37? /V8/J THE EDUCATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF DR. W. A. CRISWELL, PASTOR OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, DALLAS, TEXAS, 1944-1987 DISSERTATION Presented to the Graduate Council of the University of North Texas in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY By Robert A. Rohm, A.A., B.A., M.S., Th.M. Denton, Texas August, 1988 Rohm, Robert A., The Educational Contributions of Dr. W. A. Criswell. Pastor of the First Baptist Church. Dallas. Texas. 1944-1987. Doctor of Philosophy (Higher Education Administration), August, 1988, 188 pp., 3 tables, bibliography, 47 titles. Dr. W. A. Criswell is the well known pastor of the twenty-seven thousand member historic First Baptist Church in downtown Dallas, Texas. He has held the position for the past forty-three years. Until now no one has attempted an in-depth study of Criswell's educational contributions to the First Baptist Church (which have also been adopted into the Southern Baptist denomination, America's largest Protestant religious organization). Although Criswell has been the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas for many years, this was by no means his introduction to the pastorate. In 1928 he was ordained as a seventeen year old minister of the gospel in Amarillo, Texas. He has been a pastor for over sixty years. Criswell has made a lasting impact on the church staff, school staff (Criswell College and First Baptist Academy), students in those schools, the Southern Baptist denomination and also the city of Dallas. He has been one of the key figures in evangelical national movements. Presidents, Vice- Presidents, Senators, and Governors are no strangers to a Sunday morning service held in the large sanctuary in downtown Dallas. Much of the research for this project originated from the Oral Memoirs of W. A. Criswell. a program for oral history done by two professors (Charlton and Spain) from Baylor University. The study begins with a historical review of the setting of the First Baptist Church in 1944 when Criswell came to be pastor. Next there is a review of Criswell's early life that reveal influences which molded his educational philosophies. The body of knowledge is then presented which points out significant events, contributions, institutions and associations provided by Criswell. Finally, seventeen conclusions are drawn from the data presented. The study provides helpful information to pastors, church administrators, seminary students, theological professors and other individuals involved in education and administration. Copyright by Robert Allan Rohm 1988 111 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I want to thank my wife Donna for being my faithful friend and co- worker throughout graduate school and dissertation studies. She has typed proofread, retyped, added, deleted and made helpful suggestions throughout this project. Her price is "far above rubies" (Proverbs 31:10). My four daughters, Rachael, Esther, Elizabeth and Susanna, have come to dislike the word "dissertation," but still love their daddy. I am grateful for such a sweet group of girls. Each one is precious to me. I want to express my gratitude to my mother who went through some difficult days while I was in graduate school. The loss of her spouse, my father, along with physical problems, including surgery, did not stop her from always encouraging me to continue academic pursuits over the years. I want to express my sincere appreciation to my co-workers at First Baptist Church, for encouragement and giving me helpful tips along the way. Dr. Grace Wilson, librarian assistant, has a great memory for details. I want to thank Mrs. Toxie White for long, tedious hours of tape transcription. She listened to many of W. A. Criswell's selected sermons and copied them word-for-word for review. What a labor of love! Also, special thanks to Regan Smith for similar work in tape transcription. Finally, I want to thank my sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Dottie Bailey, for being the best English teacher in the world. She taught me to love literature, grammar, and writing even when I was not interested. I can still hear her now, "Robert Rohm, you are going to leam this if it kills you and me both!" It almost did. God bless good school teachers. iv PREFACE The study focuses primarily on Dr. Criswell and secondarily on the First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas. Criswell has been the pastor of the First Baptist Church, Dallas, since October, 1944. The church has undergone many changes during his tenure. Without him, however, these changes would have never occurred. The study is organized around significant events, institutions, associations and contributions rather than any arbitrary chronology. In 1944 the First Baptist Church of Dallas had been catapulted into national prominence by its pastor Dr. George W. Truett. W. A. Criswell was virtually unknown. Although he had served in several pastorates, they were all in less well-known churches. He had held no special position of prominence. Today, however, Criswell is more famous than the church that once called him as pastor. What brought about this transformation? Those events and more are discussed in this dissertation. Finally it should be pointed out that this writer has been in a unique position to approach the topic. As a staff member of First Baptist Church, Dallas, and assistant to Criswell, this researcher has had the opportunity to observe first hand many of the results of Criswell's educational philosophies. One can read about Criswell and his accomplishments by the hour yet miss the influence, power, and majesty of the man. He is a scholar, par excellence, yet despite his great learning, he uses childlike simplicity when dealing with people. He is a fiery prophet, bold as a lion, yet weeps compassionately for the souls of men. He is a denominational leader, yet owes his soul to no man or denomination. These characteristics and others can be studied in books but they are better discerned in person on a daily basis. Observing Criswell personally also afforded the opportunity not to be overly biased. Even great men have feet of clay and stumble along life's path. Therefore, an honest and accurate appraisal has had a better chance to be produced. To accurately state Criswell's educational philosophy and discuss his contribution to the educational programming of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, necessitates some historical review. First, there is a review of the setting of the First Baptist Church in 1944 when Criswell came to be the pastor. This is necessary to understand the climate of the church at the time and the seemingly impossible task Criswell accepted. There is then a review of Criswell's early life which reveals some of the background influences that have molded his educational philosophy. Accurate history can only be repeated so many times before it becomes mundane. Dates, places and events do not change, but their significance does. It is hoped that the historical information makes the body of knowledge which is presented more interesting. Next there is the body of knowledge upon which the study VI and research is directed, namely, the significant events, contributions, institutions, and associations Criswell has provided or implemented. Finally, there are conclusions drawn about the man and the lasting effects of his influence. It is hoped that the reader will also find the appendices that follow the final chapter helpful. Vll TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES xi Chapter I. INTRODUCTION 1 Statement of the Problem Significance of the Study Purpose of the Study Questions for the Study Background of the Study Summary Methodology II. THE SETTING OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, DALLAS, 1944 18 The Climate of the Church The Recommendations Regarding W. A. Criswell The Dream The Trip to Dallas The Call Extended to Criswell Criswell's Acceptance III. THE MAN, W. A. CRISWELL 32 Early Years Criswell's Education Criswell's Pastorates as a Student Pastoring in Chickasha Pastoring in Muskogee IV. THE MOVE TO DALLAS 54 Vlll V. THE EDUCATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS 67 Building Programs Preaching and Growing Round-Up Family Camp Revival Days Stewardship Further Expansion Nursery Day School Pre-Easter Services "Spurgeon" Harris Building President, Southern Baptist Convention First Baptist Academy Criswell College School of the Prophets Praise Service Outreach VI. SUMMARY, DISCUSSION 107 Review and Summary of Criswell's Educational Philosophy and Contributions Conclusions APPENDICES A. Revival for the Soul (The Politics of Armageddon) 125 B. First Baptist Church Statistics 1944-1987 134 C. First Baptist Church, Dallas Graded Sunday School Program 137 D. First Baptist Church, Dallas, Bible Division 140 E. The Southern Baptist Holv War. Book review by W. A. Criswell, Ph. D 142 IX F. Annotated Bibliography of the Works of W. A. Criswell 149 G. Joining the Church by W. A. Criswell 162 H. Missions of First Baptist Church, Dallas 174 I. God's Servant, The Forty Years That Began With Prayer 177 BIBLIOGRAPHY 185 LIST OF TABLES Table Page I. The Educational Programming Structure of George W. Truett 59 II. The Educational Programming Structure of W. A. Criswell 61 III. Concentric Zones of Ministries at the First Baptist Church, Dallas 63 XI CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION This study explored the educational contributions of Dr. W. A. Criswell, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas. It focused on Criswell's philosophy of ministry with special attention given to his educational contributions. Dr. W. A. Criswell is the well known pastor of the historic First Baptist Church in downtown Dallas, Texas. He has held the position for the past forty-three years. Until now no one has attempted an in-depth study of Dr. Criswell's educational contributions to the First Baptist Church (as well as the entire Southern Baptist Denomination, America's largest Protestant religious body).