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Contents
Emmanuel Village Dedication Nears Dedication of the first phase of construction in the Emmanuel Village will be held Wednesday, October 25, at 10:45 a.m. The ceremonies will take place in the Emmanuel Village where we will officially dedicate 26 cottages in seven courts. The Ahlgrim Carriage House, named in honor of Gene Ahlgrim, will also be dedicated at that time. It will be an exciting day for Emmanuel and for those who have made the Emmanuel Village possible. People from around the country will attend these special activities and many will participate in the dedication of their respective court, cottage, or road. Please plan to join us for this special occasion. n
Jones to lead Church Planting Seminar in January Emmanuel is pleased to announce a week-long intensive church planting seminar January 29 through February 2 at Emmanuel School of Religion. Dr. Tom Jones, Director of Supervised Ministerial Experience and Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries at Emmanuel and a veteran church planter, will be leading the seminar. The seminar will be a comprehensive overview of what it will take to start a church in the next century. Vision casting, marketing, worship, small groups, children’s ministries, cross-cultural considerations, and challenges in the new millennium are just a few among the many aspects of church planting that the attendee will learn about. The cost of the seminar is $199 per person or $399 per team if registration is received on or before January 1. After January 1, the cost will be $249 per person and $499 per team. If you are interested in attending, contact Dr. Tom Jones by e-mail at jonest@esr.edu or by phone at 423-461-1507. n
Meditation: By by Chris Hughes, MAR ’97
“So, what do you do?” We know what the question really means, don’t we? When responding, we are not merely providing an occupational/vocational answer to a simple question—it’s a status issue. It’s one of those “let’s-see-how-I’m-gonna-size-this-person-up” pieces of information in one of the not-so-subtle games people play. Depending on our answer, we may be eulogized or ostracized. Experience has taught us that we’re being sized up. Admittedly, our obsession with the “what do you do” phenomenon is a Western culture thing. Doing is elevated to divine status. Being is the useless stuff of philosophical debate or a virtue applauded only by contemplative, impractical misfits who wouldn’t know what to do with a real job if they had one. In a world in which Narcissus always seeks one more accolade, it’s either put out or get out; produce or putrefy; do or die. Revisiting the home of Martha and Mary in Luke 10, I exit with the impression that if we insist on sizing people up, then perhaps we should do so with a lead-in question very different from, “So, what do you do?” That’s the Martha attitude. She thought Mary was sleeping on the job. Truth being told, Jesus clearly commended Mary for making the wiser choice than that of Martha. Am I suggesting that we all sit in a lotus position, chant Scripture verses, and think holy thoughts with no emphasis on action? Of course not! What I am saying is that the essence of a human being (yeah, a human being not a human doing!) cannot be encapsulated in answer to, “So what do you do?” Maybe we should start with the question, “So, what are you?” I do not mean “are” in the vocational sense, but rather in a being sense. It seems to me that, biblically speaking, what we do should be a natural extension of who and what we are. We’re so used to doing, going, producing, and planning. Have you ever heard anyone say with a jolt, “Don’t just stand there, do something!” Maybe what the Lord is saying to Martha He’s saying to us: “Don’t just do something, stand there!” Or in Martha’s case, “Sit there.” By the way, while we’re on the subject, “What are you?” n
Book
Review By Charles Taber Reviewed by
Frederick W. Norris Dr. Charles Taber took early retirement at Emmanuel because he found his duties did not allow time for pressing publication projects. Here is the first of his projects that retirement permitted. The scope is breathtaking, the interpretation sound, the writing clear. Irony adds spice. The voice of both scathing prophet and loving encourager speaks. Taber traces the modern developments in sociology, anthropology, psychology, economics and political science, their designation as “social sciences” and their relationships to mission. Anyone interested in the Church’s mission must pay attention to these disciplines because since the Renaissance they have “replaced philosophy as the arena in which the world’s ideas are shaped.” Before World War I, these disciplines were often both utopian and messianic, but with the death of any sense of perpetual political progress in Europe, they sought to be both objective and value free, another illusion. Now an eerie belief has emerged that technology is the hope for progress and capitalism is the single bright light in political systems since Communism in Russia collapsed. A type of determinism has ruled while purpose and final ends have been savaged. Early on, modern missions often just absorbed social science positions in both theory and practice. That proved deadly, but avoiding them in mission education and daily life is equally hazardous. People in their cultures appear much more clearly in these studies even though every discipline can seduce. Those involved in mission will have to become far more critical in their conversations with the social sciences. God and his Kingdom involve a dignity of humankind and a sense of purpose that those disciplines rarely embody. Each sociological, psychological, political, and economic theory pales in light of the gospel. Yet without the reflective assistance of these studies of human understanding, each missionary, particularly those serving within North America and Europe, will remain shallow and absorbed in their own subcultures. Unless those sciences themselves are called to task by the gospel, they cannot reach their greatest effectiveness. Don’t miss this one. n
Award Winning Course Taught at Emmanuel The course Science and Theology, which won honors in the national Science and Religion Course Award Competition, is being taught this semester at Emmanuel School of Religion. The competition was sponsored by the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences in Berkeley, Calif. Teaching the course are its own designers, Dr. Fred Norris and Dr. Lawrence Shaffer. Dr. Norris is the Dean E. Walker Professor of Church History and Professor of World Mission/Evangelism at Emmanuel. Dr. Shaffer, a physicist and retired faculty member of Anderson (Indiana) University, is a trustee of the Seminary. Established in 1994, the Science and Religion Course Award Competition is designed to support scientists and religious scholars from a wide range of disciplines as they address questions of science and religion through teaching. The program distributes up to 100 annual $10,000 awards for outstanding new course proposals to be offered at universities, colleges, and seminaries. Each award is divided evenly between the course instructor and the host institution. n
Emmanuel stock transfer information changes If you are planning to make a gift of stock to Emmanuel School of Religion, please note the following changes: Our Stock Broker is now Paine-Webber. The DTC# is 0221, and the account number for Emmanuel is JY-01074-CW. n
By Ivan McDaneld “I had almost forgotten how much I enjoyed studies at Emmanuel, but returning this past spring for my first course of D.Min. studies was just great. I was challenged and inspired by the course work, the teaching team, and my fellow students. It was truly a spiritual experience. The highlight had to be my sense of rediscovering scripture, reading texts of the New Testament in a way that made it seem as though I was reading them for the first time. I find opportunities daily to apply what I brought away from this experience.” For information about Emmanuel’s Doctor of Ministry degree program contact Melissa Noble at 1-800-933-3771. n
PALMA BENNETT (MRE ’71) began a prolonged interim ministry with Elk Park Christian Church in Elk Park, N.C., July 30. He and his wife, Helen, reside in Fall Branch, Tenn. VALDECY DASILVA (1993–94) and his wife, Mirna, announce the birth of their third child, Christoffer Immanuel, on July 26. Valdecy is a professor at Colegio Biblico in Eagle Pass, Texas, where he and his family reside. ADAM EMMERT (1995–96) and his wife, Melanie, were married in May 1999. Adam is working on completing his MDiv at Asbury Theological Seminary in Lexington, Ky. He is the Children’s Pastor at Tates Creek Christian Church in Lexington, where he and Melanie reside. CRAIG FRALEY (MDiv ’92) began his tenth year of ministry with Coquille (Ore.) Christian Community Church on July 9. He and his wife, Debbie, reside in Coquille. CAM HUXFORD (1978–81, 83–84) wrote the Reflections article titled “Why Work at Church Camp?” in the August 27 issue of Christian Standard. Cam is the minister at Savannah Christian Church in Savannah, Ga., where he and his wife, Sarah, reside. AARON JONES (MDiv ’97) and his wife, Debra, announce the birth of their second child, Caleb Aaron, on June 1. Aaron is the Senior Minister at Alta Church of Christ in Alta, Iowa, where he and his family reside. NOEL KIRK (MDiv ’97) and his wife, Rose Ann, recently returned from a three-week mission trip to Ethiopia. Noel is the minister at West Village Christian Church in Oak Ridge, Tenn., where he and his family reside. KIP (MAR ’98) and KATY (MAR ’98) LINES are finishing their first year of language and culture study in northwest Kenya with the Turkana people. They will relocate to a new ministry location at the end of this year to assist in planting new Turkana churches with their Christian Missionary Fellowship teammates. R. GLEN MILES (MDiv ’88) is ministering with Sandy Springs Christian Church in Atlanta, Ga. The church recently celebrated their 40th anniversary with the burning of the existing mortgage. Glen and his wife, Julie, reside in Marietta, Ga. KEVIN MOONEY (MDiv ’00) began an associate ministry for youth with East Paulding Christian Church in Hiram, Ga. He and his wife, Mandy, reside in McDonough, Ga. CAROL PIERSON (MAR ’97) was the recreation leader for the annual Holston Presbytery Youth Rally that was held at Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tenn., on September 17. Carol serves on the Holton Presbytery Youth Council, which offers leadership training and opportunities for senior high youth. She is the Program Director at Rogersville Presbyterian Church in Rogersville, Tenn., where she resides. NATHAN REED (MAR ’99) concluded an eight-year ministry with Loyall Christian Church in Loyall, Ky., and began a ministry at Bellevue Christian Church in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he and his wife, Fara, now reside. TIM ROSS (MDiv ’87) wrote an article titled “The Message of Salvation in an Age of Tolerance” in the September 17 issue of Christian Standard. Tim is the minister at Hopwood Christian Church in Milligan College, Tenn. He and his wife, Marcia, reside in Johnson City, Tenn. JOEL TRAMEL (MDiv ’99) now ministers with First Christian Church in Erwin, Tenn., where he and his wife, Stacy, reside. DANIEL TRAUTMAN (1994 & 95) began his third year of ministry with First Christian Church in Yuma, Ariz., on July 1. He and his wife, Carole, reside in Yuma. DAVID TULLY (MDiv ’99) is the new Minister to Youth at First Christian Church in Cumming, Ga., where he and his family reside. AARON VEACH (MDiv ’84) began a full-time ministry with Hope Christian Church in Central Point, Ore., on July 1. He and his wife, Lisa, reside in Central Point. JOHN WASEM (MDiv ’87) began his sixth year of ministry at SunCrest Christian Church in St. John, Ind., on May 1. He is the church’s founding minister. John and his wife, Leslie, reside in Munster, Ind. DAVID WHITE (MDiv ’92) recently concluded a nine-year ministry with Castle Hills Christian Church in San Antonio, Texas, and began a Senior Ministry position with the Emmanuel Christian Church in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he and his wife, Connie, reside. The following alumni were recognized at the North American Christian Convention as Outstanding Young Ministers: Ben Cachiaras (MDiv
’92)
PAUL M. BLOWERS preached for “Consecration Sunday” at Colonial Heights Christian Church in Kingsport, Tenn., Sept. 17. He was the main speaker for the Cane Ridge Day celebration at Cane Ridge, Ky., September 30. His address was entitled, “Neither Calvinists Nor Arminians, but Simply Christians: The Stone-Campbell Movement as a Theological Resistance Movement.” Since June, Dr. Blowers has been serving as a volunteer on-call chaplain for the Johnson City Medical Center Hospital. ELEANOR A. DANIEL will be at TCM in Austria September 10–November 2 teaching two classes as part of her sabbatical. JACK B. HOLLAND is completing a series on parenting at First Christian Church in Johnson City, Tenn., in October. He led a Marriage Enrichment Retreat at Telico Village Community Christian Church in Knoxville, Tenn., October 1–2. Dr. Holland will attend an ATS Workshop for new Professors in Pittsburgh, Pa., October 27–29. He will teach a series on marriage during the evening service at Grandview Christian Church in Johnson City, Tenn., November 5, 12, and 19. ROBERT F. HULL read a paper on “The Authority of the New Testament” at The Fellowship of Professors at Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, Tenn., September 22–23. THOMAS F. JONES hosted a Church Planting Assessment Center at Emmanuel School of Religion October 11–14. He is the speaker for the East Tennessee Men’s Retreat at the Appalachian Christian Service Camp in Unicoi, Tenn., November 17–18. He will continue to consult with church plants in Louisiana, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Ohio. ROBERT J. OWENS taught a Sunday morning series on “Understanding the Lord’s Supper” to the adult Anchor Class at First Christian Church in Johnson City, Tenn., through October 8. He will teach a Sunday series on “Introduction to the Apostles” to the adult Win-A-Kuple Class of First Christian Church in Johnson City, Tenn., October 19–November 19. Dr. Owens will participate in the annual Aquinas/Luther Theological Conference at Lenoir-Rhyne College November 12–14. ROLLIN A. RAMSARAN is on sabbatical this school year studying at Boston University in Boston, Mass. BRUCE E. SHIELDS will play in the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra concert October 14. He will sit on the steering committee of the Association for Doctor of Ministry Education meeting in Raleigh, N.C., October 27–28. Dr. Shields will preside at the meeting of the Executive Committee of the European Evangelistic Society in Johnson City, Tenn., November 20–22. He will present a paper at the annual meeting of the Academy of Homiletics in Dallas, Texas, November 30–December 2. Dr. Shields’ book, From the Housetops, is scheduled for publication release in November. n
Development & Recruitment on the Road DAVID FULKS to Murray State University in Murray, Ky., Minnesota Bible College in Rochester, Minn., and Boise Bible College in Boise, Idaho, in October; to Alberta Bible College in Calgary, Alberta, Puget Sound Christian College in Edmonds, Wash., and Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Ore., in November. DAN LAWSON is on sabbatical for the months of September, October, and November studying at Indiana University in Indianapolis, Ind., and consulting with the Development Department at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif. JEFF MCNABB to Columbus, Ohio, in October; to Knoxville, Tenn., and Ohio in November; and to Maryland in December. JERRY RUDBERG to Emmanuel School of Religion Board Meeting in October; to Beaverton, Salem, Prineville, Portland, and Gladstone, Ore., and to Twin Falls, Idaho, in November. C. ROBERT WETZEL to speak at East Unaka Christian Church in Johnson City, Tenn., and attend the Presidents’ Association of Christian Colleges at Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, Tenn., in October; to the National Missionary Convention in Knoxville, Tenn., the Missions Fair at Northside Christian Church in New Albany, Ind., First Christian Church in Hugoton, Kan., and Community Christian Church in Charlotte, N.C., in November; and to ATS (Accrediting) Presidents’ Meeting, and the Christian Church in Los Alamos, N.M., in December. n |
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