The NBTS Presidential Scholars Program

March 10, 2021

The Presidential Scholars Program has been created to strengthen and expand the work of the Seminary and the Office of the President. The goal of the program is to develop theological-based briefs for our social justice work. 

Each term, we will select a:

• Faculty/Professional Scholar who will receive a stipend of $ 7,000 per term., and a
• NBTS Doctor of Ministry Student Scholar who will receive a stipend of $ 6,000 per term.

Term # 1 runs from April 15 – August 15.
Term # 2 runs from October 15 – February 15.

The Presidential Scholars Program at NBTS has two foci:

1. Theology and Praxis, and 
2. Power and Privilege–Deconstructing Racism.

The Theology and Praxis Scholar:

• Write theological reflections on criminal and youth legal system, health, education, economics, and the environment. These reflections will include biblical and theological frameworks and historical analysis of the BIPOCs experiences.
• The work must use a theological, historical, and cultural frame such as Reformed, Process,  Liberation, or Womanist Theology to develop a prophetic response to BIPOC existential needs.

The Power and Privilege–Deconstructing Racism Scholar:

• Write theological reflections on strengthening our Antiracism focus; pedagogical innovations around Social Justice, Pastoral Care, Urban Metro Ministry, and Global Christianity.
• The work must be shaped around the 20+ years of antiracism work at NBTS; build on and enhance our Board of Trustees and Faculty Antiracism Statements; and refine and enhance the metaphor of NBTS as David, Racism as Goliath, and the Five NBTS Stones of Antiracism:
  • In Context: Biblical, Theological, Historical, and Missiological accuracy and contextualization;
  • Integration: Including and encompassing every aspect of our community (Board, Faculty, Students, Staff, and external community), systems, and structures;
  • Intersectionality: Exploring and uncovering the interconnected nature of race, gender, and class as they connect to individuals and systems;
  • Introspection: strongly committed to examining, processing, exploring, and observing every dynamic of power, privilege, disenfranchisement, and policy work; and
  • Industrious: Realizing that antiracism work is hard and takes creativity, investment, time, and commitment.

Each Scholar must produce two position papers and a five-page project per term.
Each Scholar is expected to spend 12 hours a week on the program.

To apply, please send a Letter of Interest and your CV to president@nbts.edu.