Book Description
"You can't be their preacher until you've been their pastor," Randall Lolley insisted. That settled conviction guided his relationships not only with congregations but also with the hundreds of students, faculty members, administrators, and supportive personnel who populated the theological seminary he loved and led for a decade and a half.
Enriched by recollections from people who knew Dr. Lolley best, Randall Lolley: Thanks for the Memories tells the story of a "plain vanilla Alabama boy," renowned and beloved academic leader, denominational servant, and church minister who elevated the pastoral dimension of his life above all other callings.
Book Reviews
Steve Pressley has given us a special gift...a chronicle of an exemplary servant leader...and deep integrity, sheer giftedness, and focused discipline and an overwhelmingly singular vision of loving all people; the record of a loving marriage...the tale of a denominational faction with a driving, destructive lust for power; the recital of the systemic misogyny that existed and continues to exist within Baptists of the South; and perhaps most importantly, a clear picture of courage–the kind that makes hard decisions, such as leaving, easy and powerful and the absolute right thing to do.
—Linda McKinnish Bridges
Former Founding Faculty Member and Closing President
Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond (1991-2019)
You cannot comprehend the last fifty years of Baptist life in America without understanding the story of Randall Lolley, and Steve Pressley provides a meticulously researched and creatively written biography of this pivotal figure. The book unveils the true person behind the public figure, and we discover they are the same man—a person of integrity who is honest and forthright...His story will leave you laughing, crying, cheering, and amazed. For those who did not know Randall, there could not be a better introduction; even for his close friends and colleagues, there is much to learn in these pages.
—Tom Graves
Former President, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond
Former Professor, Southeastern Baptist Seminary
Sometimes in a life, you have the privilege of coming alongside a person and observing as they navigate their days. Only as their story is gathered up do you truly appreciate how special they are. Steve Pressley gathers up the Randall Lolley story for us in a way that brings awe and wonder.
—Charles Qualls
Senior Pastor, Franklin Baptist Church
Franklin, Virginia