Student spotlight: A second chance at seminary

  1. Student spotlight: A second chance at seminary
  2. Student spotlight: Pay attention to the “bread crumbs”
  3. Student spotlight: Relationship leads to Union
  4. Student spotlight: The twisting path to seminary
  5. Student spotlight: Longtime educator yearns to learn more
  6. Student Spotlight: Dana Purdom digs deep
  7. Alec Powell: The Unconventional Call
  8. Kate Meeks: Theology & Food Justice
  9. Nancy Myer: Lifelong learning
  10. Senator Scott: Finding community and connection
  11. Colleen Earp: Camping, conservation, and chickens
  12. In “Reference” to Paula Skreslet
  13. Paul Smith: From police officer to pastor
  14. Heather Woodworth Brannon advocates for housing justice in Richmond

BY JEFF STAPLETON

You could say that first-year Master of Arts in Christian Education degree student Philip Adams has some unfinished business. Back in 1982, Adams entered the Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He was working on a Master of Divinity degree and was two years into the program when his wife realized they were having twins.

“At the time, she was suffering from post-partum depression and we decided to leave seminary in February of 1985 and went back to live with my mom and dad,” Adams said.

Fast forward more than three decades and a career in property management in between; Adams decided to go back to seminary and, this time, attend Union Presbyterian Seminary.

“I’ve always felt like that was an unfinished part of my life,” he said. “But with six children and the demands of full time work, it just wasn’t a possibility until now.”

His focus at seminary has changed over time as well. When Adams was attending seminary in Kentucky, he focused on child and family counseling in a church setting. Now, he’s looking to be a bridge between the church and the LGBTQ community.

“I think the church has failed that community,” said Adams, who has homosexuality in his own family. “I just feel like we haven’t addressed it properly.” He feels God is calling him to serve in that capacity.

The Louisville, Kentucky native attended Carson-Newman College, a Baptist liberal arts college located in Jefferson City, Tennessee and grew up in a Southern Baptist household. He graduated in May of 1980 with a double major in religion and psychology. He also completed two-and-a-half years toward a Master of Divinity in Social Work at Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.

Adams recently turned 60 and has no hesitation about going back to the classroom.

“I’m excited to be back in the academic world and I really look forward to what God will do because I wouldn’t have gotten to this point without His direction and guidance.”