Seminary News

Columbia Seminary Offers New Program to Support Clergy in Crisis

Ministering to Ministers Foundation, a longstanding program offering resources for terminated clergy and other church professionals, is now a program administered by the Center for Lifelong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary.

Founded in 1994 by Dr. Charles Chandler, the Ministry has helped ministers, their families, congregations, and people of faith during one of the most traumatic crises in ministerial life: a forced termination from a church or place of ministry. The program offers help, hope and renewal for ministers in crisis.

“What could have been a terrible ordeal for our family became something that will serve as a springboard for further ministry. During the retreat we found a light at the end of a dark tunnel and a road map to wellness that has enabled us to thrive in adverse conditions,” said a former Ministry participant.

For the past three years the Center for Lifelong Learning and Ministering to Ministers have partnered to provide the Transition into Wellness Retreats for ministers and their spouses. This signature event offers clergy and their spouses an opportunity to share in a restorative experience with ministry peers. Led by trained facilitators, the retreat offers peer group conversations and support, information sessions led by experts in relevant fields, and group therapy led by a psychiatrist or psychologist.

The Center for Lifelong Learning will expand its services to church clergy through the Ministering to Ministers program, under the umbrella of its Pastoral Excellence Programs.

Dr. Jake Myers Named the Wade P. Huie Chair of Preaching

Dr. Love Sechrest, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty at Columbia Theological Seminary, announced that Dr. Jake Myers was elected by the Board of Trustees as the Wade P. Huie Associate Professor of Homiletics. The chair was established in 2004 through the generosity of then-Trustee William S. “Billy” Morris III to honor the legacy of Wade P. Huie, Jr. (’46). Dr. Huie served Columbia with distinction as professor of preaching for three decades beginning in 1957.

“Dr. Myers is an accomplished scholar and gifted teacher and is a wonderful choice for this appointment,” said Dean Sechrest. “In the Wade P. Huie Chair of Homiletics, he will play an important part in Columbia’s role of developing and nurturing faith leaders and thought leaders for the Church and the world.”

“Being appointed to the Wade P. Huie Chair of Homiletics is an amazing honor,” said Dr. Myers. “I know that he set the bar high during his tenure at Columbia, serving his students with ingenuity and verve. I, like Dr. Huie, am continuously motivated by our students, who truly believe they can change the world through their work.” Since 2015, Dr. Myers has served as the Assistant Professor of Homiletics at Columbia. Before his arrival at Columbia, he was adjunct faculty at Candler School of Theology, and Assistant Supplementary Professor of Proclamation at Central Baptist Theological Seminary. Myers received his Ph.D. from Emory University, his Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a B.A., with honors, from GardnerWebb University’s Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy.

Meanwhile...on campus

Dr. Myers unmasks for a moment to deliver video taped well-wishes to the 2021 graduates.

Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes Appointed to the Faculty of Columbia Theological Seminary

Dr. Love Sechrest, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty at Columbia Theological Seminary, announced that Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes was appointed by the Board of Trustees as Professor of Practical Theology and Pastoral Counseling.

“As an institution that serves the church in contemporary society,” said Dean Sechrest, “we must ensure that our students are equipped to address all areas of pastoral care, especially and including, those of race and reconciliation. Dr. Walker-Barnes’ work on healing the legacies of racial and gender oppression will bring an important perspective to our students.”

In appointing Dr. Walker-Barnes, the Columbia Theological Seminary Board of Trustees recognizes that pastors must have the ability to deftly handle reconciliation issues that arise in the church and the world at large.

“Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes has woven together the best scholarship in clinical psychology with an incarnational faith grounded in justice and faith,” said Rev. Dr. Millie Snyder, Executive Pastor, Myers Park Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC and Board of Trustee member, “She brings a grace and wisdom to equip ministry leaders for the work of pastoral care and counseling. In our broken and hurting world, the ministry of pastoral care becomes central to the work of the kingdom and Dr. Walker-Barnes’ gifts will be vitally necessary for the seminary as we seek to be faithful to our calling.”

Dr. Walker-Barnes has over 20 years of experience in higher education, serving on the faculty at institutions including Mercer University, McAfee School of Theology, Shaw University Divinity School, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Florida, and Duke University. She earned a B.A. in Psychology/African American and African Studies from Emory University before going on to earn an M.S and Ph.D. in Clinical Child/ Family Psychology at the University of Miami, and her Master of Divinity degree, magna cum laude, from Duke University Divinity School.

She is the author of two books, I Bring the Voices of My People with Me: A Womanist Vision of Racial Reconciliation (Prophetic Christianity Series, Eerdmans, 2019) and Too Heavy a Yoke: Black Women and the Burden of Strength (Cascade Books, 2014.) In addition, she has authored numerous book chapters, peer-reviewed journal articles, and reviews. She currently serves on the editorial

board for the Society of Pastoral Theology’s Journal of Pastoral Theology and is co-chair of their Embodiment Study Group. Dr. WalkerBarnes is a member of the American Academy of Religion, the American Psychological Association, the Association of Practical Theology, and the Georgia Psychological Association. She is a licensed therapist in Georgia.

“Bridging and bringing together diverse cultures and contexts is an important part of what we do at Columbia,” said seminary President Leanne Van Dyk. “Dr. Walker-Barnes will help us further our mission to nurture imaginative and faithful pastoral care leaders going forward.”

“One of the great joys of being a seminary faculty member is the privilege of shaping Christian leaders who will engage the Church and the world in ministry that transforms individuals, relationships, and society,” said Dr. Walker-Barnes. “I believe this is the type of work that Columbia Theological Seminary is doing, and I look forward to being a part of it.”

Meanwhile...on campus

We guess somebody forgot to tell the dogs about masks and social distancing... In addition to being able to gather safely, outdoor chapel gives students with pets the opportunity to bring their furkids to worship. In 2019, Columbia Seminary changed its policy on pets in campus housing allowing, for the first time, pets in the student housing.

Meanwhile...on campus

In June, the Millers presented a check on behalf of Peggy and Jim’s parents, James (Jimmy) and Marjorie Miller of Dalton, GA. The Millers were faithful Presbyterians (FPC Dalton) and served on the President’s Advisory Council in the 1980s-90s. In 1992, they established a Charitable Remainder Unitrust with four beneficiaries, including Columbia Seminary. Top photo, L to R: Val Thompson, Lindsay Miller, Kaye Miller, Jim Miller, Julie Bailey, Leanne Van Dyk, David Huffine, Margaret (Peggy) Torrey, and David Torrey ’96, ’06.