Tarris Rosell
Professor of Pastoral Theology—Ethics & Ministry Praxis
Rev. Tarris (Terry) Rosell, PhD, DMin
I’m a farm boy from Minnesota. I hope to live out the rest of my years on Lake Dabinawa in rural Kansas.
In the meantime, I am a nontraditional minister. Since our marriage in 1979 and subsequent ordinations as American Baptist ministers in 1983, Ruth and I have had educational and vocational adventures in many contexts of ministry: seminary in Boston, co-pastors in Upstate NY, co-pastors and church planters (Lao American Baptist Church) while resettling refugees in Greater Kansas City, doctoral studies at Vanderbilt in Nashville—and since 1999, professors together here at Central Seminary. We taught in a faculty job-share arrangement for most of that time until 2019.
I am a bioethicist. Since 2004, a significant part of vocation for me has been in healthcare. I hold an appointment as the Flanigan Chair at the Center for Practical Bioethics. As a bioethicist, I do clinical ethics consultation, directing that service for the University of Kansas Health System. I have served on the faculties of two medical schools, with opportunities to teach (and learn from) medical students, physicians, and other healthcare workers.
I am an entrepreneur of ministry. Creating is a passion. In collaboration with colleagues and students, I have co-founded several nonprofit organizations. In 2020, we launched LivingLove International (renamed Fayyaa Integrated Development Organization, International), with a mission to collaborate on humanitarian projects on the continent of Africa, where Ruth was born and raised.
I am an artist—of the written word and music, some videography and photography, and especially these days using clay. Look me up on Instagram @amanilamps. All pottery creations are available for donations to international projects that this creativity supports.
In January 2020, I became a grandfather, “Baba Terry.” I enjoy immensely the family caregiver role with our two grandchildren, as I had decades earlier while co-raising four amazing children with Ruth. The adventure continues.
