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ContentsRobert Hull named Dean of Emmanuel
This is not the first time Hull has served as Dean of the Seminary. He previously served a term as the school’s chief academic officer from 1989 until 1992. Hull is a native of Welch, W.Va. He was the first National Merit Scholar to study at Milligan College, where he was much influenced by New Testament professor Beauford Bryant, a founding faculty member of Emmanuel. After graduation from Milligan, Hull became a member of the first entering class of students at Emmanuel, earning the M.Div. degree in 1971. He went on to earn the Ph.D. in biblical studies from Princeton Theological Seminary, where Bruce M. Metzger was his major professor. He began teaching at Emmanuel in 1977. In addition to his duties as Dean, Dr. Hull will continue to serve as Professor of New Testament, a post he has held since 1989. Dean Eleanor Daniel moves to new ministry
Daniel will move to part-time status with Emmanuel in order to work more closely with TCM in Austria. She plans to be in Europe each summer and fall, guiding the Institute through the self-study process to accreditation. Dr. Daniel will continue to teach at Emmanuel School of Religion, typically teaching two courses each spring and supplementing that by teaching special courses during Winter Intersession and in the Doctor of Ministry program. She also plans to do institutional research for Emmanuel, as well as write a book. Emmanuel Village Cottage dedicated in memory of September 11 hero Todd Beamer
A cottage in the Emmanuel Village was named for Todd Beamer and a maple tree was planted in his memory during a special service in the Village on April 24. Todd’s parents, David and Peggy Beamer of Potomac, Maryland, were on hand to dedicate the cottage and tree in their son’s memory. The Beamers are long-time supporters of Emmanuel. They had already sponsored a cottage in the Village before the attacks of September 11. After the tragedy, they asked that their cottage be rededicated in memory of their son, Todd Morgan Beamer. The Beamers also asked to plant a maple tree to honor Todd, because when he was a little boy, he planted an acorn next to the Beamer home with the hopes that it would grow into a tree. The tree grew so large that it eventually had to be transplanted away from their house. A memorial marker has been placed under the tree next to the Beamer cottage. It reads, "Are you ready guys?
Let’s Roll" "The Beamer family has emerged from the tragedy of September 11 to give a strong witness to their confidence in God’s redemptive power in the face of evil," said Emmanuel President Dr. C. Robert Wetzel. "I am grateful that Emmanuel School of Religion has been chosen by the family for this fitting memorial." Click for more pictures from the event
The churches of the Stone-Campbell Movement look back to the 19th century as a time when the Churches of Christ and Christian Churches were acknowledged as the largest religious group indigenous to the United States. But early in the 20th century the division that characterized the whole of denominationalism was rife within what had been meant to be a Christian unity movement. Ever since that time there have been those who have attempted to bring healing and to restore the broken fellowship. In 1930 Jesse Bader shared his vision with leaders in a number of countries concerning the need for a forum where all of the heirs of the Restoration Movement could meet for fellowship and worship. Recognizing that congregational autonomy had always been a distinguishing mark of these churches, there was a pressing need to have a worldwide gathering that could periodically celebrate their common heritage and witness. When the 15th World Convention met in Brisbane, Australia, in 2000, registrations had been received from 34 different countries. Furthermore, through the diligent efforts of General and Associate General Secretaries, Lyndsay and Lorraine Jacobs, it was discovered that there are churches of the Movement in at least 165 different countries. One of the good things about having the Convention in Australia was that it reminded Americans that the divisions that characterized the Movement in the United States have been to a certain degree irrelevant in some other countries. In other words, we Americans attending the World Convention had to behave ourselves! Over the years the major source of financial support for the World Convention has come from the Disciples of Christ. In recent years there has been an increasing involvement from individuals and congregations identified as Christian Churches/Churches of Christ. And people from these congregations as well as from the acapella Churches of Christ serve on the Continuation Committee along with church leaders worldwide. Emmanuel School of Religion has enjoyed a close relationship with the World Convention over the years. Trustees Richard Crabtree and Russell Blowers have served as vice-presidents. Shortly before the Brisbane Convention, the Nominating Committee invited me to serve as "first vice president" leading up to the 2004 Convention in Brighton, England. This would mean serving as president for the 2008 Convention, which is scheduled for Nashville, Tennessee. Thus you can be sure that I will be encouraging support for the World Convention both in attendance and contributions. At this point I plan to lead a tour of Britain following the World Convention in Brighton. The Convention is scheduled for July 28–August 1, 2004, and the tour will precede the Convention. Having spent over 11 years in England, I look forward to sharing with friends of Emmanuel something of what I learned to love during my time there. Along with significant historical sights and churches, we might even plan to visit Cadbury World! If you are interested in joining me on this tour, phone my office at (423) 461-1510 or email PresOffice@esr.edu for more information. 2002 Alexander Campbell Scholars Announced The 2002 recipients of the Alexander Campbell Scholarships have been announced by Emmanuel School of Religion. The scholarships cover full tuition for up to 90 hours of course work at Emmanuel. They are intended to serve as an encouragement for those with outstanding potential for ministerial leadership to continue their educational preparation for ministry at the graduate level. In addition to the five scholarship recipients, 15 scholarship finalists and semi-finalists were also named. Those students will receive half-tuition scholarships for their first year of study at Emmanuel. Emmanuel School of Religion’s Alexander Campbell Scholarship Program is named for one of the leaders of the Nineteenth Century Restoration Movement who demonstrated in his ministry a combination of leadership, scholarship, and effective communication of the Gospel.
Basics of Ministry: Christian Education An interview with Dr. Eleanor Daniel, Professor of Christian Education Envoy: Why is Christian education an important aspect of ministry and why is it important in the life of the church? Daniel: The church in the New Testament was a teaching church as well as an evangelizing church. Teaching was never optional in the first century. Those from all kinds of religious backgrounds came to Christ, and the church could make no assumptions that they had much Old Testament acquaintance. The New Testament itself is designed to teach. Throughout the history of the church, the church has been strong and vibrant when it has attended carefully to instruction, both for those seeking Christ and those who were already Christians. That instruction has taken a variety of forms. When the church was faithful in its teaching ministry, it was healthy and vibrant. When it failed in that ministry, it was weak, resulting in heresies and unfaithful lives. I have no reason to believe that the church today is exempt from this same pattern. A number of recent studies indicate that churches with good teaching programs "close the back door" by assimilating converts into the body and involving them over time in ministry. Envoy: What makes a good Christian education? Daniel: In my opinion, an effective Christian education includes at least four elements: (1) a strong foundation of Biblical knowledge; (2) life application of the knowledge we have, (3) living in fellowship with other Christians to whom we contribute and from whom we take encouragement and gui-dance for Christian living, and (4) discovering and using our gifts for the development of the body of Christ. Envoy: How does Emmanuel prepare students to be better Christian educators? Daniel: We offer the Master of Divinity in Christian education. Every M.Div. in Christian education student pursues a study of languages, Biblical studies, doctrine, and history. Each one studies Bible, doctrine, and church history and follows the formation, field work, and theological integration sequence that those preparing for pastoral ministries do. Just over a fourth of the person’s study is in Christian education. Each Christian education student is required to take certain foundation courses — human development, administration, teaching. Each makes a selection of courses dedicated to ministry to specific age groups — children, youth, adults, campus ministry. Each develops a thesis or a project that explores an area of Christian education. Envoy: How has Christian education in churches changed in recent years? Daniel: Research in human development
regularly adds to the field of knowledge. Cultural shifts require
classes to be constructed differently. When I was studying Christian
education, I never had a course in family At the same time, some of the age-old principles have simply been ignored in recent times—and students need to know those principles in order to avoid the errors of the present.
Twenty-three students received masters and doctoral degrees at Emmanuel School of Religion’s 36th Commencement on May 26, 2002. Master of Divinity degrees were conferred on 13 students, and 5 students received the Master of Arts in Religion degree. Five students received the Doctor of Ministry degree, the most in any year since Emmanuel first awarded the D.Min. degree in 1996. Dr. David Faust, newly named president of Cincinnati Bible College and Seminary in Ohio and former minister of East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, delivered the commencement address. David I. McWhirter, the Director of Library and Archives for the Disciples of Christ Historical Society, was awarded the Seminary’s James A. Garfield Award for his noteworthy service to the Stone-Campbell Movement.
VanDerMeulen forms scholarship at Emmanuel Mrs. Frances VanDerMeulen has chosen to honor the memory of her late husband by forming the Ralph and Frances VanDerMeulen Scholarship at Emmanuel School of Religion. This endowed scholarship will be given each year to aid a student preparing for ministry at the graduate level. The VanDerMeulens were charter members of the East 49th Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, Ind., which is now East 91st Street Christian Church. Russell Blowers, retired senior minister of East 91st Street, has been their lifelong pastor and good friend. Mr. and Mrs. VanDerMeulen have had a deep respect and love for Dr. Blowers, so it is Mrs. VanDerMeulen’s desire to also honor him with this scholarship. Recipients of this scholarship will be chosen from those considered qualified and acceptable by the president of Emmanuel School of Religion or a designated scholarship committee. To honor Dr. Blowers, first consideration shall be given to students coming from East 91st Street Christian Church and preparing for a preaching ministry. Emmanuel is grateful to Mrs. VanDerMeulen for choosing to memorialize her husband and honor Dr. Blowers through this endowed scholarship. Awarding this scholarship each year to a worthy student will perpetuate the values of each of these men. Emmanuel is honored to have a part in this endeavor. As Emmanuel’s friends are fully aware, the seminary has had its financial difficulties this year. We have felt the impact of the national recession just as churches and individual donors have. At the writing of this issue of the ENVOY (mid-May), we are continuing to deal aggressively with our financial needs and expenditures. We have not compromised the quality of what we do for our students in their preparation for ministry. Our fiscal year ends on May 31. The Business Office will then begin doing year-end totals. This is no small job, but as soon as we have an accurate picture, we will let our contributors know how we fared for the 2001–2002 fiscal year. Thank you for your faithful support of Emmanuel. E mmanuel’s annual North American Christian Convention breakfast will be held on Tuesday, June 25, in the Fairfield Room of the Hyatt Regency Hotel at 7:30 a.m. Our speaker this year is Rick Grover (MDiv ’93 and DMin ’98). He and his wife, Laura, have recently moved to Metairie, Louisiana, to begin a new work in the New Orleans area, Journey Christian Church. Please plan to join with the Emmanuel family for this time of fellowship and inspiration. Tickets for the breakfast are $15 each, and may be ordered by sending a check to the Office of the President, Emmanuel School of Religion, One Walker Drive, Johnson City, TN 37601. |
Dr. Robert F. Hull Jr. has been named Dean of Emmanuel School of Religion upon the
resignation of Dean Eleanor A. Daniel at the end of May.
Dr. Eleanor A. Daniel has announced
her resignation from the post of Dean at Emmanuel School of
Religion.
Todd Beamer, who led the passenger
charge against hijackers on United
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