Volume 4 Number 2 March 2006
Faculty Renewal Leave: Black Farmers, Preliminary Observations
The numbers are compelling. In 1920, one in every seven farmers was Black, but in 2006, one in every 100 farmers is Black. In 1910, Black farmers owned and operated 15.6 million acres. In 1982, the acreage had dropped to 3.1 million. The current estimate is that Black farmers own two million acres and are losing their land at the rate of one thousand acres per day. Between 1900 and 1997, the total number of Black farmers dropped by 98% and that of White farmers by 63%. The Pigford Class Action Suit of 1999 failed to address injustices reported by farmers across the US.
It is against this backdrop that Waymon Hinson, Professor, Department of Marriage and Family Therapy, interviewed farmers and their families in North Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Utilizing a narrative theory and a qualitative research methodology, stories of farmers facing injustices came to be organized in a preliminary fashion under two dominant themes: struggle and resilience. In terms of struggle, the farmers' stories involve a myriad of ways in which the USDA and the FSA discriminated against them: denial of access to loans, forged documents, denial of access to disaster aid, and too little funding too late in the planting season, among countless other means. Other struggles included limited access to and utilization of medical care; numerous physical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, strokes, and death of spouses; and divorce and family dissolution.
In terms of emotional struggles, farmers spoke of anger, depression, anxiety, and the great losses of their lives. Farmers described the constant, perpetual stress of being Black co-mingled with episodes of intense anxiety and tension when facing county supervisors, being evicted from their land, and dealing with the court system. The greatest degree of challenge was in the life of the farmer, whereas his spouse and adult children evidenced fewer and less severe symptoms.
In terms of resiliencies, the farmers and families described various "protective factors" that minimized the intrusion of discrimination: their identity as farmers, commitment to the land, belief in the righteousness of their cause, devotion of family, closeness of friends, their own ingenuity, pride in their labors, humor, and their faith in a God who is One of justice and mercy.
Hinson is collaborating with Dr. Edward Robinson in matters related to Black farmers and social justice. Advocacy is also occurring at more global levels. BFAA is addressing legislation that would equalize access to subsidies for all farmers. Congress persons McKinney (D-GA) and Davis (D-AL) have introduced legislation. People of faith are called to honor the words of the prophets and Jesus of Nazareth. Justice must "roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-ending stream" and we are called to practice "justice, mercy, and faithfulness."
Lectureship Honors Missionaries and Mission Focused Church
One of the joys of lectureship involves honoring those who have contributed significantly to the mission of God. This centennial year provided a unique opportunity to honor several groups in addition to individuals. Monday evening the 1961 Sao Palo Mission Team was honored. The vision for the team took shape at ACU. Sixteen families collaborated with God to plant churches in Brazil. Unfortunately, not all the team members were present Monday night, yet their important sacrifice and service were remembered.
At the Tuesday evening lecture, ACU honored the Austin Avenue Church of Christ in Brownwood, Texas. They have supported numerous missionaries, many of whom were raised up from their own midst. They give over 43% of their funds to missions. Most recently they are supplying half of the support for each family of a six-family team going to Cochabamba, Bolivia. Austin Avenue, a mid-sized church, is an example of what God can do when his Spirit moves the church for world missions.
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| Bob and Myrt Davidson receiving honor from Dr. Sonny Guild |
Wednesday evening Joe and Ruth Betts were honored for their 50 years of mission work in Japan. They have lived in and loved that culture while it went through tremendous changes. They taught Good News, planted churches, and worked with Ibaraki Christian University. This couple humbly served and strengthened the Kingdom.
At the Halbert Institute for Missions luncheon, a godly couple was honored for their decades of ministry in missions. Bob and Myrt Davidson were given the Barney Moorehead Service Award. The Davidsons were missionaries to Thailand, campus ministers at Texas A&M, and began Aggies for Christ, which sends young people around the world on mission trips. They encouraged missions so effectively that their own children and grandchildren are missionaries. Praise God for their service and example.
Sacred Relationships Speaker Series
The Department of Marriage and Family Therapy, in conjunction with the ACU Counseling Center, the Department of Sociology and Social Work, and ACU Spiritual Life, sponsored the Sacred Relationship Speaker Series February 22 - March 6, 2006. Everett Worthington, Professor and Past Chair of the Department of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University, spoke on forgiveness and hope-focused marriage counseling. Gary Thomas, director of the Center for Evangelical Spirituality, focused on Sacred Marriage and Sacred Parenting. Dennis Lowe, director of the Center for the Family and Professor of Psychology at Pepperdine University, and Emily Scott-Lowe, an instructor and visiting professor at Pepperdine, provided encouragement to married students and inspired single students to develop healthy relationships. The speakers provided opportunities for both personal and professional growth through chapel speeches, short seminars, and all-day workshops.
Summer Workshops Expanded for 2006
While the Summer Workshops have been around for a long time, the 2006 Summer Workshops will offer a significantly expanded menu of tracks and quality presentations. The workshops included this year will focus on Adult Faith Formation, Children's Faith Formation, Women's Faith Formation, Older Adults Ministry, Small-Church Ministry, and a PREPARE/ENRICH Certification Workshop (to equip mentors to equip those preparing engaged couples for marriage). The keynote speaker for the plenary sessions will be Eddie Sharp, Minister of the University Church of Christ in Abilene. For detailed information about the schedule and registration, go to www.acu.edu/events/summerworkshop.html.
"Freshman Blessing" Honors Majors in Bible, Missions, and Ministry
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| David Wallace at Freshmen Blessing |
Freshman majors in the Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry participated recently in a "Freshman Blessing" event. Ninety freshmen returning for their second semester of the first year gathered for the meal together, an address by Dr. Jack Reese, Dean of the College of Biblical Studies, and a period of prayer and blessing for each student. Faculty conveyed their desire to be spiritual mentors and encouragers in and outside of the classroom.
Theology in the Christian University: Prospects for the 21st Century
During the Centennial year, the Graduate School of Theology 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:
- Schedule
- Abstract Submission
- Register Online
- Local Resources: Maps, Directions, Travel 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.
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Atlanta Elderlink March 25
Though it is still several weeks away, registrations are continuing to come in daily for the Atlanta ElderLink Forum on Saturday, March 25 at the North Atlanta Church of Christ in Atlanta. The menu of presenters and topics is one of the strongest yet, and everyone who registers will receive a copy of the new book for elders entitled Like a Shepherd Lead Us. And remember that all church leaders--elders, former elders, future elders, ministers, spouses, and anyone interested in Christian leadership is welcome to participate Just go to http://www.acu.edu/ministry/elderlink/conferences/atlanta.html for registration and for detailed information about presenters, topics, schedule, and lodging.
Houston ElderLink Forum 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.
Upcoming Courses in the Graduate School of Theology
