July 2004
Back Issues

Contents

• Emmanuel ends fiscal year in black
• Campaign feasibility study underway
• Meditation: Playing the Fool
• Emmanuel installs new phone system
• Emmanuel participates in World Convention
• Book Review: Toward a Pneumatological Theology: Pentecostal and Ecumenical Perspectives on Ecclesiology, and Soteriology, and Theology of Mission
• Clipnotes
• Faculty News
• Emmanuel on the Road
• Needed: Your email address!

Emmanuel ends fiscal year in black

As you know, Emmanuel experienced two difficult fiscal years, both of which concluded with a shortfall. While it was a matter for concern, we were determined not to let it affect the quality of our ministerial preparation. We now rejoice that the 2003-04 fiscal year ended May 31 without our encountering any additional debt.

We thank God and each of you who helped us with your gifts and prayers. We now prepare to move forward, and we are determined to be aggressive in what God has in mind for our role in His global kingdom.

Campaign feasibility study underway

Emmanuel’s Board of Trustees and administrators believe that the seminary is ready to take the next major step in its continuing mission to provide the highest quality educational program for students. To this end, we must look ahead to the next capital fund-raising campaign. But first we must know what Emmanuel’s friends think of the projects being considered, and we must determine our friends’ interest level in moving forward.

With this in mind, Dickerson & Associates, a development firm serving Christian organizations, has been retained. They will conduct an independent and confidential study to help in the determination of future plans. Many of you may have already received a feasibility survey from Dickerson & Associates. We will let you know about the survey results in a future Clipboard, and will keep you informed on the status of any new campaign.

Meditation:
Playing the Fool

No one likes to look foolish. I remember an incident a couple of years ago when I wore a costume for VBS. I had just changed into my costume when I remembered that I had agreed to bring tree branches that evening to use in decorating one of the rooms. I ran outside in my outlandish garb and began gathering branches in our yard. Then I looked up and saw a neighbor walking past with a strange expression on her face. Unable to think of anything to say that would explain my appearance, I simply said, “Hi.” I hate to feel foolish!

But so often I feel foolish for the wrong reasons. There is no shame in helping with VBS, nor is there shame in asking for directions, or being a bit out-of-step with the surrounding culture. Yet we tend to feel foolish for just such reasons. True foolishness stems from acting without reason or refusing to heed sound advice. Thus we may feel foolish running around the yard in a costume, but we actually are foolish when we fret about having the most fashionable clothing, the most opulent home, and a persona that exudes success and excess from every pore.

The scriptures assure us that as Christians we will appear foolish in the eyes of the world. Appearing foolish in the eyes of the world is a sign that we are on the right track. 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 states, “Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” (NIV)

After being in service more than 18 years, Emmanuel’s phone system has been replaced.

The new system installed in June will offer more options for our callers and will provide each office with voice mail. It is our desire to improve communication capabilities for all our constituents.

Installation should be complete by July 1, and we welcome your comments on the new system. As always, you can reach our operator at (423) 926-1186, or dial each office directly. How do we sound?

Book Review:
Toward a Pneumatological Theology:
Pentecostal and Ecumenical Perspectives on Ecclesiology, and Soteriology, and Theology of Mission

In this book of essays, Veli-Matti Karkkainen presents an ecumenically oriented theology of the Holy Spirit. The focus of the book is presented in four parts: Hermeneutics and Identity, Ecclesiology, Soteriology and Theology of Mission. Although Karkkainen is only claiming to write an introduction, his survey will help those interested on the subject. Most of the essays attempt to summarize the work of a theologian followed by a series of enumerated hints as to what a Pentecostal or Pneumalogical theology might look like.

The book demonstrates the importance of pneumatology in the life of the whole Church, including the non-Pentecostals. In fact, much of the substance of the book is derived from non-Pentecostal theologians, thus making its appeal much broader for general readership. If there is any weakness, it is in the preface, where the editor admits that the essays offer a theological smorgasbord that could imply a lack of focus and depth (viii-ix). However, the book does have a focus for the general reader. In addition to the apparent themes, a good sample of modern theologians of the Holy Spirit are introduced by their ecclesiological affiliations so that the reader knows from where a theological position derives (84).

This has been a good book to read as I prepare to work on the Holy Spirit during my sabbatical leave. I appreciate the insights of the author in putting together such a valuable book. Christians are challenged to rethink their position of the Holy Spirit, and I hope this book will provide a starting point. By reading the book, one is reminded of the fact that no longer can Pentecostals be dismissed or ignored by the historic Churches. Their great numbers and explosive growth is attributed to their knowledge and experience of the Holy Spirit. I recommend this book for all those interested in deepening their knowledge on the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church.

You may purchase a copy of this book in the Emmanuel Bookstore. Contact 423-461-1545 or email bookstore@esr.edu.

Clipnotes

Jason Ashcraft (MAR ’04) has accepted a position planting a campus ministry at Kent State University in Ohio. He and his wife, Carey, will move to Ohio this summer.

Joe Brennan (MDiv ’00) serves as chaplain to veterans through the Home Based Primary Care Program at the VA Chapel in Biloxi, Miss., where he and his wife, Lori, reside.

David Butzu (MDiv ’00) has accepted a call from Hopwood Memorial Christian Church in Milligan College, Tenn., to serve as Worship Minister. He will move to the area this summer. David will contribute chapters on worship among the early churches for a book project undertaken by Dr. Bruce Shields of Emmanuel. It will be a global history of Christian Worship published by College Press.

Brian Carter (MDiv ’04) was recognized by Dr. Norris for outstanding thesis in Christian Doctrine among 2004 graduates. He and wife Betsy Carter (MDiv ’04) have moved to Lansing, Mich., where they will serve as student life directors at Great Lakes Christian College.

Gene “Chip” Fowler (MDiv ’78) serves as Colonel in the U.S. Armed Forces and is responsible for 300 chaplains with the American forces in Iraq. A portion of a communiqué from Gene to friends appears in the July 4 issue of Christian Standard.

Jerry Headen (MDiv ’95) will return to Chiang Mai, Thailand, this summer to continue his work with Philokalia Ministries, a ministry to people infected with AIDS or the HIV virus. He and wife, Pam, and son Jason have been on furlough in the U.S. for the past year and have served as missionaries-in-residence with Grandview Christian Church in Johnson City, Tenn., for most of that time. Jerry has also taken classes at Emmanuel in the Doctor of Ministry program.

Scott Isom (MDiv ’01) is the Associate Minister with Rainier View Christian Church in Tacoma, Wash. He and his wife, Debbie, live in Puyallup, Wash.

Gary Jenkins (MRE ’69) is now the Senior Minister with Shawnee Christian Church in Shawnee, Okla., where he and his wife, Janet, reside.

Holkolet Khongsai (DMin ’04) has returned to his home in India to resume his duties as Dean of Trulock Seminary.

Ryan Nichols (MDiv ’99) has been appointed Senior Minister of the North Plains Christian Church in North Plains, Ore. He and his wife, Krista, will be moving to North Plains this summer.

Bob Parsley (MDiv ’94) graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Law degree on May 7, 2004. He graduated with highest honors (top 5%) and had a paper published in the Tennessee Law Review, for which he received the Burton Award for Legal Achievement, awarded to the top 10 law student publications nationwide. In August he will begin clerking for the Honorable Frank F. Drowota, Chief Justice for the Tennessee Supreme Court, for one year. Upon completion of the clerkship, Bob will practice general litigation for the Miller and Martin law firm in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Mary Ellen (Lantzer) Pereira (MAR ’90; MDiv ’90) has been appointed to the faculty of Northwest Christian College as Associate Professor of Christian Ministries. She and her husband, Ron, will move to Eugene, Ore., this summer. She will begin her teaching responsibilities in the fall term.

Tom Pfaff (MDiv ’82) has officially retired from his duties as Chaplain for the U.S. Air Force. In July, he and his wife, Jan, will move to Nezperce, Idaho, to pastor the Nezperce Christian Church.

Michael Shannon (1976) has been appointed Dean of the Graduate School at Cincinnati Bible Seminary. Mike and his wife, Rosemary, reside in Union, Ky.

Dave Snyder (’82-’83) along with his wife, Dr. Suzie Snyder, serves in Kenya with Christian Missionary Fellowship. Dave wrote the article “Church and Mission Responding to the AIDS Crisis” in the May 30 issue of Christian Standard. Dave and Suzie are presently on furlough in the United States visiting family and supporting churches. During this time Dave will take classes toward the Doctor of Ministry degree at Emmanuel.

Richard Tinker (MDiv ’73) serves as chaplain to 1800 persons at Lawton Correctional Center in Lawton, Okla. He and his wife, Margaret, live in Lawton.

Tony Twist (MDiv ’81) wrote the Reflections article “Homecoming” in the June 13 issue of Christian Standard. Tony is President of TCM international based in Indianapolis, Ind., where he and his wife, Suzanne, reside.

Bill Westfall (MAR ’99) has returned for furlough in the United States after spending nearly four years in Kenya with CMF International. Bill will teach a course at Emmanuel in the fall. The Westfall family will divide their time between East Tennessee and Oregon.

Faculty News

	ELEANOR A. DANIEL taught Children and Youth Ministry at the TCM Institute in Austria June 1-10, and taught Principles of Christian Teaching in Sofia, Bulgaria, for the TCM Institute June 21-26. She attended the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools orientation meeting for continuing accreditation in Atlanta, Ga., on June 14 with President Wetzel. Dr. Daniel will teach Small Group Ministry in Czech Republic for TCM Institute July 5-9.
	JACK B. HOLLAND attended the “Spirituality and Alzheimer’s Disease” seminar on June 3 in Big Stone Gap, Va., sponsored by Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc. He led a seminar on “Managing Depression” in Limestone, Tenn., on June 27. Dr. Holland continues to preach twice monthly at Sonlight Church of Christ in Greeneville, Tenn.
	ROBERT F. HULL JR. will do a workshop on encouraging youth to respond to God’s call on July 7 at the North American Christian Convention in Phoenix, Ariz. Dr. Hull will lead a Bible study on “The Call” for “The Big Picture” summer conference of Youth in Ministry at Milligan College July 27-28.
	THOMAS F. JONES JR. attended the Southeast Stadia retreat in Lakeside, Ohio, June 2-4; he attended the national Stadia meeting in Vacaville, Calif., on June 9; and will meet with the Stadia Georgia advisory board on July 1. He will attend the North American Christian Convention in Phoenix, Ariz., July 5-8. Dr. Jones wrote the article “Why Plant Churches?” in the May 23 issue of Christian Standard.
	BRUCE E. SHIELDS published a book review for the Society of Biblical Literature website, 6 June 2004, on Either Jew or Gentile: Paul’s Unfolding theology of Inclusivity by Eung Chun Park (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2003).
	C. ROBERT WETZEL wrote a Reflections article for the May 30 issue of Christian Standard entitled “A Place for Walt.”

Emmanuel on the Road