STUDENT HIGHLIGHT Carlos Smith

M E E T C A R L O S SMITH

It was the third Ph.D. seminar in my doctoral journey, and I walked into the room greeted by boisterous laughter. The source of audible joy was a fellow student whom I had yet to meet. I found out, as we traversed the seminar in Christology and Anthropology, the student was fellow doctoral student, Carlos Smith. It took me, and the rest of the class, about 10 seconds to fall in love with Carlos’s joyful and loving personality. However, we all quickly became impressed with more than just his contagious joy when he began to describe and read his research. Working on the theological and ecclesial implications of mental disabilities, Carlos presented his plans for what is undeniably needed scholarship. We had the privilege to sit down with him for an interview for our Student Highlight.—Ronni Kurtz, Chief Editor

RONNI KURTZ Carlos, first of all, thanks for taking the time to participate in this Student Highlight. Let’s start with a bit of background: where are you in your studies at Midwestern, and where do you currently serve in ministry?

CARLOS SMITH Ronni, thank you so much for the opportunity to share. It’s a great honor. I am approaching the writing phase of my doctoral studies at MBTS. I only have Dissertation Seminar remaining and am currently working on theological German. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I am excited to be so close to writing.

As far as ministry, I currently serve as the lead pastor of The Journey Hanley Road in University City, Mo. The Journey is a multisite congregation comprised of five

churches across the St. Louis metro area. My congregation is in the shadow of Washington University and is situated in one of the most diverse cross sections of St. Louis. It’s a really cool place to serve!

RK As mentioned in the introduction, you are aiming your dissertation at dealing with matters of mental disability. How did this become a passion for you?

CS People with mental disabilities have always been a part of my life. I have a cousin, named Jason, who has cognitive disabilities and Cerebral Palsy. He is very dear to me. Also, during college, I worked for EasterSeals of Northeast Indiana as a residential trainer for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities. I loved that job deeply because the goal was to serve individuals with disabilities by helping them integrate into their communities and to maximize their God-given potential. It was truly a joy!

While all of these connections to people with disabilities were impactful for me, my passion in this area emerged from my firstborn son, Carlton’s, Autism diagnosis. It rocked my world. I began to wrestle with questions of soteriology, ecclesiology, and discipleship. A plethora of questions raced through my mind: “What does a credible profession of faith look like for a child with Autism?” “Will he ever be baptized?” “Will he ever be a member of a local church body?” “What will sanctification look like for him?” As I wrestled with these questions and searched for resources, I found there were precious few. That is when I realized this was an area where deep and sustained theological reflection was needed within the church. RK You’re a Ph.D. student, but you also serve as a lead pastor. How have your Ph.D. studies aided you in pastoral ministry? CS My Ph.D. studies have deepened my well of understanding, particularly in the areas of biblical and systematic theology. The readings and seminars that I have had at Midwestern have helped me see the themes and leitmotifs that link Scripture together into a cohesive whole. For example, the seminar that you and I had together, Advanced Systematic Theology, focused on Anthropology and Christology. If you had pressed me in the past about a connection between those two systematic categories, I would have had something to say. However, through spending focused energy on these categories and taking time to read some of the greatest theologians on these topics, then attending a seminar led by theological heavyweights such as Matthew Barrett and Owen Strachan, my understanding was sharpened immensely. What were once small threads in my mind became golden chains, linking these categories together throughout the Scriptures. And all of this comes out in preaching! Now, in my preaching, I am able to make connections for the people of God to help them better understand and apply the whole counsel of God to their lives. RK Final question: this issue of the Midwestern Magazine is about the vision of our institution to be For the Church. Why is that vision important to you? CS The vision is the very reason I came to Midwestern. For me, it set Midwestern apart from every other institution that I considered. The reason this vision continues to resonate so deeply for me is because it is the vision that I believe that the Lord has given me for my own life. I am committed to the local church. I have been taught, shaped, and molded by the local church, and as a pastor, I believe the Lord has called me to dedicate my life to her health and strength. So, when I found an institution that could intentionally train me as a pastor/scholar for the Bride of Christ, I said, “Sign me up!” I believe servants of the Lord who have been called to give their lives for the church will continue to fill this school in droves because of this vision. My Ph.D. studies have deepened my well of understanding, particularly in the areas of biblical and systematic theology.