Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Out with the Good at Baylor....
I was shocked to see that Baylor has apparently pushed Jon Singletary, the Dean of the School of Social Work, from his post, effective October 15. Baylor is making it seem like a willing resignation, but that claim is being greeted skeptically. Here is how Baptist News Global described it:
This fall, Baylor forced the ouster of the dean of its social work school that bears Garland’s name, Jon Singletary, for accepting a grant to fund a study that might — might — support compassionate relationships between churches and LGBTQ people and women.
This much I know: people who voluntarily step down don't usually do that in the middle of a term. Baylor's Provost, Nancy Brickhouse, said that Singletary wanted to "dedicate more time to his family." As one does, halfway through a semester. Mmmm Hmmmm.
Jon Singletary was beloved at the school of Social Work and around Baylor for his tireless work that was always focused on the least of those among us-- a truly Christian mission. He is one of the people in Waco I most admire.
There are a lot of stupid decisions being made by people in power right now, it seems.
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This news is distressing. Jon is a respected academician and administrator. He also was the exactly right person to continue the high standards and leadership of the previous dean, Diana Garland, who led the school since its founding.
Oh Baylor. Just when you have the chance to show the world a little of what 21st Century Christian higher ed can look like, you retrench backward.
Oh Baylor. Just when you have the chance to show the world a little of what 21st Century Christian higher ed can look like, you retrench backward.
# posted by 
: 8:03 AM
: 8:03 AM
Mark, the more I read about this story the worse it gets … and the further this decision by “the powers to be” at Baylor and in the conservative wing of the Baptist tradition walks away from the core of the Gospel. So sad. So misguided.
Matthew 22:
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
In my reading, there are no qualifiers, no asterisks.
From the NASW Code of Ethics (as your sister knows):
The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. Social workers promote social justice and social change with and on behalf of clients.
Sounds very resonate with the core of Jesus’s teachings …
Matthew 22:
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
In my reading, there are no qualifiers, no asterisks.
From the NASW Code of Ethics (as your sister knows):
The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. Social workers promote social justice and social change with and on behalf of clients.
Sounds very resonate with the core of Jesus’s teachings …
# posted by : 3:41 PM
: 3:41 PM
I’m confounded by the Christian Sects that seem to value the teachings of the Old Testament over the teachings of the New Testament.
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# posted by : 4:28 PM
: 4:28 PM << Home
