Debora Jackson appointed director of lifelong learning

Statement by YDS Dean Greg Sterling:

I am excited to let you know about an important addition to our staff. After an extensive national search, we have appointed a talented pastor and onetime business executive to be our first director of lifelong learning at YDS, the Rev. Dr. Debora Jackson.

Dr. Jackson comes to us most directly from the Ministers Council of the American Baptist Churches, USA, a prestigious and historic organization dedicated to the support of Baptist clergy. She has led the Council as its executive director since 2012, helping the organization restructure and revitalize while securing important new revenue streams. Prior to that, she served for eight years as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Needham, Mass., which under her leadership reversed years of decline and flourished as a church known for its engaged preaching, new ministries, and extensive outreach.

Debora worked in business for 20 years, with an emphasis on IT and software engineering, before heeding the call to ministry. During that time she served as (among other positions) the Chief Operating Officer of an Internet-based energy services provider and as Managing Director of an IT consulting group.

An Indiana University graduate, Dr. Jackson earned her M.Div. at Andover Newton Theological School in 2006 and her D.Min., also from ANTS, in 2012. In addition to her regular work, Dr. Jackson is a frequent speaker, guest preacher, and workshop leader. She is also the author of numerous articles and one book, Spiritual Practices for Effective Leadership: 7 Rs of Sanctuary for Pastors (Judson Press, 2015).

As the first person to hold the new lifelong learning position at YDS, Dr. Jackson will devote herself to developing a robust program to assemble and leverage the abundant intellectual and professional resources of the School for the betterment of churches and other ministries. Her whole career has been dedicated to entrepreneurial leadership, one of the pivot points in YDS’ strategic plan, which she will help us further.

Dr. Jackson will report to Sarah Drummond, Dean of Faculty of Andover Newton Theological School at YDS.

I want to thank two anonymous donors who made this position possible. We are deeply grateful for their vision and generosity.

Debora will start at YDS on January 30th. I know you will join me in welcoming Debora Jackson and in doing all we can to support her important work.
 

January 11, 2017