New President Named for BMA Seminary

The Board of Trustees has named Dr. Philip Attebery as the next president of the BMA Seminary. During their regular semi-annual meeting on Thursday, Sept. 26, the board unanimously voted to name Dr. Philip Attebery, current vice-president and interim president, the next president of the BMA Theological Seminary, effective immediately.

The Presidential Search Committee (composed of Dr. Clif Johnson, Larry Geraldson, David Cook, Michael Battenfield, Dr. Gary O’Neal and Dr. David Hellwig) requested applications from April 18 until the beginning of August.

On Sept. 16, the search committee met with Dr. Attebery for an interview for the position. BMA Seminary has a long history of strong presidential leadership, the most recent being Dr. Charley Holmes, who resigned this past spring. The interview consisted of conversations that explored Dr. Attebery’s personal life and devotion to the faith, theological stances, administrative priorities, financial strategies and seminary goals. After two hours, the committee unanimously and eagerly voted to recommend Dr. Attebery to the full board for consideration for the presidency.

The full board met over two days to handle regular seminary business, including the vote to set Dr. Attebery as the new president of the seminary.

Dr. Philip Attebery has served the seminary as vice president/dean since 2000 and has been a professor of Church Ministries and Christian Education since 1995. He holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from Dallas Baptist University, a D.Min in Pastoral Ministry/Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and an M.Div from BMA Theological Seminary.