NBTS Awards Tenure and Promotion to Dr. Raynard Smith

September 1, 2014

On Friday, April 25, 2014, New Brunswick Theological Seminary proudly announced the promotion of Dr. Raynard Smith to the position of Associate Professor of Pastoral Care. This action comes after a unanimous decision by the Board of Trustees in its spring meeting. Dr. Smith has served as assistant professor at the Seminary since July 2007.

“I am delighted that Dr. Smith moves now into a tenured role in our faculty. He is perceived by so many of us as an excellent teacher, a careful scholar, a caring colleague, and a faithful model of his discipline, pastoral care and counseling,” said President Mast. “Dr. Smiths contributions have been vitally important in establishing the Seminary community as a caring and creative place.”

Students and colleagues have observed that Dr. Smith has given priority to his teaching, committee assignments, NBTSs Anti-Racism Transformation Team and working on his publications. “Dr. Smith always goes the extra mile to help students find their voice through nurturing their creativity and personal narrative,” said Dean Ashley.

Dr. Smith Observed: “It is always a gratifying experience to be affirmed by ones students, faculty colleagues, staff and administration. I feel blessed to be a part of New Brunswick Theological Seminarys faculty where I can contribute to the upbuilding of Gods Kingdom through the ministry of teaching- training men and women for service in the Christian Church. I look forward to many more years of teaching and scholarship.”

Recently, Dr. Smith has been instrumental in the creation of a new D. Min in Pastoral Care and Counseling that will be starting in the Fall of 2014. This three-year program immerses students in a multi-faith, multi-cultural environment that addresses pastoral care and counseling, social action, urban ministry and public health issues. “We are living in stress-filled times which directly impacts people’s quality of life. This places high demands upon clergy who, as the research suggests, are usually approached first by members of their congregations seeking answers and relief,” explained Dr. Smith. “The D.Min. in Pastoral Care & Counseling program will equip clergy with an advanced skill set that will give them confidence in addressing the challenges that people struggling with a variety of stressors in their lives may bring to them.”