Disciples History

We are saddened to hear of the deaths this past weekend (June 26-27) of three great Disciples leaders:

• Charles Bayer was a leading Disciples voice for justice and peace. A long-time pastor and teacher, he was a prominent presence at many General Assemblies promoting issues of social and economic justice and was one of the key figures in the founding of the Disciples Justice Action Network and the Center for Public Witness in Washington, D.C.
• Clark Williamson was long-time theology professor at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis and also served for a while as Executive Vice President and Academic Dean. A graduate of Transylvania College and the University of Chicago, Clark stood firmly in the “Chicago School” of Christian theological tradition. One of the leading scholarly proponents of Process Theology in the US, he trained and influenced a generation of pastors and scholars who studied at CTS and at Claremont Theology School in California and the Ecumenical Institute of the World Council of Churches in Geneva. A long-time member of the Association of Disciples for Theological Discussion, of which I too have long been a member, Clark was a wonderful dialogue partner and incisive scholarly critic.
• Don Pittman was the William Tabbernee Professor of the History of Religions Emeritus and former Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for many years. I was part of the faculty that called Don as PTS Dean, a position he began in 2000 after his tenure at the Protestant seminary in Taiwan as a missionary appointment through Global Ministries. He served there alongside his wife, the Rev. Dr. Nancy Pittman, who currently serves as President of Phillips. Don came at a time of great challenge and hope at Phillips as we were emerging from a very difficult period. A scholar of Chinese Buddhism who was fluent in Mandarin, Don was a gifted teacher and strong, compassionate dean, a good friend with a pastor’s heart. You can view the memorial article on the Phillips website https://www.ptstulsa.edu/2021/06/27/in-memory-of-the-rev-dr-don-a-pittman/

Rick Lowery

The DCHS building is open to the public effective June 14, 2021. No masks are required for fully vaccinated visitors, but we are asking, for now, that those who have not been vaccinated wear masks while in the building.

We will continue to provide disposable masks and hand sanitizer for those who need them. We trust our visitors, so we will follow the honor system on this policy. 

Tours of the Campbell Mansion will begin again on July 6, 2021.

Visitors may call (615) 327-1444 or email info@discipleshistory.org for reservations to do research or tour the Campbell Mansion.