Gerald E. Marsh
Center for Chaplain Studies
Our Mission
The Marsh Center partners to equip chaplains, to provide solutions for their ministry, and to advocate on behalf of chaplaincy.
Our Team
The Marsh Center partners to equip chaplains, to provide solutions for their ministry, and to advocate on behalf of chaplaincy. It leverages an interfaith advisory team of highly experienced professional chaplains to bring critical insight, guidance, and support from many perspectives.
We collaborate with other chaplain agencies, faith groups and educational institutions to prepare chaplains to meet tomorrow’s ministry needs.
Our ‘think-tank’ is a forum for chaplains of all types to research issues, provide adaptive and creative solutions, and advocate publicly for chaplain ministry.
Our Leadership
Dr. Jim Browning
Director, Marsh Center for Chaplain Studies
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (DMin, MDIV); Boston University (MS); Air War College Strategic Studies, Air University at Maxwell AFB (MS); University of Texas at Arlington (BA).
Prior to his appointment to lead the Marsh Center, Dr. Browning served for 30 years as a U.S. Air Force chaplain, retiring at the rank of colonel.
Email: jbrowning@bhcarroll.edu
Dr. Jim Spivey
Associate Director, Marsh Center for Chaplain Studies
University of Oxford (DPhil); Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MDIV); Auburn University (BA); U.S. Army Command and General Staff College; U.S. Army War College.
Prior to his appointment to the Carroll Seminary, Dr. Spivey taught at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and was dean of the seminary’s Houston campus. He has pastored churches in Brackley, Northamptonshire, England, and Texas. He is currently the pastor of Gambrell Street Baptist Church in Fort Worth. Dr. Spivey achieved the rank of brigadier general in the U.S. Army Reserves and was deployed to numerous theatres. He was assistant chief of chaplains at the Pentagon and deputy director of the Pentagon’s Family Assistance Center in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks. He retired from the Army, highly decorated, in 2003. He has served on the boards of numerous service organizations and taught in England, Romania, Russia, and Turkey.
Email: jspivey@bhcarroll.edu
Marsh Center
News
Marsh Center webinar focuses on lessons learned from COVID-19 challenges
IRVING, Texas...
Happy Birthday Military Chaplain Corps!
The appearance of...
The Art of Sharpening the Tool of Chaplaincy — A Collaborative Approach
“As iron sharpens...
Our Purpose
Chaplaincy is the fastest growing ministry in America. Chaplains minister to persons of all faiths in a wide variety of non-religious settings. This requires a specialized set of knowledge and skills to meet a broad range of human needs.
We work with theological institutions to develop materials to train both new and experienced chaplains and to engage them in lifelong learning. This curriculum cultivates competencies for a unique ministry that reaches beyond the scope of traditional seminary coursework. It provides solid academic preparation that is theological, practical, and relevant for those who minister in settings where other religious workers rarely go.
The Marsh Center epitomizes the legacy of Dr. Gerald E. Marsh: U.S. Air Force Mobilization Assistant to the Chief of Chaplains and 40-year seminary professor of pastoral ministry.
Our Objectives
We provide
- collaborative opportunities to develop and share master’s and doctoral curricular material designed to address basic and advance chaplain skills and competencies.
- an inter-faith forum that researches issues and develops solutions related to chaplain ministry.
We advocate
- in the public square concerning issues that influence, promote, and sustain effective chaplain ministry.
Now Available…
The Heart of a Chaplain
The Marsh Center for Chaplain Studies, a chaplain-focused endeavor of B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary, proudly releases “The Heart of a Chaplain, Exploring Essentials for Ministry.”
This resource provides a much-needed and comprehensive 347-page book on chaplains and their ministries. “The Heart of a Chaplain” is available where books are sold online both in softbound printed and eBook versions.
Chaplains today are on the cutting-edge of delivering effective ministry with expanding opportunities in both the secular and religious worlds. Chaplains fulfill a sacred calling to accompany and provide professional support and spiritual nurture for everyone in their distinctive secular communities, which authorize and hold them accountable.
B. H. Carroll understands this ministry requires specialized knowledge, competencies, and initiative to meet a broad range of human needs and is pleased to offer this new resource written by 37 contributors with 914 years of chaplaincy experience.
Dr. Jim Browning