George W. Truett Theological Seminary is a

Baptist Baptists form a major branch of Protestantism distinguished by baptizing professing Christian believers only (believer's baptism), and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches also generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul compete ...

theological seminary A seminary, school of theology, theological seminary, or divinity school is an educational institution for educating students (sometimes called ''seminarians'') in scripture, theology, generally to prepare them for ordination to serve as clergy, ...

Waco, Texas Waco ( ) is the county seat of McLennan County, Texas, United States. It is situated along the Brazos River and I-35, halfway between Dallas and Austin. The city had a 2020 population of 138,486, making it the 22nd-most populous city in the ...

. The seminary, named after

Southern Baptist The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is a Christian denomination based in the United States. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination, and the largest Protestant and second-largest Christian denomination in the United States. The word ...

preacher

George Washington Truett George Washington Truett, also known as George W. Truett (May 6, 1867 – July 7, 1944), was an American clergyman who was the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas, from 1897 until 1944, and the president of the Southern Bap ...

, was founded in 1993 as part of

Baylor University Baylor University is a private Baptist Christian research university in Waco, Texas. Baylor was chartered in 1845 by the last Congress of the Republic of Texas. Baylor is the oldest continuously operating university in Texas and one of the fir ...

and is affiliated with the

Baptist General Convention of Texas The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) is the oldest surviving Baptist convention in the state of Texas. It is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and the Baptist World Alliance. In 2009, the BGCT began to also go by the name ...

History

On July 24, 1990, the

Board of Trustees officially reserved with the Secretary of State of Texas the name “George W. Truett Theological Seminary,” in the event the board decided sometime in the future to create a

seminary A seminary, school of theology, theological seminary, or divinity school is an educational institution for educating students (sometimes called ''seminarians'') in scripture, theology, generally to prepare them for ordination to serve as clergy, ...

. On March 2, 1991, the George W. Truett Theological Seminary was chartered and a fifteen-member Board of Trustees was named by the University's Board of Regents to investigate the feasibility of operating a seminary. (On September 21, 1990, the University Trustees had changed Baylor's charter in order to have greater freedom in the selection of the University's governing board. By this action the University Trustees became Regents.) An organizational meeting of Seminary Trustees was held on July 18, 1991, at which time officers were elected and a statement of purpose was developed. A joint meeting with the Seminary Trustees and Board of Regents was held on January 17, 1992, and further investigation and discussion was authorized. On May 21, 1993, the Board of Regents approved the opening of George W. Truett Theological Seminary with the beginning of the 1994–95 academic year. In 1994 conservative leaders were in control of the

Southern Baptist Convention The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is a Christian denomination based in the United States. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination, and the largest Protestant and second-largest Christian denomination in the United States. The wor ...

. Seminary faculty at

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is a Baptist theological institute in Fort Worth, Texas. It is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. It was established in 1908 and is one of the largest seminaries in the world. It i ...

and other SBC seminaries were being required to sign documents indicating agreement with Scriptural inerrancy. The Board of Regents and Trustees were able to avoid this requirement at Truett. Truett Seminary was and is more accepting of moderate theology. At the May 21, 1993 meeting the Regents voted to accept the offer of First Baptist Church, Waco, to house the Seminary on the second floor of the church's B.H. Carroll Education Building for the first years of its operation. Space was designated for the exclusive use of Truett Seminary for administrative and faculty offices. Classrooms and other areas were specified for the joint use of the Seminary and First Baptist Church. Reminiscent of earlier years of theological education at Baylor, when classes for ministers were held by Rev.

Benajah Harvey Carroll Benajah Harvey Carroll, known as B. H. Carroll (December 27, 1843 – November 11, 1914), was a Baptist pastor, theologian, teacher, and author. Biography Carroll was born near Carrollton in Carroll County in north central Mississippi, one of ...

(B.H. Carroll), then pastor of First Baptist Church, in his study, Truett Seminary opened offices in the Carroll Education Building on August 1, 1993. Faculty offices were added in July 1994. The opening convocation service was held on August 28, 1994, with 51 students registered. The Truett Seminary inaugural class graduated from

in May 1997. Construction of the seminary on Baylor University's campus began in late 2001. It is located in the northwestern corner of Baylor's main Waco campus, seconds from Interstate 35. The building features three stories of classrooms, a courtyard, and the Paul Powell chapel. Classes began in the John Baugh campus of George W. Truett Seminary in January 2002. Starting in May 2006, the Seminary started their own graduation ceremonies, rather than participating in larger general

graduation ceremonies.

Notable people

* Robert B. Sloan, first dean (1994-1995) * J. Bradley Creed, second dean (1996-2000) * Paul Powell, third dean (2001-2007) *

David E. Garland David E. Garland (born September 24, 1947) served as the interim president of Baylor University in Waco, Texas. His term began in June 2016 amid the Baylor sexual assault scandal and resignation of former president Ken Starr. Garland's term concl ...

, fourth dean (2007-2015) *

Roger E. Olson Roger Eugene Olson (born 1952) is an American Baptist theologian and Professor of Christian Theology of Ethics at the Baylor University. Biography Personal life Olson was born on February 2, 1952, in Des Moines, Iowa. He is married and he and ...

, Professor of Theology and Foy Valentine Professor of Christian Theology and Ethics *

Jimmy Dorrell Jimmy Dorrell is Executive Director of Mission Waco in Waco, TX and pastor of Church Under the Bridge. Dorrell is also a part-time professor at Baylor University and George W. Truett Theological Seminary and has authored three books. Early life an ...

, Executive Director of Mission Waco, pastor of Church Under the Bridge, and Adjunct Professor at Truett SeminaryGeorge W. Truett Theological Seminary - Jimmy Dorrell, D.Min.
/ref> *

Kyle Lake Kyle Lake (June 12, 1972 – October 30, 2005) was an American Baptist pastor and author. He was pastor of University Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, until his death in 2005. He was considered part of the Emerging church movement. Biography Jeffe ...

(M.Div. 1997),

pastor of University Baptist Church in

References

External links

* {{Authority control 1991 establishments in Texas Baylor University colleges and schools Buildings and structures in Waco, Texas Education in Waco, Texas Educational institutions established in 1991 Evangelicalism in Texas Seminaries and theological colleges in Texas Universities and colleges affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas Baptist seminaries and theological colleges in the United States