“Soul Culture” Authors Highlight Baylor Libraries Author Series

On Tuesday, April 23, at 3:30 p.m., Matt Snowden, Pastor at First Baptist Church Waco, and Joshua Hays, Associate Pastor of Discipleship, will present their book “Soul Culture: Stewarding the Five Ingredients of Our Common Life,” as part of the ongoing Baylor Libraries Author Series. The conversation, moderated by Todd Still, Dean of George W. Truett Theological Seminary and William M. Hinson Chair of Christian Scriptures, will be held on the first floor of the Moody Memorial Library in the Schumacher Flex Commons. 

The event is free and will be hosted in person and livestreamed via Zoom Webinar. A Q&A, reception with light refreshments, and a book signing with Snowden and Hays will follow the conversation.

Snowden has pastored for 26 years and has served as pastor of First Baptist Church Waco since August 2010. He has served two terms on the Executive Board of Texas Baptists, teaches pastoral leadership courses for Truett Seminary’s Doctor of Ministry program, and preaches regularly throughout the South in addition to his congregational responsibilities.

Hays has served in churches in Tennessee and Alabama before coming to First Baptist Church Waco in 2017 as associate pastor of discipleship. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member for Truett Seminary’s spiritual formation program and is completing his Doctor of Ministry degree. 

“Everyone agrees on the significance of culture, but few people define it in ways that help leaders to cultivate it,” Hays said. “Matt and I believe that attending to beliefs, attitudes, values, goals and practices will lead to healthier churches and organizations.”

Through their book, Hays and Snowden hope that readers will be able to faithfully integrate the different ingredients of culture in their own communities. 

“We want healthy, Christ-centered cultures for our churches, campus and community,” Hays said. “Every group develops its own culture, and we want to help leaders to nurture and nourish these gifts with wisdom and grace.”

The Baylor Libraries Author Series features publications by Baylor-affiliated authors as selected by the Dean of University Libraries, Museums, and the Press. The series is designed to inspire conversation and learning on a broad range of topics among members of the Baylor and Waco community and beyond. For more details, visit library.web.baylor.edu/authorseries.