FTE "On Call" Blog

Trace Haythorn

Former President, The Fund for Theological Education

LEAVE COMMENTS FOR THIS POST AT BOTTOM OF PAGE

March 26, 2009

Calls, Courage, Core Values

I just finished reading an article in the March 26 edition of <em>The Chronicle of Philanthropy</em> about Benjamin Jealous, the new president of the NAACP.  At 36, Jealous is the youngest person to have ever served as president of this historic and vital organization.  He completed his bachelor’s degree in political science at Columbia University in 1996 and a master’s degree in comparative social research at Oxford University in 1998.  As I look at his accomplishments, at the evidence of his values and commitments, and at his remarkable courage to accept the call to lead the NAACP at such a difficult economic moment in our history, I am reminded quickly of so many of our FTE Fellows who, like Jealous, have heeded the call to service with such courage.

We also learned today of the death of John Hope Franklin, a man whose intellect, wisdom and courage not only blazed trails for many but also led to the creation of the field of African American Studies.  His passing is one that will be grieved greatly by many throughout our nation and our world.  It is an important reminder that even now we must be attentive to the young women and men among us who will be the next John Hope Franklin.

When I think of Dwight Hopkins, I immediately think of his love of learning, but I cannot help to also remember his passion and willingness to stand up for what is right and good and just, whether in the classroom, in his community, or in the world.  When I think of Katie Cannon, I think of what her response to the call to theological scholarship—and her enormous contributions to the study of religion and ethics—must mean to young women finishing their dissertations and preparing to teach.  When I think about Brad Braxton, moving from a professorship at Vanderbilt Divinity School back into the parish as pastor of the Riverside Church in New York City, I delight in the awareness of that community’s rich history of prophetic preaching and ministry continuing in the hands of such a capable leader.

I think of these three leaders because they, together with a host of others, are FTE Fellows.

From its founding, FTE has demonstrated its commitment to excellence and diversity through support of the young people we come to know as our Fellows. Diversity, in all its forms, remains a core value in everything we do.  Success is seen in the numbers of FTE Doctoral and Ministry Fellows teaching in classrooms and leading congregations. But there is still much work to be done in identifying and supporting gifted and diverse students on the same path today.

Chances are if you know a gifted young pastor or theological educator, FTE might have helped them on their journey. That didn’t happen by accident, but by investment and intention. We can’t   take future gains for granted, either.

So is the next Dwight Hopkins, Katie Cannon, or Brad Braxton just across the congregation from you on a Sunday morning?  Have you told her or him that you see gifts for leadership in them, that you sense the presence of God in them, that you think they might just be called to service to the church?

Somebody noticed Benjamin Jealous.  Who have you noticed lately?