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The Herman Parris S.B. Southland School of Theology is the
Educational Institution of The West Indian United Spiritual Baptist Sacred
Order Inc.
Motto. “ Be Thou Perfect” Gen.17:1
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MISSION STATEMENT
The Mission of the Herman Parris S.B. Southland School
of Theology is to disseminate the knowledge of GOD and of the Spiritual Baptist
Faith ,spiritually transforming individuals that they may become fully equipped
to effectively take the Message of Salvation to the Spiritual Baptist Community
in particular and to the World in general, and be adequately prepared to draw
mankind unto the Saviour, Jesus Christ, our Lord and to eradicate the negative
perception of the Spiritual Baptist Faith.
VISION STATEMENT
The Herman Parris S.B. Southland School of Theology is
envisioned as a unique, complex, multifaceted, transformational, spiritual
experience that transcends time and space creating a legacy that reverberates
through Spiritual Baptist communities and generations, uniting and
enlightening Spiritual Baptists on issues of Faith in preparation for Kingdom
living here and hereafter.
PHILOSOPHY
The philosophy guiding the orientation and direction of
Southland is founded on the essence of Liberation Theology and the ethic of the
Ministry of all Believers.
Liberation Theology also called Black Theology affirms “for
the community of the oppressed….that their inner thrust for liberation is not
only consistent with the gospel but is the gospel of Jesus Christ. There can be
no Christian theology which is not identified unreservedly with those who are
humiliated and abused.” Cone , A Black Theology of Liberation,p17.] If there is
a modern day group of Christians who have been and are still being humiliated
and abused that group is the Spiritual Baptists of Trinidad and Tobago. We
boldly declare with P.N. Williams In Quest for a Black Theology,p86.,
“Christianity cannot rob the black man of his blackness unless it desires him
to be something less than a man. The black Church and black theology thus seeks
to permit the black man to be both black and Christian.” At Southland we confirm
and affirm our identity and belief in Jesus Christ.
The Ministry of all believers is based on the reality that
in our church the ministry gifts of the Holy Spirit of 1Corinthians 12 and
Ephesians4 are indeed given to “every one of us …for the perfecting of the
saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of the
Christ”[Ephes.4:7,12]. It is incumbent on us therefore to learn of GOD and to
study to show ourselves approved, workmen who need not be ashamed because we are
able to rightly divide the word of truth because of our diligence and study.
On these orientations we fashion our programme and
structure our curriculum and affirm that our spiritual identity takes pride of
place; thus amidst our striving for academic excellence we insist that the
spiritual development of our students must be advanced and the traditions of our
Faith must be preserved.
HISTORY
The main Campus of the Herman Parris S.B. Southland School
of Theology, is located in Chinese Village, La Brea, in the south western end of
Trinidad. It started as a small group of interested elders in the Diocese[W.
I.U.S.B.S.O.] sharing the knowledge gained by Dr. Parris during his studies at
the Canadian Chapter of the Universal Life Church Inc. of California, U.S.A.
Although the Diocese ran classes for ordination as all Baptist Dioceses did,
there was no established school. Dr. Parris established a school which became
not only the source of training of ministers for ordination in the Diocese, but
also for members of the Faith wanting to study Theology or ministry. Classes
were conducted in the Church halls [or annex where available] of Mt. Paran, La
Romaine; St. Peters, Vistabella; Mt. Zion, Arima and Mt. Prisgah, La Brea.
When Dr. Parris was made the minister for Mt. Prisgah, La
Brea he acquired the lands adjacent to the church for the purpose of erecting
a permanent structure for the School. After many years and much prayer and
perseverance, the sod was turned by the M.P. for La Brea, The Honorable
Mr. Hedgewidge Bereaux for the Southland School of Theology on
Saturday July
27,1991 at a sod turning Ceremony and service. Although incomplete, the
building was put to use in
January,1993. Finally , in
July 1995,
Dr. Parris witnessed his dream become a reality when the completed building was
consecrated by the then Bishop His Lordship the Rt. Rev. David Cox and
formally opened by the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago the Honorable Mr.
Patrick Manning after the ceremonial laying of the corner stone by His Grace
the Archbishop, the Rt. Rev. Ivan Lancaster.
The school witnessed an expansion in 2005 with the
establishment of a Tobago Campus. Classes are being held at the Scraborough
Government Secondary School .
Since its establishment [ 26 ] twenty-six years ago the
Herman Parris S.B. Southland School of Theology has had approx. four
hundred[400]graduates.
GOALS
To define the Theology of the Spiritual Baptist Faith
and thus establish the Faith as part of the Christian fraternity.
To equip the Spiritual Baptists with the necessary
knowledge to understand and defend the Faith and develop a more meaningful
relationship with its author, Jesus Christ.
To document for posterity what has been an oral
tradition, and provide a source of authentic , unbiased information of the
Faith.
To unite the Faith in terms of doctrine and general
administration by offering theological education to all Spiritual Baptists.
To obtain recognized accreditation for programmes and
affiliation to other theological institutions.
AIMS
To facilitate those Spiritual Baptists interested in
learning about the Faith.
To offer a programme of training for persons engaged in
ministry.
To equip a cadre of leaders with a deeper understanding
of the Spiritual Baptist Faith.
To affirm spiritual identity as the basis of growth.
To implement programmes of education on Christian living
in a multi-cultural reality.
To foster the spirit of ecumenism through partnerships
with others of a Christian calling.
GOVERNANCE
The Herman Parris S.B.Southland School of Theology is
governed by a Board of Management which is answerable to the Chapters Board the
governing body of the Diocese ] and His Grace the Archbishop
The Board of Management is elected from among the members
of the Diocese and is responsible for the operations of the school. It appoints
members of staff, manages the school’s finances and approves the plans and
programmes of the school.
The Principal is the chief administrator of the school. He
/She is assisted by a Vice.Principal,Dean and members of staff and reports to
the Board of Management.
The school staff is drawn from the entire Baptist
community.
The entire management and staff is voluntary.
FUNDING
The Herman Parris S.B.Southland School of Theology is
funded primarily by school fees paid by students, fund raising activities
undertaken by the Board, Staff , Student Body and sales receipts from the
school cafeteria.
Financial assistance is also given by the parent body in
times of necessity.
Donations from individuals and corporate citizens are
welcomed.
THE SCHOOL PROGRAMME
[a] Eligibility.
Every Spiritual Baptist aged seventeen[17] years and over
is eligible to register and attend The Herman Parris S.B.Southland of Theology.
There is no upper age limit nor educational barrier.
[b] Curriculum Structure and Content.
The curriculum has a two-tiered structure. There are two
levels - A basic two year course and an advanced two year course, both leading
to graduation and certification.
Both levels are fashioned to preparing students for
improved Christian living. Jesus Christ and His teachings are central and
pivotal to the programmes. The programme is based on the knowledge that the
Spiritual Baptist Faith is an integral part of the general Christian Fraternity
and the World wide Baptist community and framed on the concept of the “ministry
of all believers”.
The basic course-
STUDY COURSE LEVEL 1 focuses on informed
Christian living and covers:
BAPTIST HISTORY.1.--The history of Christianity to
the development of the Baptists as a group; the growth and development of the
Spiritual Baptists in Trinidad and Tobago.
BAPTIST TRADITION.1.--Biblical foundations for the
traditions of the Faith , the theological underpinnings of the Faith vis a vis
general Christian theology and comparison with other Christian groupings and
other Religions.
BAPTIST DOCTRINE.1.- The articles of Faith of
Baptists, a study of the Christian Creeds leading into guidelines for pastoring
and counseling.
BIBLE.1.--An in-depth study of the books of the
Bible: New and Old Testaments as well as the intertestamental and apocalyptic
periods.
ADMINISTRATION.1.--A study of the Spiritual Baptist
methods of administration of the Sacraments and Ordinances; administration of
Church affairs and ethical considerations and Holy Spirit
administration-Charismata.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS.1.-Basic requirements for
effective communication; comparative study of Standard English and Trinidad
Creole; Spirit filled preaching.
WORKSHOP.1.-Meditation exercises and discussion
sessions after the mode of liberation theology.
The advanced programme STUDY LEVEL 11
focuses on better Christian living and leadership and explores.
BAPTIST HISTORY.11- The Spiritual Baptist Faith in
Trinidad and Tobago.
BAPTIST TRADITION.11.-Journeying on the Christian
pathway.
BAPTIST DOCTRINE.11.-Modernday issues in Doctrine.
BIBLE.11.-Themes in the Bible and the Pauline
Scriptures.
ADMINSTRATION.11.-All aspects of the art of
ministry.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS.11.-The study and comparison of
communication skills in teaching, lecturing and preaching; presentation of a
research paper on one aspect of the Faith.
WORKSHOP.11.-Sessions in meditation and counseling
and discussion sessions after the mode of liberation theology.
CLASSES.
Classes are held every first and third Saturday of every
month from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm. in Trinidad
SOUTHLAND IS AN EXPERIENCE: YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO EXPERIENCE IT
PUNCTUALITY AND REGULARITY ARE THE HALLMARKS OF THE GOOD STUDENT
ATTENDANCE REQUIRED - MINIMUM 75% - AWARD OF MARKS = 10%
MIDYEAR AND END OF YEAR WRITTEN [30%] AND ORALS [40%] EXAMS
COMPULSORY COURSE WORK: WRITTEN AND ORAL ASSIGNMENTS
MOTTO: BE THOU PERFECT. GUIDE: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
