Dear President Patterson:
I am writing you as a fellow Christian, as a Southern Baptist, as an alumnus (M.Div., 1994), and more importantly as a member of the community in Fort Worth where SWBTS is the "beacon on a hill", literally and figuratively, for over a century now.
I simply want to draw your attention, as a fellow citizen and as a spiritual leader representing one of the most influential institutions in present day Christiandom and the world when considering the reach and influence that members of the SWBTS family/community have in every corner of the planet, to the growing community-wide concerns over the many issues related to gas drilling inside a densely populated urban environment in general and to the current discussion regarding plans to build an elementary school and community center complex right next to potentially dangerous gas wells just a block down the from Seminary Hill on Rosemont in particular.
I was taught in Sunday School, and was re-inforced at Southwestern, that we as human beings and believers are stewards of God's creation who will be required to give an accounting on the Day of Judgment regarding our stewardship, especially our faithfulness in carrying out our moral and spiritual responsibilities.
This solemn recognition combined with my high regard for the seminary as a bedrock institution in our local community and my respect for your official position and your spiritual and moral authority led me to write and respectfully ask you to look into these very real life and death issues. Then if/when appropriate, I urge you to lend a clear "prophetic voice" and needed leadership and moral guidance for the decisions and policies that impact a multitude of precious souls, including many from the Southwestern community/family.
The issues that I am pointing out are not , and should not, be restricted to the political arena because they transcend political differences. Please consider and pray about the issues and their impact on people's health and safety, many of these neighbors are precious children and among "the least of these". I look forward to seeing the light and love of Christ shine warmly on our community from Seminary Hill, sooner than later, President Patterson.
Respectfully and hopefully,
Y. Steve Doeung M. Div., 1994.
Dear Mr. Doeung,
Thank you for your inquiry about the seminary and its involvement in the Barnett shale.
The seminary is not a player in the issue of the elementary school. That is a matter that relates to the city and to the school district. We are happy to provide a venue for discussions to take place, but we are not involved in the decision in any way.
As it regards your request that the seminary desist from drilling and cost itself large sums of money that the Lord has generally made available to us, you would have to be able to prove that the prosecution of those wells would endanger someone. The city, the company, and the seminary have been diligent to satisfy themselves that there is no significant danger visited on the community. Thank you for your interest.
Until He Comes,
Paige Patterson
I apologize for not participating here more often. Everyday, I get several emails with "HELP!" in the subject line. These are from people who are collateral damage from natural gas development. I can't keep up with everything.
The 
