Bethany Theological Seminary Dean Stephen Breck Reid Accepts Position at George W. Truett Theological Seminary

Stephen Breck Reid, Academic Dean at Bethany Theological Seminary, has accepted a position as Professor of Hebrew Bible at George W. Truett Theological Seminary in Waco, Texas, beginning August 1, 2008. Dr. Reid has served in his current position at Bethany since 2003.

As Academic Dean, Dr. Reid led the work of the Seminary’s teaching faculty and the administration of the Brethren Journal Association. He gave oversight to Bethany’s partnerships with the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center and the Church of the Brethren General Board, to offer graduate and undergraduate ministry training opportunities through offsite courses and the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership. Reid also facilitated much of the process related to Bethany’s 10-year accreditation review with the Association of Theological Schools and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, completed in 2006.

Dr. Reid graduated from Bethany in 1976 and earned a Ph.D. from Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, in 1981. He was professor of Old Testament Studies at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary prior to joining the Bethany faculty. Dr. Reid also served as an adjunct professor at Bethany for many years, and was a member of the Board of Trustees from 1990 - 1998.

"While the Bethany Board is saddened to hear of Dean Steve Reid's decision to leave the Seminary, we respect his decision and express our deep appreciation for his years of dedicated service,” said Ted Flory, chair of the Bethany Board of Trustees. “We will miss him, but certainly wish him well in his new assignment, and look forward to continuing associations through the work of the wider church.” Bethany President Ruthann Knechel Johansen echoed these sentiments and added, “It is with deep regret that I accept the resignation of Stephen Breck Reid. As Academic Dean, Steve has served the Bethany faculty, the students, and the denomination eminently through his passion for preaching and teaching, particularly the Hebrew language and Hebrew Bible, his devotion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and his commitment to the Church of the Brethren. To the faculty he has been both a fine mentor for creative teaching and a strong supporter of faculty members' scholarly research and publication. He has been a prophetic voice in the denomination. His appointment as Professor of Hebrew Bible at Truett Seminary will allow him to follow more fully his own sense of vocation.”