LEEving: Dr. Terry Cross
Terry Cross, the dean of the School of Theology and Ministry and distinguished professor of systematic theology, has announced he is stepping away from his position as dean at the end of the 2025-2026 school year and will retire in the spring of 2027. For almost 30 years, Cross has dedicated his career to preparing students for a life of ministry and helping them answer the calling on their lives.
Dr. Terry Cross pictured in the STM Reading Room. Photo by Emma Sargent
Cross graduated from Lee University in 1978, came on staff at Lee in 1997, and became the dean of the School of Theology and Ministry (formerly the School of Religion) in 2002. He is currently the longest-serving professor in the university’s history. Cross spent time as a pastor and a teacher, where he discovered his passion for both disciplines.
“I see that's where a lot of my job is right now, training future ministers to think with their education in ways that bring scholarly pursuits together with practical ministry,” Cross said.
His mission to inspire future ministers has remained the same over the years, despite position changes and shifting responsibilities in the School of Theology and Ministry (STM).
Cross was originally hired as a full-time faculty member and has taught classes on topics ranging from the Holy Spirit to systematic theology. Recently, Cross has enjoyed teaching his systematic theology courses, which every theology major takes.
“It's attempting to give them a foundation in theology so that when they're out in the field, they can recognize strange doctrine and also teach faithful doctrine,” Cross said.
The STM aims to prepare students to enter the world ready for ministry and to serve the church. The school achieves that goal, according to Cross, by ensuring students have a strong theological foundation, teaching where and how to apply ministry skills, and preparing students to lead their congregations through cultural discussions and questions.
“My goal and mission for the STM is to put those three things together — Bible and theology, skills, and then the third, understanding the context of the world into which you're going,” Cross said.
The third goal was recently implemented, with courses teaching students how to interpret culture and apply their faith.
When reflecting on his time at Lee, Cross fondly discusses relationships with fellow faculty members, students and staff who impacted him, the university and the School of Theology and Ministry specifically. These relationships have helped shape his mindset and goals throughout his time serving as dean.
“(Dr. Powery) looked at me and said, ‘You know Terry, if we are here, if we put our attention here, maybe we can set the trajectory of where this school could go for the next 50 years and not just set the trajectory for the school but for the church.’ And that was the first time I saw something broader than just my love of teaching,” Cross said.
Cross views his job with humility and as a way to serve God by teaching and instructing young people.
“I think servant leadership is clearly the model of Christ, but also what is necessary isn't that someone stands above others and shouts directions of where they're supposed to go, but someone lives with people, learns their lives and serves them to make room for them to be the best they can be,” Cross said.
After leaving Lee, Cross plans to spend more time with his wife, Linda; his daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Kevin Snider, associate professor of Christian ethics at Lee; and his two grandchildren. Additionally, he hopes to spend more time writing.
Photo by Abi Belcher, Lee University Publications
Over his 29 years of service at Lee University, Cross has dedicated himself to serving his students and the university with wisdom. His leadership as dean has made an impact on Lee, and he is an important part of the university’s story.
