FACULTY updates

After Nearly Four Decades of Service Rev. Dr. R. Glenn

Wooden Retires

Dr. Stephen McMullin Retires from Acadia Divinity College

In June 2021, Rev. Dr. Glenn Wooden completed his tenure at Acadia Divinity College. Although formally retired, he has continued to serve parttime as the Payzant Associate Professor of Old Testament Studies and will do so until June 2023.

Glenn’s connection to ADC runs deep. In addition to earning both a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts (Theology) at Acadia, he has faithfully served the College community since 1986, initially as a lecturer in biblical languages. During his tenure, Glenn was the College Librarian, the Director of the Master of Arts (Theology) program as well as the liaison for several years to two affiliated colleges in Nigeria. He has engaged countless students as they learned the biblical languages, and explored history, exegesis, and application of the Bible. He provided students and community members with a rich educational experience by leading and co-leading six tours in Israel-Palestine, Turkey, and Greece. A biblical scholar, Glenn has published and lectured on the Book of Daniel and on the Septuagint version of the Hebrew Bible.

Glenn’s local church ministry experience includes serving as a youth worker in two churches in New Brunswick and pastoring three congregations in Nova Scotia. Currently, he is heavily involved in his local congregation, and he continues to guest preach at churches throughout the region.

“Glenn is an excellent teacher who does not shy away from introducing his students to challenging historical-critical discussions of the biblical text but does so with a pastoral concern for those he teaches and ultimately those to whom they will minister. I have learned so much from Glenn about the importance of caring for students and being cautious and judicious as a biblical scholar and historian.”

~ Dr. Matthew Walsh, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at ADC and Master of Divinity and Master of Arts (Theology) graduate.

In December 2022, Rev. Dr. Stephen McMullin completed his tenure at Acadia Divinity College. Steve faithfully served the College for 12 years, including two threeyear terms as Academic Dean. He also acted as the Director of ADC New Brunswick and occupied the Sheldon and Marjorie Fountain Chair of Evangelism and Mission.

With a heart for the local church, his academic research focused on evangelism, church renewal, and the presentation of the gospel in culturally informed and effective ways in an increasingly secular social environment. He has made significant contributions towards the church’s response to domestic violence, developing effective ways for churches and religious leaders to work with community resources to provide compassionate and practical help for victims.

“Dr. McMullin’s gentle way of engaging in a conversation and asking the right questions helped students produce thoughtful work. He encouraged me to think outside the box, and I still reflect on what I learned in his classes to help guide me in ministry today. His lectures gave me the insight to lead a healthy church as well as take that same information and understanding and apply it in my daytime workplace.”

~ Rev. Andrea Anderson, Master of Divinity graduate, Public Service Commissioner for the Government of Nova Scotia, and the Intentional Interim Pastor of East Preston United Baptist Church, NS.

During his nearly three decades of church ministry, Steve emphasized evangelism and mission, and the importance of community. Beyond his service at various churches across New Brunswick, Steve has contributed greatly to the life and mission of the College.

If you or someone you know have a story to share, you can contact us at 902-585-2223 or CALLEDTOSERVE@ACADIAU.CA

Faculty Updates

Dr. Lennett Anderson spoke at various events related to race and justice including the National Apology to No. 2 Construction Battalion and the CBAC Justice Summit. Lennett also co-facilitated the training program, Halifax Regional Police Journey to Change.

Dr. Spencer Boersma published “Reflections on Scripture and Tradition Towards a Constructive, Baptistic Grammar for Hell Language” in Perspectives in Religious Studies. He was invited by the NABPR to lecture as part of the 2022 College Theology Society conference entitled Why We Can’t Wait: Racism and the Church.

Called to Serve: Sharing the Stories of Ordained Baptist Women

Did you know that between 1954 and 2020, Atlantic Baptist churches ordained more than 80 women? These pioneering women overcame many challenges to follow the call of God on their lives. Yet their stories remain largely untold.

Rev. Dr. Melody Maxwell, Associate Professor of Christian History at ADC, has recently launched the oral history project Called to Serve featuring the stories of these women. Funded by a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the project involves interviewing as many ordained women as possible over the next several months.

“We hope that women and men can consider the obstacles and opportunities that these women have faced and be inspired to go further in their faith and ministry commitments as a result,” says Dr. Maxwell.

ADC students Taylor Adams and Hannah Roberts play a vital role as research assistants for Called to Serve. Along with Dr. Maxwell, they launched a podcast in January which features some of the interviews they have conducted. A new episode releases every Tuesday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and on the Called to Serve website, calledtoserve.ca . You can also follow Called to Serve on Facebook and Instagram @calledtoserveproject.

Dr. John McNally published “Journaling about Head, Heart, and Hands: A Vital Tool for Cultivating Formation” in Reflective Practice: Formation and Supervision in Ministry.

Dr. Anna Robbins was the keynote speaker for the 2022 CBWC Pastors & Spouses Conference, and the 2022 National Canadian Baptist Youth Ministry Invitational Forum on the theme Changing of the Church in the mid/post COVID world.

Dr. Matthew Walsh published “With God (and the Angels) on Our Side: A Comparison of Celestial Assistance in the War Scroll and 2 Maccabees” in the volume, The Dead Sea Scrolls in the Context of Hellenistic Judea.