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September 2003
Back Issues
Contents
Emmanuel to co-host Restoration Forum XXI
Emmanuel School of Religion and Milligan College will partner
next month to host the annual unity meeting known since 1984 as
the “Restoration Forum.” Participants and featured speakers
include ministers, faculty and church leaders from throughout the
United States.
The Oct. 12-14 forum is open to all churches, organizations and
individuals who share a common heritage in what is often called
“The Restoration Movement.” This nineteenth-century unity and
restitution effort by Thomas and Alexander Campbell and Barton W.
Stone spawned several distinct religious groups: the Churches of
Christ, the Christian Churches and the Disciples of Christ.
The theme for this year’s forum is “Christ is all...Christ
in all.” Sessions will be held at First Christian Church in
Johnson City on Sunday, at Emmanuel School of Religion on Monday,
and at Milligan College on Tuesday.
Some keynote speakers include: James Collins of Peachtree
Christian Church, Atlanta, Ga., Paul Watson of Cole Mill Rd.
Church of Christ, Durham, N.C.; Thomas A. Langford, retired dean
of the graduate school at Texas Tech University; Pino Neglia,
minister of Chiesa di Cristo in Lecce, Italy; Doug Foster,
director of the Center for Restoration Studies at Abilene
Christian University; Newell Williams, president of Brite Divinity
School in Fort Worth, Texas; Paul Blowers, faculty at Emmanuel;
Robert Hull, dean, Emmanuel School of Religion; Mark Matson, dean,
Milligan College; Rebecca Hale, associate regional minister of the
Tennessee Disciples of Christ; Stuart Love, professor of religion
at Pepperdine University; and Gary Pearson, minister at Church of
Christ, Westminster, Md.
Registration is $25 per person, $35 per couple, or $12 per
student. Checks should be made payable to Milligan College (note
“Restoration Forum” on the check) and be sent to: Office of
the President, Attn: Restoration Forum, P.O. Box 189, Milligan
College, TN 37682.
For more information and a detailed schedule, visit http://www.esr.edu/News/2003RestorationForum.pdf,
or contact PresOffice@esr.edu.
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Financial Update
by Dan R. Lawson, Executive Director of Development
This has been a difficult year financially for us all. The
state of the national economy has had an affect on businesses,
churches, personal portfolios, charitable endeavors, colleges, and
Emmanuel School of Religion. We pursued an aggressive plan to
mobilize the friends of the School, hoping to close the fiscal
year on May 31 in the black. The initial response was very
positive, but to our regret we ended with a shortfall in the
General Fund of just over $346,000. This was in spite of the fact
that gift income from churches and donors was up over the
preceding fiscal year ($1,227,122 in May 2003 compared to
$1,155,779 in May 2002). This was a significant achievement on the
part of our donors, given the continuing doldrums in the national
economy. While we are indeed thankful for the generous response of
our friends, the primary culprit in our shortfall was the loss in
our endowment income.
We now must face a new fiscal year. Our Development Department
is making plans to again rally our faithful friends to help meet
the challenge. We are also working on some strategies to attract
new donors. And if the stock market can hold on to its recent
gains, there is hope that our endowment income will increase.
We are enjoying a good fall enrollment. We remain committed to
maintaining the quality of preparation for ministry that we give
our students. Our staff is determined to deal with the current
difficulties in a way that models Christian character for our
students.
If you are reading this article, it is because you are among
Emmanuel’s core base of supporters. Your faithful support for
the nearly four decades of Emmanuel’s history has produced a
Seminary worthy of note, an army of alumni spread throughout the
globe serving Christ in 34 nations, and a significant impact on
the life of the church now and for years to come.
After all is said and done, however, it is the Lord who
provides and grants the harvest. Emmanuel School of Religion is
His School. May He continue to work through us all to enhance the
mission and purpose of preparing workers for Christ’s church. n
Electronic Clipboard a success!
We had great success with our online-only Clipboards in
July and August. But many of you did not receive those issues
because we do not have your email address.
In October we will be publishing the next online-only Clipboard.
If you have not already done so, please forward your email
address to AlumniNews@esr.edu
so you won't miss any other issues. We plan to publish the next
paper version of the Clipboard in November. n
Meditation:
In Remembrance of Me
By Wilma C. (Willy) Buckner, MDiv ’94
Malachi 3:16, Hebrews 13:7, 1 Corinthians 12:27, Luke 22:19-20,
Job 19:23-24
Her name was Grace. She lived in the nursing wing of
Appalachian Christian Village. I asked what the church could do
for her. She replied simply, “All I ask is that you remember me.”
Now and then I remember Grace because I’ve kept a poem about her
written on a piece of pink paper the color of her favorite suit.
If you don’t keep old papers, it is your loss. During my last
sorting and reshuffling, I ran into a letter from P. Bright,
lovely P. She and I were at the top of our nursing class. The
letter I ran across was written from a mental hospital where she
was not a nurse but a patient. What pain we shared!
Among that night’s sorting, I found letters from my mother
and sisters, fellow Emmanuel students and professors, along with a
newspaper clipping of the death of a wonderful young Christian.
The body of Christ stored away in drawers and boxes. Each precious
name written at the bottom of a page draws me back through a life
lived for and among the people of God. How quickly we forget if we
do not have memory triggers.
In an upper room long ago, a man called Jesus signed his name
to a loaf of bread and a cup of wine. That was his life lived for
and among people he loved. The next time you remember Christ
around a table, promise yourself you will put a few words on
paper, sign them with love, and send them to someone for the
keeping, for the remembering. n
Clipnotes
BRIAN
(’96-’98) and
KATHY BARNES
(MAR ’01) became the parents of Nathan Henry Barnes on March 18, 2003.
Brian is employed with Follett Software Company in the Technical
Resources Department. Kathy left a position in health care management to
become Nathan’s full-time mom. Brian and Kathy reside in Woodstock,
Ill., where they serve as youth leaders at Woodstock Christian Church.
LAURA BUFFINGTON
(MDiv ’03) published the article “The Bride of Christ and the ‘Sought
Afters’” in the September 7 issue of Christian Standard. Laura
serves as discipleship intern with Southbrook Christian Church in
Centerville, Ohio.
THOMAS F. FOUST
(MDiv ’86) completed the Ph.D. degree at the University of Birmingham,
England, in the School of Historical Studies, Philosophy/Theology
Department. His thesis was titled, Christology, Restoration, Unity: The
Missiological Approach to Modern Western Culture According to Lesslie
Newbigin and Dean E. Walker. Foust also co-edited the book, A
Scandalous Prophet: The Way of Mission After Newbigin, which was
selected by the “International Bulletin of Missionary Research” as one
of the fifteen outstanding books of mission of 2002. Foust, Charles Taber
(Professor of World Mission, Emeritus), and Philip Kenneson (MDiv ’86)
each have essays in the volume.
CHIP FOWLER
(MDiv ’78) and his wife, Lou, have recently moved to Ft. Hood, Texas,
where Chip serves as the III Corps Chaplain in the US Army.
JARED
(’01-’02) and
LAUREN WEBB GULLETT
(MDiv ’02) announce their marriage in Charleston, S.C., on June 28,
2003, with Dr. Fred Norris officiating. The couple will reside in Gilbert,
Ariz. Lauren serves as Pastor of Sports and Recreation at Central
Christian Church in Mesa, Ariz.
PERRY HAAGEN
(MDiv ’98) and his wife, Debra, celebrated the birth of Madeleine Nicole
Haagen on July 6, 2003. She joins brother Matthew, 4½, and sister
Abigail, 2. Perry is stationed as a Chaplain on the Vella Gulf, a
Navy cruiser, in Norfolk, Va. His family resides in Virginia Beach.
W. DENNIS HELSABECK JR.
(’81-’82) wrote a response titled “An Insightful Conclusion” in
the Mailbox feature of the September 14 issue of Christian Standard.
Dennis serves as Associate Professor of History at Milligan College.
STEVE HOLT
(MDiv ’93) has accepted a position with the Tennessee Baptist Convention
as a Leadership Specialist. Steve resides in Thompson Station, Tenn.
JEFF MILLER
(MDiv ’95) recently received a Ph.D. in Biblical Interpretation from the
University of Denver and Iliff School of Theology. Jeff teaches New
Testament and Youth Ministry at Milligan College. Jeff, Dana, and their
daughters Danielle and Cassady live in Johnson City, Tenn.
KEVIN MOONEY
(MDiv ’00) and his wife, Mandy, welcomed a new addition to their family.
Atticus Lee Mooney was born on June 10, 2003. Kevin and Mandy concluded
their youth ministry with the Paulding Christian Church near Dallas, Ga.,
and have plans to establish a campus ministry at Kennesaw (Ga.) State
University.
TOM PFAFF
(MDiv ’82) serves as a USAF Chaplain (Major). He has had a permanent
change of duty station to Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. Tom was previously
stationed in Okinawa, Japan, at Kadena AB where he served as Chaplain with
the 18th Wing.
ROBBIE PHILLIPS
(MDiv ’99) and his wife, Leanne, welcomed their third child, Maggie Anne
Phillips, on March 13, 2003. She joins brothers Carter, 8, and Will, 3.
Robbie is Minister at Harrison Christian Church in Johnson City, Tenn.
ALLAN D. ROSS
(MDiv ’75) was recently promoted to Senior Vice President for
Investments at CFP, Inc., a regional firm specializing in Estate,
Business, Pension, and Charitable planning for businesses throughout the
Pacific Northwest. Allan joined the firm in 1998 to serve as General
Securities Principal and to direct the firm’s Wealth Management
division. A Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU-1997) and Chartered Financial
Consultant (ChFC-1996), Allan has received numerous awards in the
Insurance and Financial Planning industry over the past 14 years and has
qualified for the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table since 2001.
JOHN C. SAMPLES
(MAR ’72) wrote a resource review of the book From Grief to Glory
by James W. Bruce III in the August 17 issue of Christian Standard.
John is retired from Standard Publishing and serves as an Associate
Minister at East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, Ind.
ROSS
(MDiv ’98) and
CHERYL WISSMANN
(MDiv ’97) are on furlough in Jamestown, Tenn., until January 2004.
While in the States, Ross is traveling and speaking about their mission
work at International Christian College of Manila. He returned to the
Philippines September 8-20 to teach a Restoration History class at the
College. Cheryl is working on communication as well as doing some writing
and research for her doctorate.
Book
Review:
Luther’s Rhetoric:
Strategies and Style from the Invocavit Sermons
By Neil R. Leroux
Saint Louis: Concordia Academic Press, 2002
Reviewed by Bruce E. Shields,
Russell F. & Marian J. Blowers Professor of Christian
Ministries
Neil Leroux is an ideal person to write a rhetorical analysis of
sermons. With an M.Div. degree from Lincoln Christian Seminary and a
doctorate in rhetoric, he was able to bring theology, history, and
rhetorical analysis together in this study of the eight sermons
Luther preached during Lent, 1522. Leroux now teaches rhetoric and
communication at the University of Minnesota at Morris.
Leroux has focused on eight sermons by one preacher and has
opened the door to an understanding of the power of rhetoric in the
formation of the Protestant Reformation, as well as the helpfulness
of rhetorical analysis in our understanding of sermons in their
historical situation.
In Chapter One the author gives us a fine, clear introduction to
rhetoric and its contemporary terminology. He then explains his own
analytical method that focuses on three functional categories of a
speech’s intended effects. These are focus, in which the speaker
leads the hearer to concentrate on the subject; presence, in which
the speaker elucidates on the subject; and communion, where the
relationship of speaker and hearer is developed to the status that
encourages persuasion. Leroux then illustrates each of these
categories from both Luther and the Bible itself. Each of the four
succeeding chapters analyzes two of the eight sermons.
Chapter Seven considers the contributions of Luther’s Invocavit
sermons. Here Leroux first gives other historical references to
determine that Luther’s sermons actually accomplished his purpose.
Given the radical reform developments in Wittenberg during Luther’s
absence, the effectiveness of these sermons indicates what a
powerful communicator Luther was. Leroux then reviews the highlights
of his rhetorical analysis, emphasizing especially Luther’s use of
pronouns and comparing Luther’s usage to that of the apostle Paul
and the Psalmist.
A book like this that offers a close, analytical reading of a
limited number of sermons in their historical context can lead us
farther in our understanding of the power of the preached word. If
we read such works correctly, then we shall practice what they
preach - we shall preach the word ourselves in our settings and
begin to discover anew the gospel as the power of God in the lives
of attentive hearers. We can’t all be Luthers, but we can all be
effective preachers to our brothers and sisters in Christ while we
live the Christian life together with them.
I recommend this book as good, interesting, reading that offers
helpful insights for all practicing preachers as well as teachers of
preaching and of history.
The book is available in the Emmanuel Bookstore by calling
423-461-1545 or emailing bookstore@esr.edu.
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Faculty
News
 PAUL
M. BLOWERS
attended the International Conference on Patristic Studies
at Oxford University in England, August 18-22, where he read a paper
entitled “Bodily Inequality and the Ethics of Equalization in Maximus
the Confessor, Ambiguum 8.” Dr. Blowers has a new book available
in the Emmanuel bookstore, a translation entitled On the Cosmic Mystery
of Jesus Christ: Selected Writings from St. Maximus the Confessor,
Popular Patristics Series, Crestwood, N.Y.: St. Vladimir’s Seminary
Press, 2003. Dr. Blowers was installed as Dean E. Walker Professor of
Church History at Emmanuel’s convocation service on September 3.
 ELEANOR
A. DANIEL
continues her work with the TCM Institute in Europe during September and
October. She will teach in Austria for two weeks in September and in
Warsaw, Poland, the last week in September. She will teach two more weeks
in Austria at the end of October before returning to Emmanuel in November.
 JACK
B. HOLLAND
will attend the fall meeting of the Association of Theological Schools
Character and Assessment of Learning Project in Pittsburgh, Pa., September
12-13. He continues to speak twice monthly at Sonlight Church of Christ in
Greeneville, Tenn.
 ROBERT
F. HULL JR.
will participate in a gathering of the Ten Schools Group of the Character
and Assessment of Learning for Religious Vocation at the Association of
Theological Schools in Pittsburgh, Pa., September 12-14. He will teach the
class “Can We Trust the Bible?” September 3 and 10, and the class “Gender,
Gospel, and Church” for the Anchor Class September 21, 28, and all of
October at First Christian Church, Johnson City, Tenn. Dr. Hull published
the article “Table for One” in The Lookout, August 24, page 15.
 THOMAS
F. JONES JR.
hosted a Church Planting Assessment Center at Emmanuel August 18-21; spoke
at Jefferson City (Tenn.) Christian Church’s homecoming August 24; and
taught the Alive Sunday School Class at First Christian Church in Johnson
City, Tenn., August 31. He will attend Stadia’s regional team meeting in
Atlanta, Ga., September 8; Stadia’s national staff meeting in Longmont,
Colo., September 15; and the Church Planting Executive Directors Retreat
in Estes Park, Colo., September 15-18. Dr. Jones published the article “We
Need So Many More Like This One: My Home Church” in the September 7
issue of Christian Standard. He continues Church Planting coaching
for Buckhead Christian Church in Atlanta, Ga., for Journey Christian
Church in New Orleans, La., and for Bluegrass Men’s Fellowship in
Lexington, Ky.
 ROLLIN
A. RAMSARAN
will teach a section of the course “Old Testament Survey” at Milligan
College for the fall 2003 semester. He will teach a course on Romans for
the Grandview Christian Church Koinonia Sunday School class for the fall
quarter. Dr. Ramsaran will also teach a 10-week Wednesday night Bible
study on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians at Grandview Christian Church,
September 17-November 19, 6:30-7:30 p.m., open to the community.
 BRUCE
E. SHIELDS
will teach a Sunday school class for college students on the book of Acts,
through January, at Hopwood Memorial Christian Church in Johnson City. Dr.
Shields serves as an elder and chair of the Mission Committee at Hopwood.
He continues his duties as volunteer chaplain at the Johnson City Medical
Center.
 C.
ROBERT WETZEL
continues to recuperate at home from heart surgery
performed in August. Our prayers and best wishes to Dr. Wetzel as he
recovers, and we look forward to his return to his duties as President in
October. n
Development
& Recruitment
on the Road
 Dan
Lawson
to Colorado and northern California in September; to
Louisville, Ky., and Georgia in October.
 Jeff
mcnabb to Kentucky, North Carolina, West Virginia, and
Pennsylvania in September; to Indiana and Illinois in October.
 JERRY
RUDBERG to Septemberfest at Wi-Ne-Ma Camp and Conference
Grounds, Eugene and Roseburg, Ore., in September.
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DMin Quote of the Month
by Billy Wayne Jones, D.Min. ’00
“If you are looking for a program that will more than
adequately prepare you for practically every ministry, Emmanuel’s
D.Min. program will not disappoint you; but if you are looking for
a program that will also prepare you for life, you should
seriously consider Emmanuel School of Religion. It’s one thing
to learn; it’s another to become.”
For more information about Emmanuel’s Doctor of Ministry
degree program, contact Melissa Noble at 1-800-933-3771. n
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