Fall 2003 The Newsletter of Interdenominational Theological Center ITC’s 7th President Michael Anthony Battle: A Servant Leader with Knowledge and Vision hen the Board of Trustees coined its first announcement on Dr. Michael A. Battle’s selection as the 7th president of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), the description, at first blush, would seem almost too good to be true. ITC search committee chair, Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, phrased it in this manner, “Michael Battle is a the- ologically trained educator, a managerial genius, a strategic planner, a compassionate servant leader, a demonstrated fund-raiser, a proven ecumenical innovator, and a preacher who addresses the needs of the 21st century. He will give ITC conscientious and dedicated lead¬ ership in theological education.” Further, Dr. Hoyt said, “Dr. Battle is ‘the right fit.’ ” And, in the first few weeks on the ITC campus, upon each encounter with faculty, staff, and students there was an ambiance of overwhelming consensus. The search committee had chosen a man with knowledge and vision. The 53-year-old native of St. Louis, Missouri spent his early years growing up in Virginia. His educational pursuits began with earning the bachelor’s degree in religion from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, followed by the master of divinity from Duke University, Dr. Michael A. Battle Continued, on page 2 Black Women in Church and Message from ITC’s 7th President The Lantern is a publication of Interdenominational Society’s Womanist Scholars Theological Center Program: A Ministry of Message from The Office of 700 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.. S.W. Atlanta, Georgia 30314 t * iTc. u . .TIOML IfvTeftl Institutional Advancement Telephone (404) 527-7700 THK-CaeM. Scholarship: Facsimile Center Equipping The Saints (404) 527-0901 X henever a question is posed The Lantern, Fall 2003 Dr. Charles Copher Passes Editor: Jane Jones \ \ / about the accomplishments and Contributor: Dallas Terrell Rev. Dr. Diggs Receives Award V V contributions of Black women in the church and community, one should Interdenominational Theological Center is accredit¬ Womanist Scholars ed consider the work Black Women in Program by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Church and Society (BWCS) is doing at Southern Lane. Decatur. GA 30033-4097; 404- Faculty Publications 679-4501) and by The Association of Theological the Interdenominational Theological Schools (10 Summit Park Drive, Pittsburgh, PA Center (ITC). BWCS is 15275-1103; 412-788-6505) to award the follow¬ approaching its ing degrees. 22nd year in a Journal of The ITC of work facilitating proactive * Master of Divinity (M.Div.) * ministry of scholarship and praxis, which Master of Arts in Christian Education (M.A.C.E.) * Youth Master of Arts in Church Music (M.A.C.M.) fosters inclusion and full Hope-Builders Academy * participation in Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) * the church, the academy, and the larger Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) society. The ministry of scholarship takes Alunni Notes The D.Min. and Th.D. degrees are offered through the traditional meaning of ministry to cooperation with the Atlanta Theological Association. another dimension and emphasizes the Gifts from Friends and Colleagues need for critical, corrective, and construe- Continued on (xtge 7 The Lantern Fall 2003 MESSAGE FROM MICHAEL A. BATTLE ITC’s 7th President, cont’d and the doctor of ministry degree service as a chaplain in the United serve as the 7th President of the from Howard University. His educa¬ States Army, Dr. Battle was known for I amInterdenominationaldeeply honored toTheologicalhave the richCenteropportunity(ITC). Theto tional career took him to Hampton his work across denominations and for ITC an is example of the practical application of the University and Virginia State his ability to supervise chaplains repre¬ philosophical question of the coexistence of unity and senting the entire religious diversity diversity in context. Comprised of six constituent semi¬ within the The need for the Army, and to engage and naries, representing six distinct denominational per¬ encourage inter-religious participation. church to re-emerge as spectives, ITC is intentionally ecumenical. Students He retired as a lieutenant colonel in the from these six denominations, as well as students from catalyst for social 1997. transformation. various other denominational backgrounds, worship Bishop John Bryant, Chair of the together, take classes together, and serve in the collec¬ Board of Trustees states, “I have tive Student Christian League together. University before going to Chicago known Dr. Battle and his work in Having led for twenty-one years the Hampton State University as vice president for ministerial education for twenty years; University Ministers’ Conference, another great exam¬ student affairs. He hid Chicago adieu and 1 believe we have a man of prin¬ ple of ecumenism, I am dedicated to the proposition and arrived on the ITC campus in mid- ciple, commitment, passion, and that interdenominational cooperation is “the model” for August, equipped and ready to assume administrative acumen to lead our the church as the church seeks practical methods to the presidency of the world’s most institution. We welcome him enthu¬ respond to the call of the gospel that we preach the unique theological community—the siastically and celebrate his appoint¬ acceptable year of the Lord. We must address the social, ITC. ment.” Bishop Bryant would soon he economic, political, psychological, and practical factors There is still much more to be joined by a choir of affirmations with faced by the poor, the broken hearted, the captives, the said of what makes Michael Battle the the arrival of the new president on blind and those who are bruised. The church must be an president “for such a time as this.” A campus. A Chicago State University agent of social transformation. In our proclamation of the pivotal point is, at his last post, campus reporter called to inquire good news about salvation, we embrace the God of Chicago State University, he served holistic liberation. We are bold enough to assert that with authority over 1100 students and when Christ sets us free to be saved, God also sets us a number of administrative areas, The need for faith- free to be whole persons. The gospel of salvation and including the oversight of some $25 based organizations to liberation is so large an enterprise that it transcends million in construction projects. Dr. re-establish themselves both the location as well as the limits of denominational Battle has earned a distinguished rep¬ as dispensaries of social capacity. Ecumenism, defined in terms of this interde¬ utation over the past 27 years as a fis¬ service. He explains, nominational cooperation, gives expanded capacity to cally prudent manager, an able “Too long have we been each of our distinctive denominations and to all of us as administrator and organizer, a creator collective members of the Body of Christ. of ministerial and theological educa¬ dependent on civic organizations gov¬ God’s commitment to us is that God will continue to tional programs, and a published and ernmental structure to do great things in, with and through us. ITC is one of the writer on the African-American apples of God’s eye. It is a place set aside to God’s pur¬ church. He has a strong background provide for the needs of pose. Our collective task is to be the people of God in ecumenical theological education our families.” engaged in leadership development, academic disci¬ with an emphasis on interdenomina¬ pline, and spiritual depth. My prayer is that God will use tional cooperation, as evidenced by his us as instruments of revival, renewal, and reconciliation. successful management of the about the appointment and said of In the next newsletter, I will share with you the Hampton University Ministers’ ITC’s acquisition of Dr. Battle as pres¬ strategic initiative being developed to chart the course for Conference, the nation’s largest inter¬ ident," I envy you—he’s such a good ITC. We are engaged in an intense review of our aca¬ denominational conference among man.” A Hampton University gradu¬ demic programs, the delivery of student services, the African-American Clergy. During his ate recalled: “Dr. Battle was my chap¬ enrollment management process, our fiscal realities, the administration the conference grew lain and through him I discovered need for institutional advancement and our collective from fewer than 1000 members to what tme worship and relationship understanding of the ITC ethos. I look forward to provid¬ over 8500 members. The financial with God are about.” ing an update on this intense review of the strategic plan. benefit to the university grew from Dr. Battle’s comments in his first about fifty thousand dollars annually ITC Chapel appearance on With Best Regards, to over one million dollars annually. September 2, 2003 further validated The conference also provided the uni¬ his reputation. With six minutes until versity over two million dollars in the end of the chapel hour, he shared Dr. Michael A. Battle capital for the construction of the uni¬ his heart and vision for the ITC, and President versity convocation center. During his Continued on next page ❖ The Lantern Fall 2003 heads of households.” • Tire call “to he true to God’s commis¬ sion. We must find a way to intention¬ ally build confidence and self-sufficien¬ cy among African-American families, and that must start with the issue of the absence of the African-American male.” • The need for church leaders to address social concerns from a solid biblical foundation. President Battle says, “ITC must provide leaders with knowledge and skills to understand and interpret these needs and concerns in such a way that we are able to address the factors October 2003 Board Meeting: (Lr) Dr.