Carolyn Blevins--trailblazer.
Weaver, Doug
Back in the early 1980s, when some of us younger folk were entering
into the world of PhDs and Baptist history, there were really only a
couple of women working as Baptist historians in the South.
Rosalie Beck had just begun at Baylor University (1984), and
Carolyn Blevins was established at Carson Newman College (1976). Both
have been influential mentors of a host of Baptist women (and men!). In
this Festschrift we are honoring Carolyn Blevins for her work as a
Baptist historian.
I have fond memories of getting to know Carolyn better when we were
both charter members of Buddy Shurden's Baptist historian reading
group that met each year in Macon at Mercer University and at
Buddy's house. Carolyn's wisdom, humor, and commitment to
training women for their God-called place in the life and pastoral
ministry of the church have been, and continue to be, inspirational.
Carolyn Blevins is one of the trailblazers of Baptist women in
ministry among Baptists in the South. Her writings have been prophetic
and have spoken to academics and to persons in the pews of the church.
Many academics can't do that, and some have failed to try.
Carolyn's presence has been a model of equality and a sign of
things to come--and from the contributors in the volume, a sign of
things that are here--and that will continue to grow because of the
mentorship of leaders such as Carolyn.
One of the most significant defining differences today among
Baptists is "how do you respond, really respond" to women in
all areas of ministerial leadership. Will you support, really support,
women in ministry by word and deed? Carolyn asked us this question early
on. The glass ceiling breaks hard, tragically way too hard, but Carolyn
helped lead the way among us.
Have no hesitation to declare that Carolyn Blevins--by her word,
deed, mentoring, and modeling--is a major contributor to Baptist
identity as it is being rediscovered in recent years as inclusive,
equal, a community of priests/believers. Carolyn's understanding of
Baptist DNA has been that we all are called, each and every one of us
follows conscience, and we must be willing to dissent to follow Jesus
Christ as Lord of the conscience (especially against alleged orthodoxy
that says women are wrong when they testify to a personal calling in the
same heartfelt/ personal conviction as a male who hears a call to
ministry).
Carolyn's work in the formation of ministers also testifies
that each of us who is called is part of the larger body of the church
and its calling to the whole world. I love E. Y. Mullins' language
here that says we are impelled by the Spirit into the body of Christ.
Carolyn's Spirit-sensitive word impels us to continue this journey.
The addition of Carolyn Blevins as a Festschrift recipient, I
believe, is another sign that our decision at the Baptist History and
Heritage Society to have an annual Festschrift issue of the journal is a
sterling success. Leon McBeth, Wayne Flynt, Bill Pitts, Walter Shurden,
and now Carolyn Blevins: all historians who love Baptists, yet are not
afraid to point out their many frailties. If we are developing a cloud
of witnesses--most of whom are still mentoring--that makes us feel good.
It challenges us to be better, to embody Baptist freedom and
responsibility, to declare Baptist conscience and inclusiveness, to be
part of the larger body of Christ. Let it be!
Doug Weaver
Festschrift and Miscellaneous Issue Editor
Doug Weaver is professor of religion at Baylor University.
