Hershael York
Hershael W. York | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 11th Dean of the School of Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary | |
| Assumed office August 1, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Greg Wills |
| Victor and Louise Lester Professor of Christian Preaching at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary | |
| Assumed office July 1999 | |
| President of the Kentucky Baptist Convention | |
| In office November 2004 – November 2005 | |
| Succeeded by | Paul Chitwood |
| First Vice-President of the Kentucky Baptist Convention | |
| In office November 2004 – November 2005 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 4, 1960 Fort Thomas, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) | Tanya York (m. 1981) |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Frankfort, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Education | University of Kentucky (B.A. and M.A); Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div. and Ph.D.) |
| Occupation | Baptist theologian and minister |
Hershael W. York (born March 4, 1960) is an American Baptist theologian, minister, and academic administrator. He has served as the Dean of the School of Theology and the Victor and Louise Lester Professor of Christian Preaching at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary since August 2018.[1]
Early life and education
York was born in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. He studied at Michigan State University before transferring to the University of Kentucky, where he earned a B.A. and M.A. in Classical Languages.[1] He later attended Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tennessee, earning both a Master of Divinity and Ph.D. in New Testament and Greek.[2][3] He received his doctorate in Greek and New Testament in 1993 by writing a dissertation on the First Epistle of John.[4][5]
Ministry and academic career
From 1988 to 1990, York was pastor of First Baptist Church in Marion, Arkansas.[6] He then served as Senior Pastor of Ashland Avenue Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky, from 1990 to 1997.[7] In 1997, he joined the faculty of Southern Seminary as Associate Professor of Preaching. In 1999, he was appointed the Victor and Louise Lester Professor of Christian Preaching.[1][8]
York was elected Kentucky Baptist Convention president in 2004. He advocated for conservatism and made attempts to restore a friendly relationship between the Kentucky Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.[9]
York was named as the 11th Dean of The School of Theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary effective August 1, 2018.[10]
In 2003, York became Senior Pastor of Buck Run Baptist Church in Frankfort, Kentucky. During his tenure, the church relocated to a new 100-acre campus. He retired on January 28, 2024, and was named Pastor Emeritus.[11][12]
Other activities
York is the host of the Pastor Well podcast and a frequent speaker at preaching conferences.[2]
Personal life
York has been married to Tanya York since 1981, and they have two children.[1][13] She received the Women in Christian Leadership Award at the Kentucky Baptist Convention’s Annual Meeting in 2024.[14] Hershael and Tanya help couples through Marriage retreats and seminars.[15]
Views
York is a conservative evangelical who believes in the inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible.[16] He was involved in the conservative resurgence of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. He has been an advocate against abortion, arguing for the sacredness and dignity of human life.[17] He made a decision to leave twitter on June 4, 2024 as twitter changed its policy allowing sexual content on the platform.[18] Hershael spoke against the executive order of Andy Beshear banning the so-called conversion therapy, stating that God created humans as gendered people.[19]
Publications
York's published works include:
- Speaking with Bold Assurance: How to Have Confidence, Clarity, and Authority When You Speak (with Bert Decker) ISBN 9780805422108 Search this book on
. (B&H Publishing Group, 2001) - Preaching with Bold Assurance: A Solid and Enduring Approach to Engaging Exposition (with Bert Decker) ISBN 9780805426236 Search this book on . (B&H Academic, 2003)
- 40 Days in 1 Corinthians: The Greatest Love ISBN 1535993480 Search this book on . (B&H Publishing Group, 2021)
- Pastor Well: A Guide to Faithfulness in Pastoral Ministry ISBN 979-8990660007 Search this book on . (Southern Seminary Press, 2024)
Honors
Kentucky Baptist Convention recognized Hershael for his leadership by awarding him the Distinguished Leadership Award in November 2022.[20] Kentucky State Senate honored Hershael on January 23, 2024 for his service to the commonwealth and beyond.[21] York has been recognized for preaching excellence, including multiple features in Preaching Today and invitations to preach at the International Congress on Preaching in Cambridge, England.[22][23]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "From the seminaries: Hershael York named SBTS theology dean". Baptist Press. June 22, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Dr. Hershael York – About". PastorWell.com. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ↑ "Campbellsville Univeristy Hosts Dr. Hershael York as Speaker for Chapel". www.campbellsville.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ↑ York, Hershael Wallace (November 18, 1993). An analysis and synthesis of the exegetical methods of rhetorical criticism and discourse analysis as applied to the structure of First John (Thesis) – via newlibrary.wts.edu Library Catalog.
- ↑ "Dr. Hershael York". SBC Pastors' Conference 2024. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ↑ "SBTS profs' first pastorate: Hershael York". The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ↑ "Celebrating 100 Years of Gospel Ministry". Ashland Avenue Baptist Church. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ↑ "SBTS Honors Schreiner and York—Teachers of Joy—for 25 Years of Faithfulness". The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ↑ Finder, Alan (2006-07-22). "Feeling Strains, Baptist Colleges Cut Church Ties". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
- ↑ Clabes, Judy (2018-06-24). "People in the News: Jesse Brewer gets national award, York named seminary dean, Dr. Jung to board". NKyTribune. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ↑ Hutcheson, Chip (January 28, 2024). "York calls pastoring Buck Run Baptist Church 'a singular honor of my life'". Kentucky Today. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ↑ "A Farewell to Hershael York". Commonwealth Policy Center. January 30, 2024. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ↑ Maynard, Mark (2020-08-07). "A family of faith: Yorks have love for Kingdom work and it shows". Kentucky Today. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ↑ "5 individuals presented special KBC awards". Kentucky Today. September 20, 2024. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ↑ Redmond, Tessa (2023-05-10). "Tanya York, pastor's wife, honored for 40+ years of ministry service". Kentucky Today. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ↑ "Hershael York reminds pastors of the one thing they must preach". The Alabama Baptist. 2024-11-11. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
- ↑ Kentucky Baptist Convention (2021-03-01). "Standing strong for life". Kentucky Baptist Convention. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ↑ "Christian Leaders Threaten to Leave X (Twitter) Now That it Allows Porn". Crosswalk.com. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ↑ Maynard, Mark (2024-09-21). "York says Beshear executive order contradicts Bible's definition of loving your neighbor and being made in the image of God". Kentucky Today. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ↑ Hutcheson, Chip (2022-11-15). "KBC honors individuals, churches with awards". Kentucky Today. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ↑ Redmond, Tessa (2024-01-23). "Kentucky Senate honors Dr. Hershael York". Kentucky Today. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
- ↑ "Hershael York Archives". B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ↑ "Hershael York, Author at Preaching.com". Preaching.com. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
External links
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