Newsletter for the College of Biblical Studies
Volume 2, Number 1
February, 2004
Lectureship Features Isaiah and Renewal
The theme for the coming 86th annual Bible Lectureship, February 22-25, is "Come to the Waters: Messages of Renewal from Isaiah." Both the book of Isaiah and the theme of renewal will receive special emphasis through theme lectures, classes, and special offerings. Some of the best Isaiah scholars among Churches of Christ will lead us deep into Isaiah's message. John Willis, Tim Willis, Rick Marrs, Paul Watson, Jennifer Green, Mark Hamilton, and others will mine the rich resources of this book for both personal edification and the building up of the church. Outstanding teachers like Leonard Allen, Randy Harris, Jack Reese, Don McLaughlin, John Mark Hicks, D'Esta Love, Andrew Hairston, and Peggy Stirman will draw us into the life of God to find resources for renewal. In all, over 150 presenters will work to make this lectureship a spiritual feast.
In addition to the great classes and theme lectures, this year's lectureship will again provide opportunities for enrichment through worship. In addition to the worship shared at the theme lectures, Hallal, Zoe Group, HIP, Tribe of Judah Chorus, and several student led singing groups will provide ample opportunities to praise God. Additionally, opportunities like morning prayers and the special late night offering, "Come to the Quiet," provide opportunities for contemplative worship and reflection. As in year's past, the ACU artistic community will provide music, theater, and visual arts to help us reflect artistically on the nature of our faith. Through the variety of worship offerings, this year lectureship offers nourishment for the soul.
This year also marks a new venue for exhibits and fellowship. The Teague Special Events Center will now host all of our exhibitors along with food kiosks and tables for light meals and all day fellowship. Late night visitors to Teague will find pie and coffee provided by Women for ACU with all proceeds going to student scholarships. Lectureship is a great way to renew acquaintances, to discuss the exciting things going on in our churches, and to find the presence of the Lord through our brothers and sisters.
This year's lectureship is also notable for the focus of this year's afternoon forum. Representatives of the International Churches of Christ will be present for three days of conversation with representatives of "mainline" churches to discuss the past, present, and future of our two movements.
Check our website for the details of the entire lectureship program and make your plans to be with us for Lectureship.
Unveiling Glory
Why did Jesus come to earth in the flesh and live among us? In what sense did he both embrace this world and reject it? How should our view of Christ form the way we live and act as Christians in our families, neighborhoods, nations, and churches? Unveiling Glory seeks to address these topics and others, boldly considering many of the problems facing Churches of Christ today and insisting that the key to their resolution lies in a deeper commitment to Jesus.
The introduction establishes the premise for the book when it declares that "approaching Christ with transformation in mind has not always been a key element in our heritage. Yet we are convinced that whenever scripture is allowed to speak with its full voice, the notion of Christianity as transformation into the image of Christ becomes inescapable." The book seeks to deliver on this promise, leading the reader through the important events in Jesus' life and unveiling their significance for the Christian today.
Unveiling Glory will be an invaluable aid for churches and individuals as they seek to embody Christ and to bring his story to a needy world.
The first three books in the Heart of the Restoration Series are being made available to congregations at a special group discount, according to Thom Lemmons, director of ACU Press. "The books in this series were conceived and written in order to take an important place in the current discussions among Churches of Christ," Lemmons said, "and we want to do everything we can to help that discussion continue." Congregations across the country are using the books, Lemmons says, both for individual and group studies of the issues presented.
Churches wishing to make a group purchase of one or more of the books in the Heart of the Restoration Series may send a message to lemmonst@acu.edu. For purchases of twenty or more books in the series, buyers will receive a 10% discount from the retail price. Shipping charges and sales tax for Texas residents will be added to the order.
In The Crux of the Matter: Crisis, Tradition, and the Future of Churches of Christ, Jeff Childers, Doug Foster, and Jack Reese give voice to several crucial decisions now facing Churches of Christ, placing those decisions in a comprehensive historical, cultural, and biblical context. God's Holy Fire: The Nature and Function of Scripture (Ken Cukrowski, Mark Hamilton, and James Thompson) focuses on hermeneutics, or the way members of Churches of Christ read, understand, and interpret Scripture. Future volumes in the series, all written by members of ACU's College of Biblical Studies faculty, will deal with the church, and worship.
River's Edge: Meeting Jesus in Baptism
ACU Press announces the release of "River's Edge: Meeting Jesus in Baptism," a special supplement to the Heart of the Restoration Series. The 48-page booklet will be available in conjunction with ACU's annual Bible Lectureship, February 22-25, 2004.
Adapted from Chapter Three of the latest volume in the Heart of the Restoration Series, "Unveiling Glory: Visions of Christ's Transforming Presence," this booklet highlights the biblical significance of baptism for followers of Jesus Christ.
The booklet is priced at $2.99 per copy. For more information, please send an email to lemmonst@acu.edu
2004 Freshmen Blessing
Spiritual formation, encouraging students to grow into Christlikeness, provided the backdrop for the Freshman Blessing. The event, held the second week of the spring semester, brought faculty and freshman majors in the Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry together for a keystone event.
The theme for the luncheon centered around the transformation of rough rocks becoming smooth stones. River rocks are unusual stones. Before the rocks fall into a river, they are rough, jagged, and oddly shaped. Years later, maybe centuries later, the rocks take on a new appearance from being tumbled by the water and become smooth stones.
Two graduate students, Colt McCook and Natalie (Dunn) Magnusson, discussed the blessings they received as undergraduate Bible majors at ACU. They talked about how the experience smoothed them into mature disciples of Jesus Christ. Jack Reese, college dean, challenged the freshmen to mature and grow spiritually as their rough edges are reshaped, and they become smooth as river stones. Students were given stones, smoothed by flowing water, as a constant reminder of the ways in which God uses scripture, worship, peers, literature, faculty, family, and rituals to form them spiritually.
David Wray, chair of the department, told the freshmen, "As you grow in Christlikeness, as you are spiritually formed, as the rough edges are smoothed, this entire learning community will celebrate the work of God in you and among us. May you always remember that you are loved by God, respected by this university, and honored in this department."
Randy Harris, teacher of the more than eighty freshmen majors, desires the freshman to excel academically. Yet, the other dimension of their training, maturing as a disciple of Jesus, is a greater priority. Randy constantly reminds his students that spiritual formation occurs as they observe spiritual exemplars, practice spiritual disciplines (prayer, fasting, worship, meditation, etc.), and participate in missions and ministry.
As the event concluded, a prayer of blessing covered the students as they began the spring semester. Students gathered in the middle of the room, faculty gathered around them, laid hands on them, and pronounced these words of blessing over them.
"Thank you God for meeting us in this place today, in our worship, fellowship, and in this blessing on these freshmen. For thousands of years you have blessed your people, and today we pray that your blessings be on these wonderful young friends.
Father, you have gifted these students with scholarship and leadership. Please guide all of these distinguished young adults in using their intellects and influence to help, heal, and build. Help them to walk humbly before you as they continue to mature spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally.
As these young Christians proceed through their college careers we pray they internalize the values, virtues and spiritual principles found in scripture and lived out on this campus. Would you provide wisdom and discernment for the many critical decisions which they will be called on to make in the next four years. Help them to grow as Christian servants who radiantly blaze the love of Jesus in every corner of this campus and beyond.
We pray not just for these students, Father, but for their families, their peers, faculty and staff as together we participate in the spiritual formation process of daily maturing into the image of Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus this prayer of blessing is prayed. Amen."
Greater Diversity Planned for Fall 2004
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| Drs. Edward Robinson and Jerry Taylor, Bible Faculty |
Diversity, a core value in the Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry, takes greater form this fall when two new courses are offered. Dr. Jerry Taylor will teach "Preaching in African American Congregations" while Dr. Edward Robinson will teach "The Participation of African Americans in the Restoration Movement." Dr. Taylor and Dr. Robinson are entering unexplored territories for the department, both men are excited about the opportunity and are realistic about the challenges before them.
Dr. Robinson plans to explore a topic for which there is little literature. He states, "Most of what I will use to teach will be from my own personal research, and that will be both challenging and rewarding." He hopes to generate a desire for greater interest in the Restoration Movement by bringing forth many of the unknown contributions of significant African American individuals.
Dr. Taylor, an assistant professor of Bible and ministry, is tackling his first preaching class. He shares, "Though I have preached for many years, I have never taught preaching before. It will be a new experience for me but also a rewarding one." He hopes this class will equip students with the ability to adjust their preaching styles to fit the various contexts in which they will be asked to speak. "It will be valuable for the students to learn about multicultural worship and to learn how to engage people cross-culturally."
Robinson and Taylor have expectations that extend far beyond the walls of the classroom. Robinson explains, "By learning about the African American Churches of Christ, we are able to learn more about Churches of Christ as a whole. We have a one-sided portrait, and I hope to help give us [Churches of Christ] a more complete portrait of our heritage." Taylor shares these same sentiments: "There has been little dialogue between black and white preaching. By encouraging these classes, ACU is exemplifying the kingdom agenda. I am thankful that this university sees topics such as preaching in African American congregations as having significant value. It is also an attempt to see how the racial walls that exist within Churches of Christ can be lowered and hopefully one day eradicated."
Charles Siburt Named Vice President for Church Relations
On January 28, 2004, Dr. Royce Money named Dr. Charles Siburt as the Vice President for Church Relations at Abilene Christian University to become effective on February 1. In announcing the appointment, Dr. Money said, "We want to continually improve our communication and service to churches. In this role, Dr. Siburt will be involved in strengthening ties between ACU and a broad spectrum of Churches of Christ. Since 1988, he has worked with churches on behalf of ACU. As a new member of the President's Cabinet, he will represent the interest of churches in this decision-making body." The appointment is essentially a redefinition of Dr. Siburt's role at ACU and does not constitute adding an additional position.
Dr. Siburt currently serves ACU as Frazer Professor of Church Enrichment, Professor of Graduate Bible and Ministry, Associate Dean for Ministry Programs and Services, Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program, and Director of the Center for Church Enrichment and will continue in several of those roles in addition to his new responsibilities. The appointment will be for a three-year period. Dr. Money, as does Dr. Siburt, believes the partnership between ACU and supportive congregations is more important than ever, and that it is vital for ACU to be overt and intentional in its communication and service to churches. Dr. Siburt already envisions adding new initiatives while continuing to support the programs and services already provided.
Concerning this appointment, Don Crisp, chairman of ACU's Board of Trustees and an elder at Highland Oaks Church of Christ in Dallas, said, "ACU is committed to serving Churches of Christ in a very supportive and useful way. Dr. Siburt has been a servant to Churches of Christ for many years, and he has a wonderful reputation for helping churches. He is an ideal person for this role."
Dr. Jack Reese, Dean of the College of Biblical Studies, said, "I know of no more qualified person than Charlie to serve in the role of Vice President for Church Relations. There is no greater time than this one for churches and Christian universities to work together for the sake of the Kingdom. Charles Siburt's unique gifts make him the ideal person for this role. He has a passion for ministry, listens carefully, and has dedicated his life to equipping churches and church leaders to be their very best."
During recent years, Dr. Siburt has served as a consultant for more than 100 churches in Texas, twenty other states and Canada. He will continue serving as director of the Doctor of Ministry program and programs such as ElderLink and the Minister Support Network and maintaining ACU's Ministry Resources web page. His office will remain in the College of Biblical Studies, and he will continue to teach in the Graduate School of Theology and serve as the Frazer Professor of Church Enrichment.
Dr. Siburt holds Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees from ACU and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He has been a minister or interim minister at churches in Abilene, Lubbock, Tyler and Austin, TX, and in Ft. Collins, CO. He currently serves as an elder at University Church of Christ in Abilene.
Doctor of Ministry Applications Due
The purpose of the Doctor of Ministry degree is to enhance the practice of ministry for persons who hold the M.Div. degree and have engaged in ministerial leadership. Since its beginning in 1987 at Abilene Christian University, the program has seen more than 100 ministers complete the D.Min. degree and now serve in a diverse range of ministry contexts.
Admission to the Doctor of Ministry program requires that applicants must first have obtained an accredited Master of Divinity degree or its educational equivalent and have completed three years of ministry since obtaining their first theological master's degree. The newly revised D.Min. curriculum focuses on the challenges of the Missional Church as the Gospel encounters our contemporary culture. Courses in Theology of Culture, Missional Ecclesiology, Paul and Culture, Christian Leadership Development, and Preaching to Contemporary Culture are only some of the courses included in the curriculum.
All applications for the ACU Doctor of Ministry Program are due immediately. If you or someone you know is interested in applying for admission to this year's class, please contact the Doctor of Ministry Office immediately at 325.674.3732 or email siburt@bible.acu.edu.
ElderLink Forum 2003 Dallas
Approximately 330 church leaders participated in the ElderLink Forum 2003 Dallas held at Dallas Christian School on November 8, 2003. ElderLink Forum events began in 2000 in Dallas, TX, with a second event in Portland, OR, added in 2001. A new ElderLink Forum is scheduled in Atlanta, GA, on March 27, 2004, at the shared facilities of the Campus Church of Christ and Greater Atlanta Christian School.
ElderLink Forum 2004 Atlanta
The mission of the ElderLink Ministry is to equip, encourage, and link those who lead and serve as elders in Churches of Christ through collaborative relationships, informative resources, and shared learning opportunities. ElderLink offers a range of services to elders, one of them being a gathering of elders such as the upcoming ElderLink Forum 2004 Atlanta being co-sponsored by Abilene Christian University and Lipscomb University. The event will be held this spring on Saturday, March 27, 2004, in Atlanta, GA, at the shared facilities of Campus Church of Christ and Greater Atlanta Christian School, 1575 Indian Trail Road, Norcross, GA, 30093. Telephone: 770.923.0449. The site is conveniently located off IH 85 at exit 101 (Indian Trail/Lilburn Rd.) 25 miles from Atlanta International Airport and downtown Atlanta.
Missions Graduates Getting to the Field
As students come to study at ACU their dream is to be somewhere in the world bringing the Kingdom of God to new people. Those dreams may be very specific and they may yet need to be developed. Regardless, there is often a lag time between graduation and actually getting to the field. As we know, in the fellowship of churches of Christ, getting to the mission field is quite an undertaking.
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| Aaron and Marisa Bailey | Kevin, Charity and Josiah Linderman |
During the last few months there have been several missions students whose dreams are being fulfilled. We rejoice with them as they find their place among those who are called missionaries. Back in 2000 a new team went to northwest Tanzania to work with the Sukuma people. The Boyces, Gruens, and Guilds make up that team. Recently two more families have made the decision to join the team during 2005. Aaron and Marisa Bailey and their son, Trey, have been involved in youth ministry in Liberty, Texas. Both Aaron and Marisa received missions degrees from ACU. Kevin and Charity Linderman and their son, Josiah, will also join the team. Kevin is an ACU graduate, studies missions and was student association president during his senior year. Kevin and Charity took a survey trip to East Africa two years ago. We rejoice that the Sukuma team is growing and God is still moving among ACU missions graduates.
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| Team to Salvador, Brazil |
Six ACU graduates are part of a new team being gathered by the Continent of Great Cities. This team is preparing to plant a church in Salvador, Brazil. They are already in training and plan to be on site by the end of 2004. Travis and Alicia Sass came to ACU from Canada. Travis finished his MDIV in missions last year. Other ACU graduates include Mary Virginia Serman, who finished her MA in missions, and Jennifer and Randy Porter. Randy graduated from the MFT program. The most recent graduate student to join the team is Matt Mabery, MDIV. ACU is making a significant contribution to the work of this very talented team. We praise God for his continual work in the lives of our students.
We praise the Lord for his continual work in the lives of our students. Even as they continue to study and work in other ways missions has a prominent place in their hearts. God's timing is best as he brings dreams to fulfillment.
Cutting Edge Research Opportunities for ACU Alums
By: David Kneip
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| David sitting in an old stone chair that allegedly was built centuries ago as a temporary throne for Attila the Hun while his armies were camped outside Venice. |
Guten Tag aus Muenster! It is a cool, rainy, morning here in Muenster, Germany, where my new wife, Cynthia, and I are spending the academic year 2003-04 with the support of Dr. Carroll Osburn and the Center for New Testament Textual Research. Today will be a normal German day for me, because I will go first to Muensters Institute for New Testament Textual Research to do research using the facilities and materials of the Institute, with the help of Barbara Aland and her colleagues there. Then, this afternoon, I will go to the Institute for Egyptology and Coptology to take part in a seminar on the Sahidic dialect of the Coptic language that which was spoken and written in Egypt at the time of Christ and the early church fathers and mothers.
My work with Dr. Osburn as a masters-level student, transcribing and collating ancient biblical manuscripts from the fourth through the fifteenth centuries, acquainted me with Dr. Aland and her colleagues four years ago. As the end of my masters work grew near, I decided to pursue Ph.D. work after taking a year off; Dr. Aland suggested I come to Muenster and work with them during that year. Once Dr. Osburn and I discovered that I could also take classes while in Muenster and that funding was available, we began to make plans. In addition to continuing to help with the Acts Project, I am spending this year finishing my masters thesis and performing my own research into the Coptic text of Pauls letter to the Romans by collating the pertinent Greek manuscripts and also many Coptic fragments of the document.
With the other half of my time, I am taking courses (in German!) both this and next semester. I am studying the Coptic language, literature, and culture, including an exercise in learning the secondary Coptic dialects. Taking these courses will help prepare me for my doctoral work and also further equip me to work with the Coptic version of the Bible in the larger project of the Greek New Testament Project in its many facets.
In addition to the great deal of support I have received from my ACU professors, as well as many staff members in Abilene, I have also been very fortunate to work in Muenster with Dr. Stephen Emmel, an American who is the head of our Coptology department. He has been very helpful to us, not only as the third reader on my thesis but also as an advisor and friend during this year.
Cynthia and I have greatly enjoyed beginning our married life by spending a year in Germany. Cynthia loves her job teaching English, I am thrilled with my studies and research, and we love our church. That said, though, we are also looking forward to returning to the States this fall, hopefully to begin doctoral work in early church history and also to continue serving the Lords church out of the wonderful experience and growth of this year.
Worldwide Witness
On Friday night, January 23, the Buffalo Gap Church of Christ activity building was full of excitement as more than 50 ACU students and staff gathered to begin a semester of training for Worldwide Witness internships. In groups of two to four, the interns will spend their summer developing ministry skills by working alongside missionaries from Auckland, New Zealand to the Bronx, New York and Santiago, Chile to Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Highlights of the evening included a "third world" supper of beans and rice, a cross cultural simulation led and debriefed by Steve Allison, hearing a panel of five interns from the summer of 2003, worship, and getting to know fellow interns and trainers. Saturday morning brought an introspective focus to the retreat as Sonny Guild led the students through a personality inventory.
The entire staff of ACU's Institute for Missions and Evangelism works together with directors Wimon Walker and Gary Green to prepare the students for a productive "hands on" learning experience. The retreat marks the beginning of a semester full of training for students who are finding ways to "change the world."
Graduate Student Association
The Graduate Student Association (GSA) was established to contribute to the academic, professional, and social formation of graduate students. With the variety of graduate programs being offered at ACU, the GSA helps bridge the different programs so that a community atmosphere can be created among graduate students. Monthly lunches (free pizza!), a winter banquet and other activities are planned so that graduate students can take time from their studies and become part of a community.
The Graduate Student Activity fee supplies funds for use by the GSA. The GSA strives to use these funds to benefit graduate students.
The GSA encourages the professional development of graduate students by providing financial assistance for travel expenses for students planning to attend professional conferences related to their field of study. Each student is eligible to receive a stipend to offset expenses as they travel to attend professional meetings or to present papers at conferences.
Research Competition and Symposium
Every spring the GSA hosts the annual Research Competition and Symposium. Students are encouraged to submit their papers in the symposium not only to showcase their work, but also to enter a contest for cash prizes. Awards are given for the top papers submitted in the areas of qualitative research, quantitative research and creative writing.
Graduate Forum
The GSA also hosts Graduate Forums consisting of discussion of a chosen topic relevant to many different fields of study. In 2002, the Graduate Forum debated the issue of stem cell research. The second annual Graduate Forum was held in the spring of 2003 and debated the issue of a Christian response to pornography.
GSA Officers
Officers are elected each fall to serve for the current academic year. Student representatives from each department participate in planning events and facilitate communication with students in each graduate program. The 2003-04 Officers:
Nathan Pickard, president, graduated from Harding University and is currently finishing his last semester of the Master's of Divinity program. Nathan will be married to Katie Babcock shortly after graduation and they plan on moving to Ontario, Canada to work full time in pulpit ministry. Nathan is currently the preacher at the Southside Church of Christ, Abilene.
Jennifer Hale, vice president, came to ACU after teaching Spanish for one year at a boarding school for girls aged 13-18 with emotional disturbances. Jen, who plans on graduating in 2004 will either travel overseas for mission work or will use her skills and do vocational ministry in the United States. Jen is currently completing her Master of Arts in Christian Ministry.
Aaron Metcalf, secretary, is a first year Master of Divinity Student. Aaron graduated from ACU in May 2003. Aaron and his wife Chelan have a two-month-old baby named Ella. After graduation, Aaron plans include full time pulpit ministry. He also is the pulpit minister for the Sidney Church of Christ in Sidney, TX.
Kevin Wells, treasurer, is in his final semester of the Master's of Divinity program. Kevin Wells, graduated from Harding in '97, spent four years as missionary in Russia and is married for 6 years to Anya Merkulova Wells. After graduation, Kevin hopes to preach in the Northeast.
