selecting faculty across the theological spectrum of our Baptist constituency." The document called for "intentional employment of conservative evangelical scholars" to achieve faculty balance.
___ Two years later, Al Mohler succeeded Roy Honeycutt as president, hastening the faculty's conservative transition. During Mohler's tenure, the seminary has experienced tremendous faculty turnover. Among the school's 73 assistant, associate and full professors today, only 14 were faculty members at the time the covenant was adopted; other faculty members who were hired after the covenant was adopted also have left, although the turnover has stabilized in the last two years.
___ Mohler said current faculty members took the initiative to eliminate the covenant. Faculty members reportedly voted unanimously to endorse the change, noting that faculty and administrators are covered by Southern's "Abstract of Principles" and the SBC's "Baptist Faith and Message" statement as doctrinal guides.
___ Background information provided to trustees added that the "Covenant Renewal" document was "intended for a time of transition as a way to enable trustees, faculty and administration to work." The material noted the agreement "served a valid purpose at a particular time in the life of this institution but no longer seems necessary."
___ "Common confidence in the uncompromised, unerring word of God renders this document no longer necessary," said Stephen Corts, chairman of the board's executive committee.
___ After adopting the proposal without discussion or opposition, trustees spontaneously applauded the action.
___ Trustees also voted to shorten the name of the seminary's James P. Boyce College of the Bible to "Boyce College." The Boyce program, accredited in 1998 by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, is scheduled to graduate its first students this year.
___ According to Mohler, mission strategists have indicated the word "Bible" in the school's name "may cause graduates to face difficulties in entering some nations or accepting international opportunities."
___ In other action, trustees:
___ Approved Mohler's request to establish a team to develop a long-term plan for meeting the seminary community's child-care needs. That action followed a recent decision by administrators to close the child-care center and a subsequent decision to keep the center open at least another year.
___ Broke ground for the proposed Rice/Judson conference center and guest-housing project. The $5.76 million project involves converting two student apartment buildings into conference rooms and guest housing.




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