The William M. Johnson Lecture Series began in 2011.  The purpose of the lectures is to address the spiritual, intellectual, ethical, and social issues facing us as a Christian community.  Our lecturers have included: 

• Dr. Paul Duke (former pastor of Highland Baptist Church in Louisville and currently co-pastor with his wife Stacey of the First Baptist Church, Ann Arbor, MI);


• Dr. Gary Dorrien (Reinhold Niebuhr Prof. of Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary, NYC, and recent recipient of the Grawemeyer Award in religion);


• Dr. Amy Pauw (Prof. of Doctrinal Theology at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary);


• Carrie Newcomer (songwriter, musician, and self-describe “prairie mystic”);


• Wendell Berry (who needs no introduction);


• Dr. David Gushee (Distinguished University Prof. of Christian Ethics, Mercer University, and Social Ethics Chair, the Free University of Amsterdam);


• Dr. Brent Walker (former Executive Director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, Washington D. C.);


• In 2019, a weekend honoring Dr. E. Glenn Hinson, with lectures by 6 of his former students and colleagues.


• In 2021 we presented; Honoring the Legacy of Diana Garland: Serving the Least of These. The recorded lectures can be found below.

• In 2022, we presented,”Glad Reunion: Celebrating the Ministry and Legacy of John R. Claypool.” 

• In 2023, we presented, “Baptist Clergywomen: 50 Years of Growth and Change.” With guest speaker and preacher, Eileen Campbell-Reed.