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January 2001
Back Issues
Contents
Concern
For General Fund
In early December, a
letter was sent to friends of Emmanuel School of Religion explaining
the need for increased giving for the General Fund. The successful
Heritage of Excellence Campaign has enabled the School to construct
26 cottages for the Emmanuel Village. But focused effort on the
Campaign has inevitably taken its toll on the General Fund. It
appeared that the General Fund could have a shortfall of over
$300,000 when the fiscal year ends on May 31, 2001.
There was encouraging
response to that letter as well as to a letter that Brad Walden,
Chairman of the Associates, wrote to trustees and associates. As
this column is being written, we do not have the final figures
tallied, but the response of the friends of Emmanuel was indeed
encouraging. Not only did we hear from our regular contributors, but
there were also gifts from many first-time donors. In subsequent
issues of the Clipboard we will inform you of the progress toward
seeing that the General Fund is fully funded by the end of the
fiscal year.
There is continued
determination to see that the finances of the School remain sound.
But these times remind us more than ever of how dependent we are
upon the concern and generosity of those who believe in what the
School is doing. And, at the end of the day, it is good to be so
reminded.
2001
Kershner Lectures Scheduled
Dr. Paul Sampley,
Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at Boston
University, will deliver the annual Kershner Memorial Lectures on
Emmanuel’s campus March 20–23. The lectures will take place at
10:45 a.m. each day in the Mildred Welshimer Phillips Memorial
Chapel. Dr. Sampley’s topic will be “Living in an Evil Age: Paul’s
Ambiguous Relation to Culture.” For more information, phone the
Office of the President at (423) 461-1510.
Meditation:
The
Intimacy of Knowing
By Cody Moore (MAR
’00)
What does it mean to “know” something? A student might say
she knows the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia
in 1776 or that Plato wrote The Republic. These are
discernible facts. But is this what it truly means to have “knowledge”?
In our society, we have separated knowledge from belief. One may
“know” something without having any attachment to it. The
student could be tested on her reading of The Republic. But
does this mean she truly understands it? Can understanding
come without intimacy to the subject? This intimacy can only exist
through living the text. You could ask her to reconstruct the
basic tenets of Plato’s utopian government but ask her if she
believes in it, and she’ll likely chuckle. She might even claim to
like the idea, that is, give mental assent to it, but she wouldn’t
dare start a political movement based upon it. There was no “Platonic
party” on this year’s election ballot.
Yet, in a more ancient way of thinking, to “know” something
is to have an intimate relationship with it. “Now the man knew
his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain” (Genesis 4:1). Here
knowledge is euphemistically connected to marital intimacy. “For
the LORD knows the way of the righteous” (Psalm 1:6). Here
divinity is connected to upright humanity by the idea of knowledge.
This is all said to ask: In our church Bible studies, when we
attempt to teach the ‘knowledge’ of God what are we really
teaching? Are we teaching people to recite “if anyone strikes you
on the right cheek, turn the other also” or are we teaching them
how to not retaliate?
“Many often err and accomplish little or nothing because they
try to become learned rather than to live well,” Thomas A Kempis.
Book
Review:
Natural
Church Development
By Christian
Schwarz
Carol Stream: ChurchSmart Resources, 1996
Reviewed by Dr. Tom
Jones
This important work by
Schwarz encourages the reader to consider the link between church
health and church growth. Whereas church growth practices call for
certain methods to be used to create desired conditions within local
churches, the author in this book calls churches to seek church
health by allowing God’s natural life-giving principles to be
released. Schwarz sees some church growth practices as attempting
growth by human means. He suggests that the church needs to
rediscover the biotic principle or the laws of life. He writes, “The
goal is to let God’s growth automatisms flourish, instead of
wasting energy on human-made programs.”
Christian Schwarz bases
his findings on a scientifically conducted survey of over 1000
churches all over the world. The survey represented every continent,
and included large and small churches. His findings revealed that
there are eight quality characteristics of healthy churches:
empowering leadership, gift-oriented ministry, passionate
spirituality, functional structures, inspiring worship service,
holistic small groups, need-oriented evangelism, and loving
relationships. Schwarz’s survey found that every church that was
healthy in all eight characteristics was a growing church.
Local churches are
asked to evaluate their own health by surveying how they measure-up
to the eight quality characteristics themselves. The “minimum
factor” is the characteristic that needs to be worked on the most.
Once the “minimum factor” is identified, then the church is
challenged to understand the biotic principles and to begin to take
action to raise that particular quality.
Schwarz is quick to
point out a couple of cautions about his thoughts. First, principles
found in nature can be used within the context of defining healthy
churches, but they are not an adequate basis for orthodox theology.
Natural revelation is not enough by itself. Secondly, he cautions
the reader to not think that the use of Natural Church
Development is just another quick fix. It takes time, energy,
reflection on context, prayer, and the use of resources to become a
healthy church.
I recommend Natural
Church Development to any church that is looking to increase its
effectiveness in fulfilling the mission of the church. It provides a
nice balance to traditional church growth thinking. I believe local
leaders will be more open to talking about church health as opposed
to just church growth. It is a great tool for a church staff or
eldership to study together.
Clipnotes
GREGORY BOULTON (MDiv ’95) now serves at Hillsboro
Christian Church in Hillsboro, Ore., as Associate Minister. He and
his wife, Kathy, reside in Hillsboro.
JAMES BOWER (MAR ’98) and wife, Michelle, announce the
birth of their son, James Curtis, on June 15. Jim teaches religion,
philosophy, and literature at Walla Walla Community College in
Clarkston, Wash. He and his family reside in Lewiston, Idaho.
JEFFREY BULLOCK (1972–74) has completed ten years at
First Christian Church in Canton, Ohio. As of July 1 he is Minister
of Membership. He and his wife, Pam, reside in Canton.
BOB (MAR ’90) and DEBBIE (1985–86) CLARK
have been called by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Grad Student
and Faculty Ministries to represent the U.S. at an international
missions conference at Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya. Bob
and Debbie are team leaders of InterVarsity Graduate-Faculty
Ministries at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, where they
currently reside.
TIM DEFOR (MDiv ’98) and wife, Julie, announce the birth
of their son, Grant Taine Shaw, on March 18. Tim is Associate
Director of Admissions at Nebraska Christian College in Norfolk,
where he and his family reside.
MARK FISH (MDiv ’86) is now Director of Ministry and
Leadership at Dallas Christian College in Texas. He and his wife,
Sheila, reside in Carrollton, Texas.
JAMES GAZAWAY (MAR ’89, MDiv ’89) returned November 1
from a tour of duty in The Balkans as a chaplain for the U.S. Army.
While in Bosnia and Croatia he received several awards and
recognitions for his service. He and his wife, Dora, currently
reside in Trafalgar, Ind.
CLINT HOLLOWAY (MAR ’98) was the speaker for the
Disciple Men’s Luncheon at the 2000 Regional Assembly of the
Christian Church (DOC) that was held in Nashville, Tenn., October 20–22.
His topic was “The Disciples of Christ Historical Society as a
Model for Mentoring.” Clint ministers with the DOC Historical
Society in Nashville, where he currently resides. He became engaged
to Adele Adinolfi on October 28.
CAM HUXFORD (1978–81, 1983–84) wrote an article titled
“Vision… The Missing Element” in the November 26 issue of Christian
Standard. Cam is the minister at Savannah Christian Church in
Savannah, Ga., where he and his wife, Sarah, reside.
RICH JENKS (MRE ’70) has joined the adjunct faculty of
Capella University in Minneapolis, Minn., teaching online courses
for the Department of Human Services. Rich is currently in private
practice as a Family Therapist in LaPine, Ore., where he and his
wife, Mary Ann, reside.
BOB LAVER (MDiv ’87) wrote an article titled “Census
2000” in the December 17 issue of Christian Standard. Bob
is the minister at First Christian Church in Myrtle Point, Ore.,
where he and his wife, Joni, reside.
JOHN LEFFLER (MDiv ’86) wrote the article titled “Friendship:
A Lost Art?” in the November 12 issue Christian Standard.
John and his wife, Ruth, recently began ministering with Castle Rock
Christian Church in Castle Rock, Wash., after an 11-year ministry in
Burns, Ore. The Lefflers reside in Castle Rock.
TOM LOHR (MDiv ’84) along with his wife, Nona, started
CrossPointe Christian Church on November 5 in Albuquerque, N.M.,
with 241 present at their first service. Tom and Nona reside in
Albuquerque.
SAM LUBAG (DMin ’99, MDiv ’91) published his first
bilingual book, Filipino’s Proverbs, in English and
Filipino. Sam is the president of Philippine College of Ministry,
which recently received accreditation from the Association for
Theological Education in South East Asia. Sam and his wife, Juanita,
reside in Baguio City, Philippines.
IVAN MCDANELD (MDiv ’95) will teach Pastoral Counseling
during the Spring 2001 semester at Johnson Bible College in
Knoxville, Tenn. Ivan is in his sixth year as staff chaplain at
Baptist Hospital in Knoxville, where he and his wife, Christie,
reside.
BRETT MILLER (MDiv ’98) is the President of the 2001
Minnesota Christian Convention to be held March 30–31. Brett
ministers with Southeast Christian Church in Minneapolis, Minn.,
where he and his wife, Jill, reside.
ROBBIE PHILLIPS (MDiv ’99) is the Senior Minister at
Harrison Christian Church in Johnson City, Tenn., where he and his
wife, Leanne, reside.
ROSALIE SCHAREN (MDiv ’98) wrote the article titled “Millennium
‘R’ Us” in the December 24 issue of Christian Standard.
Rosalie and her husband, Roger (MDiv ’99), minister at Central
Christian Church in Kelso, Wash., where they reside.
GREGORY WIDNER (MDiv ’81) proposed and directed Ohio’s
first Regional Lay Ministry course taught at East Columbus Christian
Church in Columbus, Ohio, this past summer. He taught the course “Intro
to Preaching.” Greg and his wife, Jeanne, reside in Columbus.
Western
Scholarship Dinners
Churches in the
Northwest are preparing to host the annual Western Scholarship
Dinners to raise funds to underwrite scholarships for Emmanuel
students coming from western states. Dr. Robert Hull, Professor of
New Testament, will be the featured speaker for the first series of
dinners, to be held in Oregon and Washington. The schedule is as
follows:
| Date |
Location |
| Saturday,
March 10 |
Salem
Area Dinner at Turner Christian Church; Jim Kirby, Chair |
| Monday,
March 12 |
Eugene
Area Dinner at Black Augus Restaurant; Nick Nott, Chair |
| Tuesday,
March 13 |
Roseburg
Area Dinner at Coquille Christian Community Church; Craig
Fraley, Chair |
| Thursday,
March 15 |
Portland
Area Dinner; Glennie Tanner, Chair |
| Saturday,
March 17 |
Seattle
Area Dinner at Eastside Christian Church; Art Sphar, Chair |
DMin
Quote of the Month
By Bob Laver, MDiv ’87 and
current DMin student
“Top Five Reasons To
Enter the Doctor of Ministry Program”
5. It doubles your
paycheck instantly (okay, maybe not).
4. You get an aggressive course of study from the best minds in
ministry today.
3. The class discussions are simply awesome.
2. You get to do great reading (and most of it is in English!).
And the number one
reason to enter the D.Min program:
1. It gives you what
you need for ministry now and in the future!
For information about
Emmanuel’s Doctor of Ministry degree program contact Melissa
Noble at 1-800-933-3771.
Faculty Notes
PAUL M. BLOWERS
attended the Stone-Campbell Dialogue at Cincinnati Bible College
on November 27–28, and responded to a paper on Disciples church
polity presented by Dr. Richard Hamm, General Minister and President
of the Christian Church (DOC). The response can be read online,
along with other documents from this meeting, at www.disciples.org/ccu/documents/ccudoc.htm.
He has begun serving as overnight host for the Interfaith
Hospitality Network, a ministry to the homeless and unemployed in
Johnson City, Tenn.
ELEANOR A.
DANIEL wrote the Meditations article titled “An Invitation You
Can’t Refuse” in the November 26 issue of Christian Standard.
She will speak for a women’s group at Draper Park Christian Church
in Oklahoma City, Okla., January 22. Dr. Daniel will lead two
workshops at the National Senior Adult Christian Convention at
Central Christian Church in Mesa, Ariz., January 23–25. She will
present a paper at the joint faculty retreat for Emmanuel and the
Religion faculty at Pepperdine University February 9–11. Dr.
Daniel will participate in the Senior Women’s Administrators
sponsored by ATS March 23–25 in Wheeling, W.Va. She will lead a
case study workshop at the ATS Dean’s Conference in Pittsburgh
March 29–31. Dr. Daniel will serve on a research steering
committee to manage a Lilly grant to ATS “The Character and
Assessment of Learning for Religious Vocation.” This is a 5-year
assignment. She has begun an accreditation consulting relationship
with Great Lakes Christian College as they seek North Central
regional accreditation.
JACK B. HOLLAND
led the “Basic Christian Counseling for Church Leaders”
seminar at Cherry Lane Christian Church in Meridian, Idaho, January
15–19.
ROBERT F. HULL is
teaching a 4-week series on “The Authority of the Bible” on
Sunday mornings at Grandview Christian Church in Johnson City,
Tenn., during the month of January. He will preach in chapel at
Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Ore., on March 13. Dr. Hull
will represent Emmanuel during the Western Student Scholarship
Banquet Tour in Oregon and Washington March 10–18.
THOMAS F. JONES
will preach and teach at First Christian Church in Madras, Ore., and
conduct the seminar “Leading the Church in the 21st Century”
January 7–12. Dr. Jones will also conduct a seminar “Planting
Churches in a New Millenium” at Emmanuel, January 29–February 2.
He will attend the Association of Theological Field Education
Biennial Consultation in Boston, January 17–20. Dr. Jones will
lead a workshop on Assessment of Church Planters and represent
Emmanuel at the National New Church Conference in Las Vegas, Nev.,
March 12–15.
ROBERT J. OWENS
spoke to the luncheon meeting of area Christian Church ministers
in Pittsburgh, Penn., January 8. He taught the series “Exploring
the Psalms” to area ministers and church leaders at Central
Christian Church in Pittsburgh January 8–12. Dr. Owens began a
two-year term as an elder at Grandview Christian Church in Johnson
City, Tenn. He will teach a series on the Book of Proverbs to the
Sunday morning Adult Forum at St. John’s Episcopal Church in
Johnson City, Tenn., March 4–April 1.
BRUCE E.
SHIELDS has written the essay “Preaching from Romans” in the
Festschrift Preaching Through Tears, Essays in Honor of Wayne E.
Shaw, published by Lincoln Christian College and Seminary Alumni
Association.
C. ROBERT
WETZEL is teaching a winter intercession class titled “Theology
and Cinema” at Emmanuel in January along with E. Leroy Lawson.
Development & Recruitment
on the Road
DAVID FULKS to
Dallas Christian College in January; to Hope International
University, Bowling Green State University, Great Lakes Christian
College, University of Michigan, University of Pittsburgh, Kentucky
Christian College, Johnson Bible College, and Gatlinburg Conference
in February; and to Atlanta Christian College, the State University
of West Georgia, Auburn University, Georgia Tech, University of
Southern Indiana, and St. Louis Christian College in March.
DAN LAWSON to
Houston in January; to Arizona and Southern California in February;
and to Florida in March.
JEFF MCNABB to
Lake Cumberland, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati in January; to
Indianapolis and Lexington in February; and to Canton and Chicago in
March.
JERRY RUDBERG to
Elmira, Ore., and to the Rice-Siefke Lectureship at Northwest
Christian College in Eugene, Ore., in January.
C. ROBERT
WETZEL to the Fellowship of Evangelical Seminary Presidents
Meeting in Atlanta, Ga., and South Dade Christian Church in Miami,
Fla., in January; to Faculty Retreat at Pepperdine University in
Malibu, Calif., in February; to Hays Christian Church in Hays, Kan.,
and The Christian Church in Los Alamos, N.M., in March.
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