COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Vantage WINTER 199 3-94 Forum f 94 features speakers and reunions Columbia Seminary invites all alumni/ae and friends to its 1994 Forum, January 24-26. The three-day event will feature a noted lecturer and preacher, a faculty forum, and class reunions. This year's Smyth Lecturer is Terence Fretheim, professor of Old Testament at Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary. He is the author of Exodus (Interpretation Series), The Suffering of God: An Old Testament Perspective, and the forth- coming Genesis (New Interpreter's Bible). Dr. Fretheim's theme for Forum is "God in Genesis"; the titles of his three lectures are "God, Sodom, and theWarming of the World," "God, Abimelech, and the Sins of the Right- eous," and "God, Abraham, and the Abuse of Issac." His lectures are scheduled for January 24 at 3 p.m. and January 25 and 26 at 11:30 a.m. Barbara Brown Taylor, rector of Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church in Clarkesville, Georgia, is guest preacher for Forum. Before moving to Clarkesville, Ms. Taylor spent nine years in urban ministry at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Atlanta, during which time she wrote two collections of sermons, Mixed Blessings and The Seeds of Heaven, and was the 1990 preacher for the Episcopal Series of the Protestant Radio Hour. Her latest book, The Preaching Life, was issued in 1993. Her sermon titles are "Dream- ing the Truth" and "Striving with God." Ms. Taylor will preach January 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. This year's Alumni/ae Lectures will feature a forum of Columbia faculty members addressing the theme, "Conversations on Our Common Future." Ronald Cram, associate professor of Christian education, will moderate the three discussions. Faculty participants will be Will Coleman '85, assistant profes- sor of theology and hermeneutics; Charles Cousar '58, professor of New Testament; Catherine Gonzalez, professor of church history; Stanley Saunders, assistant professor of New Testament; and Victor Yoon, director of the Center for Asian Ministries. During the faculty forum, the audience will be invited to submit written questions for the panel. The panel will spend a portion of the hour on January 25 and 26 responding to submitted questions. The discussions are scheduled for January 24 at 1:30 p.m. and January 25 and 26 at 9 a.m. Alumni/ae activities will be held Terence Fretheim Barbara Brown Taylor throughout Forum. On Tuesday, January 25, Dr. Joanna Adams '79 will speak at the alumni/ae luncheon and association meeting at 12:30 a.m. Dr. Adams is senior pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. She has also been pastor of North Decatur Presbyterian Church and associate pastor and minister to the community of Central Presbyte- rian Church in Atlanta. She will speak on "Who We Actually Are." Alumni/ae in reunion classes will have a luncheon on Wednesday, January 26, at 12:30 p.m., Forum's concluding event. Members of the classes of 1939 and earlier will be honored guests at the luncheon. The Continued on page 2 Joanna Adams '79 Media program- interpreting the signs Professor hvan Russell-Jones directs the Program of Theology, Media, and the Church. In a society already flooded with video images, many seminaries are training students in video production. At Columbia students are also learn- ing to discern the cultural and theo- logical messages within media. According to Dr. Iwan Russell-Jones, associate professor of theology, media, and the church, "Very few seminaries offer courses on media as a central dimension in contemporary culture." In seven new courses taught by Dr. Russell-Jones, students view and discuss television commercials, music videos, and films. "Most of the people in the pews on Sunday mornings have spent at least three hours a day watching television, probably more," he explains. "They encounter it at home, in restaurants, even in grocery checkout lines. In a real sense, the video world is where they live. As ministers, unless we can connect with that world, we have no gospel to share." Dr. Russell-Jones' fascination with media began during his eight years as senior producer of religious programs for the British Broadcasting Corpora- tion (BBC). Fresh from his doctoral studies in theology at Oxford Univer- sity, he joined the BBC with high hopes. "I came to the BBC with a mis- sionary zeal," he recalls. "I had a straightforward belief that media was simply a tool I could use to present viewers with Christian ideas they might not otherwise encounter. Despite the many criticisms I now have, I still believe there are great Continued on page 3 Two seminaries Douglas W. Oldenburg, President One of the exciting things happening at Columbia is our developing rela- tionship with the Christian seminary in Nanjing, China. Three years ago we received a grant from the Luce Foundation to expand our interna- tional program to the Peoples Repub- lic of China Henry Luce was one of the early Presbyterian missionaries to China, and it seemed appropriate to request funding from the Luce Foundation for such a venture. In the summer of 1992, we sent 21 people from the seminary community to China faculty, students, staff, and board members. Their experiences were reported in the fall 1992 issue of Vantage. In October of 1992, we hosted a major conference on "Christ and Culture: Sino/American Perspec- tives" attended by over 100 American scholars and several Chinese scholars from the seminary in Nanjing. Last summer, we sent another contingency of faculty, students, staff, and board members to China for a second visit. As a result of these experiences, our relationship with the Protestant leadership in China and the seminary in Nanjing has been growing. We now have two students on our cam- pus nominated by the seminary in Nanjing, and they are enriching our life and faith. Their seminary is the largest Protestant seminary in China, with 130 students and a resident faculty. It is one of 30 seminaries in China but is considered the national seminary and draws students from all areas of China. We have been invited to join them in China next summer for a major consultation on "The Church in a Changing Society," and we will be sending 15 of our faculty, staff, and board members for this second consultation. One of the exciting results of this growing relationship is a three-fold invitation from Bishop K. H. Ting, president of the China Christian Council. First, he has invited us to host a gathering next fall of all the former missionaries to China and their children. This will provide an opportunity for renewed official contact between the leadership of the church in China and the former missionaries. We are beginning to plan for this event. Second, he has invited us to host a group of Chinese government officials who are coming to America to explore church-state relationships. We hope to involve former President Jimmy Carter in those discussions. Third, he has has asked us to join the seminary in Nanjing and other groups in China in hosting a gather- ing of Chinese intellectuals to reassess the Christian missionary witness in China. There is apparently a growing perception that its impact was far more positive than many historians have suggested. Within the next few months, we will be going back to the Luce Foun- dation with a request for a second grant to continue this exciting rela- tionship with the Christian commu- nity in China where one-fourth of the human family lives. We are deeply grateful to the Luce Foundation for providing the funding for this oppor- tunity and to the Plowshares Institute and the Amity Foundation in Hong Kong for helping us make important contacts and arrangements. We are honored that Nanjing Seminary and the China Christian Council have chosen to have this special relation- ship with Columbia. God grant that it will enrich our faith and strengthen the Church of Jesus Christ both in America and in China. Yes, two seminaries worlds apart but growing closer together! D Six professors will address the theme "Conversations on Our Common Future" during Forum. Bottom row, l-r: Ronald Cram, moderator of the discussions; Catherine Gonzalez; Stanley Saunders. Top row: Will Coleman 85, Charles Cousar 58, and Victor Yoon. Forum 1994 continued from page 1 following serve as reunion chairs: 1944 - Sidney Anderson 1949 - Thomas Dews 1954 - Dick Dodds 1959 - Larry Richards 1964- Jim Bowden 1969 - Alan Elmore 1974 - Harry Barrow 1979 - Chris Price 1984 - Ellis Davis 1989 - Peter Denlea 1993 - Nancy Graham. Women students and alumnae will meet for a dinner on Tuesday, January 25, at 6 p.m. The dinner will follow a 5 p.m. gathering. In addition, participants will have an opportunity for informal questions and conversation with Dr. Fretheim and Ms. Taylor on January 25 and 26 at 10:30 p.m. All alumni/ae and friends of the seminary are invited to the campus for these three days of lectures, worship, and reunions. For more information or to register for Forum, call 404/378-8821. Winter reading suggestions by Columbia's faculty Let Justice Roll Down: The Old Testament, Ethics, and the Christian Life by Bruce C. Birch Grace and Gratitude: The Euchanstic Theology of John Calvin by B.A. Gernsh Hard Living People and Mainstream Christians by Tex Sample Dakota: A Spiritual Geography by Kathleen Norris Race Matters by Cornel West Dialogues of the Word: The Bible as Literature According to Bakhtin by Walter L. Reed How Your Church Family Works: Understanding Congregations as Emotional Systems by Peter L. Steinke Open Letters by Vaclav Havel The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen Engaging the Powers by Walter Wink Poor But Proud: Alabama's Poor Wlutes by Wayne Flynt Collected Poems by Stevie Smith No Other Gospel: Christianity Among the World's Religions by Carl Braaten Young Men and Fire by Norman Maclean Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco Sex, Economy, Freedom, and Community by Wendell Berry The Culture of Disbelief by Stephen Carter In the Center of the Web: Women and Solitude by Delease Wear The Once and Future Church by Loren Mead Poetics of Imagining by Richard Kearney Transforming Mission by David Bosch Sexual Personnae: Art and Decadence from Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson by Camille Paglia The Holy Thief by Ellis Peters Making Sense of It All: Pascal and the Meaning of Life by Thomas Morris The Church Music Handbook for Pastors and Musicians by N. Lee Orr Sisters in the Wilderness: Womanist God-Talk by Delores S. Williams The Beginning and the End by Naguib Mahfouz Psychoanalysis and Ethics by Ernest Wallwork Music in the Black Church by J. Wendell Mapson, Jr. Church in the Round by Letty Russell Dying for Change by Leither Anderson The American Religion: The Emergence of the Post-Christian Nation by Harold Bloom Stories That Could Be True by William Stafford The Measure of Our Success: A Letter to My Children and Yours by Marian Wright Edelman Playing in the Dark by Toni Morrison Teaching and the Religious Imagination by Maria Harris Continued on page 3 VANTAGE Earl Smith W Columbia alum leads church to jubilee A decade ago Earl Smith '90 was a pioneering research chemist develop- ing alcohol-based automotive fuels. Today he is pastor of a congregation honored for pioneering in urban ministry, the Lakeview Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg, Florida. It all started with a raised hand. "I volunteered to serve on the Hunger Task Force of our presbytery," Earl recalls. "The next thing I knew I was co-chairing the program, speaking to congregations throughout southwest Florida." Upon graduation from Columbia, Earl believed he knew where he was called to minister. "I had preached at Lakeview, was impressed by their commitment to ministry, and knew they were looking for a pastor." The Lakeview session heartily concurred, and the church invited him to serve as their minister. Earl has found Lakeview unusu- ally capable and willing to confront the dilemmas of the urban neighbor- hood. As the population has changed from predominantly white to pre- dominantly African American, many other churches have retreated. "One church, three blocks away from our sanctuary, dismantled its building board by board and reassembled it three miles away." Lakeview has no romantic illu- sions about its decision to remain in the neighborhood. Surrounded by crime and crack houses, the church has had to install a security system and parking area lights, and provide escorts for members and visitors to their cars after night meetings. Even so, people are drawn to Lakeview almost every day of the week, gathering for worship and physical, mental, and spiritual heal- ing. Ministries supported by the con- gregation include the Johnnie Ruth Clarke Health Center (serving 2,000 people each month); Operation Attack (a 26-year-old program providing emergency food, clothing, and finan- cial support to people in crisis); the People of Color AIDS Coalition; and a sex offenders counseling group a 12- step program for people under court referral. Lakeview Church has recently been chosen as the pilot site for the Jubilee Center Project of the Presbyte- rian Church(USA)'s Urban Ministry Support Team. After a year-long deliberation involving applicant congregations from 10 different pres- byteries, the 125-member Lakeview Church was awarded a three-year grant for $30,000 to assist and equip three more congregations for vital urban ministry "You have to listen for God's voice within the community of fellow believers. ..and then follow where God leads," Earl says. Under Earl's able leadership, there is no doubt that Lakeview Presbyterian Church, and its sister congregations, hear God's voice clearly calling them to jubilee. Q Greg Lund '95 Editor's note: This article begins an occasional series on alums and their work. Lay Institute plans Basic Readings course Dr. Richard Dietrich will teach the Basic Readings course for the certifi- cate programs in Spiritual Formation and Practical Christianity offered by the Lay Institute this winter. The readings course offers an introduction to the study of theology and related disciplines. Students will read in the areas of Old and New Testament, theology, Christian nurture, and worship and sacraments. The Lay Institute's two certificate programs offer prescribed classes and electives, both study- and action-ori- ented, designed to help students wrestle with issues of faith and life. The Spiritual Formation program provides opportunities for students both to learn about the history of spirituality and to deepen their own spiritual lives. The Practical Christi- anity program offers courses and practical work intended to help students translate their faith so it speaks to the difficulties they face in the worlds in which they live in the culture, at work, at home, and in the community. The Basic Readings course is a prerequisite in both certificate pro- grams. Winter classes will meet on Thursday evenings (January 6, 13, 20, 27 and February 3, 10) from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the seminary. Cost of the class is $60. To register or receive more infor- mation about either program, contact the Lay Institute of Faith and Life. Reading recommendations continued from page 2 The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho The Culture of Pain by David B. Morris A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman The Church Confident by Leander Keck The White Ocean by James Dickey The Power of the Cross: Foundations for a Christian Feminist Ethic of Community by Sally B. Purvis Michael Chaney '95 (r) is one of Columbia's students gaining experiem e in sin h areas as video editing and camera work mulct the dnri tion of Alien Vodka (/) ami Othi Interpreting the signs continued from page I possibilities here." Poor programming, he assumed, was created by poor producers. "1 thought that if the media was 'going to the dogs,' one could solve the problem merely by changing the people who run it." But over time, he recognized the power of ratings. "As we worked to satisfy viewers and listeners, I sometimes felt that pro- grams were running me." "I was constantly hounding people, saying, 'Tell me important things that have happened to you,'" Dr. Russell-Jones says. He finally realized that he was so intent on other people's lives that he was living a "second-hand" life. "If a producer lives a second-hand life, how much more are consumers living a vicarious existence?" he asks. "A family can sit on the same sofa for hours watching the lives of characters and celebrities on TV, and not even talk to each other." A common Christian response to the negative influence of the media is to blame the producers. But Dr. Russell-Jones believes we also need to recognize that the television screen is a mirror. "Why, for example, is there constant violence on the local news?" he asks. "It's because we, the consum- ers, lap it up. Nothing makes tor better TV news ratings than a good disaster." Dr. Russell-Jones is one of a growing number of Christian scholars who see evidence of the resurgem e ol paganism in popular culture. Adver- tisers know the power of religious language and symbols, and they insinuate these in commercials. "It is difficult for today's Christians to feel that what we have to offer is unique, because our language has been stolen to sell jeans, soft drinks, and cars." Dr. Russell-Jones has not left his production days completely behind. In conjunction with Columbia's Lay Institute for Faith and Life and a team of staff and students, he is producing an eight-part series, The Signs of the Times, to air on cable TV in fall of 1994. The series will explore the social and theological significance of sin h cultural Icons as the automobile, the gun, the< omputer, the human body, and the media Chun lus will be notified, and study notes will be available for each program In the series. In addition, Dr. Russell -|ones and Media Assistant Alden l'oetker have increased the use of media in the Seminary classroom by helping prole-. BOrS incorporate visual learning into da8SrOOm presentations Mr. l'oetker is also assisting faculty members In the use ol .i i omputer-based lecture presentation system that makes the . hall- hoard obsolete. To la< iliate use of the system and to increase aware- ness of the seminary's capabilities, Mr. Poetker has assembled a i atalogue <>i video resources for faculty members. Steve Mann, a senior Master of Divinity degree student who directs Hi. tele\ i ion ministry at I'eachtree Presbyterian Church, has been respon- sible for building and equipping an editing/produi tion room and a studio, both of which will be used fo] The ' o) the Times sei l< Still, given the primary foi US OJ ( olumhi.i, which is to train people foi Christian ministry, Dr. Russell-Jones would rather develop sophisticated viewers ol video than sophisticated users ol video, "We , ire surrounded with images and sign', ol OUT < ulture," he says "As Christians we need to read these signs and be able to inter- pret what they mean" In Matthew 13, Dr. Russell-Jones believes, is an apt description of our i ulture. Icsus says that the people "indeed listen, but never understand, and ... look, but never perceive." But the passage also contains a promise. Jesus blesses the disciples for having eyes that see and ears that heal "At the heart of the gospel is a promise of perception," notes Russell-Jones. "Christians are not just people who have a feeling that God loves them, but people who understand and unmask the signs of their times " Through the vision of Dr. Russell- Jones, students gain a clearer vision of their culture and its response to the gospel, a vision which is certain to make their ministries to our video culture more effective. Greg Lund '95 WINTER 1993-94 Continuing Education Calendar For further information or to register for courses, call or write: Sara Covin Juengst, 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. January 4-6 January Seminars FOB MINISTERS Preaching on Lent and Easter, taught by J. Will Ormond; The Book of Common Worship taught by Catherine Gonzalez; Rediscovering the Gospel in Context taught by Stanley Saunders; Pastoral Care in Crisis Situations taught by Jasper Keith See article on this page for more information. February 12 Spec DPics of Pi anninc a Mental Illness Program for a Congregation A follow-up to Creating a Caring Congregation. Leader: BenGautier. Cost: $10. See article on page 5. March 1-3 Seasons OF Ministry: The Middle Years This seminar for pastors in the "mid-life crisis" years will provide an opportunity for reflection and dis- course about the issues. Pastors will gain new perspective and energy for facing mid-life crises in ministry and in their personal life through story-sharing, discourse, and theological reflection. Leaders: Members of the Columbia faculty. Cost: $50. March 11-12 Religion and iiii- Arts: Theologk M Themes in Literature See article on this page for more information. March 18-19 WEEKEND Lay SCHOOL in Tampa, Fiorida Elective courses will be taught by Robert Ramey and Stan Saunders. Co-sponsored with Tampa Bay Presbytery. March 21-24 and April 21-23 The UNIQUENESS I >i mi Rural Ministry A course to affirm the "high calling" of rural ministers and assist them with their continued growth and support. This is a two-part course with reading assignments in between. Leader: David Ruesink. Cost: $60 for both. April 4-12 A Week in Jamaica A pilgrimage following Lent and Easter in a Third World country where the church is strong and vibrant. A week spent in study of Jamaica at United Theological College in Kingston, seeing urban and rural parish work in Ocho Rios, experiencing life in another culture. For lay persons and clergy. Leader: George Telford. Cost: $800 (includes travel, room, and board). April 17-22 Contemplative Retreat for Men A retreat for men at the Monastery of the Holy Ghost, Conyers, Georgia, for reformation, relaxation, and spiritual discipline. Leader: Rick Dietrich. Cost: $140. April 24-27 Ministry of Laity Conffrenc E Laity and clergy will come together to discover how God is at work in our lives in the world. Our response to God is our ministry. What has God called us to do? At Montreat Conference Center. Leaders: Beth Johnson, Roger Nishioka, and others. Cost: $95. April 24-29 Contemplative Retreat for Women A retreat for women at the Sacred Heart Monastery in Cullman, Alabama. A time to be apart, to pray, to worship and meditate in a beautiful retreat setting. Cost: $175. April 29-May 1 Fellowship Gathering of Presbyterians Leaders: Douglas Oldenburg, Ben Johnson, Rick Dietrich, and others. At Montreat Conference Center. Seasons of Ministry: Middle years Columbia Seminary will offer a con- tinuing education event especially designed for ministers between the ages of 35 and 55. This conference, held March 1-3 and led by Columbia professors, will provide an opportu- nity for reflection and discourse about the issues for ministry during those years through story-sharing, dia- logues, and theological reflection. The conference will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1, and conclude at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 3. For more information, contact the continuing education office. D Religion, Arts series features the apocalypse "Apocalypse in Fiction and Film and in Fact" is this year's continuing education offering in the "Religion and the Arts" series. Columbia faculty members George Stroup, professor of theology; Iwan Russell- Jones, associate professor of theology, media, and the church; and Richard Dietrich, director of the Lay Institute of Faith and Life, will lead the two- day seminar, March 11-12. The conference will address questions raised by the apocalyptic genre as it has been interpreted by biblical scholars, theologians, media evangelists, secular writers, and film makers. Students will discuss Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, watch Francis Coppola's Apocalypse Now, and explore other apocalyptic images in literature. Cost of the seminar is $50, and it is open to anyone interested. For more information or to register, contact the continuing education office. Lay schools offer morning, evening classes This winter's Evening Lay School will offer courses in Old Testament, in theology, and in worship. The courses will meet 7:30-9:30 on Mon- day evenings, February 7, 14, 21, and 28, 1994, on the Columbia campus. The Lay Institute of Faith and Life sponsors the Winter Lay School. Dr. James Newsome, professor of Old Testament Language, will offer a course covering the time "Between the Testaments." In the course, Dr. Newsome will lead a discussion of major developments in the Greco- Roman world, including the world of post-Old Testament Jews, and con- sider how those developments influenced the writing of the New Testament. Dr. George Stroup, professor of theology, will offer a discussion of "Questions That Do Not Go Away," a survey of questions that have nagged theologians over the centuries and continue to puzzle the church today. Among the questions the course will consider: "Is God responsible for evil?" "Does God answer prayers?" "What happens to us when we die?" Dr. Charles Campbell, instructor in homiletics, will teach "Telling Time: The Rhythms of Christian Worship," an exploration of the four main temporal cycles of worship: the daily cycle, the weekly cycle, the annual cycle, and the life cycle. The course will include participation in services of evening prayer. The Lay Institute also offers classes on Thursday mornings during February. Cost for an evening course is $35; cost for the morning classes is $25. To register, contact the Lay Institute. Seminars for ministers: January 4-6 The annual January Seminars for Ministers will be held January 4-6, 1994, on Columbia's campus. These seminars offer an opportunity for ministers, educators, and lay people to gather for an intensive series of classes dealing with important topics for the life of the church. Dr. J. Will Ormond, professor emeritus of New Testament at Colum- bia, will teach a 12-hour course on "Preaching on Lent and Easter" on Tuesday and Wednesday. Dr. Ormond is widely known for his ability to make biblical stories come alive with humor and freshness. Dr. Catherine Gonzalez, professor of church history at Columbia, will introduce The Book of Common Worship, the church's new and important liturgical aid, in a six-hour course on Wednesday. On Thursday, there will be a choice of two courses. "Rediscovering the Gospel in Context," a six-hour course, will be taught by Dr. Stanley Saunders, assistant professor of New Testament at Columbia. At the same time, Dr. Jasper Keith, professor of pastoral care and counseling at Co- lumbia, will offer a six-hour course on "Pastoral Care in Crisis Situations." Courses will run from 9:00-5:00 each day. JEor more information, contact the office of continuing education. D Rural ministry course planned For the first time, Columbia Seminary will host an event specifically for rural pastors. A two-part conference on rural ministry, focusing on "The Uniqueness of the Rural Community," will look at the way the church and community relate to each other and will analyze the community that surrounds the rural church. The conference will concentrate on how the rural scene is changing, on how people make a living, on understand- ing leadership and power structures, and will explore how to "make changes and still keep the job." The first part of the conference will begin Monday, March 21, at 1:30 p.m. and continue until Thursday, March 24, at 4:00 p.m. The second part will begin at 9:00 a.m. Thursday, April 21, and conclude at noon Saturday, April 23. A field project will be assigned between the two segments. Leadership for the conference will be provided by Dr. David Ruesink, director of Texas A&M University's Rural Social Science by the Extension Program. Dr. Ruesink has specialized in developing an extensive program for equipping rural pastors for their ministries. Total cost of the conference (both parts) is $60. For more information or to register, contact Columbia's contin- uing education office. D VANTAGE Professor Marcia Riggt Marcia Y. Riggs was installed as associate professor of Christian ethics with tenure in a service of worship and celebration on November 1 1 in the seminary chapel. The title of her address was "Renunciation, Inclusiv- ity, Responsibility These Three." Dr. Riggs joined the Columbia faculty in 1991. This year, she is a recipient of an Association of Theological Schools' Young Scholar Theological Scholar- ship and Research Grant. A frequent lecturer who is popular at scholarly and church conferences, Dr. Riggs is also a minister of the African Method- ist Episcopal Zion Church. | Lay Institute offers courses in literature and film The Lay Institute of Faith and Life of Columbia Seminary continues to provide ongoing opportunities for In people to learn to "read" theologically. Theology and Literature focuses on works of twentieth-century fiction. Students are encouraged to ask questions about the presence (or absence) of God in the worlds writers create and to consider what their books say about how we meet and understand God in our own worlds Faith and Film focuses on modern films. Students are engaged in learn- ing ways to watch films faithfully, asking intelligent questions about how they portray God and God's world. Both study groups meet monthly. Faith and Film meets the first Tuesday evening of each month. Theology and Literature meets the third Tuesday evening of each month. Both groups meet in the Harrington Center on the Columbia campus. New students are welcome at any time. There is a one-time $15 registra- tion fee. For further information, contact the Lay Institute. Leadership for the conference on mental illness was provided by Marilyn Washburn '81,Huntei Phillips Tom Summers Ben Cautier, Sara Juengsl '83 andjaspei Keith (STD 79). Conference on mental illness helps create caring congregations A coni I ki N< i ON "Pastoral Care of the Senouslv Mentally 111 and Their Families," attracted b5 ministers, lay- persons, and medical professionals to Columbia October 7 and 8. The event was co-sponsored by the seminary, the Georgia Alliance for the Mentally 111, and the Mental I lealth Center of Northside Hospital in Atlanta Most participants had first-hand experience of mental illness Some had mentally ill family members, and others were themselves "consumers" of mental health care. Still others were pastors who came to develop their pastoral care skills. The Rev. Thomas Summers, keynote speaker, challenged congre- gations to build "bridges of advo- cacy," breaking the stigma that often isolates the mentally ill. Summers is director of the Acad- emy for Pastoral Education of the South Carolina Department of 1 lealth. Other speakers included Marilyn .li.ignosed, so they can relax and be themselves ["he church, then, truly becomes -i sanctuary." I his kind ol openness is nol common among * turn hes, said Ben i iautier, Eathei ol a mentally ill daughtei "The mentally 111 and their families are largely ignored by the i him h, and mosl pastors are impre pared to respond with spiritual , omforl " At the i onterem e < iautiei had the rare opportunity tospeal w ith ministers who are truly Inter- ested in Improving theii pastoral skills |.> the mentally ill. taothei I'.ntM Ipanl s.ml the , uiilriciur was cspe< Lilly helpful in the sharing ol personal experience, ,., ouragemenl given, and hope pressed foi the betterment of , , \ efl to these very precious and i,il people." "This confer. an - Is like a shot m the arm," agrees Loin.. I i lui I ler daughter, too, has suffered from A community of worship ought to be a community of healing. Left to right: Peter Matheson, Istvan Karasszon. and Dan Antwi Columbia welcomes three visiting professors to the campus this year. Dr- Peter Matheson is professor of church^story at Kno* C ^^^ 1 ^^ the faculty of theology at the University of Otago, New Zealand. He is author of book s on Cardinal ( Zontanni and the Diet of Regenburg Christianity in Ger- many during the Nazi era, and a collection of the works of Thomas Munzer. S Karasszfn teaches at Raday College and the Budapest Reform* ^Theologi- cal Academy, Hungary. He is an expert in Hebrew literature and author of a forthcoming commentary on Ezra. Dr. Antwi is vice-principal o Trinity College Ghana. His publications include work on pastoral theology and the deaths Jesus as atoning sacrifice. He also serves as ^^^P_ n * Accra church. All three professors are teaching at Columbia this year. U WINTER 1993-94 Washburn, president of the Presb rian Mental Health Network; Hunter Phillips, chaplain liaison with the S.C. Baptist State Convention; Jim Mullins, director of the Mental Health Center of Northside Hospital; and Jasper Keith, professor of pastoral care at Columbia. Churches, said Summers, can build support through public forums, legislative action, and even public awareness events. In his own commu- nity, Summers initiated an annual March for Mental Illness that attracted 2,200 participants. Congregations can also join in cooperative efforts with mental health centers. "A church can provide physical space for a drop-in center for the mentally ill," he suggests. "At church, they don't feel they're being mental illness "To see so many I h . .pie who are truly committed to this issue is a greal encouragement/' Fisher's conviction, shared by the participants, is that a community i -i worship ought to be a community of healing. "If worship doesn't cause us to reach out, I question if we have truly worshipped," she said. A one-day follow-up workshop on "Specifics of Planning a Mental Illness Program for a Congregation" will be offered at Columbia on Satur- day, February 12, from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The second of these annual conferences will be held November 1- 2, 1994, and will feature Parker J. Palmer, educator and author of The Company of Strangers: Christians and the Renewal of America's Public Life. U For the Record If you have recent news you would like to contribute to this section, please send it to the editor. Peggi Boyce '74 is pastor of the South Goshen church, Huntley, WY. The church covers an area of 1,200 square miles and five towns Yll Bong Lee (ThM '77, DMin '82) is pastor i i Atlanta Dae-Han Korean church in Lilburn, GA Charles Cousar '58, professor of New Testament, led a congregational retreat for First church, Dalton, GA, at Montreat and preached at First church, Anderson, SC. Dr. Cousar delivered a paper at the Pauline Theology Seminar at the Society of Biblical Literature's annual meeting in Washington Lucy Rose, assistant professor of preaching and worship, preached at the kick . M centennial celebration of First church, Sanford, NC A.A. Markley '62 is pastor of Westminster church, Akron, OH David Reynolds '69 has been called as pastor of Central church, Huntsville, AL Mark Diehl '80 is associate pastor of congregational care at First church, Nashville, TN Susan Cavallo '96 has co-authored a paper, "Community Building within Reli- gious Organizations," which was presented at the Sociology of Religion Association meeting in Miami Tim Kiser '90 is associate pastor at First church, Grand Island, NE Christine Wenderoth, interim director of the library and assistant professor of practical theology, attended a meeting of the Association of Theological Schools/ American Theological Library Association Joint Committee on Library Standards. Ronald Cram, associate professor of Christian education, has been elected to the editorial board of Religious Education. He presented with Laura Bowman a paper at the Association of Professors and Re- searchers in Religious Education (APRRE) meeting and served on the Nomination Committee of APRRE. Dr. Cram was a reader for the certifi- cation process for Christian educators for the Presbyterian Church (USA) and taught at an adult educational workshop at Peachtree church, Atlanta, and at the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina Leadership School '93. He was a member of the Associa- tion of Theological Schools' visitation team to Southwestern Baptist Theo- logical Seminary to review the doc- toral degree in Christian education. Dr. Cram has reviewed Terry Muck's Those Other Religions in Your Neighbor- hood for Pastoral Theology, and written articles on the relation of children and preaching and children and spiritual- ity John F. Fife '72 is pastor of Northminster church, Chattanooga, TN Rebecca Parker, director of admissions, was keynote speaker for Presbyterian Women at the Roswell church, Roswell, GA, and at North- minster church, Macon, GA. She has been a Sunday morning speaker at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, Atlanta Paul Irwin '84 is pastor of White Lake church, White Lake, MI. He also owns and manages a recording studio and has done vide i soundtrack and radio productions for thePCOJSA). Deannine Haney (MAYM 84) and Steve Shipman were married in August 1992. She is director of Christian education at South High- land church, Birmingham, Al Robert Ramey, professor of ministry, has worked with the officers of the Newnan, GA, church in long- range planning and has completed a year-long consultation assignment with the Emory church, Atlanta. Dr. Ramey has preached at the Conyers, GA, church, and Rocky Springs church, Laurens, SC. He led an officers' retreat for the Community church of Pinehurst, NC, and a spirituality workshop at the Myers Park church, Charlotte, where he also preached Ann Fitzgerald (ThM '94) and Frank Aichinger (DMin '94) were married Oct. 16 in Chester, SC Samuel Hobson (DMin '92) has become pastor of the Point Pleasant, WV, church Bonneau Dickson *33, field representative, was recognized at the October meeting of Charleston Presbytery upon the sixtieth anniver- sary of his ordination. Marcia Riggs, associate professor of Christian ethics, led a workshop, "Re-Visioning Social Ministry in the African American Church," at First Baptist Church, Clarkston, GA, and was a panelist discussing the topic, "When Death Is Life: Womanist Perspectives on Evil and Suffering," at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion Walter Brueggemann, professor of Old BIRTHS To Mark '80 and Mary Diehl, a son, David Alexander, Sept. 4, 1993. To David '86 and Nancy Weitnauer, a son, John Samuel, Sept. 2, 1993. To Scott '88 and Carolyn Andrews, a son, Christopher Scott, July 23, 1993. To Rick '88 and Libby Harrod, two sons, Zachary James, July 8, 1992, and Joshua Levi, July 2, 1993. To Paul '88 and Jennifer Kirbas, a son, Bradley Riggins, Nov. 11,1993. To Bob '89 and Sheila Early, a daugh- ter, Kay tie Nell, Nov. 2, 1993. To David '92 and Lucy Scofield Bower- man 94, a daughter, Dessie Amanda, Nov. 15, 1993. To Jeff "93 and Jeanne '94 Reynolds, a daughter, Carette Lynn, Nov. 13, 1993. To Ben '93 and Amy Trawick, a daugh ter, Hannah Rae, Nov. 4, 1993. To Dale '94 and Vicki Sowers, a daugh ter, Rachel Caroline, Nov. 12, 1993. To Heemoon Lee '96 and Haekyung, a daughter, Jiy oung, Oct. 18,1993. DEATHS John Land 17, Columbia's oldest graduate, Nov. 7, 1993. Edwin R. Wilson '53, July 16, 1993. Hugh Esco '57, Oct. 16, 1993. Richard Austin '65, Mar. 23, 1993. Testament, preached at the inaugura- tion of Glenn Bucher, former dean and vice president at Columbia, as presi- dent of Graduate Theological Union and lectured at the inauguration of the dean of General Theological Semi- nary Dr. Brueggemann delivered the John S. Marten Family Lecture in Homiletics at St. Meinrad Seminary, the Schmeichen Lectures at Eden Theological Seminary, the William Porcher Dubose Lectures for the School of Theology at University of the South, and the Dunning Lectures at St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore. He has preached and lectured at Cove- nant church, Austin, TX; the Newnan, GA, church; Second church, Lexing- ton, KY; and Grace Covenant church, Asheville, NC. His articles have been published in Theology Today and Catholic Biblical Quarterly Davison Philips '43, president emeritus, was named pastor emeritus at the Decatur church, where the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination was celebrated also Thomas Rains '88 is pastor of the Shades Valley church, Birming- ham, AL. Lee Carroll '68, associate profes- sor of pastoral theology and director of supervised ministry, has led retreats for New Covenant church, Doraville, GA, and Village Chapel church, Charleston, WV. He has led a study with the Forsyth, GA, church John Patton, professor of pastoral theology, addressed a clergy confer- ence in Nashville, TN, on the topic, "Despair: Sickness or Sin?" ...Jake Marshall '93 is pastor of the Mon- ticello, GA, church Richard Diet- rich, director of the Lay Institute, has preached and taught at Second church, Spartanburg, SC; First church, Clarkesville, GA; and Buchanan First church, Grundy, VA. He preached at Chapel in the Pines church, Birming- ham, AL, and St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Rome, GA. Dr. Dietrich taught at First Christian Church, Decatur, GA, and for a presbytery elders' retreat at Grace Covenant church, Conyers, GA. His reviews have been published in Pastoral Psychology and Presbyterian Voice Ernestine Cole, associate dean of students, preached at Interdenomina- tional Theological Center; Trinity church, Decatur, GA; and Rice Memo- rial church, Atlanta Charles Talley '63 teaches in the humanities and the philosophy department at Edison Col- lege. Sara C. Juengst '83, director of continuing education, led a Christian education training weekend at West- minster church, Gulfport, MS, and a workshop on Christian education for Northeast Georgia Presbytery's leadership training event. She has preached at Lincolnton and Washing- ton, GA, and at Greater Atlanta Presbytery and attended a planning meeting for the Synod of South Atlantic's New Church Professionals' Conference. She has led retreats for ministers and educators of Charlotte Presbytery and the Westminster Fellowship students from South Carolina campuses Jung Han (DMin '86) is pastor of Hanmi Korean church, Atlanta Shirley Guthrie, professor of systematic theology, has led a course in Presbyterian beliefs for adults at Peachtree church, Atlanta; an officers' training event for a cluster of churches in north Georgia and for Idlewild church, Memphis; and taught at the Northminster and Mt. Vernon churches, Atlanta. Dr. Guthrie has taught at presbytery school in Sara- sota, FL, and lay schools at Mo Ranch and in Athens, GA James Hudnut- Beumler, executive vice president, dean of the faculty, and associate professor of religion and culture, preached at the Oakland Avenue church in Rock Hill, SC, and is a founding member of a group of progressive younger clergy Erskine Clarke '66, professor of American religious history, has essays published in Religion in South Carolina, Globaliza- tion of Theological Education, and Af- firmation. He was key-note speaker at a Smithsonian-sponsored symposium on "The Rise of Black Churches in Eastern American Cities, 1740-1877" at Stony Brook Museum, Long Island. Dr. Clarke served on the Montreat Centennial Committee and as clergy resource for the session of Central church, Atlanta. He publishes and edits journal for Preachers. Will Coleman '85, assistant professor of theology and hermeneu- tics, participated in a panel presenta- tion for the Association of Theological Schools and panel discussions at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion and the annual conference sponsored by the Christian Council of Metropolitan Atlanta. Dr. Coleman is revising his dissertation for publication and co-editing a text on black theology and African- Ameri- can literary criticism Brian Childs, professor of pastoral theology and counseling, completed the training of the AIDS, Addiction, Incarceration Bereavement Committee of Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church in Miami, FL, and preached there. He gave a lecture for the Board of Medical Regents in Ohio and taught short courses at Northeastern Ohio Univer- sities College of Medicine and at Princeton Seminary. Dr. Childs has published "Writing into the Lives of Patients" in Report from the Center of Vantage Volume 85, No. 3, Winter 1993-1994 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, G A 30031-0520 VANTAGE For the Record continued from page 6 The Rev. Sara C. Juengst (I) and Dr. Christine Wenderoth are leaving Columbia at the end of December after more than 22 years of service to the seminary. Ms. Juengst director of continuing education, is retiring to Willington, South Carolina. Dr. Wen- deroth, interim librarian and assistant professor of practical theology, has accepted the directorship of the library at Colgate Rochester Divinity School and will begin her duties there January 1. and for San Joaquin Presbytery. Dr. Johnson gave the Bigby Lectures at First church Bossier City, LA, and a theological update at First church, Hilton Head, SC. He was speaker at the Twelve/Seventy Conference for the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Inde- pendence, MO, and led a Growing in Faith preaching event for First church, Thomasville, GA, and a clergy retreat for Sacramento Presbytery Lib McGregor Simmons '79 is pastor of the University church in San Antonio, TX. the Center for Medicine, Literature, and the Health Care Professions in Hiram, OH. Ben Johnson, professor of evan- gelism and church growth, attended the Academy for Evangelism in Theological Education in Chicago and led workshops for New Hope Presby- tery; the Broadmoor church, Shre- veport, LA; and Presbytery of the Pacific. He led evangelism events and preached for First church, Dalton, GA, From the Bookstore No. of copies New titles by Columbia faculty members: Using God's Resources Wisely: Isaiah and Urban Possiblity by Walter Brueggemann Gender, Power, & Promise: The Subject of the Bible's First Story by Danna Nowell Fewell and David M. Gunn Additional new titles of interest: Book of Common Worship, Pastoral Edition published by Westminster/John Knox Retail Columbia price price $ 9.95 $ 8.46 $14.95 $12.71 Book of Common Worship, Daily Prayer published by Westminster/John Knox 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 $25.00 $21.21 $20.00 $16.96 Method of payment (please check one): check payable to CTS Bookstore (included with order) VISA MasterCard (please print information below): Visa/MasterCard# 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, GA 30031. Development I Seminary Relations By Frank Willey, Vice President for Development and Seminary Relations Year end 1993: A great time for giving appreciated property On behalf OP all students, faculty and stall at the seminary, 1 want to express deepest appre. iation to all of our 1993 funding partners who have supported Columbia Seminary's important mission m service to the church ol [esus Christ. Those of you still considering your year-end I haritable gifts may find the following Information helpful. According to Columbia's tax and planned giving counselors, 1993 maybe one of the best times ever for making gifts oi StCX k. personal residences, com- mercial real estate, or other kinds of apprei iated properh A Columbia alumnus recently gave $40,000 in stock to initiate an endowed scholarship fund. In years past, some people making a gilt Ol appro lated property l< ed I On- siderable tax problems through the Mtem.itix < Minimum Tax, which, In some cases, allowed a donor to deduct only his or her cost basis in the property, rather than the property's full fair market value I am Kapp) to reporl this problem has been eliminated through this year's t.i\ reforms. This year, a long-time friend of the seminary donated her $200,000 home to the seminary. Moreover, tax rates tor people with higher lm omes have been Int reased for 1993. For a person with a top marginal tax rate ol .6%, a charitable gifl valued at $100,000 will save him or her $ 19,600 I asl year the sa\ Ing8 would have been $31,000. In other words, now the same gill < an save a . ontnbutor $8,600 more this year than last A retired contributor recently gave $300,000 to the seminary in exchange for a life income plan. If you or someone vu know would like to evploie tin- benet its ol making a major charitable contribution or a gift of appreciated property to < olumbia please cut out and mail the following Request for a C onftdential Proposal to me. A member of our development and seminary relations staff will respond as soon as possible. Request for a confidential proposal I want to discover what tax advantages and benefits I could receive by making a charitable gift to the seminary in 1993. Name Age Spouse's Name, Address Age. Phone Number Type and fair market value of the property securities, real estate, etc., you are considering giving: Your cost basis in the property (if known) I am interested in learning more about Life Income Plans: I understand that I incur no obligation through this request and that this information will be held in strict confidence by the Development Office of Columbia Seminary. Signature Date Mail this form to: Frank Willey, Vice President for Development/Seminary Relations Columbia Theological Seminary P.O. Box 520, Decatur, Georgia 30031; 404/378-8821. WINTER 1993-94 Presbyterian Women invited to 'Come See Columbia Day' on April 14 Each year, Presbyterian Women from across the southern United States gather for the Columbia Friendship Circle's "Come See Columbia Day." This year's convocation will be April 14, 1994. Emily Wood, president of the Columbia Friendship Circle encour- ages attendance. "Presbyterian Women fom Columbia's parent synods (South Atlantic and Living Waters) have actively supported the mission and students of our semi- nary for more than 40 years. Every- one should have the opportunity to experience the festivities, worship, and inspiring student testimonies on the beautiful spring campus." The six recipients of the 1993-94 Columbia Friendship Circle Scholar- ships will speak: Dave Grove of Central Florida Presbytery; Marilyn Hedgpeth of New Hope Presbytery; Nancy M. Hendrix of Greater Atlanta Presbytery; Chip Blankinship of Sheppards and Lapsley Presbytery; Donald Winborne of Charlotte Presbytery; and Susie Johnson of Florida Presbytery. In 1992-93 the Columbia Friend- ship Circle gave a total of $31,870 to fund scholarships and a graduate fellowship for Columbia Seminary students. For more information about the Columbia Friendship Circle or "Come See Columbia Day," contact Barbara Poe, CFC Liaison, in the seminary's Office of Development and Seminarv Relations, 404/378- 8821. Conference on Ministry for prospective students February 25-27, 1994 To register or receive more information, call the Office of Admissions at the seminary, 404/378-8821. Available this spring! A gift for yourself or your pastor Columbia Alumni /ae Directory Columbia Theological Seminary is preparing a directory of all living alumni/ ae, which will be available in spring 1994. The directory will be sent to persons who contribute $25 or more to the Annual Fund. To receive this limited publication, order today by sending a check with the following information. Enclosed is my gift of $ Send directory to: Name (please print) Address ^__ City_ State _Zip_ Phone Cut and mail to the Office of Development, Columbia Seminary, P.O. Box 520, Decatur, GA, 30031-0520. Vantage Second Class Postage Paid at Decatur, GA Publication No. 124160 P.O. Box 520 Decatur, Georgia 30031 CONTENTS Forum 1994 1 Media program interprets the signs 1 Two seminaries worlds apart 2 Winter reading suggestions 2 Alum leads church to jubilee 3 Continuing Education Calendar 4 Conference on mental illness 5 For the Record 6 Year end 1993 7 CFC's 'Come See Columbia Day' 8 COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY