Interview with Ian Fair

Dr. Ian Fair, long time professor of Bible and theology, will be retiring in December. His leadership as chair of the Bible Department (1983-84) and dean of the College of Biblical Studies (1984-97) brought profound changes. Enrollment increased substantially. Missions and ministry came to the forefront of the curriculum. Jack Reese, current dean of CBS, recently interviewed Dr. Fair. Here are some excerpts.

JRR: Why did you come to ACU?

IAF: Bill Humble [then chair of the Bible Department] wanted to add a faculty member who could teach systematic theology and New Testament, but he was also interested in someone promoting missions and ministry in the department. This was a passion of mine. I did not just want to teach Bible, but I wanted to help train missionaries and ministers. I wanted to come at ministry through the text. This job was ideally suited for my interests and training.

JRR: What were your greatest challenges when you were appointed Bible Department chair?

IAF: It was a wonderful opportunity working with great scholars, coordinating their purposes and goals. But for several reasons, we had experienced a 20-year decline in enrollment. The word "out there" was that ACU was a place for the training of scholars not ministers. The greatest challenge was to change that perception, both with our constituents and in the department. I was committed to bringing in several new faculty members who had a lot of ministry experience. This we were able to do while maintaining a vision for high academic standards at the same time.

JRR: What things changed when the Bible Department became the College of Biblical Studies?

IAF: When the College of Biblical Studies was established in 1984, we were able to gain much greater visibility in the university. As a college we were able to broaden our role and have a more "professional" focus on ministry and missions. We began to adjust the curriculum in several ways to better train ministers. We also increased scholarships substantially. This new visibility and scholarship support allowed us to experience phenomenal growth in our enrollment.

JRR: What are your greatest memories at ACU?

IAF: I have several, of course. The design and construction of the building was a great memory. How many guys with civil engineering backgrounds become dean of a college and get to help plan a new academic building? Those were exciting days, not only in helping the building get off the ground but working with great people such as Bob Onstead, Lynn Packer, and James Muns.

The great memories are working with great people. I loved talking with prospective faculty like you, Charles Siburt, Jimmie Mankin, Carroll Osburn, and David Wray. I loved sharing dreams about the future of the college. And working side by side with the greatest Bible faculty in the world. These things I will never forget.

JRR: What are your hopes for the future of the college?

IAF: I have such great confidence in the direction the college is going. There are people in the college willing to dream dreams and challenge people in our churches in a world that is changing rapidly. I want to continue to see opportunities to make an impact on churches by challenging them to have biblical and theological foundations.

I’m excited about conversations dealing with church and culture, especially in our emphasis on international culture. There is phenomenal growth taking place in the mission field in many places. I hope ACU can be a part of that and encourage it. And I want us not to lose sight of our heritage or our roots in rural American churches. ACU is an exciting place to work. It has such great impact both in the U.S. and on a global scale.

JRR: Ian, your energy and vision have been contagious, and your passion for missions and ministry are helping change what we do in the college. We will always be grateful. And we will miss you!

Raising Up a New Generation of Ministers

By: Stan Reid and Glen Walker

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be able to teach others (2 Timothy 2:2).

Dr. Jack Reese, Dean of the College of Biblical Studies at Abilene Christian University, welcomed Glen Walker and Stan Reid into his office. After several minutes of pleasantries, the conversation turned to the reason for the visit. Glen, a vice-president for a bank in Granbury, Texas was sensing that God was leading him into Christian ministry as a full-time vocation. Stan, minister of the Granbury Church of Christ, was helping Glen pursue this calling.

During the conversation, Dr. Reese shared with Glen and Stan his vision of churches partnering with ACU in raising up a new generation of ministers. ACU’s side of the partnership would include providing scholarships to qualified candidates for admission to the Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) program and employment opportunities in the College of Biblical Studies. The local congregation’s side of the partnership would include financial support for living expenses and guidance throughout the student’s preparation for ministry.

After visiting with several Graduate School of Theology faculty members, Glen and Stan returned to Granbury. The exploratory trip convinced Glen to pursue his ministry vision. The decision to undertake this endeavor was made with much prayer and consultation. He and his wife, Kelly, counted the cost and accepted the lifestyle changes required to pursue a life in ministry with the church. Stan and Glen decided to present Reese’s vision to the Granbury elders.

In the meeting with the elders the vision of a partnership with the College of Biblical Studies at ACU was cast. The proposal generated much discussion and questions. Both enthusiasm and skepticism about the proposal were expressed. In the end, the elders committed the church to help support Glen for four years at $24,000.00 per year.

As expected, Glen qualified for an academic scholarship in the Graduate School of Theology. In August of 1997, Glen and his family moved to Abilene, and he entered the M.Div. program as a full-time student.

Among his peers at ACU Glen soon realized that his unique opportunity was a rare gift of God’s grace. Glen will complete the M.Div. program in just a little over three years with minimal indebtedness because of the generosity of ACU and the Granbury Church of Christ. Some students take as long as four to six years to finish, graduating with as much as $60,000 of debt, mostly from loans for living expenses.

Unfortunately, this debt load sometimes causes students to seek employment in larger churches with larger salaries. The result is that smaller churches, often limited in their ability to pay high salaries, may not be considered as feasible. Glen is not so restricted because of the grace received in the partnership between ACU and the Granbury Church of Christ.

While many M.Div. students struggle to balance graduate work, family, and full-time employment, neither Glen nor Kelly had to hold full-time jobs during this time of graduate study. Glen did not become an absentee husband and father. He was able to give adequate attention to his studies, working with the assurance that academic preparation for ministry was what the Granbury congregation had "hired" him to do.

Glen was true to that calling. In the spring of 1999, Glen received a reward from the College of Biblical Studies recognizing his excellence in biblical scholarship. The ACU - Granbury Church of Christ partnership allowed Glen to gain the skills necessary for faithful ministry. Through the coming years, other churches will be the beneficiaries of this gracious partnership.

Glen’s unique situation has been the envy of other graduate students in the College of Biblical Studies. However, he does not take personal credit for his situation. He quickly gives God the credit for the abundant grace offered through the partnership of school and local church.

Recently Glen accepted an invitation to become the Pulpit Minister for a small church in Davis, Oklahoma. Without the vision of Dr. Reese and the ministry partnership between ACU and the Granbury Church of Christ it is doubtful that Glen would have been able to become a minister of the gospel to that congregation.

We hope that Glen will be the first of many "unique" graduates of ACU’s Graduate School of Theology. May God’s grace embolden and empower other churches to join with ACU in raising up more ministers of the gospel.

The Student Associates Fund

ACU has consistently focused its attention on the need for student scholarships to defray heavy student debt for its graduates. Long years of burdensome monthly debt payments tend to offset the joy of marvelous Christian education because of unmanageable expenses in college. Not all of those expenses are due to tuition. Many of them are the result of having to use student loans to pay for rent, utilities, food, health insurance, childcare, or books. Scholarships reduce the amount paid for tuition; but they do not reduce the costs of living. Most students, especially those who are married, who have children, who have spouses also working on degrees, who are second career students, who are middle-aged adults, or who already have substantial school debts, face a sizeable mountain of long-term debt upon their graduation as they transition into full-time Christian service. Many also find it necessary to prolong their residency at ACU because they must hold part-time jobs that demand large chunks of time and energy, thus requiring them to take partial course loads. Churches and mission efforts have to wait longer for the next crop of ministerial leaders to become available because the students must remain in school longer. If our students are to complete their degree programs in a reasonable time frame and without maximal debt, then financial aid for living expenses is as crucial as financial aid for tuition.

For many years the College of Biblical Studies has offered the opportunity for interested individuals to contribute to the Ministry Associates Fund as a way of supporting faculty professional development in the form of travel, continuing education, research, and other growth experiences. Through the years, this partnership has enabled faculty to serve both the school and churches beyond what otherwise would be possible.

Now the Student Associates Fund will provide an opportunity for persons and congregations interested in the formation of students as ministerial leaders for the future to partner with ACU by defraying their monthly expenses for rent, utilities, books, food, child care, and medical care. Funds received in the Student Associates Fund will be allocated by application according to the need in the form of a monthly stipend for living expenses. Through this strategic partnership between the College of Biblical Studies and supportive individual and congregational donors, future leaders in ministry will benefit from an encouraging partnership as they train for ministry instead of waiting until they graduate. In addition, they will be much better prepared to live within the financial limits of ministerial compensation without severe debt.

For more information about how you or your congregation can partner with ACU by donating to the Student’s Associates Fund, contact the Dean’s office at ACU Box 29400.

The Center For Conflict Resolution

On August 1, 2000, Abilene Christian University formed the Center for Conflict Resolution. Joe L. (Joey) Cope, formerly with The ACU Foundation and a practicing attorney, was selected as the Center’s first Executive Director.

The mission of the Center is to equip, encourage, and support individuals as peacemakers in their personal relationships, families, churches, schools, professions, and communities. It will generate educational programs and instructional resources, serve as an information clearinghouse on faith-based approaches to peacemaking, furnish mediation referrals, offer training assistance, and provide direct mediation service for individuals, churches, and secular organizations

The intent of the Center is to be a moving force in the development of faith-based approaches to conflict resolution. As funding becomes available, fellowships for research and teaching will be established. Concepts, materials, and procedures developed will be available for use in other academic settings. Curriculum is now in development for leaders and members of churches and other organizations.

Abilene Christian University has always seen the challenge of peacemaking as an activity befitting the university’s mission to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world.

For many years, members of ACU’s faculty and staff, often in cooperation with alumni, have been actively involved in mediating church conflict and in teaching members of churches techniques that allow congregations to have a healthy discourse over issues while preserving the unity of the churches. Examples include the healing ministries of Dr. Charles Siburt, professor of ministry in the Graduate School of Theology, and Mr. W.C. "Dub" Orr, an ACU trustee. Both men are widely recognized throughout the country as leaders in dealing with church conflict issues.

To supplement the work already in existence, ACU began hosting a conference for Christian leaders centering on conflict resolution in 1998. More than 150 people have been attracted to the study of conflict resolution from a Christian perspective. Nationally acclaimed leaders in church conflict resolution, along with the university’s recognized experts, have served as faculty and facilitators. The next national conference, under the direction of the Center for Conflict Resolution, is planned for September 2001 in Dallas, Texas.

Abilene Christian University is experiencing a phenomenal growth in the number of students seeking a quality academic education coupled with a Christian worldview. The ACU environment is not only a strategic place to promote peacemaking, but a tremendous incubator for developing and creating new strategies and opportunities in Christian conflict resolution for individuals in personal, school, church, business, and community relationships.

The Graduate Certificate in Conflict Mediation was launched in the fall semester of 1999. In its first year, ACU attracted thirty students to the 15-hour graduate program, offered in weekend formats in Dallas and in Abilene. This year, more than fifty students are enrolled in classes in negotiation, mediation, advanced conflict resolution, and courses focusing on dealing with conflict in the workplace and in schools. Students can enroll in the certificate program independently or in connection with selected graduate programs within the university.

The Center for Conflict Resolution at Abilene Christian University occupies a unique position in the academic world. Few other university programs in conflict resolution exist without an affiliation to a school of law. This positions the Center to address students in the undergraduate environment – early in their formation of thought on the conduct of their personal and professional lives.

For more information regarding the Center or the Graduate Certificate in Conflict Mediation, contact Joey Cope at 915-674-2015 or conflictresolution@acu.edu. Or write, Joey Cope, Center for Conflict Resolution, ACU Box 28070, Abilene, Texas 79699.

Faculty Models Love for the Local Church

The Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry welcomed 274 undergraduate majors for the fall of 2000 (46 in Missions, 58 in the Christian Ministry track, 33 in Biblical Text, and 137 in Youth and Family Ministry.)

Faculty instructs these future preachers, missionaries, and ministry leaders with a deep love for the local church. Many bring years of experience as full-time missionaries, preachers, and ministers to their roles at ACU. While teaching at ACU, these faculty members continue to model through their own lives a "ministry partnership" with churches.

The faculty serve local Churches of Christ as elders, deacons, Bible class teachers, ministry leaders, worship leaders, and servants in a variety of congregational ministries. For example, Dr. Carl Brecheen has served as an elder for the University church in Abilene for 23 years, while Dr. David Wray has served as an elder of the Highland church the last 15 years.

Several among the full-time faculty in the Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry preach regularly for area churches. As the "dean" of Abilene preachers, Dr. Tony Ash has long preached for local churches and presently serves the Minter Lane congregation. Some of the other faculty preaching for area churches include Rodney Ashlock for the Westgate congregation; Sonny Guild for the Woodlawn church; Randy Harris for the Eleventh and Willis congregation; Dwight Robarts for the Hillcrest church; and David Wallace for the Burkett congregation. Robert Oglesby serves the Southern Hills congregation in family ministry. Others supply interim preaching and ministry for congregations across the state.

As students in the Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry grow in the classroom, they also learn from the mentoring and example of faculty whose service in area churches demonstrates a strong commitment and love for the local church.

Surabaya, Indonesia for Christ – Fall 2001

An international team comprised of five families is preparing to plant indigenous churches in Surabaya, Indonesia starting in the fall 2001. The members include David and Kim Lian Martin and family, Aaron and Marisa Bailey, Pannir and Saroja Santiago and daughter, Stephen and Joscelyn Hill, and Linda Soehner. All have a heart for missions and several are completing, or have completed, Bachelors and/or Masters degrees in Bible or missions. Linda comes with 20 years mission experience in Indonesia.

Surabaya is the second largest city in Indonesia with more than three million inhabitants. Most of the population are folk-Muslim (85-90%). National law mandates affiliation with any of five approved religions, namely, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Catholicism, and Christianity. However, syncretism abounds among the various groups with animistic practices and Hinduism deep in their cultural history. Islam is part of the fabric of life for the majority of people. Therefore, for Christianity to truly succeed, it must offer an alternate, viable and attractive community life to people.

The populace is polarized along both racial (Chinese and indigenous Indonesian) and economic lines. Unemployment is acute (20%), remuneration low for the majority labor force, and crime is an issue. The cost of living is a real problem. Currency depreciation and political turmoil at the national level has a detrimental impact. These factors contribute to significant stress for most people.

Over the last fifteen months, two trips have been made by team members to help them become familiar with Surabaya. Concurrently, they conducted a receptivity study that involved interviewing more than 100 individuals and 13 congregations, the mayor of Surabaya, and several university professors. Individuals interviewed represented different ethnic, socio-economic, age, gender, and religious groups. Findings were encouraging with factors conducive to positive receptivity.

The desire is to plant relevant, indigenous, missional communities of God. In time, an indigenous-led missional effort is being planned so that local Christians will assume full leadership of the church. Those interested in more information should contact David Martin at dfm98f@acu.edu or Aaron Bailey at rab95y@acu.edu.

Mission: New York City

A team of ACU graduates is preparing for cross-cultural ministry in the heart of New York City. Scheduled to arrive in the summer of 2001, the team has targeted a multi-ethnic neighborhood of the Bronx as the launch site for several new church plantings.

"North America is evolving into an urban, post-Christian culture. Nine in ten of our people now live in cities. Because of this, mission principles are becoming more and more important for effective ministry on this continent," says Dr. Kent Smith, ACU Missions Coordinator for North America. "In settings like New York City, a person can cross cultures by crossing the street. Separated by race, language, or lifestyle from those who need the gospel, today every Christian is challenged to become a missionary."

Taking this challenge seriously, the five-member Mission: New York City team has prepared extensively for cross-cultural ministry. Mission and inner city internships together with intensive language study have prepared the team to work both in English and Spanish. At present the team is comprised of members Jared Looney, Todd and Becky Foster, Malissa Endsley, and Hugo Monroy.

For roughly eight months after arrival in New York, the team will meet with the Manhattan Church of Christ, one of its key partners in the new work. The first church planting in the Bronx will follow. Eventually the team plans to target other areas in the New York City metropolitan area. At this time the team is seeking prayer and financial support. Those interested in more information can reach the team by contacting Jared Looney, JJLooney@hotmail.com, (915) 673-9306; or Todd Foster, Tefrsf@Mail.com, (915) 672-6430.

Lectures on Preaching

Over 200 preachers and other church leaders attended the one-day Lectures on Preaching hosted by Abilene Christian University and the College of Biblical Studies. Dr. Tony Ash and Dr. Mark Love presented outstanding lectures. The lectures focused on practical advice for preparing sermons, the "gospel" that drives good sermons, sermons that should not have been preached, and what shapes us when the "gospel" happens among us.

Highlights also included a moving dramatization by Jeff Berryman depicting some all-too-real struggles faced by preachers and their families and a tribute luncheon honoring veteran preachers Nokomis Yeldell Sr. and J. Harold Thomas. Special citations were awarded to brothers Yedell and Thomas for their faithful proclamation of the gospel across six decades.

Bible Lectureship 2001: Be My Witness

Sometimes first-century Christianity seems pretty far removed from the technological, fast-paced, crazy world we live in today. Life never seems to slow down, and it becomes more difficult to find time to pray, read the Bible, or talk to others about Christ. But despite our hectic lives, God's voice calls to us distantly: Be My Witness. How will we answer God's call? Come hear some of the best Christian speakers in America talk about some answers. Lectureship 2001, set Feb. 18-21 at Abilene Christian University, will inspire you and give you some answers you can use. To pre-register or read more, check out the Web site at www.acu.edu or call915-674-3750.

Guide for Hiring a Youth Minister

The Center for Youth and Family has made available a new Guide for Hiring a Youth Minister. This 30-page guide was designed to save your committee time. It includes sample job descriptions, a current nation-wide salary survey, contacts that will help spread the word of your position, questions a church should ask a candidate, and questions you should expect from candidates. Contact Robert Oglesby, oglesby@bible.acu.edu, to request your copy of this time saving guide.

Summer 2001 Internships

ACU places many students in supervised internships each year in order to train more equipped ministers. Students seek internships in youth ministry, hospital chaplaincy, children’s ministry, and pulpit ministry. This is a requirement for their graduation, and a vital part of their education. During our annual Bible Lectureship, we invite church leaders to our campus to interview intern candidates. Interested churches are invited to register over the Internet by visiting our website at www.bible.acu.edu/ministry/services/Y&F/interns. The deadline for a church to submit information is February 10^th. Churches may also contact Jacki Hathorn (hathorn@bible.acu.edu, 915-674-3740) or Nuria Petzer (nrp99a@acu.edu, 915-674-3731) for information or help.

ElderLink Forum 2000

Supports Elders