Central Seminary

Join us in welcoming Brad Darnell to Central as Vice President for Finance and Administration. Brad brings more than 28 years of executive leadership experience in financial management, organizational operations, and strategic planning across complex, multi-site organizations.

You can read more about Brad and his appointment here: https://www.cbts.edu/blog/central-seminary-announces-brad-darnell-as-vice-president-for-finance-and-administration/

Welcome to the Central Seminary community, Brad!

Did you know that a pivotal series of decisions in the mid-1950s reshaped Baptist theological education in Kansas City?

Historically aligned with the American Baptist tradition, Central Seminary maintained loose ties with—and received some financial support from—the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) prior to 1955. As discussions about the seminary's future intensified in the mid-1950s, Central sought a closer partnership between the two Baptist bodies.

On June 2, 1955, Central's Board of Directors adopted the following resolution: "The Southern Baptist Convention shall be asked to financially support the seminary jointly with the American Baptist Convention."

The SBC, however, envisioned a different future. In December 1955, the SBC's Committee on Theological Education proposed a plan under which the convention would effectively "take over" the seminary as a Southern Baptist institution, with Central withdrawing its affiliation with the American Baptist Convention.

Central's leadership declined the proposal. Instead, in May 1956, the Board of Directors formally declared that the seminary was "definitely and positively to be aligned with the American Baptist Convention." That decision firmly established Central's denominational identity and future direction.

Following this action, the Southern Baptist Convention withdrew its support from Central and proceeded with plans to establish a seminary fully owned and governed by the SBC. Those efforts culminated in 1957 with the founding of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City.

What began as a request for joint support ultimately led to the creation of two distinct paths for Baptist theological education in the region—one rooted in the American Baptist tradition and the other in the Southern Baptist Convention.

The decisions made between 1955 and 1957 remain a significant chapter in the history of Baptist life in Kansas City and across the Midwest.

Writer and creative strategist Deidra Riggs asks, "are people more alike than different, or more different than alike?"

You're invited to a a conversation where this question will be explored. In the session, participants will think about what it means to engage across real differences—cultural, experiential, theological, and personal—without losing ourselves or attempting to control one another.

June 30, 7:00 pm (CT)

Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/S0UjlgzzSa2qHJkKn4lUTw #/registration

We were excited to celebrating Central's 125th annivesary this week with campers (future seminarians) at the Mountain and Prairies Youth Conference at Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, Colorado!

On September 1, 1955, Dr. Fred E. Young joined the faculty of Central Seminary, beginning a remarkable 33-year legacy of teaching, scholarship, and service.

A distinguished Old Testament scholar, Dr. Young served as professor and dean, helping shape generations of students through his expertise in Hebrew studies and ancient languages. He contributed to the translation team of the original New American Standard Bible and faithfully served churches across Kansas as an interim pastor.

After retiring in 1988, Dr. Young gained international recognition for creating the Kansas Qumran Bibliographic Project, an ambitious effort to catalog virtually everything written about the Dead Sea Scrolls. His work remains an invaluable resource for biblical scholars around the world.

In this year of celebration of Central's 125th anniversary, we give thanks for scholars like Dr. Fred Young whose commitment to academic excellence, faithful ministry, and lifelong learning continues to inspire our community today.

Are people more alike than different, or more different than alike?

Join writer and creative strategist, Deidra Riggs, for a conversation where this question will be explored. In the session, participants will think about what it means to engage across real differences—cultural, experiential, theological, and personal—without losing ourselves or attempting to control one another.

June 30, 7:00 pm (CT)

Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/S0UjlgzzSa2qHJkKn4lUTw #/registration

Following the death of President Dana in May 1945, the Board of Directors elected Dr. William W. Adams (pictured) as the next President in September of that year. A recognized New Testament scholar and dynamic leader, Adams guided the Seminary through a period of growth and innovation. Under his leadership, the Department of Religious Education experienced significant expansion.

In 1948, to help meet the needs of this growing field of ministry, Dr. Jack B. Fellows was hired as Professor of Religious Education Administration. Dr. Fellows launched an ambitious program that emphasized radio ministry, dramatics, and church recreation—innovative areas of outreach and education for the time. President Adams recognized the opportunities ahead, writing, "There is a whole new continent to be conquered in this area."

In the 1940s, and 1950s, Central Seminary demonstrated a forward-looking spirit, expanding its educational programs and exploring new methods of ministry in a changing world—an adaptability that has continued to characterize the Seminary, as it remains responsive in its methods of teaching, program offerings, and curriculum design.

Church facilities are a hot topic of conversation for many congregations. Unused space, funding needed maintenance, updating technology, and more. It's a lot to think about and the Antioch Center at Central Seminary is here to help.

Join Jim Michel for a free zoom gathering where he will help participants rethink how we use our church spaces and facilities. Michel serves as a Building and Capital Services Advisor for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), where he partners with congregations on building assessment, capital planning, fundraising, and financial strategy.

June 4, 2026 7:00 pm (CT), Virtual

Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/I6pJRvcaQeavCqdhGO1kFg

In the 1940s, the seminary operated an “Extension Center” ministry that brought theological education directly to churches and small communities across Missouri and Kansas. One of these schools, the Kansas City Baptist Bible School, met every Tuesday night for 30 weeks at Bales Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri (pictured). Two seminary professors taught each evening and were paid $1 per night. The program was designed for “preachers who could not attend the seminary and lay people who wanted to increase their efficiency.” Alvin G. Hause served as dean of the school, and Esther Haler was secretary.

Extension centers rotated locations from year to year, including Monett, Marble Hill, and Charleston, Missouri, as well as Iola, Kansas. These schools helped provide theological education to people who otherwise had little access to formal training.

One remarkable detail from the 1946 reports is that both African Americans and whites enrolled in the program — something historically significant in the Midwest during that era.

The vision behind the Extension Center was captured in this statement: “With hundreds in this vast area needing to be trained and unable to attend any school, it would be little short of a tragedy, if Central didn’t make provision to help them.”

Making theological education accessible, local, affordable, and community-centered is embedded deeply into Central's DNA!