For Immediate Release
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| Dr. Ted Taylor, left, Campbellsville University theology professor, is serving as transitional pastor of Campbellsville’s largest church, Campbellsville Baptist Church. With him is Ed Pavy, director of campus ministries at CU, who serves as chair of the pastor search committee. (Campbellsville University Photo by Richard RoBards) |
By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville University’s Dr. G. Ted Taylor, professor of Christian studies, is serving as transitional pastor at Campbellsville Baptist Church with his first sermon being Sunday, Feb. 19.
Taylor, who has served Campbellsville University since 1994, is director of CU’s Leadership/Character Development Institute and is lead professor of the sports ministry program.
Ed Pavy, director of campus ministries at CU who is chair of the pastor search committee, said, “Dr. Taylor comes to Campbellsville Baptist with a wealth of experience in the local church setting, having served in full-time ministry positions at different churches before coming to CU.”
Pavy said Taylor, while teaching at CU, has continued to serve the church, spending time as interim/transitional pastor on multiple occasions.
“We are happy to have him come alongside us as our church family moves into the future,” Pavy said.
“I am excited about the opportunity to serve at Campbellsville Baptist Church as transitional pastor,” Taylor said. “This opportunity to serve at CBC is certainly an honor due to the historic partnership of CBC and CU,” he said.
Campbellsville University and Campbellsville Baptist Church have had a long relationship when pastors served at Campbellsville Baptist Church who were also serving at CU.
Several of the pastors have studied at CU and served in leadership roles with the university.
Dr. Skip Alexander, who was pastor about nine years, has been an associate member of the Campbellsville University Board of Trustees, and is now a full member of the board.
Dr. James Jones, who served the church from 1981 to 2001, and was the immediate pastor before Alexander, is also now a member of the CU Board of Trustees and serves part-time as church outreach special assistant.
The late Dr. J. Chester Badgett served Campbellsville Baptist Church for more than 30 years – from February 1950 until July 1980 — and was one of the longest-serving CU Board of Trustee members.
Many faculty and staff and students have attended Campbellsville Baptist Church.
“One of the primary reasons that I came to Campbellsville University 18 years ago was because of the university’s church connectedness. I knew that this was the school for me when I saw how important the local church’s ministry is to the mission of Campbellsville University,” Taylor said.
Taylor said the vision of the School of Theology is to “prepare Christian servant leaders to become world changers for Christ.”
“The vision of the School of Theology and the mission of the local church are about growing the Kingdom together for God’s glory,” he said.
Taylor served as transitional pastor at Columbia Baptist Church in Columbia, Ky. two years.
“I am privileged to serve at a university where a large number of faculty and staff serve in bi-vocational roles in local churches,” he said. He said CU president Michael V. Carter, and other administrators, encouraging serving the local church.
“As a servant leader,” Taylor said, “I want to use my gifts, serving alongside the ministerial staff, to guide Campbellsville Baptist Church in taking a first step into a new season for the church.
“I can’t wait to see how God will guide this process over the next months.”
Taylor received his associate of arts degree from Hiwassee College in Madisonville, Tenn. in 1972; his bachelor of science in business administration/marketing from the University of Tennessee in 1972; his master of arts in Christian education from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville in 1981 and his doctorate in education in 1987 from Memphis State University in Memphis, Tenn.
He was born in Knoxville, Tenn., and is married to Sheri Marie Jones Taylor. They have two children, Ashley Jessie and grandchildren, Taylor and Carson Jessie; and a son, Brannon Taylor and grandchildren Reece and Rylee Taylor.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master’s degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.