Johnny Hunt
Where are you most likely to find a budding church history scholar?
For most historians, the answer is a library, classroom or late-night study session. But Barry Chesney breaks the mold. You’re most likely to find him at the First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga., or traveling the country with its pastor, Johnny Hunt, who also serves as Southern Baptist Convention president.
Mentored by the president who is first a pastor
Chesney, a doctor of philosophy student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, is spending a year being mentored by Hunt. The rigorous program of pastoral training involves shadowing Hunt at staff meetings and speaking engagements as well as being discipled by him personally.
The mentorship led to Chesney praying at the close of a session June 23 during the SBC annual meeting in Louisville, where Hunt presided as president.
“I’ve learned the value of empowering people around you,” Chesney, a native of Meridian, Miss., said. “He is great at encouraging you to do what God has called you to do and then letting you do it. There are expectations, but there is not micromanaging.”
Chesney’s relationship with Hunt began last fall when Hunt preached in chapel at Southern and Chesney’s father-in-law arranged for the two of them to meet. When Hunt invited him to join the mentorship program for 2009, Chesney knew it was the right thing for him to do as he prepared for pastoral ministry.
Love and leadership
The internship didn’t disappoint Chesney. Learning how to love a congregation and manage a staff are two of the most important lessons he has gleaned from Hunt.
“I’ve learned the value of just being with your people on Sundays,” Chesney said. “He’s so approachable. He doesn’t hang out in the green room then come preach and run back and wait for the next sermon. He’s out there with the people. He’s so approachable and genuinely loved by the church. All that is more caught than taught.”
In fact, Chesney was surprised at the level of personal interest Hunt took in him. Shortly after his arrival in Woodstock, Hunt called him to see how he was doing. Chesney didn’t even return the call because he couldn’t believe that such a busy pastor would want to invest in him.
But the care was authentic, and their relationship continues to grow.
“We really have more access to him than his staff does,” Chesney said of Hunt’s mentees.
Theology matters
The mentorship program isn’t all about administration and people skills though. Hunt is also a student of theology, consulting respected biblical commentaries each week in preparation for his sermons. He believes that a robust theology helps believers live for Christ more faithfully, Chesney said.
“He does not separate doctrine from duty,” he said. “He is well read and has a great respect for theology. He is very diligent with his study. I travel with him, so I see him studying.”
The example of a pastor-theologian is ideal for Chesney because he plans to be both a pastor and a scholar when he completes his Ph.D. He says he’s open to pastoring anywhere in the world and will apply lessons from Hunt wherever he goes.
“I want to have one foot in the academic world and one in the church,” he said. “I really want to be involved in both - a pastor-theologian.”
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