By David Roach

What are the most helpful seminary classes for a person serving in the children’s and family ministry program of a local church?

You might expect the answer to be practical courses in administration or teaching techniques, but for Liz Lockwood it was systematic theology classes where she studied evangelical feminism and the gender-role debate.

A two-time graduate of Southern Seminary who earned a master of divinity in 2004 and a master of theology in 2005, Lockwood has served since 2007 as children and family program ministry associate at East Cooper Baptist Church in Charleston, S.C., where she equips family ministry volunteers and leads a weekly community group for young adult women.

“I concentrated my studies, especially during my Th.M., on issues related to evangelical feminism and the gender-role debate,” she said. “While my studies and research on the gender issue flowed from my systematic theology courses, I believe that those courses were absolutely crucial to my work in the local church. I spend a great deal of time with young women, and it is so critical to know what the Bible teaches about the roles of men and women in the home and in the church.”

It was more than just the classroom aspects of her experience at Southern that prepared Lockwood for her current ministry, she said. One-and-a-half years of work at the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood complemented her classroom study of the gender issue, and working as administrative assistant to Southern Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr. from 2005-2007 reminded her that theology relates to every aspect of life.

“Working for Dr. Mohler was helpful in reminding me to see all things through a theological lens,” she said. “For example, we cannot dissect our lives into silos of theology, education, entertainment and relationships. All areas of our lives naturally intersect, and if we are going to be a biblically-minded Christian, we must consider what the Word of God says first and all other things as secondary.”

Some people may see ministry in a local church as a stepping stone to seemingly bigger opportunities, but Lockwood views things differently. Working in the local church is the high point of her calling, she said.

“It may seem a little odd to some, but serving in local church ministry is what I have wanted to do my whole life,” she said. “Growing up as a pastor’s kid, I was literally at church every time the doors were open and have always loved the experience of church and Christian community being woven into every aspect of my family’s life. Whether here in America or overseas, I firmly believe that serving the local church is what the Lord has called me to, regardless of what the specific ministry role may be.”

Though she does not know exactly what the future holds, Lockwood said she always hopes to serve in a place like East Cooper that trains believers to translate theological training into practical Christian living.

“I have been blessed to come to a church that provides multiple venues for personal spiritual growth, fellowship and ongoing theological training,” she said.