Luter Student Center

Master's Degree Programs Updated

The board of trustees approved revisions to the master’s degree programs in the Spring meeting, April 12-13. The updated degree plans are designed to meet the needs of today’s churches and Christian ministries.

Revisions to the MDiv program represented more than a year of review, assessment, research and degree development by faculty and administration. The new plans strengthen the classical theological training elements (biblical languages, biblical studies, theology, and history) and practical, applied ministry skill development requirements (preaching, pastoral, ministry, administration, and missions). For all MDiv specializations, a group of core classes (69 hours) was set, making the degree more uniform and more user-friendly for students. MDiv specializations will include 12 hours in a discipline along with six hours of free electives. Similarly, a 27-hour core was established for all MA degrees.

“The changes to our MDiv program allow us to prepare people for ministry in this day and in this culture,” Dew said. “The changes provide a more consistent and efficient curricular core that our students will be able to navigate and complete.”

LUTER STUDENT CENTER

BY GARY D. MYERS

With interior renovations nearing completion at Hardin Student Center, the freshly updated student center received also a new name – the Fred Luter Jr. Student Center (LSC).

The name change honoring the longtime pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church was approved at the Spring trustee meeting and announced by Dr. Jamie Dew at FABC on Easter Sunday morning, surprising Luter and delighting the congregation.

“Proverbs chapter three verse number 27 says this ‘Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to do so,” Dew said during the naming announcement. “Pastor Luter, you are clearly a man to whom honor is due and it is within our power to do so.” After more than a year of work, the interior updating is almost complete. Trustees also approved much-needed exterior upgrades to the student center to beautify the campus entrance and improve the center's functionality. The updates include additional interior renovations, outdoor seating areas, landscaping and parking lot repairs.

The LSC renovations were funded by a $2 million anonymous gift. A gift of that size includes naming rights for the building, Dew said. In consultation with the NOBTS administration, the donor chose to recognize Luter’s humble and faithful service in New Orleans and throughout the SBC by naming this building in his honor.

Luter, called as Franklin Avenue’s pastor in 1986, helped the struggling congregation with 65 members grow to one of the largest Southern Baptist Convention churches in Louisiana. During his 36-year tenure as FABC pastor, Luter has become an important voice for the cause of Christ in the city of New Orleans and an ardent supporter of the seminary's work. In 2012, Luter was elected as the first African American president of the SBC and served two terms in that role.

During the presentation at FABC, Dew recounted how he began listening to Luter’s sermons shortly after becoming a believer. Luter made an impression on Dew.

“When you watch someone from afar, you have an impression about who they are and what they are. And you know how this goes, sometimes when you get to meet these people in real life they are not who you thought they would be,” Dew said. “Brother, you are not only everything I thought you were, you are more. We love you.”