Volume 4 Number 1
February 2006
GST Alumni Association Luncheon
The second annual GST Alumni Association Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 Lectureship. All alumni and friends of the Graduate School of Theology are encouraged to attend. The speaker will be Dr. Lynn Anderson. The meal is free, but you must obtain a ticket from the GST Dean's office. Seating is limited to 200, so you will need to go by Dean Reese's office and get a ticket as early as possible. This is an important time to think about the future of the GST. Dan Bouchelle, president of the GST Alumni Association, will preside. Several important items will be discussed at the meeting. Most importantly, it will be a time to fellowship and share our common commitments.
88th Annual Bible Lectureship
"You Shall Know the Truth and the Truth Shall Set You Free"
Messages from the Gospel of John
Featuring the Restoration Unity Forum: Together Again: Restoring Unity in Christ after a Century of Separation. Featured speakers are Rick Atchley, Ft. Worth, Texas and Bob Russell, Louisville, Ky. Our heritage was once known as a unity movement of people who wanted to be Christians only. Somewhere along the way that goal was lost. Can it be recaptured? Two preachers from different streams think it can, and think the time to say and do so is now.
This year we are excited to offer two new tracks. Mercy and Justice and What Does it Mean to Be Human? The Mercy and Justice track asks, "What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8). These words ring through Scripture and make clear God’s expectation that his people will pursue mercy and justice in the world. This new track will reflect this diving expectation by offering classes on "Justice and Care After Katrina", "Loving the Broken Children of God", and "Fair Trade."
The What Does it Mean to Be Human? track asks, Who Are Humans that You Are Mindful of Them? Much of how we view issues like salvation, conversion, and holiness reflects our views of human nature. Be a part of this important conversation by attending classes on "Spiritual Pollution", "Spiritual Direction", and a special workshop on "Forgiveness."
Lectureship Theme Speakers:
- Royce Money, with guest, President of Milligan College, Don Jeanes
- Samuel Twumasi-Ankrah, Accra, Ghana
- Rick Marrs, Thousand Oaks, CA
- Lawrence Murray, Edmond, OK
- David Fleer, Rochester, MI
- Mike Cope, Abilene, TX
- Dwight Robarts, Dallas, TX
We hope that you will make plans to attend the last Lectureship in February! For more information please visit our website at www.acu.edu/lectureship or call the Lectureship Office at 325-674-6783.
Relationships Week: February 22 - March 6, 2006
Sacred Relationships Week is sponsored by the ACU Counseling Center, the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy, the Department of Sociology and Social Work, and Spiritual Life. The week is uniquely designed to interface with ACU Lectureship, the Centennial Celebration, and the annual Healthy Relationships Week.
Beginning on Wednesday of Lectureship, Dr. Everett Worthington, Professor of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, will speak on "Forgiveness." On Thursday, February 23, Dr. Worthington will present a one-day workshop for ministers and professionals on the topic "Hope and Forgiveness."
On Tuesday and Wednesday, February 28 and March 1, Dr. Gary Thomas, Director for the Center of Evangelical Spirituality, will speak on "Sacred Marriage", "Sacred Marriage & Parenting," and "Authentic Faith, Sacred Pathways, and the Glorious Pursuit."
On Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, March 4 - 6, Drs. Emily Scott-Lowe and Dennis Lowe will speak on the topics "Maintaining Your Marriage While in School", "Sacred Relationships", and "Making Choices in Your Relationships."
These speakers come with impeccable credentials, a passion for things of God, and a commitment to bringing messages of hope for relationships. They are speaking in a variety of settings including chapel, workshops, and luncheons. See http://www.acu.edu/campusoffices/counseling/hrw.html for schedules and complete details.
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Graduate mission students at ACU have the opportunity to get a "snapshot" of their readiness for future mission work through an innovative assessment process called PreMAC—short for Preliminary Missionary Assessment Center. Ten ACU graduate mission students participated in PreMAC January 20 and 21. They came away from the weekend with new friendships, better self-understanding, and fresh perspective on their relationship with God and his mission.
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Team Quest Dinner |
On a cold winter's evening in November, 175 students, faculty, administrators, and guests gathered to hear about developments in missions at the Halbert Institute for Missions' second annual Team Quest Dinner. Each of the missions coordinators shared about the missions developments for their region of the world. Several new teams were introduced.
The highlight of the evening was the showing of a documentary on an ACU missions team in the Bronx, New York. The film showcased the challenge of the City and the amazing story of what God is doing. The team, made up of Jared and Hylma Looney, Todd and Becky Foster, and Melissa Endsley, is planting a network of simple house churches. God is saving lives of men and women who would not venture into a traditional church, but are being reclaimed by him in these close relationship-oriented communities of faith. One student who attended the dinner commented, "The video touched my heart...I have always felt a pull to do some type of mission work oversees, but until tonight it was just a dream...I saw how church is not all about worshipping inside a 'church building,' but being there one-on-one ministering to hurting people. I want to make a difference. Watching the video allowed me to realize that I do not have to wait to be a missionary; I can be one right now, right where I am. I thank God for the opportunity to attend the Team Quest Dinner as it has begun to change my life."
The Team Quest dinner will be an annual event. Celebration and vision are what the evening is about. Next year a documentary of another ACU/Halbert team will be shown. That documentary will show how God works in a completely different context, Burkina Faso, West Africa.
Theology in the Christian University: Prospects for the 21st Century
During the Centennial year, the GST will host a conference on Theology in the Christian University: "Prospects for the 21st Century," March 23-25, 2006.
What roles do theological disciplines play in the Christian university? How do they intersect with other disciplines and inquiries? The answers to these questions have taken several forms in the past century, and numerous challenges complicate the contemporary pursuit of programs that are theologically reflective. As a result, the need for connecting theological reflection with other areas of knowledge is nowhere more keenly felt than in the Christian university.
Given this situation, Abilene Christian University will host "Theology in the Christian University: Prospects for the 21st Century," March 23-25, 2006. This conference will call scholars to rethink the nature of theological education within the Christian university, and will stand out not only for its subject matter, but also for its relevance to the contemporary discussion. The following keynote speakers will help guide our conversation: Dr. Stanley Hauerwas, Duke Divinity School, Dr. Ellen Charry, Princeton Theological Seminary, Dr. William Abraham, Southern Methodist University, and Dr. Darryl Tippens, Pepperdine University.
The event will provide an occasion for various religious traditions to cooperate in promoting greater dialogue among Christian education movements. Furthermore, it will furnish an opportunity for participants to investigate concrete strategies for making our reflections on the nature of theological education a reality. You are invited to attend. Register online by February 17, 2006.
For more information:
Also on April 20, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. in the Teague Special Events Center, Dr. Jean Bethke Elshtain will be a featured speaker. Dr. Elshtain is a political philosopher whose work shows the connections between our political and our ethical convictions. She is the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Professor of Social and Political Ethics at the University of Chicago. Her books include Democracy on Trial, Public Man, Private Woman: Women in Social Thought and Just War Theory.
You are invited be a part of the 2006 Prepare Certification Seminar at Abilene Christian University. Ministers and church leaders will be certified to use the Prepare/Enrich inventory in pre-marital and marital counseling in this one-day session. Strategies on how to implement a pre-marital and marital counseling program in your church will also be presented. The session will be held in the ACU Student Center Living room.
Thursday, Feb. 23, 2006, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $175 (includes breakfast and snacks)
Presenters: Richard Ellis and Robert Oglesby, Jr.
Contact the Center for Youth and Family Ministry at 325-674-3731 for more information.Make checks payable to:
Center for Youth and Family
ACU Box 29435
Abilene, TX 79699
The registration deadline is February 15, 2006.
Preview Weekend for the Graduate School of Theology
"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service." (Ephesians 4:10). On February 26-27, explore your calling and giftedness in God's kingdom and consider continuing your education in the Graduate School of Theology at ACU.
Sunday
3:00-5:00 Arrival and Registration
5:00-6:30 Dinner and Conversation
7:00-8:00 Worship (Chapel on the Hill). Speaker: GST dean Dr. Jack Reese
9:00-10:30 Fellowship
Monday
8:00-8:30 Continental Breakfast
8:30-10:45 Programs and opportunities in ACU's GST
11:30-12:00 Closing chapel
Register Online: Go to www.acu.edu/gstvisit and complete the registration form. Cost: $15. Housing: provided by current students and faculty of ACU. For information on hotels, see the website.
For more information log on to www.acu.edu/gstvisit or contact:
B. J. McMichael, Director of Graduate Student Services
Graduate School of Theology
Abilene Christian University
ACU Box 29430, Abilene, TX 79699-9430
Office: 290 Biblical Studies Building
Toll Free: 888-242-5360
When students graduate with their Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy, they begina new chapter in their lives. Some go immediately into a mental health or ministry position while others take a more circular route. One thing they have in common, however, is that their newly acquired skills are used to help others. eConnections interviewed one new alumnus, Dan McClellan, to determine the manner in which he is utilizing his training. Following is an interview regarding one of his first post-graduate experiences.
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Hurricane cleanup |
eConnections: Dan, tell us how you have been using your training in marriage and family therapy now that you have graduated.
Dan: Imediately following graduation, I found myself in a unique position of having some extra time on my hands. I decided to take a "vacation" in Florida and North Carolina to help with the clean-up of the many hurricanes that ravished the Southeast last year. When I say "leisure," I am referring to working between 70 and 80 hours a week doing some of the most difficult work I have ever done.
eConnections: What specifically were you doing? Comforting the weary? Lifting the downtrodden? Consoling the disheartened?
Dan: Actually, my job was just the opposite of what most people would expect of a well-educated person. My job was to put on some gloves and get dirtier than I ever thought possible. Thus, I found myself plodding through snake and alligator infested canals with some of the most humble people on this earth. Those I worked alongside were both those who had immigrated here in search of a better life and those whose life and circumstances had not allowed them the education with which I had been blessed. Most of the work that we performed involved cleaning out canals and waterways to provide passage for boats and/or prevent future flooding during other hurricanes.
eConnections: Were you disappointed in your role in the clean-up? It certainly was not the work of a professional counselor.
Dan: No, I was not disappointed. I was reminded of the great need to serve others and help whenever we are able. How easy it is to get caught up in our daily worries and forget that there might be others who have greater cares and worries that we can help to alleviate. The great training I received from ACU's Marriage and Family Therapy program had one overarching theme--Be Christ to those around you. I spent two years striving to learn this for my future profession as I counseled with people. While I am now excited to return to actual counseling, I gained valuable insight as I served in ways that I had not imagined. Let us all remember to serve whenever and wherever the Lord may lead.
Interns from the Department of Bible, Ministry and Missions
Consider giving an undergraduate ACU student the opportunity to be an intern at your church this summer. Interview times during Lectureship are February 21 and 22. If you would like to participate in our Intern Placement Program in 2006, please take the link below to register your available internship position and find instructions and more information about ACU internships. Students will be looking for a wide variety of ministry positions. Make your church a training ground for the next generation in ministry. For questions, call Scott McBryde at 325-674-3731. The deadline to register is February 5, 2006, http://www.acu.edu/ministry/centers_institutes/youth_family/internships.html.
Interns from the Graduate School of Theology
A daily class at the 2006 Lectureship will focus on Supervisory Ministry, 3:15 pm, Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building, Room 103. See page 22 of the Lectureship Program. To view the entire program, visit http://www.acu.edu/events/lectureship.html
Your congregation has an opportunity to provide a place for life-changing "education" by inviting one or more students from Abilene Christian University's Graduate School of Theology to serve as a ministry intern. The Graduate School of Theology desires to work cooperatively with your congregation to educate men and women for ministry throughout the world. Some of the most important learning moments in a person's education occur when the student is learning while serving. Topics for the class include:
Supervised Practice of Ministry at ACU
Supervisor's Function
Theological Reflection
Examples and Testimonials
2006 Student Opportunities
To learn more about Supervised Practice of Ministry, go to http://www.acu.edu/ministry/spm.html.
The Rochester ElderLink was held on the campus of Rochester College on Saturday, January 28 with about 200 participants from several states and Canada. With plenary speakers including Randy Harris, David Jones, Jr., David Wray, John Laster, Rubel Shelly, and a panel of elders from regional congregations, the event was well received. Each registrant received a copy of the new book--Like a Shepherd Lead Us--co-edited by David Fleer and Charles Siburt. The book is a collection of helpful presentations from previous ElderLink events. Next year's forum is set for Saturday, January 27, 2007.
Atlanta ElderLink Forum Coming March 25
The Atlanta ElderLink Forum is coming on Saturday, March 25 to the North Atlanta Church of Christ. An outstanding program of speakers and topics is included on the agenda. The plenary speaker will be Randy Lowry, new president of Lipscomb University. Other presenters include David Wray (ACU), Gary Holloway and Earl Lavender (Lipscomb), Buddy Bell (Montgomery, AL), Tom and Sandra Milholland (ACU), Carl Holladay (Emory), Randy Stephens (Springville, TN) , Robert Oglesby (ACU), and Charles and Judy Siburt (ACU). Registrants will receive a copy of the new book for elders entitled Like a Shepherd Lead Us. The book is co-edited by David Fleer from Rochester College and Charles Siburt from ACU. For details and registration please click http://www.acu.edu/ministry/elderlink/conferences/atlanta.html.
Houston ElderLink Forum Coming April 29
The Bammel Church of Christ in Houston, TX will be the site for the Houston ElderLink Forum on Saturday, April 29. Jack Reese (ACU) will be the plenary speaker. Other presenters will include David Wray (ACU), Glenn Pemberton (ACU), Charlie Pruett (ACU), Robert Oglesby (ACU), Ed Bonneau (Farmers Branch), Roland Orr (Abilene), John Siburt (Richardson), Emily Lemley (Westlake Village, CA), and a panel of elders' wives from Houston area churches.
Registrants will receive a copy of the new book co-edited by David Fleer from Rochester College and Charles Siburt from ACU. Entitled Like a Shepherd Lead Us. It is a useful book for elders. For details and registration please click on http://www.acu.edu/ministry/elderlink/conferences/houston.html.
Thirty one students gathered with missionary trainers at a WorldWide Witness training retreat on January 20-21. The retreat marks the initiation of training for the fifth class of summer interns since WWW began in 2002. Over fifty ACU students are scheduled to spend six to ten weeks of their summer abroad working alongside experienced missionaries. In addition, WWW is cooperating with ministers at two other universities to prepare students for service abroad. WWW interns will participate in a broad spectrum of ministries in eighteen different locations around the globe.
The weekend began on Friday with two dynamic team building exercises and time to visit with missionary trainers; the evening culminated in a prayer walk designed to encourage personal reflection. The second day was dedicated to knowing oneself through personality inventories and goal setting. Continued training will now take place weekly as students meet in continental groups with missionary coordinators. Training will conclude with the Summer Seminar in Missions during Maymester.
Milestones and Ministries: Our Journey into Mission Alive
In 2003, Gailyn Van Rheenen retired from the Graduate School of Theology to launch Mission Alive. Read about his journey [>> more ]
David (MAR 2002) and Babi Ingram continue their ministry in Fortaleza, Brazil. Babi is active with the ministry and the home schooling of Rebeca and Rachel (davibabi@fortalnet.com.br).
Dwayne and Julie Hilty (MDiv 2003) have begun their church-planting ministry in Salem, Oregon (emaildwayneh@cascadehillscoc.org).
Bruce McIntyre (MDiv 2002) is now in Columbia, MO, where Bruce will begin a PhD program in Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Missouri. Kathy is staying at home with their two children, Emma (3) and Seth (1). Their address: 1326 Godas Drive, Columbia, MO 6202 (emailmcintyrebruce@hotmail.com).
Eli Perkins (MDiv 2002) continues as youth and worship minister at the Sunset Ridge Church of Christ in San Antonio. He and Kirsten have a daughter, Meredith Morgan. Eli’s email address is eli@sunsetridgechurch.org.
Ronald Nelson (MS 1998) is preaching in Randolph, NJ, where he and his wife have been for three years (rnelson71@hotmail.com).
Darren Williamson (MS 1996) is assistant professor of history at Cascade College. He received his PhD from Simon Fraser University in 2005. Darren, Melody, and the children live at 229 NE 92nd Place, Portland, Oregon (email: williamsondt@hotmail.com).
Jay Hawkins (MDiv 2001) continues his ministry at the Caldwell Church of Christ in Caldwell, Idaho (caldwellcofc@att.net).
Andre Orlove (MA 1995; MDiv 1997) is assistant professor of Christian Origins at Marquette University. His book, The Enoch-Metatron Tradition, was published recently by Mohr Siebeck.
Sam Gonzalez (MDiv 1998; samgonzalez@juno.com) is in Morelia, Mexico as a church planter sponsored by Richland Hills Church of Christ. He and Ann have two children, Victoria age 5 and Sophia age 2.
Kirk Cowell (MDiv 2002) is the preaching minister at the University Church of Christ in Las Cruces, NM. His wife Sandra (Long) received her M.S. in Christian Education in 1999. Kird continues his education as a DMin student at ACU.
Nathan Pickard (MDiv 2004) and wife Katie are serving the church in Newmarket, Ontario. Katie has recently finished her paper work to be able to work in Canada. Ask Nathan to send you pictures about the deer hunting in Canada (pickardnathan@hotmail.com).
Dan Redden lives in Fairfield, CA, about halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento. He is the education minister and teaches partime in the Christian academy. He teaches regular Sunday morning and Wednesday night classes for the Jr. High and teens and preaches twice a month (ddredden76@yahoo.com).
Upcoming Courses in the Graduate School of Theology
