Columbia Theological Seminary Vantage, 87, number 3, Winter 1995-1996

COLUMBIA
THEOLOGICAL
SEMINARY

Vantage

WINTER 1995-96

Board of Trustees
names new chairperson

A i mi Oi i OBER meeting of Columbia
Seminary's Board of Trustees, Joanna
Adams was named chairperson, an
office she will assume on January 1,
1996. She is the first woman to chair
Columbia's board. She succeeds John
A. Conant of Atlanta, who served as
chairperson from 1989-1995.

Pastor of Trinity Presbyterian
Church in Atlanta, Dr. Adams is a
1979 Columbia graduate. She is a
past-president of the seminary's
Alumni /ae Association and co-chair
of Columbia's capital campaign in
Greater Atlanta Presbytery.

She has received the Emory
University Alumni Association Medal
of Honor, the Woman of Achievement
Award from the YWCA of Greater
Atlanta, and an honorary doctorate
from Davidson College. Dr. Adams
was a member of the Special Commit-
tee on Reconciliation for the PC(USA)
and co-chaired the Bicentennial
Campaign for the Presbytery of
Greater Atlanta.

David Quattlebaum of Greenville,
South Carolina, was named vice chair,
and Emily Wood of Maitland, Florida,

continues as secretary.

In other business, six new mem-
bers were welcomed to the board.
They are Richard M. Cromie, pastor of
First Presbyterian Church, Ft. Lauder-
dale, Florida; H. Thomas Lane,
president of the Lane Financial Group
in Gainesville, Florida; James S.
Lowrey, pastor of Idlewild Presbyte-
rian Church, Memphis, Tennessee;
William S. Morris, chair and chief
executive officer of Morris Communi-
cations Corporation, Augusta,
Georgia; Betty Nichols, elder of
Covenant Presbyterian Church,
Jackson, Mississippi; and Jefferson V.
Smith, partner in the law firm of
Carter, Smith, Merriam, Rogers, and
Traxler in Greer, South Carolina.

Members leaving the board were
Thomas Brown of Lake City, Florida;
Howard Ector of Marietta, Georgia;
Howard Edington of Orlando,
Florida; Edward Hopper of Lexing-
ton, Kentucky; Will Jones of Memphis,
Tennessee; Gay Love of Atlanta,
Georgia; Arthur Ross of Raleigh,
North Carolina; and Betty Simmons of
Jackson, Mississippi.

Board chairpersons John Conant, 1989-1995, and Joanna Adams, 1996-

Make plans for
Colloquium f 96

Thomas G. Long will lecture three times
during Colloquium on the theme
"Preaching the Final Words: Sin, Death.
ami the Life to Come. "

Mary Donovan Turner, guest preacher,
will also lead a continuing education
workshop on "Preaching Toward Easter
in the Post-Easter Church. "

Thomas G. Long, Francis Landey
Patton Professor of Preaching and
Worship at Princeton Theological
Seminary, is keynote speaker for
Colloquium '96, January 8-11. Mary
Donovan Turner, assistant professor
of preaching at Pacific School of
Religion, is guest preacher and will
also conduct a continuing education
seminar.

This four-day event for church
leaders will include lectures, continu-
ing education seminars, worship, and
alumni/ ae reunions.

Dr. Long will lecture three times
on his theme of "Preaching the Final
Words: Sin, Death, and the Life to
Come." The first two lectures will be
given at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on
January 8; the third lecture will be
given at 9:00 a.m. on January 9.

Before joining the Princeton
faculty, Dr. Long was professor of

preaching and worship at Columbia
Seminary. He has also taught at
Erskine Theological Seminary and
was pastor of McElroy Memorial
Associate Reformed Presbyterian
Church in Atlanta.

Dr. Long has written and edited
numerous books, chapters, and
articles on homiletics and worship.
He is a member and past president of
the Academy of Homiletics.

Dr. Mary Donovan Turner will
preach January 8, 9, and 10 at 7:30
p.m. at Columbia Presbyterian
Church. On January 9 at 2:00 p.m.,
she will lead a continuing education
seminar, "Preaching Toward Easter in
the Post-Easter Church."

Dr. Turner was ordained in the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
and earned the Ph.D. from Emory
University in Old Testament Studies.
Continued on page 3

Thoughts on stewardship

Douglas W. Oldenburg, President

In RECBNl MONTHS/ I have given a
number of talks on stewardship. Of
course, stewardship embraces the
whole of life, but for the most part, I
have been asked to speak on tin
stewardship of our money.

Research shows that in 1933, the
depth of the Great Depression,
Protestants were giving 3.3% of their
income to the church. Sixty years later
when Americans were over 200"..
richer (after taxes and inflation),
Protestants were giving only 2.S",. , .1
their income.

It is tempting to blame this decline
in giving on feelings ol alienation
from denominational leadership, but
research shows otherwise. I see the
decline as our failure to communicate
the gospel of God's love in Jesus
Christ, to impress upon people that
we are stewards of what God has
given us, to inspire people with the
exciting mission of the church, and to
help people experience the joy of
giving. I read the decline in giving
largely as the church's capitulation to
the values of our secular culture and
our failure to be counter-cultural.
How do we reverse these trends 7

First, pastors must feel free to talk
about money. The Bible is filled with
references to material possessions,
and financial issues are the source "I
gre.it anxiety and conflict in many
people's lives, yet some pastors avoid
the subject. The pastoral dimensions
of money issues are enormous, and
we are failing in our role as pastors if
we do not address them. A layman
once said to me in response to my
meek apology for asking for another
large gift, "Doug, never feel awkward
asking for money. That's part of your
job as my pastor to encourage me to
return to the Lord's work what he has
given to me. My greatest joy comes
from giving and knowing I am
making a difference. You need to help
me experience that joy."

Second, pastors and lay leaders
need to give greater focus to steward-
ship in the life of our local congrega-
tions if we expect it to be a greater
priority m people's lives.

Third, we need to be more tar-
geted and specific about what we ask
people to give. The challenge of the
tithe needs to be renewed in our
congregations.

Fourth, pastors and lay leaders
need to promote planned giving, the
"stewardship of accumulated posses-
sions." The largest transfer of wealth
from one generation to another will
occur in the next two decades in the
United States some $13 trillion!
Unless pastors and lay leaders chal-
lenge people to leave a portion of their
estate to the church, we will miss a
wonderful opportunity to strengthen
our mission and witness. The Presby-
terian Foundation is a great resource
to help local congregations with this
important aspect of stewardship.

Finally, seminaries must give
greater focus in training pastors to
both the theology and practice of
stewardship in an affluent society.
Columbia includes a component on
stewardship in the "Practice of
Ministry" course and many references
are made to it in theology and Biblical
courses, but more needs to be done,
both in our regular curriculum and in
continuing education.

God has given the Presbyterian
community of Christians vast re-
sources of wealth, far more than most.
"To whom much is given, much will
be required."

(Note: Some of the research data used
above comes from a presentation made by
John and Sylvia Ronsvalle, empty tomb,
inc Their book, Behind the Stained G/<js>
Windows: Money Dynamics in the Church,
will be published in 1996.)

Jiang Lian, Jiade Wu, Nanjing Professor Wang Wei-fan, and Huibing He

Columbia strengthens ties
to Church in China

Columbia is now in its fifth year of a
cooperative relationship with Chinese
Christians, building upon the ties
established with the China Christian
Council and Nanjing Union Theologi-
cal Seminary. This continuing rela-
tionship is made possible by a second
grant from the Luce Foundation and
the cooperation of such organizations
as the Amity Foundation.

The second Luce Foundation
grant provides for events suggested
by the Chinese as appropriate ways to
reestablish the Sino- American rela-
tionship of Christians interrupted in
1949. The grant also makes possible
exchanges bringing Chines students

and scholars to the U.S. and sending
Columbia students and faculty to the
People's Republic of China.

During the 1995-96 academic year,
Columbia is hosting two visiting
Nanjing scholars. Professor Wang
Wei-fan was on campus in August
and September as a short-term
resident scholar, writing a history of
Chinese Christian thought. Chen
Zemin, vice principal and dean of
faculty, will be coming to Columbia in
January for a year's sabbatical to work
on a systematic theology for the
Chinese Church.

In addition, two professors from
Nanjing are at Columbia this year

while they study English as a second
language. Ya-Qian Peng is a church
history professor and Mei-Chun Liu
teaches New Testament.

Three students from China have
also joined the Columbia student
body as part of this program: Jiang
Lian (MATS "95) in the Master of
Divinity program, Jiade Wu, who
received the Master of Theology
degree in May, and Huibing He in the
Doctor of Ministry program.

In May 1996, Columbia faculty
members Jasper Keith (STD 79),
professor of pastoral care and counsel-
ing, and Will Coleman '85, associate
professor of theology and hermeneu-
tics, will teach courses related to their
fields at Nanjing Seminary.

Next summer, Columbia will send
two students, Hannah Brawley '97
and Stacey Rector '96, to teach English
as a second language at a regional
Chinese seminary. These students,
chosen from a large group of appli-
cants, are spending part of this
academic year learning how to teach
English as a second language. This
summer they will give the gift of
language instruction and receive a
first-hand experience of the Chinese
Church.

In October 1994, Columbia hosted
a historic reunion for Presbyterian
missionaries to China. More than 160
former missionaries, their families,
Chinese church leaders, and experts in
Sino- American relations came to
Columbia for the reunion, which had
been suggested by Bishop K. H. Ting,
president of the China Christian
Council. Chrystal Cook '98

Linda Davis and Timothy Fulop

Appointments
made in dean's
office, library

Two appointments have recently been
made at Columbia. Timothy Fulop
has been named director of research
and evaluation and assistant to the
dean of faculty, a position he began in
September. Linda Davis has been
named technical services librarian.
She began her work in October.

Dr. Fulop is focusing his efforts on
academic program excellence and
faculty development. He will also
lecture in church history.

Dr. Fulop received the Ph.D. from
Princeton University and the Master
of Divinity from Princeton Theological
Seminary. He has lectured in the
Summer School of Arts and Sciences
at Harvard University and was a
visiting lecturer at Harvard Divinity
School. He has also served as a
lecturer at Princeton University and
the Extension School at Harvard. Dr.
Fulop is an adjunct faculty member of
Associated Canadian Theological
Schools, Central Baptist Theological
Seminary, and Gordon College.

He has published and taught
classes in areas including church
history, the Protestant Reformation,
and missions. He grew up in Japan
during his parents' service as Ameri-
can Baptist missionaries.

Ms. Davis received the master's in
library and information science degree
from the University of South Carolina.
While there, she interned with the
South Carolina State Archives Conser-
vation Lab. She attended Candler
School of Theology and has worked in
the Pitts Theology and Woodruff
libraries, both at Emory University.
Ms. Davis is a member of the Ameri-
can Library Association.

Her work at Columbia will focus
on cataloging new acquisitions and
providing computer records for the
older library material. Other aspects
of her work include preservation/
conservation efforts and reference
duties. She will also help implement
the library's new integrated, auto-
mated computer system.

VANTAGE

Maake Masango (MATS '8V. ThD '94)

Alum uses his
training in
South Africa

Since beginning his studies at Colum-
bia 16 years ago, Maake J. S. Masango
(M.A.T.S. '81, Th.D. '94) has adapted
much of what he heard in classrooms
to the needs of his native South Africa.

Over that time the nation has
moved from enforcing complete racial
segregation to permitting multi-racial
elections. Whatever problems the
church faced during Masango's early
years of ministry have also changed.
He now must help parishioners catch
up with the fast pace of reform
affecting church life.

"I was assigned by the church to
try to help it integrate prior to the
changes," said Masango, who serves
the Transvaal West Presbytery of the
Presbyterian Church of Southern
Africa. "One of the things the
churches in the white suburbs
struggled with was blacks and Indians
moving in. Often, the churches in
those suburbs were not trying to reach
new people within that community."

In consulting with congrega-
tions in addition to working as a
pastoral counselor Masango applied
advanced study in group dynamics
and conflict resolution, skills gained at
Columbia and in his experience as an
ordained minister. He also used his
work in bringing groups together as
the first black instructor for some
students at Pretoria University, a
school for the Afrikaaner population.

To prepare for the elections last
year, Masango was asked to lead
workshops for church-affiliated
election monitors. He had one month
to conduct what he called "objectivity
training" for the group monitors, who
held a wide range of political opinions
and visions for the future.

Masango said he taught them to
acknowledge the importance of all
opinions to the whole. "I trained them
that you cannot hold anger against the
other, because you will damage your
story and what you hope South Africa
can be."

Masango has used conflict resolu-
tion techniques in churches, both
black and white, in order to help
congregations integrate races and
beliefs in the midst of the country's
wider struggle to do the same.

Masango gained many of his skills
during several years of clinical work

done with the Georgia Assoc iation for

Pastoral Care, according to his Th.D.
program director, Professor of Pasto-
ral Theology John Parton. I le ^o
holds degrees from the Federal
Theological Seminary of South Africa
and the Presbyterian School of Chris
tian Education in Richmond, Virginia.

By making adjustments to South
Africa culture, Masango was able to
make use of counseling techniques
geared primarily to Western society

He said that, according to Western
techniques, which do not account for
the importance of community in
African society, a South African might
easily be misdiagnosed as overly
dependent.

"As I studied at Columbia, I had
to reframe issues to the African
concept of pastoral care," he said. "In
the African concept, when you
diagnose someone as sick, you must
go to the family. The community
guides and helps you in managing
illness. In African culture, you move
out of the nest, but you belong to the
nest. When the nest is broken, you
have to come and mend it."

John Turnbull 95
Editor's note: Dr. Masango has recently
been elected moderator of the Presby-
terian Church of Southern Africa.

Colloquium '96
continued from page \

k

J

Professor Ben C. Johnson

She is a frequent contributor to Biblical
Preaching Journal and Word and Witne
and author of The Storyteller's Compan-
ion to tfie Bible: Pre-exilic Prophets and a
series of articles, "Living by the
Word," in Christian Century, Advent -
Christmas, 1995.

In addition to the seminar led by
Dr. Turner, five workshops are
scheduled on January 10 and 1 1
"Parish Pastoral Counseling: A Short
Course on Short-Term Pastoral Care"
by Brian Childs is offered January 10,
9:00-4:30; "What Happens When
Women Read the Old Testament" will
be taught by Kathleen O'Connor,
January 10, 9:00-12:00; and "Being
Christian in a World of Fear: God-Talk
as a Sign for Our Times" will be led
by Will Coleman '85, January 10, 1:30-
4:30. Both "Calmly Plotting the
Resurrection," taught by Donna
Schaper, and "Reflections on Minis-
try Mastering the Storms: Catalysts
to a Healthy Ministry," led by Mark
Bryan '87, are scheduled for January
11,9:00-4:30.

Alumni /ae activities will be held
January 8-9. Joe S. Harvard '66, pastor
of First Presbyterian Church in
Durham, North Carolina, will be the
alumni /ae luncheon speaker on
January 8. The alumni /ae reunion
classes luncheon will be held on
January 9 for the classes of 1921-41,
1946, 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971,
1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, and 1995.

Women in ministry and women in
preparation for ministry will have an
opportunity for fellowship and dinner
on January 9.

For more information, or to
register for any of the Colloquium's
events, call 404/378-8821.

Columbia adds
to offerings in
spirituality

K Ri si', >\si id spiritual hunger in the
church, Columbia Seminar} I
developed ,i certificate program In
spiritual formation. In a recent
interview, Ben C. Johnson, professor
of Christian spirituality, shared his
vision for the program.

Q: You have served as professor
of evangelism and church growth for

15 years, and now yon are professor
of Christian spirituality. Why the
emph.isis on spirituality al 1 1 ii'. I M ne iii
your life and ministry?

Johnson: After many years Ol
ministering all over the nation, I have
discovered that the greatest need is lor
a renewed sense ot Cod's presence In

people's lives. Pilling the spiritual
void in the church is critical now due
to the pain, frustration, and disillu
sionment of so many pastors and
members. A fresh emphasis on the
spiritual dimension of church life and
mission will bring forth the vitality
needed to face the challenges ahead.

Q: How will your new role
further this emphasis?

Johnson: There are f OU1 areas that
I will be working on: teaching the
spiritual formation for ministry
electives in the Master of Divinity
curriculum; assisting I >r. ( ieorge
Telford with the I > x tor of Ministry
focus in Spirituality; devoting much of
my time to the certificate program in
spiritual formation; and continuing
retreats, workshops, and off-campus
speaking engagements on spirituality.

Q: Tell us about the new certifi-
cate program.

Johnson: The certificate in
spiritual formation offers a structured
course in the disciplines of Christian
spirituality, emphasizing both study
and practice, and concludes with a
spiritual pilgrimage to Israel.

This is a three-year program of 32
units. Within those 32 units are four
components: an immersion week, six
elective courses, a practicum, and the
pilgrimage.

Q: What does the immersion
week consist of?

Johnson: The immersion week,

conducted in a retreat atmosphere.
includes le< lures on the formati\ e

aspects ol Jewish New restamenl

mon.i-.in and Reformed Spirituality,

combined \\ ith Intensh e reflet tion on
i lod s unfolding presence Vftei the

immersion week, each student begins
the -! les "i i\ ele< tive< ourses

Q: 1 low ,ue the ele. d\e uhiim's

designed, ,m<.\ wh.it topi, are taught?

lohnson: i oui ses .ue one week

[ntensh es In v\ hi< h students li\ e and

stu.u togethei i hese ele< ti\ es .ue
stnu tuied around cognlth e content

ling and le. line i . omiiuin.il

le.n ning (dist usai< in ihai Ing reflet
Hon) personal insights and applii a
tion n'd Hiiii ation In the pi." ii"' <'
ministi \

We have developed I-' ele. lues
A sampling i >1 i ourse titles ln< ludes:
"The Practice ot Prayei I hrough the
i eiituries," "Classii b "i Spii Itual

I V\ ohon," " [he History ol ( Inr.ti.in

Spirituality I he I Iterative "'
Spiritual I >ire( tion I he I >o< trine ot
the i ioi\ Spii ii and Sani tifit ation
and "Spirituality and l ompa di >n

Q: How is the pi." 'i' "i" i-'M 111 "'
imnt met?

Johnson: Students will apply
what they have learned in a super-
\ is.'. I proje< t, su< h as designing and
, ondui ring > retreat de\ eloping and
implementing a small grou] i i >i
pio\ iding .i b< hool >>i prayer.

Q: wh.ii Is the pilgrima

Johnson: The program i ulmi-

nates in .i spiritu.il pilgrimage I"

Israel [his two-weel- i .hi, .. subsi

di/ed to reduce student cost to .m

affordable amount will he spenl
visit n .p. hoi) plat es i<>i reflet tion,
meditation, and prayer, The journey

to Jerusalem will he based on In
dents' studies ol spirituality.

Q: wh.ii i .iii-..". are available in
the eerhh. ate program for i ( > () '> 96,
and who i .in register?

Johnson: The Upcoming I "iirse
offerings include tin- immersion week,

i ebruary ll L6j ' 1 listorj "i ( lnr.ii.in
spirituality," February 25 - March 1,
taught by I >i < athenne ' ion/.al.
and, il"' second ele< rive, "Spiritualitj
in the Desert <ii 1'oday," funs 9 14,
which will be taught by Dr. Roberts
Bondi.

i in . program is valuable for those
working m < hur< he* and i"i seekers

who don't know much about Cod.
Registration is limited to 20 students
pei course. Anyone who wants more

Information Ol to register may I .ill
4(1 4/ 687-4557. A brochure is also
,i ailable.

Q: What is your hope, having

taken this step in your carei i and this
direction in teaching?

Johnson: My hope is that,

through theu mil- ate program and

the increased emphasis on Christian
spirituality, people will receive the

ttrength and fresh vision to revitalize
their daily ministries. This can
translate into courageous ministry in a
world of pain and brokenness. It is
also my hope that those who are
unfamiliar will become informed.
My hope is a new church for a
new day. Chrystal Cook '98

WINTER 1995-96

Continuing Education
and Lay Institute
Calen d ar

For further information or to register for courses, call or write:
Rebecca S. Parker, Director of Continuing Education, or
Richard S. Dietrich, Director of the Lay Institute of Faith and Life
Columbia The ological Seminary, Decatur, GA 30031/404-378-8821.

January 8-11 COLLOQUIUM '96 See article on page 1.

January 19-20 LaySchooj in AUGUSTA, GEORGIA See article on this page.

February 5, 12, 19, 26 EVENING Lay Scho See article on this page.

February 8-9 BEYOND Seminary: Tm Firsi Thrbi Years See article on this page.

February 8, 15, 22, 19 M( >RNIN< ; LaySchoi H See article on this page

February 10, 17, 24 and March 2, 9, 16 Til. S.-ikii. m I [VESOl CHILDREN Leader:
Ron Cram. Cost: $160.

February 11-16 IMMERSION WbEK FOR CeRTIFH mi IN SPIRTTI \1 FORMATION See
article on page 3. Leader: Ben Johnson. Cost: $400.

February 15-16 Ri i IGION AND BDU( ATION in mi Cm ruRI OF DlSBBl in- Guest
speaker: Stephen L. Carter, author of The Culture ofDisbelieJ I low American Law
and Politi s trivialize Religious Devotion. Event co-sponsored with Agnes Scott
College. No charge.

February 23-24 Lav School in Jacksonville, Florida Sec article on this page.

February 26-March 1 HISTORY Ol CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY Leader: Catherine
Gonzalez. Elective in the Certificate in Spiritual Formation Program. See article
on page 3. Cost: $300.

March 14-15 Ri i IGION AND mi Arts: Arts in WORSHIP See article on this page.

March 15-16 LaySchcxm in Tampa, FLORIDA See article on this page.

March 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7 Aunc. and Chkimian Education Leader:
Ron Cram. Cost: $160.

April 8-16 Wh kin Jamaica Leader: George Telford. Cost: $850.

April 12 Cri mivi Worship Design Leader: Ann Weems. Cost: $55.

April 14-19 Con 1 1 Mil \ 1 1\ i Retreai FOR Men Leader: Rick Dietrich. Cost: $195.

April 15-16 Musicians and Pasioks: A Worsi in Ti \m Co-sponsored with Presby-
terian Association of Musicians. Cost: $75.

April 21-24 Coniimim aiiu RETR1 \i FOR WOMEN Leader: Martha Jane Petersen.
Cost: $215.

April 26-27 Video and Violence: Whai Does ihe Church Have ioSa>,? Cost: $45.
May 9-10 Navigating Cm \m.i m ii if Church See article below. Cost: $165.

Seminar looks at
early ministry

K \ i ii i time of ordained ministry, a
pastor can expect a number of transi-
i ions as he or she moves from one
stage of ministry to the next. In this
seminar, attention will be focused on
the issues that arise in the early years.

The two-day seminar, February 8-
9, is designed to equip new clergy
with leadership skills and knowledge
which are essential for survival and
transformation. This workshop will
help participants learn to understand
and deal with the multiple expecta-
tions that exist in the various tasks of
ministry.

Cost is $85. For information or to
register, contact the Office of Continu-
ing Education, 404/687-4562.

'Religion and
the Arts 7 offered
in March

Peopli in the pew are hungry to
encounter God and to experience
God's transforming power; they turn
to worship for this experience. The
arts trigger the imagination, stir
emotions, and are essential partners
for creating meaningful worship.
How to use the arts in worship
effectively, specifically through the
biblical text, is the subject of this
workshop, scheduled March 14-15.

Participants will have an opportu-
nity to explore the theology upon
which arts in worship is based, the
variety of art forms that can enrich
worship, and specific ways to incorpo-
rate those art forms into the life and
worship of the congregation.

T.E.A.M. (Theological Expression
in Arts Ministry) will provide the
leadership for this event. T.E.A.M.
has led workshops on the arts and
ministry for congregations,
presbyteries, and synods. In 1996
T.E.A.M. will design and lead worship
for the Presbyterian Peacemaking
Program's summer conferences in
Estes Park, Colorado, and Montreat,
North Carolina.

Cost is $65. For more information,
contact the Office of Continuing
Education, 404/ 687-4562.

Lay Institute
Course focuses on congregational plans winter,
change s P rin S courses

Congregations pass through a variety
of changes, both chosen and not
chosen. Change can arise from
demographics, shifting leadership,
and growing or declining member-
ship. As the pastor navigates these
changes, basic guidelines and charac-
teristics must be understood.

This workshop, scheduled May 9-

10, will help to assess change in a
congregation: its sources; its dynam-
ics, especially conflict; and the clergy's
role in the process.

Gil Rendle is leader for this event.
He is a fellow of the Alban Institute
and has had years of experience in the
parish as well as working with many
congregations in transition. D

Tin Lay Institutl of Faith and Life
offers a number of winter and spring
courses in addition to the Winter Lay
Schools. This year there are plans for
courses in Church Politics, Reading
Print Media Theologically, and Islam.
More information about these courses
may be obtained from the Institute,
404/687-4577. D

Lay Schools
planned in
February

Tins winter's Evening Lay School,
sponsored by the Lay Institute of Faith
and Life, will offer courses in New
Testament, Christian ethics, and
psychological and theological issues.
The courses will be held 7:30-9:30 on
Monday evenings in February (Febru-
ary 5, 12, 19, 26) on the Columbia
campus. Teachers include Dr. Charles
B. Cousar '58, professor of New
Testament; Dr. Marcia Y. Riggs,
associate professor of Christian ethics;
and Dr. John H. Patton, professor of
pastoral theology.

Dr. Cousar will teach an introduc-
tion to the Gospel of John. Dr. Riggs'
class will examine a number of
current ethical issues using the case
study method. Dr. Patton's course is
titled "Human Forgiveness: Psycho-
logical and Theological Issues."

Dr. Ludwig Dewitz will teach this
year's Morning Lay School course.
Morning Lay School will be held
Thursday mornings in February
(February 8, 15, 22, 29). Classes meet
from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. in the
Harrington Center on campus.

Dr. Dewitz, professor emeritus of
Old Testament, will look at key
episodes in the bitter struggle between
church and synagogue from biblical to
recent times.

To register, contact the Lay
Institute at 404/687-4577. D

Weekend lay
schools
scheduled in
Georgia, Florida

Lay people from various Southeastern
areas will gather in Lay Institute
weekends this winter. In conjunction
with churches and presbyteries, the
Lay Institute will offer courses in
Augusta, Georgia, and in Jacksonville
and Tampa, Florida. These schools
offer classes Friday evening and
Saturday morning and afternoon.

Teaching in Augusta January 19-
20 will be Professors Charles Cousar
and George Stroup. Teaching in
Jacksonville February 23-24 will be
Drs. Ron Crossley and Jeanne
Stevenson-Moessner. Professors Stan
Saunders and Carlos Cardoza y
Orlandi will be in the Tampa Bay area
March 15-16.

In addition, the Lay Institute
continues to co-sponsor Commis-
sioned Lay Preacher Training Courses
with Flint River and Sheppards and
Lapsley presbyteries.

More information about these
weekends and other off-campus
courses are available from the Lay
Institute.

VANTAGE

Columbia Seminary installs new
telephone system

Di ring mi si mmi i ( olumbia In-
stalled a now telephone system w Ith
such capabilities as dire* I dialing and
\ oice mail. The main sv> it< hboard
operator's number continues to be
404/378-8821, and an automated
attendant may be rea bed al anj time
bj dialing 404/687-4501.

Offices and individuals maj now
be reached directly by dialing -104/
<.s7-4\w with xxx representing the
appropriate extension. In addition to
direct access to individuals during
office hours, voice messages may now
be left 24 hours a d.n Below are
extensions ol frequently called
numbers.

Academic Affairs, 521
Admissions, 517
Advanced Degrees, 534

Alumni/ ae Office 564
Asian Ministries, 552
\so i.i' ion para la 1'duc.u ion

reologica Hispana I ' >495
Bookstore 150
BusinessOffice 580
I ontinuing I dm ation >6 '
Development /Seminary Relations,

525

i inant laJ Ud, 582

i ood Sei vice 51

Internationa] * office 19

I ,,\ Institute, 577

i, i., ,.,N >49

Media 584

Pastoral ( are, 528

Physical Plant/Maintenance I B-8539

President s< Office, 515

Student 1 lie, 523

Supervised Ministry, 519

Bobbi White '96 met Pope John Paul II during a visit to the Vatican.

Student learns from the church
in Kenya and Switzerland

Editor's note: Bobbi White, a senior
from Black Mountain, North Carolina,
has had what she calls "two wonder-
ful international experiences which
gave me new eyes to see and a new
vision of God's activity in the world."
She did a summer internship with a
pastor in the Presbyterian Church of
East Africa in Kenya and studied at
the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey,
Switzerland. The following is her
account of those experiences.

During the summer of '94, 1 lived in
Ngoe, Kenya, with a Presbyterian
pastor, the Rev. Mercy Maina. She has
nine churches, with memberships
ranging from 300 to a new church of
30. She lives in a fertile, mountainous
area. There is no electricity or phone
service, and water comes from the
roof or streams. The Kenyans wel-
comed me into their homes to share
our faith and have tea.

The people of Ngoe wanted to
learn about American Christians and
churches, how we share our faith and
how we live differently from non-
Christians. The Kenyan Christians
greet each other with "Praise the
Lord"; this helps them remember that
being a Christian causes them to act
differently in their relationships.

I preached, attended presbytery
meetings, went to weddings, helped
with a funeral, and visited in many
homes. When Rev. Mercy and I
visited a home, the neighbors would
join us. They brought their hymn-
books, and we sang, read scripture,
and shared our faith. Many times the
worship was led by an elder. Elders
often preached, because Rev. Mercy
could be in only one church at a time.
While I was in Kenya, my mother
died, and the Kenyans ministered to
me. Their strong faith in the resurrec-
tion was a powerful witness. They

saw me off at the airport at midnight,
though it meant a cold two-hour ride
back to Ngoe and a walk home in the
dark. It was the way the Christians in
Ngoe supported each other. They said
I would not need the airplane because
I would be upheld in their prayers.

In 1994-95, I also had the opportu-
nity to study in Switzerland for five
months with 60 Christians from 35
countries. We were priests, pastors,
students, and lay leaders. We were
Protestants, Roman Catholics, and
Eastern and Oriental Orthodox. We
learned from each other as we ate,
studied, and worshiped together.

We celebrated our unity as
baptized servants of Christ but
grieved that our disunity did not
allow joint Communion. We learned
to look forward to the heavenly
banquet when we will feast together.

We learned to appreciate more
fully each other's traditions. We
visited Swiss parishes, had lectures
from leading theologians, and spent a
week in Rome visiting with officials in
the Vatican, which included a private
audience with the Pope.

We experienced our unity in
Christ through listening to each other
and praying together. A Chinese
woman had suffered through the
Cultural Revolution, then found
Christianity afterward when she
stayed with a Christian family.
Because of their joy and lack of
bitterness, she too wanted to follow
Christ. We realized we are all chil-
dren of God and that relationship to
God defines our identity.

I am thankful for these opportuni-
ties to learn and to see how the church
is growing throughout the world, how
we need to work together so that this
pluralistic world can see our coopera-
tion and hear the saving message of
the gospel. D

Winter reading recommendations
by Columbia's faculty

The Historical Figure of Jesus by B.P. Sanders

God: A Biography by Jack Miles

Spirituality in an Age of Change Rediscovering the Spirit oj the Reformers by Alistei

McGrath
American Congregations (vol. 2)ed.by fames Wind and fames I ewis
Can Poetry Mattel ' I ssays on Poetry and American Cultureb) I tana i iioia
Pwpci Confident ei I aith, I >oubt and t ei tainty in ( hi istian ' tfsi ipleship by I easlie

Newbigin
/ oangeficalism: Comparative Studies oj Popular Protestantism m North \mertca, me

British Isles and Beyond 1700 I990e6 by Mark Noll, et al.
God and Mammon in Americaby Robert Wuthnow
The Death and Resurrection oj the Beloved Son by for I evenson
The City m Which I Love You Poems by Li-Young I ee
Dreaming in Cuban by Cristina < lar< ia
The Inferno of Dante ANewVerseTranslationby Robert Pinsky
In the Shadow oj the I pidemic Being HIV Negative in the Time of AIDS by Walt

Odets _.

The Southern Front: History and Politics in thei ultural Warby Eugene D.

Genovese . ,

Believing in the future: Toward a Missiobgy oj Western Culture by David Bosch
The Concubine's Children by DeniseChong
/ aith and Knowledge Mainline Protestantism and Amei it an I hghei ' dw atton by

Douglas Sloan
Dialogues of the Word by Walter Ree< I
Before the Shooting Begins: Searching for Demoi m y mi America ( ulture War by

lames Davison Hunter
Quiet Strength. I he I aith, the I lope, and the Heart of a Woman Who Changed a Nation
by Rosa Parks with Gregory). Reed

Freeing Theology The Essentials o) Theology in Feminist Perspei tive ed. by Catherine

M. l.aCunga
/ aithful < '.ompanioning by Chris Schlauch
The I lines of Biblical Interpretation by Daniel Patte
Pastoral Care and Liberation Theology by Stephen Pattison
No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanoi Roosevelt by I tons Kearns < loodwin
A Singing Something Womanisi Reflection on Anna Julia < oopei by Karen Baker-

ThfplalZand the I ifeoj 1 aith by Walter Brueggemamv ed by ***&MM*t
TheBlack Women Health Book Speaking for Ourselves ed. by I velyn White

Shoes That Fit Our leet Sources for a ( o-tnu Hoc Black Theology by Dw.ght N.

Sekc7fpZns ofRainer Maria Rilke The Book of Fresh Beginnings trans, by David

JohnCMn I tege Hs of the Old Testament by David L. Puckett

Easter in ( hrdinarv by Nicholas Lash

SaZtL on SandMountam: SnakeH Uingaml Htdmpt Southern Appaheh,

by Dennis Covington
Write the Virion. The Church Renewed by Wilbert Shenk
The Promised Land: The Great Black Migration and How It Changed America by

Nicholas Lemann n

Armored Hearts: Selected and New Poems by David Bottoms U

WINTER 1995-96

For the Record

Smyth Lectures held in March

If you have recent news you would like to contribute to this section,
please send it to the editor.

Erskine Clarke '66, professor of
American religious history, completed
for the Association of Theological
Schools in the United States and
Canada A History of the Seminary
Presidency in Protestant Theological
Seminaries in the U.S. His article, 'The
Globalization of Theological Educa-
tion in North America," was pub-
lished in the journal of the Reformed
Church in Hungary. I le has led a
retreat for Cherokee Presbytery on
"The South: A Context for Ministry."
Dr. Clarke is editor of journal for
Preachers and teaches the third grade
Sunday school class at Central church,

Atlanta Sherron George (DMin '86)

is a missionary in residence for the
PC(USA) in Louisville, helping to
coordinate the "Year with Latin
Americans," which begins at the '96

General Assembly Robert Ramey,

professor emeritus, has preached and
taught spiritual growth workshops at
Grace Covenant church, Virginia
Beach, VA, and Trinity church,
Meridian, MS. He conducted a leader-
ship training event at Central Baptist
church, Newnan, GA and has
preached at the Conyers, GA, church.
Dr. Ramey taught a D Mm course in
Greensboro, NC, and has written The

Pastor's Start-Up Manual Maetta

Snyder '89 is pastor of the West-
minster United church in Emporia,

KS William Phipps '68 is pastor of

Highland church, Largo, FL

Douglas Stearns '72 is interim pastor
of Glendale church, Dallas, TX, and
part-time chaplain at Grace Presbyte-
rian Village in Dallas.

Will Coleman '85, associate
professor of theology and
hermeneutics, has preached at First
church, Tuscaloosa, AL, led a work-
shop and preached at a retreat for
Hillside church, Decatur, and led a
seminar at Trinity church, Atlanta. He
was a panel participant and panel
moderator on issues of marginality,
pluralism, and diversity at the annual
meeting of the American Academy of
Religion in Philadelphia. Dr. Coleman
was interviewed in the summer '95 In
Trust magazine and has done a video
commentary on Colossians for the
United Methodists. His book reviews
have appeared in journal for the ITC

and Theology Today Michael Carey

'86 (ThM '94) is pastor of Trinity

church, Satellite Beach, FL David

Bowennan '92 is chaplain with the
164th Corps Support Battalion, Ft.

Bragg, NC Beth Duttera '95 is

associate pastor at First church,

Asheville, NC Timothy Fulop,

director of research and evaluation
and assistant to the dean of faculty,
had an article, "Campus Confessions:
The Internet Revival" in the July 19-26
issue of Christian Century. His article,
"The Third Mark of the Church?
Church Discipline in the Reformed

and Anabaptist Reformations/' was
printed in the June '95 issue o\ Journal
oj Religious History (Australia).

Beverly Ostrowski '95 is associate
pastor of Winter Park church,
Wilmington, NC Will Ormond '43,
professor emeritus, preached twice lor
i., 1 1 servi( es day at First church, Eden,
NC, where Joel Long '78 is pastor
David Delph '88 is pastor of First

church, Thomaston, GA Chuck

Hasty '89 and Jeanne Lemon were
married Sept. 23 in Madison, GA
Jeanne Stevenson-Moessner, adjunct
.issistant professor of pastoral theol-
ogy, led worship along with James
Earl Massey and Charles Colson in the
dedication oi the new chapel at

Samford University in October

Linda Sabo, formerly in Columbia's
campaign office, has been named
registrar MyungB. Kim '89 is

chaplain on the USSShiloh Jeff

Beebe '94 is associate pastor of the

Bowling Green, KY, church Bob

Madsen '90 is associate pastor of First
church, Franklin, TN John Patton,
professor of pastoral theology, gave
two lectures to the Midwest Region of
the American Associations of Pastoral
Counselors on "Relational Human-
ness in a World of Managed Care"
and two lectures to the South Central
region of the Association for Clinical
Pastoral Education on "Pastoral Care
and Supervision in the Year 2000."
His out-of-print book, From Ministry to
Theology, has been reprinted by
Journal of Pastoral Care Publications.

Kathleen O'Connor, professor of
Old Testament, has been appointed a
consultor to the Executive Board of
the Catholic Biblical Association for a

two-year term Jeff Hutcheson '91 is

pastor of First church, Crestview,

FL Wade Huie '46, professor

emeritus, led a D.Min. supervised
ministry course at United Theological
College of the West Indies and has
taught at Columbia church, Decatur;
Oglethorpe church, Atlanta; and the
Jefferson, GA, church. He has
preached at Second church,
Spartanburg, SC, and Eastminster
church, Stone Mountain, GA. Dr.
Huie attended the annual meeting of

Tin Smyth Lectures, established at
Columbia in 1911, will be held March
5-7, 1996.

Carroll Saussy, Howard Chandler
Robbins Professor of Pastoral Care
and Counseling at Wesley Theological
Seminary, will deliver three one-hour
lectures which explore the complex
problem of anger from theological,
psychological, and practical perspec-
tives. Her lecture titles are "Anger, A
Complex Emotion," "A Theology of
Anger," and "Anger and the Practice
of Ministry." Dr. Saussy's lectures
will also include a model for helping

BIRTHS

To Michael Carey '86 and Lynn

Brockwell-Carey, a daughter, Deborah

Blue, May 7, 1995.

To John (MATS '95) and Kelly Knapp,

a daughter, Mary Margaret, June 23,

1995.

DEATHS

Vance Barron '42, Sept. 1, 1995.
Oliver Hamby '48, July 6, 1995
William McBath '58, June 1, 1995.
Robert Crumpler '66 Aug. 24, 1995.

individuals and congregations deal
with anger.

Dr. Saussy is author of The Gift of
Anger: A Call to Faithful Action and God
Images and Self Esteem: Empowering
Women in a Patriarchal Society. At
Wesley she has taught such courses as
Counseling Skills for Pastoral Minis-
try; Faith and Self-Esteem; Sexuality
and Interpersonal Relationships;
Family Systems; Death, Dying, and
Bereavement; and Anger and Pastoral

Ministry.

For more information on the
lecture series, contact the Office of
Academic Affairs at 404/687-4575.

the Academy of Homiletics in

Atlanta Michael Fitze '91 (DMin

'95) is organizing pastor of a new
church development in Easley,

SC Rita Cochrane '94 (ThM '95) is

pastor of First church (PCUSA) in

West Point, MS Ann Clay Adams,

director of admissions, led a Presbyte-
rian Women's gathering at Mt.
Vernon church, Atlanta, on "The
Special Dimensions of Women's
Spirituality" and was keynote speaker
for a retreat for the Presbyterian
Center at the University of Tennessee.
She has preached at First church,
Americus, GA, and led a workshop on
servant leadership at the South
Carolina Statewide Student Confer-
ence in Myrtle Beach, SC Frank

Allen (DMin '82) is designated pastor

of First church, Kissimmee, FL Jeff

Sockwell '92 is pastor of West New
Bern, NC, church.

C. Benton Kline, president
emeritus and visiting professor,
taught two workshops on the theol-
ogy of stewardship for Northeast
Georgia Presbytery's annual educa-
tion event and spoke on that subject at
Friendship church, Athens. He led
two workshops on the church and
conflict for the Morningside church,
Atlanta, and has preached at Madison
Avenue church, New York, and
Southminster church, Marietta, GA.
Dr. Kline presided at the installation
of Catherine Taylor '92 as pastor of
Church of the New Covenant,

Doraville, GA Brad Walker '89 is

pastor of First church, Canadian,

TX Sam Rutland (DMin '89) is

pastor of Indian River church, Ft.

Pierce, FL Walter Dinkins '88 is

command chaplain on the USS
Holland. He organized and directed
the largest U.S. Navy humanitarian
community relations project in the
Philippines since the '92 U.S. base
closure for Nayon Ngkabajaan
Children's Orphanage in Pasay

City Julius Scott '59 is professor at

Wheaton College Graduate School,

Wheaton, IL Phillip Williams '80 is

pastor of Cameronian church,

Rockingham, NC Dick Braun '46 is

part-time parish associate for older
adult ministry and pastoral care at
First church, Midland, TX.

Ernestine Cole, associate dean of
students, has preached at Westhills

church, Atlanta, and was keynote
speaker at Tropical Florida
Presbytery's women's fall gathering in
Miami. She attended the Presbyterian
Health Network Leadership
Committee's fall meeting in San Diego
and a meeting of a Presbyterian Task
Force on Health and Wellness Issues
Confronting PC(USA) Clergy and
Spouses in Louisville, KY. She has
participated in installation worship

services in Decatur and Atlanta

Shirley Guthrie, professor of system-
atic theology, taught at leadership
schools for the presbyteries of Mem-
phis and New Covenant and had
preached at the Blackshear, GA,
church and Village church, Prairie
Village, KS. He led a study group
with ministers of Columbia, SC, and
has preached and taught at First
church, Durham, NC. Dr. Guthrie has
given addresses on interpreting
scripture for New Castle and Greater
Atlanta presbyteries and a theological

update at Mo Ranch, TX Tyler

Downing '84 is pastor of Eastminster
church, Stone Mountain, GA.

James Wooten '84 is pastor of
Westminster church, Decatur,

IL Lucy Rose, associate professor of

preaching and worship, met with

Continued on page 7

Vantage

Volume 87, No. 3, Winter 1995-96
Published quarterly by
Columbia Theological Seminary
Circulation: 25,000

The Office of Development/
Seminary Relations

Editor: Juliette Harper
Director of Publications
and Publicity

Postmaster: Send address

changes to Vantage

Columbia Theological Seminary

P.O. Box 520

Decatur, GA 30031-0520

VANTAGE

For the Record

continued from page 6

women clergy of New Hope
Presbytery and led two workshops for
that presbytery's fall leadership

event Brian Childs, professor of

pastoral theology and counseling, has
presented papers at the Society for
Health and Human Values in San
Diego, at Northeast Georgia
Presbytery on "HIV/ AIDS Educa-
tion," and at the conference "Death in
America: Medical, Ethical, and
Religious Perspectives." He partici-
pated in the ordination of Eleana
Patterson Manuel '95 as pastor of
Silver Creek church, Lindale, GA. He
wrote an article for Healthcare Ethics
Committee Forum, and his book, Short-
Term Pastoral Counseling: A Guide, has
been published in Korean. Young
Sun Yu (ThM '95) was the

translator Tommy Sikes '90 is

pastor of Grace Chapel church in

Madison, MS Ashley Beaty '98 and

Rob Bickerstaff were married Sept. 2

in Dothan, AL Norman Harris '94 is

pastor of New Trinity church,

Camden, AL Tom Rogers '57 is

stated supply of Beersheba church,

Summerville, GA James Hudnut-

Beumler, executive vice president and
dean of faculty, gave the Tollefson
Lectures in Reformed Theology at
Buena Vista University, speaking on
the topic, "A Church Worthy of Our
God and Times: Reflections of the

Reformed Tradition Today." He has
preached at Peachtree Christian
Church and gave a paper on Robei I
Wuthnow's God ami Mammon in
America at the American Academy of
Religion David Moessner, profes-
sor of New Testament, presided at the
Luke-Acts Seminar of the annual
meeting of the Society of Biblical

Literature in Philadelphia Walter

Brueggemann, professor of Old
Testament, led clergy conferences in
Dublin (Anglican) and Belfast (Pres-
byterian), attended the Luce Theologi-
cal Fellowship Seminar in Princeton,
Nj, and has published articles m
Theology Today and Catholic Biblical
Quarterly. His book, Psalms and tin-
Life of Faith, has been printed

Rebecca Parker, director of continu-
ing education, was keynote speaker at
a Presbyterian Women's gathering at
Peachtree church, Atlanta.

Conference
on Ministry

February 23 - 25, 1996

For more information or to
register, call the Office of
Admissions at 404/378-8821.

From the Bookstore

No. of
copies

New titles with Columbia faculty contributors:

Retail Columbia
price price

The Psalms and the Life of Faith by $ 1 7.95 $15.26

Walter Brueggemann, edited by Patrick Miller

_New Day New Church: Evangelism for Mainline
Denominations by Ben C. Johnson $ 9.95 $ 8.46

The Pastor's Start-Up Manual: Beginning $1 1.95 $10.16

a Neiv Pastorate by Robert H. Ramey, Jr.

Total amount for books

Georgia residents: add five percent sales tax

Shipping and handling (orders under $20.00, add $4.00;
from $20.00 to $49.99, add $5.50; over $50.00, add $7.00.
All books shipped via United Parcel Service.)

Total

Method of payment (please check one):

check payable to CTS Bookstore (included with order)

VISA MasterCard Novus

(please print information below):

Visa / MasterCard / Novus#

Mrs. Walton visits Columbia

HELEN RobSOnWm rON, who with her husband Sam h.unded W..I M.ni Mop
Inc., visited Columbia on Octobei Iand4. She gave an address Faith [ourney
A Focus on Philanthropy," to members of Columbia's tnajoi gifl wdetiesai the
Founders Dinnei and spoke at anothei gathering to students, faculty, staff, and

board members. Mrs. Walton shared her philosophy of stewardship b\ relei
ring to a plaque- on Iut desk which states, "It is not what you gathei DUl what

you scatter that reveals the kind ol life you have lived She nvc rete

examples of philanthropy with wit and humor and pok. of the signiflcan

the Presbyterian Church to her family.

She referred to her little grandson, Jim, who was helping his mothei baJ I
bread to give away Jims mother asked it he would like to take some bread to

his grandmother, to which he res] led, "Is she pooi too?" Mrs. Walton said

"Although I am not poor m terms ol dollars, I would indeed be pooi U I didnt

have family members like Jim to loveme."

Columbia was honored to have Mrs. Walton OH i ampus I lei

philanthrophy is evident through such programs as tte Presbyterian Founds

tion and new church development i n the PC(USA). D

Columbia students receive
Omaha Presbyterian Seminary
Foundation scholarships

_Exp. date.

Name (as it appears on card)

Street address for UPS shipment:

Address

City

State

Zip_

Please send this completed order form to: CTS Bookstore, P.O. Box 520,
Decatur, G A 30031. ,

i-ivi Columbia sn di NTshave received

S< holarships from the Omaha Presby-
terian Seminary Foundation, which
awarded 14 new grants this year.

All four of the Omaha
Foundation's named scholarships, for
$3,000 each, were awarded to Colum-
bia students. Those students are Joe
Clifford, John Cole, Doug Ferguson,
and Jan Tolbert.

Clifford, a second year student,
was a banker in Nashville before
entering seminary. He is a member I 1
First Presbyterian Church of Franklin,
Tennessee.

Cole was an attorney. He is a first
year student from Ormond Beach,
Florida, and a member of First Presby-
terian Church of Daytona Beach.
Ferguson, an architect, is from

( iilando, Florida, where he is a
membei Ol I ITS! Presbyterian Church.

I le p. .. senior

Tolbert, a first year student,
taught high school sci< ii. I She Ifl
from Newman, ( ..- and a mem-
De] ,,i i ,,.( Presbyterian Church

ih. -re.

Don Barber, a second year
srudenl from Charlotte and a member
,,i 1 1, ...i Presbyterian Church there,
received a grant for $2,000.

The former Presbyterian Theo-
logical Seminary at Omaha was
transformed into the Omaha Presby-
terian Seminary Foundation and has
as its mission to participate, through
funding, in the leadership formation
programs of the Presbyterian Church
(USA). D

WINTER 1995-96

Alum puts Columbia meeting
on PresbyNet

I\ Jul >, Pal i Lang '93, pastor of
Peace Presbyterian Church in
Winterville, North Carolina, decided
it was time to have a "meeting" for
Columbia people on PresbyNet, an
electronic place for meetings and
messaging for Presbyterians. He
called the meeting CTS ALUMNI
STUDENTS FRIENDS.

Lang initiated the meeting for
several reasons. As pastor of a small
church with no other Presbyterian
ministers nearby, he wanted to stay
in touch with his peers from Colum-
bia. He had noticed that several other
schools and judicatories had meet-
ings. After speaking with
Columbia's Alumni /ae Office, he
realized a need to connect the wider
Columbia community. Lang was
curious to know how many Colum-
bia people are on the Net and where
they are scattered. He discovered
that they are spread all over the
country.

With more than 50 people
participating, the meeting also
includes members of Columbia's
faculty /administration. The meeting

is a place for Columbia people to stay
in touch with one another and
seminary events. Participants hear
from students and faculty about the
ongoing library construction. Some
post material and calendars about
continuing education and other
events.

A number of friends have been
reunited via CTS ALUMNI
STUDENTS FRIENDS. Lang has seen
people reconnect, sometimes after
decades of time and hundreds of
miles of distance. "With PresbyNet,
someone in Alaska is as close as
someone a mile away."

To log on to the Columbia
meeting, you must have a computer,
a modem with communications
software, and be a member of
PresbyNet. For Presbyterians, there
is no fee to join, although there is a
small fee for PresbyNet software. To
join, or for more information, call
PresbyNet at 800/872-3283.

As library construction continues, Hurriance Opal downed 25 large trees on the campus.

Vantage

Second Class
Postage
Paid at
Decatur, GA

Publication No. 124160

P.O. Box 520

Decatur, Georgia 30031

CONTENTS

Board names new chairperson 1

Colloquium '96 1

Thoughts on stewardship 2

Two appointments 2

Columbia strengthens ties to Church in China 2

Alum in South Africa 3

Spirituality program 3

Continuing Education, Lay Institute calendar 4

Continuing Education, Lay Institute offerings 4

Student sees church in Kenya, Switzerland 5

New telephone system 5

Winter reading recommendations 5

For the Record 6

Smyth Lectures 6

Helen R. Walton visits Columbia 7

From the Bookstore 7

Students receive Omaha Scholarships 7

Alum puts Columbia on PresbyNet 8

COLUMBIA
THEOLOGICAL
SEMINARY