Columbia Theological Seminary Vantage, 87, number 1, Spring 1995

COLUMBIA
THEOLOGICAL
SEMINARY

Vantage

SPRING 1995

Board approves $6.4
million library addition

Gri 'UNDBreaking on a 31,000 square-
foot addition to the John Bulow
Campbell Library of Columbia
Theological Seminary took place April
19 after the Board of Trustees ap-
proved the $6.4 million project. This is
the first major renovation of the
library building since its construction
in 1953.

Actual construction of the build-
ing is scheduled to begin in May after
commencement. Seminary officials
hope the building project, which
includes renovation of the existing
structure, will be finished by the 1996
fall term.

Tim Browning, director of the
library since January 1, said that the
project will enable the library to
improve its ability to meet the infor-
mation needs of the seminary commu-
nity. The main points of improvement
include adding a much-needed
reference desk, doubling the shelf
space for the library's collection, and
providing for access to computerized
resources.

Browning sees the new library
building as heralding an overall shift
for seminary library services. "Librar-
ies are no longer merely a warehouse
of books," he said.

"The new building means our
focal point has shifted from books to
people. People in our case, prima-

rily seminary students, faculty, and
staff must be most important to us.
Our task is to provide the information
resources the seminary community
needs to serve the church more
effectively."

Drawing on his experience as a
pastor and theological librarian,
Browning intends the library to be an
important element in the seminary's
educational process. "Not only can we
change our focal point, we can partici-
pate in an important element in
theological education. We can gradu-
ate ministers who know how to access
the information necessary to be
effective church leaders. Rather than
being followers, they can become
leaders in our increasingly informa-
tion-dependent society."

Browning also spoke of the
possibilities networking and other
computerized resources can provide.
"We hope to eliminate the isolation
many ministers feel in the pastorate
by showing them how to use network-
ing to remain in touch with their
colleagues and the larger church. "
The new library will be a more
comfortable place to study and work.
More plentiful and comfortable
seating will be provided throughout
the building. Lockable study carrels
will be added for students engaged in
intensive research activities. Meeting
rooms will be added for group study

President Douglas IV Oldenburg happily breaks ground on the library addition.
Behind him arc James Hudnut-Beumler, executive vice president; Tim Browning,
library director, Sarah Diehl, president of the Student Coordinating Council; and John
Conant, than of the Board of Trustees and the capital campaign. All took part in the
worship service and groundbreaking ceremony on April 19.

or classes. The new library will also
contain a public lounge where users
may relax and engage in conversation
over a cup of coffee.

The existing reading room,
popular for its vaulted ceiling and
large windows, will remain intact as a
quiet and inspirational environment
in which to encounter church and
scholarly writings.

The addition will attach to the
back of the reading room and stretch

toward the recreational field. This
new wing will enclose more of the
interior campus into a quadrangle To
enhance this effect, the main entrance
to the library building will be mo\ ed
to the interior side oi the addition,
facing the entrance to the Richards
Center.

Inside the library, less visible
changes will also occur. Plans provide
a model children's library for teaching

Continued on page 5

Library, admissions
directors selected

M. Tim Browning

Ann Clay Adams

Two appointments were made recently
at Columbia. M. Tim Browning has
been named director of the John
Bulow Campbell Library, and Ann
Clay Adams has been appointed
director of admissions.

Mr. Browning served as associate
librarian at Lexington Theological
Seminary in Lexington, Kentucky.
Prior to that, he was head of technical
services for the Archbishop Alter
Library for the College of Mount St.
Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio, and
worked in the libraries of Saint Mary's
College, Raleigh, North Carolina, and
the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill.

He holds the M.S. in library

science from the University of North
Carolina, the Master of Divinity
degree from Lexington Theological
Seminary, and the B.A. degree from
Barton College.

Mr. Browning has served as
pastor of several Disciples of Christ
congregations. He is a member of the
American Theological Library Asso-
ciation, the American Library Associa-
tion, and the Disciples of Christ
Historical Society.

Executive Vice President and
Dean of Faculty James Hudnut-
Beumler said, "I am delighted Tim is
at Columbia. He is a person who is
gifted in many areas of librarianship,

Continued on page 5

//

Rooted in Tradition, Growing with Vision

//

Douglas W. Oldenburg, President

I ii w i \i u ws said thai the title oi our
i apital campaign is an accurate
des< ription ol c olumbia Seminal j
Wearedeeply "rooted in tradition"
our taprool is the Biblical tradition;
our theologu al rool is the Reformed
tradition; and our historii al rool is our
167 years ol training leadership foi the
( hun h "I lesiis C hrisl

But we are also "growing with
\ ision " If old roots do nol beai new
leaves, they soon wither and die
Building on foundations laid by those
who li.n e gone before us, we lu\ e
\ isions of greater things yel to i ome
for< olumbia

l i\ e years ago, we had a \ ision
we embarked on what we were told
was the largest i apital campaign evei
undertaken In a theological seminar)
-$31,450/000! H was a dream; some
in ' doubl thought if was .1 "pipe
dream." We designated $20 million
for the endowment and the remain-
dei for capital needs. The early stages
ol the campaign con< entrated on
major gifts from individuals and
grants from foundations In the past
few years, we have conducted cam-
paigns m presbyteries throughout the
Synod of South Atlantic with whom
we have a spec ial covenant - a
mutual commitment of support. We
li,n c 1 ompleted the campaign in fi\ e
presbyteries (Northeast ( ieorgia,
Providence, Savannah, Tampa Bay,
and Foothills) and each of them has

met or exceeded their goal We are
currently conducting ( ampaigns in
the Presbyter) ol ( Ireater Atlanta,
< 1 ntral Florida Presbytery, and New
Harmony Presbytery Many lay and
i lerg) \ olunteers have stepped
forward to offei leadership for the
campaign, and our "kick-ofl dinners"
h,i\ e been well attended

Although the travel is exhausting
(and the< hi< ken dinners are !), the
experience has been energizing mu\
in. ouraging Everywhere we have
gone, people h,i\ e responded to our
appeal, for they understand the

.11I1. ,il importance of training future

leaders for the < hurch. I hey ha\ e
affirmed our conviction that although
there are many important causes
worth) Ol support, there is none more

worthy than training future pastors,
preachers, and teachers for the
( lum h I hey love their c hurch and
want the gospd to mean -is much to
their 1 hildien and grand* luldrcn as it
does to them, and realize that the
seminary is training pastors tor those
they l"\ e

I am not sure I really bche\ ed live
years ago that we could reac h our
ambitious goal, but now we are
running the List lap, and the finish
line is in sight. With the successful
completion of the three presbytery
campaigns now underway, we will
reach our goal i.md even exceed it!)
by the end ol this year when the

campaign is officially over. Of
course, much follow-up work remains
to be done, and we plan to conduct
campaigns in other presbyteries in the
next tew years

I he campaign has already pro-
vided endow ment for increases in
financial aid for students and re-
sources to renovate the Richards
Center. The most visible result,
however, will be the renovation and
expansion of the John Bulow
( ampbell I ibiary, which is undcr-
wa) (See artk le on page 1 I

My overwhelming personal
response to the success of the cam-
paign is deep gratitude: toGod tor
blessing us with so main supportive
friends; to Jim Dickenson and Frank
Willev dormer vice presidents of
development at Columbia) for getting
us started and guiding us through the
first stages; to Board members John
Conant and John Weitnauer for co-
chairing the campaign; to other Board
members and countless volunteers for
their leadership in the effort; to the
current campaign staff (Clark
Simmons, director; David Bridges and
Linda Sabo) for their energy and
untiring work; and to all the founda-
tions, individuals, and churches who
have given or pledged their financial
resources to make our dream come
true and to help us keep "growing
with vision." D

Smyth Lectures tell story of congregations

Sl'ANNINe MORI I MAN 300 years ,.t
American congregational history, E.
Brooks Holifield of Emorv Universit)

tantalized listeners March 7- c > with
images of sleeping congregants and
"velvet mouth" preachers

The occasion was the Smyth
Lectures, inaugurated by the seminary
in 1 C M 1 in memoix ol the Rev Thomas
Smyth, pastor at Second Presbyterian
Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

I lolifield, the Charles I [oward
Candler Professor oi American
Church History, sketched a histor) ol
congregations from colonial times to
the present, defying customary
practice that examines the history of
denominations or various sects.

During the lectures Holifield

slurp thorne whereby he may pri< k

SU< h .is be most sound

In the three lee tu res, I lolifield
divided congregational history into
pei i. ids ot magisterial, devotional/ and
social congregations. Churches
evolved from having great authority
within communities even receiving
state tax support -to more segmented
populations that led to the institu-
tional church.

Holifield also discussed the role ol
women and African Americans in
church lite, noting that women have
usually outnumbered men in church
membership

"The congregations provided
public leadership roles tor women
members, he said of chuic hes m the

Some congregations expected ministers to be good at every-
thing. One in South Dakota suggested a 135-hour work week.

delighted in sharing slices of life, such
as this quotation from a Puritan
church member in 1646:

"Allen Bridges hath bin chose to
wake the sleepers in meeting. And
being much proude of his place, must
needs have a fox taile fixed to the
ende of a long staff wherewith he may
brush the faces of them that will have
napps in time of discourse, likewise a

early nineteenth century. "Teachers
were usuall) young single women.
Other women in the congregations
organized not only altar guilds and
devotional societies but also societies
for foreign and domestic missions.
Populist preachers in the nine-
teenth century advocated "sledge
hammer" over "velvet mouth"
preaching, emphasizing the torments

of hell over more urbane approaches

In the nineteenth and twentieth
centuries, churches tried to create
second homes for congregants. Henry
Ward Beec her had advice for aspiring
ministers in 1872: "Multiply picnics

"As early as 1890, one theologian
could speak of 'a complete revolution'
in American congregations," Holifield
said, "and the symbol of change was
the church parlor. In any large church
the parlor had become 'almost as
necessary as a pulpit.'"

Some congregations expected
ministers to be good at everything.
One in South Dakota suggested a 135-
hour work week. H. Richard Niebuhr
finally countered that the minister in
the role oi "pastoral director" should
edify the church, based on the theme
of increasing the- love of God and
neighbor.

"For many ministers Niebuhr's
image has been both liberating and
empowering," Holifield said, "for it
provides a w ay of saying that neither
ministers nor their people are defined
by the ceaseless activities that form
the life oi the social congregation."

Holifield has included some of his
research in an article, "Toward a
History of American Congregations,"
in volume two of a new book, Ameri-
can Congregation*. D John Tunibull '95

D.Min. program
adds "gospel
and culture"
specialization

Convinced of rue reality of a transition
in western culture, Columbia will
offer a new "gospel and culture
specialization in its Doctor of Ministry
program, beginning in the fall.

In responding to societal trends
and recognizing their influence on the
church Columbia becomes the first
theological school in the country to
offer a D.Min. program focused on the
intersection of the gospel and church
witness

The world in which today's
ministers operate is saturated with
cultural messages. Erskine Clarke,
professor of American religious
history, asked, "What does it mean to
confess Jesus Christ as Lord in the
midst of a world revealed by MTV?
What is the mission of the church in
such a world?" Questions like
Clarke's point toward the purpose
and thrust of the new specialization.

Courses for the degree will enable
practicing ministers to explore
changes in technology, social relation-
ships, politics, and morality in relation
to culture and the gospel message.
Faculty with specialties in theology,
church history, Bible, and pastoral
care will help teach the courses.

Professor of Theology George
Stroup said, "Like many of my
colleagues, I am excited about the new
specialization. It will enable us to
focus the many issues involved in the
relationship between gospel and
culture, a crucial topic now for the
mission and life of the church."

The program will expose students
to trends in thinking about culture
from theologians, philosophers,
sociologists, and anthropologists.
From an immersion in the present
cultural context, ministers then
consider the question, What is the
gospel? in light of changing times.

Other questions posed will be:
What is culture? How do we experi-
ence and confront culture? How do
we read the signs of the times theo-
logically? What is Church? What is
ministry?

James Hudnut-Beumler, dean of
faculty, said, "In the best and worst of
times, ministers are culture critics.
They are supposed to help people see
ways that their lives may not meet the
ideals of their faith. They also need to
help people see how culture can be a
vehicle of faith. I am glad we're
working to help pastors address this
important facet of their work."

The specialization, which includes
30 hours of course study, will be
offered at the seminary's Decatur
campus. The core seminar for the first
class of participants will take place
October 23-November 3, 1995. For
more information, contact the Office
of Advanced Studies at Columbia. D

VANTAGE

The Reformed find Catholic churches o) Biharkeresztes, Hungary held theii first

i c umenical meeting to celt ome the Columbia group. The Reformed pastoi i entei left,

is Gyula Nagy

Students and faculty visit
the church in Central Europe

Di sk u \s f \lling as we tramped
across the crusted snow; except foi
the crunch of our footsteps, the ruined
castle grounds held an eerie silence
Passing through a tunnel, which
provided the only opening in the
twenty-foot-reinforced walls, we came
into the inner courtyard and saw a
castle that showed no signs of life
But when one of our group snapped a
photo/ the flash shattered the darkness
and disturbing quiet. Seemingly from
nowhere came a young man, swal-
lowed up in mismatched green khaki
jacket and pants, and carrying a rifle
tight across his chest more as a shield
than as a weapon. He began shouting
angrily at us and appeared unim-
pressed by our guide's protest that no
sign prohibited photographs. Our
brave guide walked forward and
spoke in calm tones. To our great
relief, the teenage guard finally grew
silent and edged slowly back toward
his post. As our eyes followed his
retreat, we were distracted by a
previously unnoticed feature in the
courtyard: near the entry of the castle,
a leafless tree hosted a sizable flock of
doves, almost invisible in their grey

Context group from C olumbia had
visited the three countries besides
1 [ungarj

In the Czech Republic, the group
members were under the care of the
faculty of the Protestant C alvinisl
seminary of St. Charles I ni\ ersitv in
Prague. One of the highlights of the
trip was extended opportunities foi
conversation with Jakub Trojan and
his wife Karla, who were guests on
the Columbia campus in 1993. Dr.
Trojan was a major figure among
dissidents in the former Communist
country of Czechoslovakia who had
been forced out of his pulpit by the
government 1 le now serves as dean
of the seminarv facult)

Another seminarv faculty hosted
us when we visited the tow n "I
Komarno on the Danube River in
Slovakia. The seminary is part of the
Hungarian Reformed Church, which
functioned in this former Hungarian
territory before a 1414 treaty made the
region part of present Slovakia. The
faculty led us on a tour of then new
facilities and shared with us plans tor
a new library. When the Communists
confiscated their buildings more than

The Reformed church in Central Europe provides a small but
vital presence in the difficult transition period.

coats which matched the evening
around them.

That small tree full of doves
brought a touch of grace to this
otherwise intimidating site, haunted
by its former life as headquarters to
the Romanian secret police. The
grace-filled tree, symbolizing peace in
the midst of change and uncertainty,
became a symbol of our trip, as an
eight-member group of Columbia
Seminary faculty and students toured
the Central European countries of the
Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania,
and Slovakia. The trip, in January
1995, was the first time an Alternative

40 years ago, the faculty carefully hid

their store of precious books in the
bell tower of a church across the
street, where the books have stayed
hidden until today.

The most moving part of the trip,
reflected in the story of the castle
given above, was our day in
Nagyvarad (Oradea), Romania. There
we had a chance to meet the staff of
Lazslo Tokes, a minister of the Hun-
garian Reformed Church who served
as a major catalyst in the overthrow of
the Romanian dictatorship in 1989.

For four days we were in the
village of Biharkeresztes as the guests

of the local Reformed church and theii

hospitable pastor the Ke\ i .\ ul.i

Nag) I he long histor) ot the Re

formed .. hnu h m I [\mgai \ as m the
sin rounding countries is one ol

strength in the midst of oppression
and an aggressive secular so< iel j
We, as members of a I s Reformed

(< ah mist i ( hun h, ha\ e much to leai n
from them and their experiences.
The new links established with

three additional countries, and the

ongoing relationship with I lungar)
w ill greatl) enhance the opportunity
foi < loss t ultural dialogue Besides
the chances tor interat tion pro\ ided
by this and future Alternative ( ontexl
trips, student and faculty exchanges
are ahead) in progress Columbia is

i uirentk hosting two 1 [ungai i.m
students, a I lungarian professor and

his wiic and a Czech professor. Next
M.ii two< zech students and several
I [ungarians will study Int.

1 ike the dn\ e laden tiee in the

gloom) courtyard, the Reformed
i lum h in ( entral Europe pio\ ides a
small but vital present e in the difficult
transition period ot formei I ommu

nist nations I he grow ing ties be

tween t olumbia and the chun hes

there w ill hi ing benefits to both sides,
.is we reai h out to one anolhei , to

learn from ea< h othei . and to share
our faith in the midst ol an increas

ingk se< ul. u and hostile global
situation that threatens us all.

Rebei ca ) oung 9

Faculty changes

( olumbia s Board of Trustees at its
April meeting named I >i Ben '
[ohnson, > urrent professoi ol <\ ange-

lism and i hun h growth, to fill .1 new

faculty position in spiritualit)

"Professor [ohnson sees this move
as a natural outgrowth of his work in
e\ angelism/' said Dean ol l a< ult)

lames I ludnut beumlcr "It does little
good tO bring more people ml, 1 the
I hun. h it it is not a place ol vital
faith

Hudnut-Beumler said,
"Columbia's ability to allow Professor
Johnson to follow his passion is made
possible by the generosity ol .1 don< 11
who is ex< ited about I )r [ohnson's
reenergizing the souls and spiritualit)
of pastors "

Johnson has written several books
dealing with spirituality , in< hiding An
Adventure in Prayer (1983), To Pray
1 )od Will ( ontinuing the Journey
1987), Pastoral Spirituality \ F01 u foi
Ministry 1 1988), and / wing the < hris
tian 1 ife A < tuide to Reformed Spiritual
ity (1992), which he co authored with
Professor Robert Ramey.

Johnson's new title will be profes-
sor of spirituality The seminary will
be searching for someone to fill the
evangelism and church growth
position.

In other action related t< 1 fat ulty,
the board promoted Dr. I.ucv Rose to
associate professor of prea< King and
worship, with tenure. Dr. D.i
Moessner was promoted to profi
of New Testament language, litera-
ture, and exegesis. D

Russell-Jones
nominated for
Sony Award

lw w Ri ssi ii|> >ni n professor

ol theolog) media, and the 1 hnu h at
Columbia ha i/\ ritten and narrated .1
ii\ e pari doi umentar) foi BBt radio
which has been nominated foi a Son)
\w ard .1 radio industr) pri e in * !reat
Britain, in the 9hort feature 1 ategor)
It was one ol 8 10 programs entered
and the Son) nomination means
Russell-Jones's program is one , i| the
top three Awards were to be an
nouni ed \pi il 16 in I ondon

Russell [om uned five icons

ol w estei n culture l oca-t 1 ila
baseball 1 >isne) \\ orld the singer
Madonna and 1 omputei te( hnol 1
1 le explored the religious langua
infusing the se< ulai woi Id repre
sented b) the ii ons

In the introdui tion to the first
program the si 1 ies aired or BBt in

November 1994 Russell lones

prepared to entei the World of < o< .1
( ola, the soft di ink museum in

dow ntow n All, ml, i

\ie we so sure thai the sai red
has been banished fri m oui world '
he asks \< 1 ording to historians ol
religion, the sai red has long been
thought to be a pow ei a reality We

now att.u h sai red signifit ,nu e tO the

\ ei \ 1 hings that apj eai to be the most

sei ul.ir si lence, entei l.uninenl.

pi rsi malities, commodities/ tei hnol

1 he reporting aims to Bhovs hi m
the se< ul. 11 w mi id . onstantl) uses
religious imagei \ and language 1 hi
series' unique angli 1 1 imes fr< m
inten iews with philosophei anthro-
pologists, and cultural 1 mIus.

Kussell |ones s.nd he w.r. |uili. u

I. n I) influent ed by Min ea Eliade and

Jacques Ellul foi theu m il 1 il the

sacred. " 1 he sai red Is ei ei j w here in
Western culture, disgui led as 1 on-
sumption, entei tainment, sell expre
sum, 1 11 pn igress," he said. "We sei on
unable to live with tut it

In the last Begmenl Kussell (ones
stands in I line , ' >< 1 1 1. 1 1 . in w h,i! he

1 .ills "this vast temple "i the gods/'
1 hen' he . ,in see > baseball hanging
ovei a marquee where 1 tomn Yankees
is flaying; a 40-fool ' oke bottle
offering refreshment i" all; an adver-
tisement for the Btage version i >l

I )isnev's Beauty and '/" Bea /. adver-
tisements showing a man's pectorals
and .1 woman's legs, proi (aiming self-
e> pression; and <> television s< reen

broadcasting the mghtlv news via the

digital superhighwa

I le closes by qUOthlg the |u;.mm

philosophei 1 pii inns "i havi sa< m
fii ed to gods who take no notii eof
me." Russell-Jones responds, "You
should see us nnu

Russell-Jones has included some
of his resean h for this program in a
book which will examine idolatry and
popular culture. U /"/'" Turnbull '95

SPRING 1995

Continuing

Education

Calendar

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 Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA 30031/404-378-8821.

Week of July 10-14

1. Q Da trini Revisited by Shirley Guthrie, author and professoi ol
systematic theology ( osl $95.

2. PW Bible Study: G of Home: Biblical Im of the Realm of God by
MaryDuckert, the 1995 Educator of the year, re (USA). Cosl $50

j V Polarized Church in v Secular Society? b> IVggv shnver, staff associate,
Professional ( hurch Leadership, National Coun< il ol < hurches. July 10-13.

Cost: $4S.

I < >ffk er Training \ndRi m us by David Snellgrove, presbyter) executive, St.
Andrews Presb) ter) fuly 10 ( ost

5. Smai i ( ;r< ii i Ministrii by Betty Stribling, asso( iate presbyter for evangelism
<\nd small ( lum hes, ( Ireater Atlanta Presb) ter) fuly 1 1. Cost: $35.

6. Managing Yoi rTimi \ndYourseu by Dick Hester, executive director,
Georgia Assoei.it urn of Pastoral Care. July 12 Cost: $35.

7. Spirituai Dire< noN vnd Formation by Joan Gray, pastor, Columbia Presby-
terian Church fuly 13 C ost: $35.

July 10-21 Credit courses.*

1. Ethics fi p Enemie Fi irgivi ness in Poutk s by Donald Shriver, president

emeritus and William E. Dodge Professor ot Applied C hristianity, Union

1 heological Seminary. New Yot\

2 siikmi am for Ministry by Ben fohnson, professor of spirituality

July 17-20 and July 31-August 3 D.Min. Projb I Design Workshop by Oscar

Mussel

July 17-20

1. Making oi Christians in Our Dan by fohn Westerhoff, director ol the Institute
tor Pastoral Studies ol St. I uke's Episcopal Church, Atlanta, Georgia ( ost: $60.

2. Images of God Biblk m ^ndTheolock u Perspectives by Jeanne Stevenson-
Moessner, adjunct assistant professor oi practical theology, and Da\ id ( lunn,
A. A. Bradford Professor of Religion, Texas Christian University Cost: $95.

July 17-21

1. A Study of Matthew: Time, Space, vnoSpird in God's l foi si by Stanle)
Saunders, assistant professor of New Testament. Cost: $95.

2. PW BlBl I Sn m Gumpsi S I >J Hi Ml : BlBLH u \m ICES I J mi Ri 11 VI OJ Gi 'J b)

Rebecca Parker, director of continuing education ( ost: $50

July 24-August 4 Credit courses."

1. Preaching ai mi [ntersection oi Lifi vndDoctrini byLuc) Rose, associate

professor of preaching and worship.

2 Paui for mi North Amerk vn Church by Charles Cousar, professor of New

Testament.

September 7, 21, 28, October 12, 19 Bask Ki ID1NGS Contact the Lav Institute
for more information.

rwo-week credit courses: Prerequisite M Di\ oi equivalent degree Ypu maj take

1 iiu i n .lit offerings in each two-week period and thus earn three semestei hours
credit in each two-week period Cost per course is $720

Annual Report receives award

' MB] * hasrecein ed a Special Mei il

award for its first "stand-alone"
annual report. The annual report was
entered in the Council for the Ad-
vancement and Support of Education
(CASE) District III Advancement
Awards Competition for 1994 and

exhibited at the CASE District 111
Conference in Atlanta in February

Columbia's view book received a
Special Merit award last year. It you
would like a copy of the annual report
or the view book, please contact the
Office of Developoment.

Four classes on
ministry set

In response to requests for practical
resources for ministry, Columbia's
i ontinuing education program will
offer a new feature during the sum-
mer session. Four one-day events are
scheduled July 10-13 to address four
specific issues in ministry: officer
training and retreats, small group
ministry, time management, and
spiritual direction and guidance.

Ea< h event is scheduled from 9
a.m. until 4 p.m. Participants may
take as many classes as they wish.
Each course will offer information and
reflection on important issues and
tasks of the minister

Cost for each day's course is $35.
For more information or to register,
contact the Office of Continuing
Education.

If this experiment is successful,
courses will be conducted on other
topics in next year's summer session
and at other locations. Suggestions of
topics tor other workshops are
welcome and may be sent to the
Office of Continuing Education.

Lay Schools
scheduled

This fall's Evening Lay School will
oiler courses in Old Testament,
theology, and medicine and ethics.
The courses will be held 7:30-9:30 on
Monday, September 18 and 25 and
l )ctober 2 and 9, on the Columbia
campus. The Evening Lay School is
sponsored by the Lay Institute of Faith
and Life. Teachers include Kathleen
O'Connor, professor of Old Testa-
ment; Shirley Guthrie, professor of
theology; and Brian Childs, professor
of pastoral care and counseling.

Dr. O'Connor's course will
consider how the writers of the Old
Testament understand grief and loss.
Dr. Guthrie's course is "Christian
I lope for the Future." Dr. Childs's
course will be a discussion of a
current issue in medical ethics

Dr. C. Benton Kline, president
emeritus and visiting professor, will
teach this fall's Morning Lay School
course. Dates for Morning Lay School
will be announced.

Students may register by contact-
ing the Lav Institute.

China Missionary Reunion
video cassette available

Tin Ml i n-Mi-DiA program, "Earthen
Vessels and Transcendent Power: The
Story ol Presbyterian Mission in
China, 1837-1952" was presented at
the China Missionary Reunion at
( olumbia last October. It is now
available on video cassette. To
purchase a copy, send $10 per tape to
cover cost of preparation and mailing
to G. T Brown. 221 Mt. Vernon Drive,
Decatur, GA 30030.

Lay Scholars
meet in August

Is the end of the world at hand? Some
think it is. After all, the year 2000 is
fast approaching!

We trust it won't come before
August 6-1 1 of this year. That is when
the Lay Institute of Faith and Life at
Columbia will host its third annual
Lav Scholars Week. This year the
theme is "Apocalypse, When?" a
series of discussions about the "end
times" and the meaning of history.

Leaders for the event include Will
Coleman '85, assistant professor of
theology and hermeneutics; Tina
Pippin, associate professor of Bible
and religion at Agnes Scott College;
and Rick Dietrich, director of the Lay
Institute. Dr. Coleman will introduce
the subject of eschatology (study of
the end times) and apocalypse. He is
particularly concerned with why we
are or ought to be interested such
things. Dr. Pippin will lead the group
through a two-day study of the book
of Revelation. Dr. Dietrich will help
students look at the way Revelation
and other apocalyptic literature ha\ e
been appropriated by writers and
artists in the West. Between classes,
students will watch movies, including
Apocalypse Now and the film version of
Nathanael West's novel, The Day of the
I ocust.

This is an exciting opportunity for
lay people to learn more about this
perplexing dimension of Christian
faith and thought. The comprehen-
sive fee for the Summer Lay Scholars
Week is $300. This includes instruc-
tion, room, and board. Cost for
classes only is $175. Limited scholar-
ship aid is available.

More information about the week,
including a list of readings, is avail-
able from the Lay Institute.

Writing work-
shop offered

Columbia Seminary will offer Roland
Tapp's workshop on "Writing for
Publication," September 21-23.

Seasoned and aspiring writers
will have the chance to explore the
"nuts and bolts" of getting published.
You will learn how to submit for
publication, author's responsibilities,
manuscript preparation, current
market conditions, writing style and
organization, contracts, agreements,
royalties, editor's responsibilities, how
to interest the editor, how to write a
letter to the editor, and how to secure
and deal with criticism.

Dr. Tapp is willing to critique
participants' manuscripts. Please
bring manuscripts with you.

Cost of the seminar is $75, plus
room and board. For more informa-
tion, contact the Office of Continuing
Education. D

VANTAGE

*w

Pilgrims visited the Judean wilderness between Jerusalem and Jericho.

Jerusalem pilgrimage attracts
20 pastors focused on renewal

In what Columbia hopes will be an
annual program for the renewal of
ministers and congregations, 20
pastors traveled to Israel in January as
part of the seminary's "Pilgrimage to
Jerusalem."

Participants, in addition to
spending several days in Jerusalem,
visited Galilee and the Dead Sea,
connecting their knowledge of tradi-
tion and scripture with actual places.
From the first day, participants were
urged to think of themselves as
pilgrims rather than tourists.

At the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus
made a post-resurrection appearance
in John 21, the grouped watched
fishermen and a stunning sunset

"The sky was red, streaked with
purple clouds," said Ben fohnson,
professor of spirituality, who led the
trip "We read John 21, had prayer,
and people found places of silence. To
leave there was like pulling people
out of the ground."

The trip lasted 17 days, and the
group was headquartered at the
Ecumenical Center at Tantur. outside
Jerusalem.

Studies included workshops in
Judaism, archaeology, and the
parables. The group also visited

The life and ministry of Christ
provided a focus for the pilgrimage
Group members were able to attend a
< hristian unity service in the Upper
Room, where fesus met with the
disciples. Five hundred people packed
into the space, normally reserved for
Muslim prayers.

For the Rev. Steven Bryant c '(),
pastor of First Presbyterian Church in
Winter Haven, Florida, the pilgrimage
allowed him closer contact to biblical
stones that had felt like "fairy tales."

"I'm more visual now, and the
stories are more real," he said. In
fei icho, I can imagine what it must
have looked like tor Joshua and the
children of Israel to walk around the
wall of Jericho. I was struck by the
ruggedness, the smallness, and the
closeness of everything."

The Re\ VVendelyne McCormick.
pastor oi Trinity Presbyterian Church
in Fairfield, Ohio, said the images
contributed to personal renewal, but
also led her to think more deeply
regarding conflict in the Presbyterian
denomination.

Organizers had intended the trip
partly as a way of examining possibili-
ties for renewal within the church
The ongoing disputes among Jews,
Muslims, and Christians in the Middle

Bethlehem University and the Prophet

Through first-hand encounters with the Holy Land,
participants said they could teach and preach more effectively.

Elias High School and Community East invite such reflection.

College, a school for Arabs, Jews, and Also, according to Ms

Christians in Galilee.

Remembering the visit to the Sea
of Galilee, the Rev. Joan Gray 76,
pastor of Columbia Presbyterian
Church in Decatur, said it helped
provide a mental picture and a deeper
sense of the reality of faith.

There were fishing boats i>n the
water. Some people were playing
radios," she said. "It was a slice oi
everyday life. We could imagine Jesus
Christ playing a radio and engaging
with people in deep conversation

McCormick, the timing of the trip,
during a week of prayer tor Christian
unity, emphasized the importance of
the church as an ecumenical body.

"The w eek after 1 got back the text
was from the Sermon on the Plain,
about the love of enemies I drew on
what I had heard and experienced in
Israel, how deep-seated the conflict is.

"Jesus' words had an import they
didn't have before," she continued.
"He was not saving to roll over and be
nice, but to extend a respect and

dignity that is unpre< edented."

Through first-hand encounters
with the Hoi) land participants said

the) COUld teach and preach in. Mr
cttcc ti\ el)

In preparing sermons for Maund)
Thursday, ( lood I rida) and I astei
Mr. Bryant drew on the memor) ol
having touched the arch through
which Christ is believed u> have

carried the cross I lecould also
describe the view trom the cross

ss the Kidron \ alle) to the Mount

o! OI,

I he place grabs you aid Ms
( Ira) "The tirst Sunda\ bat k I
preached about how at lust I telt like
a spectator and a tourist, but then
moved into an experiential mode

trom an observation mode, and began
to experience the land, story, and the

reality of it all, and to worship instead

ot watching people go through

devotional exercises. Even though I

didn't start out as a pilgrim, I he. ame
one" D John Turnbull '95

Board approves librar) addition
continued from page I

and researching how to communi. ate
the faith to children I wo audio \ i nil
rooms will be added I hgh use
materials and resources will he moved
to the new mam flooi adjacent to tin
reference desk

A large special colle< tions area
will provide additional i limate
controls and sccniitv measures l"i

preserving the library's older >\\k\
more rare materials, including the
Thomas Smyth Rare Book ( ..lie. tion,
the seminary's arc hives, manusi ripl

l ulle. tions from early members ol

C olumbia's faculty, old re. ordings ol
sermons and le< tures delivered on the
Columbia campus, an.) an additional
s, iiiiii books published before the< ivil
War.

"Thespe. ial COlla tions area is .i
crucial component ot our building
program," said browning It enables

us to preserve the history ot our

Seminary, to give these materials the

protection needed to ensure then
survival into the next centui

\n hival materials are i urrently
stored m a basement room that has a

histc.rv ol moisture problems and

temperature tin. tuations I he) an nol
cataloged or organized beyond a
rough shelf sorting Plans 'ill foi
cleaning and cataloging these me
placeable seminary resources. As pari
of tin- additional * are incisures, future

users ot spec ial ( olle. tions will he
given gloves to wear when handling
the materials and hook . radles to hold

the rare or brittle items.

Another important feature ot the
library's expansion project is the
installation ot ,m integrated, auto

mated library computer system win. h
will impi ess to the library

catalog, automate the checking in and
out of materials, streamline other
internal library operations, and
provide access to external . atalogS,
databases, and indexes. According to
Browning, "the new system will allow

our users to find more information in

less tune Kather than spending hours,

da) .'i even weeks looking up
citations those same searches ma) be
i ompleted in minutes Students and

la. ult) will then he able CO Spend the
bulk ol their lime processing and

assimilating rather than finding
information "

( Mhei library staff areeagerh
aw airing the addition Brow ning

expei tS .i Slgnifii anl in. lease in work
prodm ti\ it\ sunph h\ pro\ iding the

siaii w ith adequate woi king space

"We are almost c i,iwhng ovei e.n h

othei .ii inn.', bei ause oi oui ramped
quartet i

i he addition also approximate!)
doubles the total flooi spat e \no\
sheh ing foi books I he , urrenl librar)

hOU II I 10,000 total volume'. Ihe

addition v\ ill allow the collet tion to
grow to * 10,000 volumes "Even

though We .ne planning foi ele, i,,mii.

i'' "in, es and databases Brow run

adde.l h,u>ks are still the most

prevalenl i arriers ol Information In
theological studies i here just

something aboul .i hook that will

ii< \ ei allow US I" leave these old

friend \iiei all. we are a people ol

tin- book."

i ne, tors selei ted
i ontinued from page '

' olle< hon development, te< hnii al and

tit al planning, ref< rem < and
motivating people i"i superioi
e
\h Browning will Km. I the librai j
m .i . nil. .ii pen,.. i, since the seminai i
is now doubling the librai j ssize am I
expanding its holdings and services In

Ihe lie- I tWO \e.ir. 'I . I] more Mll.M

in. in. .ii .mi ihe librar) . '' ihe artii le
u in. h begins on page I I

Before i oming to ( olumbia Ms.

VdamS served as ass... late past.. i i.|

i irsl Presb) ien.ni ( hun h, I e> ington,
I eiiin. \ \ she was also .i , ampus

tistei i"i i mi.'. I < hristian ( ampus

Ministrj .it Iowa State I niversit) and
Interim due. toi "f I nited Mini iti

in Mini. ie ln.li. in. i

She I'' eived the M I In degree
in mm hi in. i i, mi i he. .1. igii ,ii ' leminai .
and the A B from Smith < ollege she
is m tlu- 1 '. 1. 1. m ..t Ministry pn igram
al i ' ington i heologii al ! eminary,

Ms. Adams is.i Presb) terian
delegate to th< i aribbean and North
American Area < oun< ii "t the World
Alliam e <>t Reformed I hun h& She

was also on the I'reslu, tei Ian Staff "I

"< elebrate! Man) ( lifts, < me spun, a
national studenl i onferem i 1 1 Mm. rti
. ,il design team

Vice i 'resident tor student I ife
.Mi.i I )e,m oi Students Philip R
I lehman said, "Ann is a vibrant
addition t< 1 1 ur Studenl I ife team
I lei bai kground in campus ministry
and h' i contributions to the church

been < Ide ranging, partii ularly
m her work with candidates tot
ministr) and her ecumenical commit-
ments. She will be a wonderful
partner in the re-, ruitment and train-
ing ot effective and faithful leadership
tor tomorrow's church."

SPRING 1995

For the Record

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

Harry Petersen '58, co-dire< toi ol
Villa Atlanta, a residential facility f( >i
intfin.iii.wi.il guests in Atlanta, has
received an award tor outstanding
work in human relations from the
c hristian ( oun< il ol Metropolitan
Atlanta Kathleen O'Connor,
professor ol Old Testament presented
.i paper to the ( >ld restamenl
( olloquium .it ( on( eption Abbey and
the Atlanta Old Testament
Colloquium. An artu l< i o authored
with A R Diamond, has been a<
cepted tor publication in Biblical
Interpretation She made presentations
to tin- Atlanta Ministers ( .roup on

Ins George Stroup, professor <!
theology, has spoken t an adult
retreat tor First chur< h, ( lainesville,
GA, le< tured on theology to the lay
academy ol c herokee Presbytery , and
taught an adult Sunday s< hool ^ lass at
the Morningside i hurc h, Atlanta I le
spoke .it .1 spiritual renewal event .it
the James Island ^ hur< h. in c harles-
ton. SC, .it Cherokee Presbytery, .nut
preached .it a revival .it the Antioch

churchy Red Springs, NC In Mao li

IV Stroup completed si\ months ( >i
chairing the Administrative Commis-
sion toi .i congregation in ( herokee
I 'resbj tery Pern Cooley '88 is
pastor ot Covenant church, fohnson
City, TN Sophia Park (Spe( '94 >
and Chin Kim '95 were married I ><,
27 in the c olumbia chapel

Marcia Riggs, associate professor
of Christian ethics, lectured .it Jack-
sonville University and the- University
of North Florida She has preached at
the Renaissance church in

Chattanooga Sloan Humphreys '82

is pastor ot the Suniw side ( hurch,

I \ . tteville. NC Linda Dickerson

'88 is pastor ot the Buffalo church,

Sanford, NC Mark Bryan '87 read

his paper in the H/ekiel Consultation
of the Society ot Biblical I iterature

meeting in C hicago Bobby Fisher

'94 is chaplain/faculty member at the

Asheville School, Asheville, NC

Lucy Rose, associate professor ot
preaching and worship, is co-editor o\
a lectionary resource by and for
women preachers for Year B for
Abingdon Press. She is president ot
the Academy of Homiletics and
preached at the annual meeting in
December. She has also preached at
the Mars Hill church, Acworth, GA;
First church, Douglas-ville, GA; and
the Nacoochee church, Sautee, GA. In
January Dr. Rose taught a continuing
education course in Wichita for
pastors at the Kansas Area Seminar of
Professional Ministry, sponsored by
the United Methodist Church of
Kansas. She has taught in the Flint
River Presbytery Lay Preacher Train-
ing Program and was a workshop
leader at the theology convocation,
"We Believe in One Lord Jesus
Christ," sponsored by the PC(USA) in

Pittsburgh Michael Jackson '82 is
hospital pastor ^ haplain at ( Ireenleai
i enter ( hi< kamauga, ( .A.

James Hudnut-Beumler, dean of
fa< iilt\. and asso< iate professoi >>!
religion and i ulture, published .)
book, Looking t"> ('"/ "' the Suburl
tud) oi ili- religion >>i the Amerii an

,ii and its i nil. s between the
years 1945 and 1965 He also was a
principal speakei t"i a - onfereni < <>i
top leaders ot id Protestant denomina-
tions gathered in< hicago to consider
the future ot national denominational
organizations l)r I ludniit-Beumler
preached at the Morningside c hur< h
Sioux I ity, [A; provided leadership
tor a joint officer training program in
the Covington, GA area and taught

in adult education programs at

c int r .i 1 ^ud First churches,
Atlanta Ldwin Morrison '68 is
assm iate pastor oi the Redmond (WA)
United church Sanders Read '65 is
pastor ot the Bethel >^nJ Shiloh
i hur< lu-s, Raeford, NC Sam Mor-
gan (DM m '92) is executive presbyter
and stated clerk ol New Harmony
Presbytery Shirley Guthrie,

BIRT1 IS

To Mark '82 and Ginger [umpei . .i

son, Andrew Albert II, Feb 2, 1994
I o [ohn '8(i and Susannah White,

twins, Kathelene Mane and Forrest
Dimmock, Sept 30, 1994
To Stephen '87 and c atherine Nickle,
a son, Zachary Oliver Morrell, l.m. 10,
1995.

To Jen Parris Perkins S7 and Phil, an
adopted daughter, Catherine Carlisle
Feb. 20, I

To Alan '89 and Anne Wright, a son,
Matthew Bennett, Sept. 27, 1994.
To Tim '91 and Rene Foster, a son,
[Ohlt Knox, Oct 16, l c ' L, 4
To Eric '91 and Lisa \uernberger
Myers (MATS '92), a daughter,
I lizabeth Reed, Oct. 6, 1994
To Todd '93 and Melanie Speed, twin
sons, [ohn Melton and McDonald
Allen. Dec 14. 1994.
1 o Scott '94 and Karla Huie, a daugh-
ter, Madison Catherine, Nov. 27, 1994
To David '94 and Carrie [ones, a
daughter, Kay la Joy, Mar. 9, 1995.
To Lian [iang (MATS '95) and Yan
Liu, a son, lames Jiang, April 1, 1995.
To John, vice president tor business
affairs, and Linda Gilmore, a daugh-
ter, Rachel Meguiar, Dec. 5, 1994.

DEATHS

Francis Mayes 27, Feb. 11, 1995.
Clarence Letson '35, Feb. 23, 1995.
I larold L. Thomas '51, Dec. 19, 19M4
Norman Campbell 72 (DMin '80),
Feb. 15, 1995.

Robert Adams, Feb. 22, 1995. See
photo above.

professoi "i systematic theolo
delivered the Warfield I ecturesat
Princeton Seminary in March. Dr.
Guthrie has taught Sunday si hool at
I rinit) ^\-\d First i hun Ins, Atlanta, at
,i laj si hool for ( harleston-Atlantic
Presb) teiv . and at the annual meeting
ot the Ass, .nation ot Presbyterian
( hristian I ducators in Atlanta Mark
'92 and Becky Ardell Downs '93 have
moved to Alvin, IX, where he is
past* r ot I nst church.

Kathy Carpenter '93 is associate
pastor oi the BIa< ksburg, VA,
^ hur< h Georgianna Via Brabban '80
and [ohn I awrence [ohnson were
married Nov. I 1 ' at First church,
\ irginia Beach, VA, where she is
associate pastor Harold Prince '60,
professor-librarian emeritus, is now
li\ ing at Presbyterian I lome, Clinton,
SC. I le has pre.n hed at the Queens
Memorial i hurch, Newberry, SC;
Duncans C reek i hurch, C linton; the
Mc( ullough and Whitmire churches,
Whitmire, SC. Mr. Prince has com-
peted in seniors tennis tournaments m

several South Carolina cities Wade

Huie '46, professor emeritus, attended
tin annual meeting of the Academ) "i
Homiletics at Duke University and has
led retreats tor elders of First church,
Dalton.GA, Forest Lake church,
C olumbia, SC; and tor Presbyterian
Women ot the Peachtree church,
.Atlanta Dr. Huie has preached at the
Abyssinian National Baptist Church of
Jacksonville, FL, and has led a series
for Westminster church, Snellville,
( V and services tor First church,

Elberton, GA Rebecca Parker,

director of continuing education, was
keynote speaker at the spring meeting
of Presbyterian Women (PW) of First
church, Atlanta and retreat leader for
PW of the Mt. Vernon church, Atlanta
Ms. Parker has taught two series on
prayer and spirituality for Peachtree
Road United Methodist Church,

Atlanta C. Benton Kline, president

emeritus and visiting professor, has
preached at Faith church, Tallahassee,
FL, and at the New Covenant church,
Doraville. Dr. Kline led workshops on
worship in presbytery for the National
Presbytery Leadership Conference at
St. Simons, GA and taught a series at
the Clairmont church, Decatur. He
delivered the Founders Day address at
Agnes Scott College in February

Nibs Stroupe '75, with Inez
Fleming, has written the book, While
We Run This Race: Countering the Power
of Rfl( ism. Mr. Stroupe is pastor of the

Oakhurst church, Decatur Ben

Johnson, professor of spirituality, has
preached at North Avenue church,
Atlanta, and First churches in New
York City, Dalton, GA, and McGehee,
AR. He has led officer's retreats for St.
John's church, Jacksonville, FL; First
church, Kingsport, TN; and the La
Canada, CA, church and lectured at
Southern Nazarene University in
Bethany, OK, and with Army chap-
lains at Ft. Knox. Dr. Johnson was
keynote speaker for Christian I aity ot
Chicago Forum and the Peale Center
for Christian Living in Hershey, PA,
and has led spiritual enrichment
weekends for The Woodlands, TX,

Robert Adams who worked m Columbia -

lory foi 46 years, tint February 22.
Ih- began workingal Columbia m V,
when he was 16 years oldand the relet
tory was m the basement of Campbell
1 1, ill \h Adams had retired in January
1993.

church and First church, Bonita
springs, FL. He led "Festh al of Faith"

for Second church, Indianapolis

Robin Walker '95 and David Palmer
'95 were married Dec. 17 in Hunts-

ville, AL Mary D. '93 and Dave

D'Alessio '93 are co-associate pastors
at First church, Myrtle Beach,

SC Jon Wallace '91 is pastor of the

Columbus, NC, church Gloria

Jennings '90, director of alumni /ae
relations and associate director of the
annual fund, has preached at the
Nacoochee, GA, church and Covenant
church, Augusta, GA, where she also

taught at a PW retreat Larry Hill

(DMin '90) is pastor of the Matthews-
Murkland church, Charlotte, NC.

Ernestine Cole, associate dean of
students, has preached at Southwest
church, Atlanta, and Trinity church,
Decatur. She led a retreat for the PW
of Memorial Drive church, Stone
Mountain, GA, and, as a member of
the Presbyterian Health Network
Steering Committee, attended its
meeting in Washington, DC. Ms. Cole
attended the annual meeting of the
Black Presbyterian Caucus in Mem-
phis and represented Columbia
Seminary at the inauguration of
Cynthia Campbell as president of

Continued on page 7

Vantage

Volume 87, No. 1, Spring 1995
Published quarterly by
Columbia Theological Seminary
Circulation: 27,000

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, G A 30031-0520

VANTAGE

For the Record
continued from page 6

McCormick Theological Seminary

Bill Perman '91 is associate pastoi of

Second church, St. Louis, MO Jeff

Reynolds '93 is chaplain at the Rabun
Gap-Nacoochee School, Rabun Gap,
GA Brian Childs, professor of
pastoral theology and counseling, has
been selected to receive the Alumni
Citation from the Board of Directors
of Maryville College. He has taught a
continuing education course .it
Princeton Theological Seminary and
presented a program at Peachtree
Hospice. Dr. Childs participated in
conferences for Northeastern Univer-
sities College of Medicine, at the
University of Georgia, and at the
Southeast Region Association of
Clinical Pastoral Education annual
meeting. Dr. Childs published an
article in Journal of Clinical Ethu - and
taught a class for medical grand
rounds at Georgia Baptist Medk.il

Center Donald OHnger(DMin 79)

is pastor of Astoria First church.

Queens, NY Karen '90 and John

McLean '90 are associate pastors at
First church, Greenwood, SC.

Harry Wynn '93 is pastor of
Fraser Memorial church, Sumter,

SC Jeanne Stevenson Moessner,

adjunct assistant professor of practical
theology, taught a course at Samford
University and is teaching another
course at Candler School of Theology.
The journal of the American Academy o)
Religion published her article in
January. In March she presided over
a panel at the regional American
Academy of Religion meeting in
Gainesville, FL, and participated in

another panel at that meeting Al

Smith '89 has completed a term as
president of the trustees of the Synod

of the Northeast Drew Tomberlin

'87 has been promoted and trans-
ferred as chaplain to the Federal
Correctional Institution in Manches-
ter, KY Robert Ramey, professor of

ministry, has preached at First church.
Danville, VA, and at Covenant
church, Johnson City, TN. He
preached four times and conducted a
retreat for officers and a congrega-
tional seminar on spirituality for
North Avenue church, Atlanta Dr.
Ramey led a retreat for New Church
Development pastors in the Synod ot
Mid-Atlantic and conducted a class in
Reformed spirituality for Presbytery

of the Peaks Frank Harrington '60

(ThM '61) has been elected to Habitat
for Humanity International's Board of
Directors.

Ronald Cram, associate professor
of Christian education, taught a
course at the Association of Presbyte-
rian Christian Educators annual
meeting in Atlanta and a course at
Morningside church, Atlanta. He was
guest lecturer at the Peachtree church,
Atlanta, and for the annual teacher
education event at Westminster
church, Snellville, GA. Dr. Cram has
taught at First church, Atlanta. He led
a teacher training event at Peachtree
church and preached at Morningside
church. Dr. Cram published a book

review tor Journal of Religion*

ontology Mark Jumper '82 is on

active duty with the Navy. He is
chaplain at two naval air stations,
Dallas and Ft. Worth CO. Magee
'72 is pastor of Westminster church,
Galveston, T\. I le has completed a
D.Min from Union Seminary in
Virginia, and his peacemaking pro-
posal at Westminster was selected as
the "congregational" proposal for
1994 at tlie Peacemaking L onterence
at Montreat Hugh Hamilton '80
earned the D.Min. from Memphis
Theological Seminary. He is modera-
tor of Memphis Presbytery

Raymond Guterman '80 has written a
book. Road to Healing.

John Tarrant '81 served as Air
Force chaplain to "Operation Provide
Comfort" in Turkey and northern Iraq
last summer I le is base chaplain at
Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs
Will Coleman '85, assistant professor
of theology and hermeneutics, helped
plan and resource a seminar spon-
sored by the Association of Theologi-
cal Schools tor underrepresented
racial/ethnic scholars. He presented a
response to The Recovery oj Black
Presem e at a seminar at Interdenomi-
national Theological Center and
participated in a consultation in
Nashville for the United Methodist
Publishing House. Dr. Coleman is
serving i>n a committee for the Na-
tional Ministries Division, PC(USA).
I l< led an officer's training retreat for
Brown Memorial church, Tuscaloosa,
AL, preached at The Open Door
Community, Atlanta, and attended
the annual meeting of the Society for
the Study of Black Religion in

Atlanta Vanessa Potter '93 is

associate pastor at Colonial Heights

church, Kingsport, TN Claude

Pepper '36 is pastor emeritus of the
Warrenton, NC, church.

Barbara Holmes '95 has written
"Different Faces in Foreign Places: The
Nontraditional Student Studies
Abroad," published in Peterson's Study

Abroad 1995 William Gaskill (DMin

'93) is pastor of First church,

Merchantville, NJ Elaine McRobbie

(DMin 79) is pastor of the Ridgecrest,

CA, church David Moessner.

professor of New Testament, attended
the Southeast regional meeting of the
Society of Biblical Literature/ Ameri-
can Academy of Religion in
Gainesville. FL, where he presented
his paper, "The 'Script' of the Scrip-
tures in the Acts of the Apostles:
Suffering as God's "Plan" for the
World for the Release of Sins."....
Charles Cousar '58, professor of New
Testament, spoke at the adult congre-
gational retreat for Riverside church,
Jacksonville, FL, and led a sessional
retreat for First church, Atlanta, on
"The Bible and Human Sexuality."
Dr. Cousar attended the Wabash-Lilly
Consultation on theological teaching

at Wabash College Lou Ann Sellers

'94 is campus minister of the United
Christian Fellowship at the University
of North Carolina at Charlotte. Q

Development/ Seminary Relations

ByGary L. Bagley, Director of Development and Seminary Relations

Jennifei Lee '96wasoneoj 12 Columbia students who assisted with the [nnualFund
phonathon in Apnl Ninety first time donors wereadded to the giving h

l mm i n \ks v,i ) t many Americans
celebrated the five hundredth anni
versary of Christopher Columbus's
voyage from Europe to North
America. When Columbus set sail, he
didn't know v\ here he w as going.
When he arrived, he didn't know
where he was. And when he gol
home, he didn't know where he had
been! With a lot ot what the world
calls luck, Columbus's intuition and
limited knowledge paid oil

1 lowever, as friends >md support
ers of Columbia Seminary, we cannot
at tord to set sail with uncertainty

Preparing men and women fol
ministry is of tin- utmost important I
tor the church, our nation, and the
world Providing the best m faculty
and learning environment is critical

tor this process

That's the reason your gilts are so
important in helping us set < < hrist's
church.

The Annual Fund

WhetluT from foundation grants
or private donors, most ol the gifts to
Columbia are already "spoken for"

be< ause the) are designated to i ertain
uses Most di our budget is designed
around these spe< it u uses, but there
are othei areas w hii h also need
attention.

i his Is why youi i onti Ibution u>
tin- Annual Fund, large oi small Is so
Important By making an annual gift,
voui . ontribution will go toward the

M I 'Nl HI needed to meet basil needs

ioi ..hi. ating this /ear's student body
Anything ovei thai amounl enables us
to hind innovative a< ademi< projet I
emergeni \ finam ial aid, oi unique
ministry training oppoi tunities \n\
amounl in the budget that we do nol

|"iu| by the end ol ill. h- .. . I

I", omes a part ol oui endowment,

I liinklullv, the growth ot our endow-

m< ni hai enabled us I iel the

challenge ol the 1990s and to assure
the seminal \ ol survival and advani e
menl

i ponding to the Annual
i und appeal j i u gh eG ilumbia the
kind ot leadership and fai ilit) re
quired to build a .'nnn.ii j devoted to
high standards in theologii al educa-
tion and to ex< i Hem e in preparation
It >] ministry. D

Columbia to offer certificate in
spiritual formation

13 1 < ,iwi\< . 1 1 us i \i i ( lolumbia will

otter a certificate m Spiritual forma
tion. The three-year program will
teach the history tit spirituality, the
practice of spiritual dis< iplines, and
skills for assisting groups and indi-
viduals with their spiritual journe

The certificate program is com-
prised of four components: a retre.it,
electives, a practicum, and a pilgrim-
age to Jerusalem that concludes tin
program. The program will be offered

in the fall, winter, and summer terms.
Bi M Johnson, professor of spiritu-
ality/ will develop this emphasis in
lor 1 1 i.i live spirituality. For more
information and a brochure, contai I
tin Office of ( i mtinuing Hducation.D

SPRING 1995

Costen, Hix to speak at '95
commencement, baccalaureate

Columbia w 1 1 1 . i >ndi i i its 1995
commencement exert ises May 21 at 4
p.m. at Peachtree Presbyterian
< hurch in Atlanta. Degrees will be
conferred to 1 n students in
( olumbia's five degree programs:
Master of I Hvinit) . Master of Arts in
Theological Studies, Master of
Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and
I >oc tor of rheolog)

Melva Costen, the Helmar Emil
Nielsen Professor of Worship and
Music .it the Interdenominational
Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta.
will speak at commencement on

I discipline, Duty, and Destiny " At
ITC, Dr. Costen chairs the worship
and music departments and directs
choral music and the program,
"African American Worship Tradi-
tions." An elder in the Presbyterian
Church (USA), Dr. Costen chaired
the committee to develop The Presby
terian Hymnal, published in 1990. She
is a Presbyterian delegate and
member of the Administrative
Committee of the World Alliance of
Reformed Church's Caribbean and
North American Area Council and
the National Council of Churches of

Christ in the USA. Her publications
include African American Christian
Worship and A Workshop Manual on
Worship.

Douglas Hix, professor emeritus
at Columbia, will preach the bacca-
laureate sermon, "Ministry in
Macedonia," at Decatur Presbyterian
( hurch ^ \la\ 1\ at 10:15 a.m. Dr.
1 li\ was director of advanced studies
and associate professor ol pastoral
studies at Columbia from 1980 until
1993 He has also taught at St.
Andrews Presbyterian College and
King College. Dr. Hix has served
pastorates in Georgia and North
( arolina and is currently interim
pastor of First Presbyterian Church,
Sanford, North Carolina.

On Saturday, May 20, President
and Mrs. Oldenburg will host a
reception for graduates and guests in
the president's home. Afterward, the
Columbia Seminary Choir will
present "Jesus Christ Superstar" by
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice
in Columbia's chapel at 4:30 p.m. On
Saturday night, a picnic for gradu-
ates, their families and friends, and
faculty will be held on campus.

Vantage

P.O. Box 520

Decatur, Georgia 30031

CONTENTS

Board approves $6.4 million library addition 1

New directors named 1

"Rooted in Tradition, Growing with Vision" 2

Doctor of Ministry adds gospel and culture track 2

Smyth Lectures tell story of congregations 2

Columbia group visits church in Central Europe 3

Faculty changes 3

Professor nominated for award 3

C ontinuing Education Calendar 4

C ontinuing education, Lay Institute offerings 4,7

Annual Report receives award 4

Pilgrimage to Jerusalem 5

For the Record 6

The Annual Fund 7

1995 commencement, baccalaureate 8

Distinguished Service Awards given 8

Columbia's Alumni/ae Association presented its Distinguished Service Award to the
Rev Edward C. Langham (left) and Dr. /. Davison Philips during the annual alumni/ae
meeting on January 9.

Mr Langham '54 (Th.M. 70) has served Presbyterian pastorates in Aiken and

Columbia, South Carolina, and Tucker ami Norcross, Georgia. He was a pastor/pilot foi
the Boardo) World Missions o) the Presbyterian Church (U.S ' in Brazil where he
established new churches and supported existing churches. He sewed as an evangelist in
new church development in Cherokee and East Tennessee presbyteries, where his efforts
helped form the John Calvin and Ooltewah churches.

Dr. Philips '43 is president emeritus of Columbia. Prior to his 11 -year presidency
(1976-1986). he served pastorates in Atlanta. Thomasville. and Decatur, Georgia, and
was a U.S. Navy chaplain. He has been chair of the University Center in Georgia and
has served on the boards of Presbyterian and Agnes Scott Colleges and Columbia
During his presidency. Columbia grew in enrollment, faculty, endowment, physical
facilities, and programs. Dr. Philips holds the PhD from University of Edinburgh and
has received honorary doctorates from Hampden Sydney and Presbyterian Colleges.

>r~>

i<?yt>

Second Class
Postage
Paid at
Decatur, GA

Publication No. 124160

COLUMBIA
THEOLOGICAL
SEMINARY