Phillips Names Dr. Anne Carter Walker as Director of Supervised Year in Ministry and Affiliate Assistant Professor of Practical Theology and Vocational Formation
Dr. Anne Carter Walker
Phillips Theological Seminary welcomes Anne Carter Walker, PhD, as Director of Supervised Year in Ministry and Affiliate Assistant Professor of Practical Theology and Vocational Formation beginning July 26.
Walker joins the Phillips mission with extensive experiences as a theological educator and administrator. A committed layperson in the United Methodist Church, her professional identity has been constructed by the fields of Practical Theology and Religious Education. As a theologian, her scholarship and leadership give careful attention to the whole person and to every person within the organization.
“Recognizing the depth and breadth of Dr. Walker’s scholarly and vocational passions, I am convinced she will help Phillips to maintain our commitment to preparing persons to be ministry leaders within pandemic and post-pandemic worlds,” said Phillips Vice President of Academic Affairs Lee H. Butler, Jr.
Walker earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree from Claremont School of Theology with a dissertation entitled, Pedagogy for the Privileged: Developing Border-crossing Identity in Religious Education. She earned a Master of Arts in Religious Education, a Master of Arts in Religion with a focus on theological ethics, both also from Claremont, and a Bachelor of Arts from Oklahoma City University in mass communications.
A citizen of the Cherokee Nation who lives her home life guided by Cherokee and Choctaw cultures, she will help Phillips live with even greater intercultural sensitivity within its regional location.
“I have experience in and understand intercultural dynamics in theological education, in organizational life, and in congregations, and hold deep commitments to social justice and faith-motivated praxis,” Walker said.
Theological Field Education is a core curricular component of the Master of Divinity degree program at Phillips. As director of Supervised Year in Ministry, Walker will oversee all aspects of the theological field education program, including the development of robust curricular and pedagogical educational approaches to support the supervision and evaluation of students engaged in contextual education, work essential to theological and ministerial identity formation.
“I believe the most significant call for a follower of Jesus is to engage deeply with the Christian story and vision to discern how one is being called into partnership with God in God’s work in the world,” Walker said. “I count this as my highest call as a Christian, and in all of my work in leadership, teaching, and ministry practice I have sought to create spaces for others to discover vocation.”
“I am truly inspired by the enthusiasm that she brings to her new role here at Phillips,” Butler said. “During her on-campus interview, she shared that much of her dissertation was written within the Phillips Library! One can’t live here and not become Phillips. So, in many ways, Dr. Walker is coming home, and we welcome her return.”