Shaw University’s annual Minister’s Conference commenced on Thursday, April 7, 2022, with a series of lectures presented on campus by several renown scholar-practitioners within varied disciplines of theological education. Dr. Stacey Floyd-Thomas of Vanderbilt University was one of the featured presenters.
As a leading Christian social activist, Dr. Floyd-Thomas offered attendees a righteous remedy to counter the physiological and social diseases that our communities face. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright shared his genius and life’s work as he engaged seminarians and attendees. The Reverend Tellis Chapman preached a prophetic message that scripturally demonstrated the “Portrait of a Prophet” as the life of John the Baptist was illustrated as a model of ministry. Other presenters included Dr. Wayne Croft, Dr. Iva Carruthers, Dr. John W. Kinney, and Dr. Itihari Toure. Alumna, Reverend Donna Vanhook led Friday’s luncheon lecture on “A Practicum of Political Readiness and Activism for Churches.”
The culminating event for this year’s conference was the investiture and induction of the inaugural class for the Shaw University Divinity School Circle of Preachers and Advocates of Justice. The Circle of Preachers and Advocates for Justice honors women and men who have demonstrated a disciplined life of service as demonstrated in their vocational faith journey. The mission of Shaw University—of existing to advance liberative knowledge, enhance the spiritual and ethical values of humanity, and transform the global society into a “beloved community” by resisting oppression of every kind, is embodied in each inductee. This distinguished society transcends perceived institutional life as it recognizes contributions made in the greater world through the Christ-centered ministries of those who labor in fine arts, literature, music, education, public service, policy making, law, medicine, entertainment, finance, social justice advocacy, and preaching. The gala was held at the Sheraton Downtown in Raleigh, North Carolina.
This year’s inaugural class included: Dr. James D. Ballard, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Dr. Iva Carruthers, Dr. Stacey Floyd-Thomas, Dr. James Forbes, Dr. John W. Kinney, Dr. John Mendez, and Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright. The night was made more inspiring by the sermonic presentation of Dr. Angelo V. Chatmon and the musicality of Psalmist and Shaw University Divinity School Alumna, Reverend Chaurita Dawson-Herring.
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Editor’s Note: Permission is granted by Shaw University to publish or post this article and its related photos. Photo Credit: Johnathon Newkirk, J. Newkirk Photography.
Photo Caption: (from left) Shaw Divinity School’s Dr. Gregory Howard and Shaw President Dr. Paulette Dillard welcome inductees into the inaugural class of the Shaw University Divinity School Circle of Preachers and Advocates of Justice during the Annual Ministers’ Conference in April 2022.
