CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary,
Columbia, S.C., welcomed a large contingent of Baptists to an
Aug. 26 worship service in the seminary's Christ Chapel to open
the academic year and to install the Rev. Virginia C. Barfield as
director for Baptist studies. Southern, one of eight seminaries
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), entered
into an agreement in February with the South Carolina Fellowship
of Cooperative Baptists to provide seminary education
opportunities for Baptist students.
"Having the opportunity to lead an innovative and
cooperative effort of this kind is an extremely exciting
venture," Barfield said. "I hope this program can provide a
forum for Baptists of all types to study in an ecumenical setting
and thereby realize that it is not what separates us but what
unites us that is important."
"In this time when there is so much fragmentation in the
Church and in our world, it is a sign of hope when Christians
come together to achieve common goals," said the Rev. H.
Frederick Reisz, president of Southern Seminary.
"Lutherans and Baptists can remain Lutheran and Baptists,
even while challenging each other and cooperating in mission for
the good of the wider Church," said Dr. Michael Root, Southern's
vice president for academic affairs and dean. Root is an ELCA
associate in ministry.
Born in Kershaw, S.C., Barfield earned a master of divinity
degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake
Forest, N.C., and a doctorate from Duke University, Durham, N.C.
She served as associate pastor and minister of education for
Kathwood Baptist Church, Columbia.
In addition to her duties as director for Baptist studies,
Barfield serves as an adjunct professor of Greek and New
Testament at Southern Seminary.
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The home page for Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary is
at http://www.ltss.edu on the Web.
*Cristy Huntley is the director for church and public relations
at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, S.C.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
