Luminary: Barbara Holmes

Luminary: Barbara Holmes

Barbara A. Holmes, Ph.D., is the Vice President of Academic Affairs/Dean at Memphis Theological Seminary. Dr. Holmes' association with MTS began in 1998 when she was hired as a faculty member in the area of Ethics and African-American religious studies. "MTS is a school that cherishes its traditions, emphasizes service to God and community, and welcomes the opportunity to nurture the development of students as ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ," she said. "In our diverse urban setting, teaching is not a task that is isolated from the life journey; rather, our seminary offers opportunities to reflect upon essential issues of human life within the context of theological education."

Dr. Holmes felt a call to ministry at an early age, but initially pursued teaching and law. While she was working as a corporate lawyer for the J.C. Penney Corporation, she was ordained in the Latter Rain Apostolic Holiness Church in Dallas, Texas. She graduated with an M.Div. from Columbia Theological, a Presbyterian Church (USA) seminary. She interned for a summer with the Presbyterian Church of East Africa in Kenya and is now a member of the Disciples of Christ Church (Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church).

Regarding her responsibilities as Vice President of Academic Affairs/Dean, Dr Holmes commented, "My interest in this crucial administrative role at the seminary is grounded in a belief in servant leadership and in the ministry of empowerment. Leadership of this type focuses on mentoring, facilitating and enhancing the gifts of others. I will approach this opportunity for service with personal integrity, spiritual humility and respect for the institution and its denominational connection to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church."

Her education also includes a B.A. in sociology from the University of Connecticut, an M.S. in education from Southern Connecticut University, a J.D. from Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University with bar admissions in Georgia in 1984 and Florida in 1991, and a Ph.D. in Religion (Ethics) from Vanderbilt University. In addition to numerous papers and articles, Dr. Holmes has penned three books: Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church, Race and the Cosmos: An Invitation to View the World Differently, and A Private Woman in Public Spaces: Barbara Jordan's Speeches on Ethics, Public Religion and Law.