In today’s From the Seminaries: Shaddix as director of the Southeastern Center for Pastoral Leadership and Preaching, and James as EQUIP Network coordinator; SEBTS appoints Kellen to full-time teaching position;SBTS adds ‘promising young theologian’ to faculty.
Shaddix appointed director of the Southeastern Center for Pastoral Leadership and Preaching
By Lauren Pratt
Jim Shaddix, professor of preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS), was appointed as the director of the Southeastern Center for Pastoral Leadership and Preaching on Aug. 1.
“Words are not adequate to express my excitement as Jim Shaddix takes on the directorship of the Southeastern Center for Pastoral Leadership,” Akin said. “As a model preacher, writer, mentor and friend to pastors, he is the perfect man for this position.”
The Center for Pastoral Leadership and Preaching provides resources and training tools for students pursuing pastoral ministry. Opportunities are provided through Southeastern’s partnership with local churches in order for students to receive course credit through The EQUIP Network, of which Shaddix was formerly the coordinator.
“[Shaddix] has and continues to mentor students, pastors and leaders across our denomination,” said John Ewart, associate vice president for Global Theological Initiatives and missions and former director of the Southeastern Center for Pastoral Leadership and Preaching. “… I believe it will become a magnetic point of engagement for pastoral calling, thought and practice.”
Shaddix noted he is looking forward to this new role, believing that the center provides a training ground for future and current Great Commission pastors.
“My prayer is that Southeastern’s Center for Pastoral Leadership and Preaching can help equip both pastors and pastors-in-training to shepherd God’s people with the grace, mercy, integrity and skill of our good shepherd,” Shaddix said. “An army of men like that can lead the church to fulfill the Great Commission.”
Akin considers Shaddix’s appointment as director to the center as a “great day” for SEBTS.
“The Center for Pastoral Leadership helps us help pastors, and I know no [one] across our convention better equipped to do this than Jim Shaddix,” Akin said. “It was a great day when our Lord added Jim to our wonderful faculty. His taking on the responsibilities of this center is another great day!”
Shaddix began teaching at SEBTS in 2012. He and his wife Debra live in Wake Forest, N.C., and are members of Restoration Church. Shaddix also serves in interim teaching and pastoral capacities throughout the year.
For more information regarding the Center for Pastoral Leadership and Preaching, visit pastorscenter.sebts.edu.
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SEBTS appoints James as EQUIP Network coordinator
By Lauren Pratt
WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP) — Al James was appointed as the EQUIP Network coordinator at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) on Aug. 1. James, associate dean of ministry studies and professor of missions, is overseeing the network’s partnership with local churches.
The EQUIP Network is a partnership between local churches and SEBTS to allow hands-on ministry experience for students while receiving course credit. Both graduate and undergraduate students can earn up to 36 hours of course credit while serving in a local church context. The EQUIP Network, formerly led by Jim Shaddix, is a part of the Center for Pastoral Leadership and Preaching.
“Al James is absolutely the right person,” SEBTS President Danny Akin said. “One of the many former missionaries currently on the SEBTS faculty, a professor of missions, pastor and superb administrator, he will help us take EQUIP to the next level as we serve more churches even better.”
John Ewart, associate vice president for Global Theological Initiatives and missions, understands that the experience James has to offer will benefit The EQUIP Network greatly.
“As an experienced seminary professor and administrator, he understands the details of training and equipping that will make this partnership between church and seminary the most effective and successful,” Ewart said.
James also expressed his eagerness to continue the work done by The EQUIP Network’s previous coordinators.
“I am excited to serve as The EQUIP Network coordinator as we seek to build upon the innovative work developed by the previous coordinators, Drs. Steven Wade and Jim Shaddix,” James said.
James has been teaching at SEBTS since 2002. He and his wife Cathy live in Wake Forest, N.C., with their youngest son Chris, who is a senior in high school. James and Cathy also have three older children as well as six grandchildren. James serves as a pastor at Hales Chapel Baptist Church in Zebulon, N.C.
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Kellen appointed to full-time SEBTS teaching position
By Lauren Pratt
WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP) — Kristin Kellen, who has been a part-time assistant professor of biblical counseling, has been appointed to a full-time teaching position with Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) beginning Aug. 1.
Kellen received her M.A. in biblical counseling and Ph.D. in applied theology and biblical counseling from SEBTS in 2015.
“Kristin Kellen is a gifted and gracious biblical counselor that makes the excellent biblical counseling department at SEBTS even stronger,” SEBTS President Danny Akin said. “Her winsome personality makes her a magnet that draws students both to her classes and the coffee shop to learn from this talented lady. One of our own Ph.D. graduates, she is a welcomed addition to our faculty.”
Starting at SEBTS as a student, Kellen said she believes “wholeheartedly that this is what God was preparing me for when He brought me to SEBTS a decade ago. I’m also honored to be able to teach alongside those who have spent that last decade pouring into my life.”
Keith Whitfield, dean of graduate studies, expressed his excitement of Kellen’s appointment to full-time faculty and the expertise she brings to the biblical counseling programs at SEBTS.
“We are excited to have Dr. Kristin Kellen join Southeastern’s faculty full-time,” Whitfield said. “She will make a significant contribution to our counseling programs. She is a gifted counselor with biblical and theological depth.”
Kellen, her husband Josh and their one-year-old son David, live in Kittrell, N.C., where they love working on house renovation projects as well as spending time in the mountains.
As a couple, Kellen and Josh attend New Life Baptist Church in Henderson, N.C., where they both serve in youth ministry.
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‘Promising young theologian’ joining SBTS faculty
By Andrew J.W. Smith
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) — A two-time graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is joining its faculty, President R. Albert Mohler Jr. announced this summer, appointing Kyle Claunch as assistant professor of Christian theology.
“Kyle Claunch is a bright scholar who has already emerged as one of the most promising young theologians of his generation,” Mohler said. “We are proud of his appointment to the theology faculty of Southern Seminary. He will be joining a department of great strength and international reputation, and he will now make his own contribution, both in the classroom and in the world of scholarship.”
Claunch joins SBTS after recently earning his doctorate of philosophy from the school in May 2017. He earned his advanced master of divinity from Southern in 2011, after graduating from the University of Mobile in Mobile, Ala., in 2003. In the intervening years, Claunch served as associate pastor of youth at College Park Baptist in Mobile and later as senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Springfield, Ky. Currently he serves as lead pastor of Highland Park First Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky.
“Kyle exemplifies the combination of theological acumen with pastoral wisdom for which I encourage all of our students to strive,” said Randy L. Stinson, SBTS provost and senior vice president for academic administration. “He will make a great addition to the School of Theology faculty.”
Claunch’s scholarly work has appeared in the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, and he contributed chapters to the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary and One God in Three Persons, which was edited by SBTS alumnus John Starke and Southern professor Bruce A. Ware. Claunch is married to Ashley, and together they have four children.
