Columbia Theological Seminary Vantage, 70, number 5, Fall 1976

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Columbia 5eminory

The Seminary Chapel was filled to
overflowing when the new year be-
gan with the opening Convocation
and 67 new students were inducted
into the Seminary community.

J. Erskine Love, Jr., Chairman of
the Board of Directors, led the new
students in the pledge to the Seminary
and President J. Davison Philips
preached the evening sermon. Fol-
lowing the convocation faculty homes
were open and students and faculty
alike began the process of getting to
know each other.

When it is noted that Columbia
conferred 38 degrees last June to its
graduates, the increase in the num-
ber of students is more clearly out-
lined. Thirteen states and Japan arc
represented, and 1 1 of the 67 arc
women. It is clear from all indica-
tions that a resurgence in interest in
theological education is taking place
across the nation, and since 1972 the
PCUS has the second highest ( 159$ )
percentage increase in seminary en-
rollments.

Another change from the past is
the age of the incoming students;
they are considerably younger than
in the years immediately past. The
average age is 25, whereas just a
year ago the majority of the students
were in their 30's. More than 909&
are Presbyterians, though as in the
past, many different denominations
are represented. The interest con-
tinues as there are more than 20 ap-
plications in process for admission
a vear from now.

En f ollment 5horply lncreQ6ed

CONVOCATION BEGIN6 FfiLL TERM

Students eather at a faculty home ft'llnwtni; convocath

RICMPRD DODD6 JOIN6 6TPFF

Columbia Theological Seminary
has added to its staff the Rev. Rich-
ard A. Dodds as Director of Semi-
nary Relations.

In announcing this appointment.
President J. Davison Philips stated:
"Mr. Dodds brings to the work of
Columbia Seminary an excellent
background of experience as a preach-
er, pastor and administrator. He has
served his churches and Presbyteries
with distinction. Thus, we have high
expectations for his leadership in our
relationships with Church Courts,
with our graduates, and with pastors
and congregations of our supporting
synods. In addition to teaching cer-
tain elective courses at the Seminary,
he will be available to visit and preach
in our churches."

Mr. Dodds comes to Columbia
Seminary from serving as the Senior
Minister of the First Presbyterian
Church of Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Richard A . Dodds

His previous pastorates are the St.
Andrews Presbyterian Church- of
I See Dodds. page ft)

WITH OUR FPCULTY

Prof. Ormond

Dr. J. Will Ormond, J. McDowell
Richards Professor of Biblical Expo-
sition, has been awarded a grant from
the Advanced Religious Studies Foun-
dation of Houston, Texas, for re-
search work during the academic year
1 976-77. He is spending the year
preparing the manuscript for a book
on one of Paul's epistles. His specific
concern is to deal with the scholarly
questions in such a way as to highlight
the theological concerns relevant to
the parish minister in his regular

Prof. Gonzalez

duties of preaching and teaching. Dur-
ing this year he will be on other
campuses in both the United States
and England.

The General Assembly, at its June
meeting, directed the Mission Board
to name a special task force, "broad-
ly representative of viewpoints and
constituencies within the denomina-
tion, to design and lay plans for a
major consultation on the overseas
and domestic mission of the church."

Among the fifteen members ap-

Prof. Bonkin sky

pointed by the Mission Board at its
September meeting is Dr. Catherine
Gonzalez, Associate Professor of
Church History at Columbia.

Dr. Frederick (). Bonkovsky, Asso-
ciate Professor of Christian Ethics, is
spending both the Summer and Fall
Quarter in Germany studying "Urban
Ethics" under a grant received from
the Association of Theological
Schools. He will return to Columbia
in January.

PROM the PRE6IDENT

As I have shared the life of the
Seminary this Fall, and also the life
of the Church in many congregations
and Presbyteries, I am more con-
vinced than ever that the Seminary is
a joint mission with many Presbyteri-
ans. How grateful I am for the vision,
generosity and prayers of many of you
who join us in preparing men and
women for ministry in Christ's name
in the world of today!

Obviously, the students who are
here on Campus are one of the major
reasons for our existence. We are glad
that they come to us with commit-
ment and hope. They come in increas-
ing numbers. They will go into "all
the world." As they work and prepare
and learn, you are a vital part of the
Seminary's mission. More than sixty
first year students will need to be
placed in congregations next Summer
in Supervised Ministry programs.
Nine or 10 Doctor of Ministry stu-
dents will need 15 month internships
in churches or institutions under su-

pervision. All our students would
profit by preaching and teaching op-
portunities in local churches on week-
ends. These experiences are both
"learning" and "serving" experiences
and guarantee more eff fee live min-
isters for the Church.

More and more ordained ministers
return to Campus for workshops, lec-
tures, independent study and special
consultations. This keeps the Semi-
nary from being isolated, also, from
the Church.

More and more people are giving
to the Seminary program. Without
that, we would soon be badly crip-
pied. So, we go on together in this
task. Every gift, each prayer, and all
evidences of support are both essen-
tial and encouraging. As we go on
together. I am grateful to you all.

Faithfully yours,

tfCjUf^

J. Davison Philips

FACULTY FEQTUREi-Wocle P Muie, Jr.

October 3. 1976
Dear Atiemo,

Today I celebrated World Wide
Communion Sunday by hearing a
sermon from Dora Owusu. missionary
from Ghana to Atlanta Presbyter),
and by imagining you and other
Ghanaian friends seated with us at
the Table. The occasion deepened my
appreciation of "the holy catholic
church" and stirred my memories of
many happenings during my sabbati-
cal year in Ghana.

On our first day at Trinity Col-
lege you as President of the Student
Body welcomed us to our campus
home. On our last day in June you
presented a drum and a tray with six
mahogany cups to the six Huies. We
are all grateful for the warm hospi-
tality expressed by you and the
other 90 students.

Remember the fun we had in class
when I had difficulty understanding
Ghanaian English and you had diffi-
culty with Georgia English? Remem-
ber the liveK discussion on the ordi-
nation of women? With Presbyterian
approval voted in August you will no
doubt be having some women stu-
dents, and maybe the Episcopalians
and Methodists will soon vote their
approval too. Remember the deep
concern we all felt as we talked about
the significance of life expectancy in
Ghana at 44 years and in the USA
71 years, per capita gross national
product in Ghana $300 and the USA
$5600? Remember some of the other
issues before us preaching where
a military dictatorship limits free-
dom, developing stewardship among
the poor to serve even the poorer,
witnessing in a nation with over 100

I am glad to have served in an in-
stitution belonging to the Episcopali-
ans, Methodists and Presbyterians of
Ghana and to have as colleagues
teachers from Ghana, Scotland, Eng-
land and Germany as well as the
United States.

I came to teach homiletics but
soon found myself also teaching
church history. Another surprise came
when the Board of Governors voted
to change the Trinity program from
four years to three years and I was
asked to lead in planning a new cur-
riculum. I am especially interested in
hearing how the new approaches in
Field Education and in Worship are
being implemented.

native languages but where many
speak English as a second language,
planning music, dress and a style of
worship that reflects Ghana more
than the West?

The deep Christian commitment of
so many students impressed me. With
no housing for wives and children,
you have to leave family at home and
usually see them only at Christmas
and Easter. When you graduate, you
cannot expect to make as much as
$100 a month plus a house and in
your lifetime not be able to double
that with cost of living 50% higher
than in our country. Still for each
opening at Trinity this fall more than
six persons took the examination to

qualify.

1 realize now how after graduation
the minister faces difficulty in secur-
ing books for his library because of
limited funds and restrictions on
foreign exchange. I am glad that last
year through Columbia Seminary we
could ship about 300 books to the
Trinity library. Perhaps other addi-
tions can be made there, and we can
also discover ways of helping some
of the graduates with their personal
collections.

For the tie that binds Columbia to
Trinity, the Presbyterian Church in
the United States to the Presbyterian
Church of Ghana, and me to you
and your colleagues in ministry and
mission there. I am most grateful. It
is good that Harry Petersen (Colum-
bia '57) will be returning in January
to begin his sixth year there as part-
time teacher, and MacLean Kumi
(Columbia '74) will continue as oc-
casional lecturer and as chairman of
candidates for the Methodist Church.
! will keep trying to make music with
the drum you presented mc which re-
minds me of the drums that called us
all to worship every morning at 6:45
and every evening at 7:00.

Thanks for your contribution to my
learning and teaching experience, for
adding to the global dimension of my
faith, for the fun and joy you shared
with the Huies, and for the prayers
you promised. We are indebted to
you and yours!

MedassL

^jffrJj^%ASJl>

Wade P. Huie, Jr.

COLUM5IP FELLOW6UIP OWfiRD WINNER6-1Q7b

Each year Columbia awards up to
five Fellowships to persons who have
shown significant academic and lead-
ership abilities during their under-
graduate study. The fellowships are
for one academic year only and cover
full room, board, tuition and fees.
Applications must be submitted by
March 15 each year and are awarded
on April \5.

Here are the 1976 winners:

Earl Van Buren Blankenship, 11.
Buren comes from Talladega. Ala-
bama, a National Merit Scholar who
received his B.A. from Presbyterian
College. He is a Blue Key holder and
also received the P.C. Founder'.-*
Scholarship, the Herk Wise Ministeri-
al Student Scholarship and the Hay
Scholarship. He is under care of the
Presbytery of North Alabama.

William Edward Kelly, Jr. Bill is a
Presbyterian from Winter Park, Flor-
ida, and received his B.A. from Duke
University. He was Vice-President of
his Senior Class and academically
achieved Dean's List status.

Peter Rene Roest. Peter is a Pres-
byterian from Columbia. South Caro-
lina, and received his B.A. from the
University of South Carolina. While
in school he served in the ROTC (Lt.
Col. ) and graduated Magna Cum
Laude in Philosophy.

William Barnett Wade, Jr. Billy is
a Decatur Presbyterian who also at-
tended Presbyterian College, receiv-
ing his B.A. Cum Laude in 1975. His
achievements include the Outstand-
ing Senior Award, the Blue Key, Ju-
dicial Council. Student Council, Co-
ordinator of Volunteer Services and
the Hay Fellowship. Following grad-
uation, he spent one year as admis-
sions counselor at Presbyterian Col-
lege.

James Arthur Wood. Arthur is
from Bethesda. Maryland, and re-
ceived his B.A. from Washington and
Lee University. A Presbyterian, re-
served as Senior Class President, and
achieved both the Honor Roll and
Dean's List. He did research work in
psychology while in school.

From Hill Kelly, Buren Hlunkcn\hip;
Standing Billy Wade; Hack Petei
Roest, Art Wood.

Save these dates

PLUMNI WEEK- Jonuory 2b -28, 1Q77

CTS RECEIVES BEQUESTS

Bequests from the estates of Hoy
Lovejoy Shannon and Miss Flora
Estelle Gillis have added more than
$25,000 to the Endowment Fund of
Columbia Seminary. It is the Chris-
tian commitment of individuals such
as these who have, throughout the
years, aided Columbia so significant-
ly. Just as public acknowledgement
of these gifts is appropriate, so it is
hoped these examples of Christian
stewardship will encourage others to
consider the needs of the Church
when writing their wills. There is no
better way to perpetuate commitment
for all the days to come.

COLUMBIA BOARD MEMBER
SERVES DENOMINATION

Members of the Board of Directors
of Columbia continue in the tradition
of serving the denomination as a
whole. Last year the Rev. Paul Edris
of Daytona was elected Moderator of
the General Assembly. Now it is re-
ported that Frank M. Mitchener, Jr..
a layman from Sumner, Miss., is the
chairman of the Permanent Nomi-
nating Committee of the Presbyterian
Church U.S.

THE COLLEGE
CONFERENCE

February 11-13, 1977

For college students
considering the
ministry

THE CONFERENCE
ON THE MINISTRY

April 15-17, 1977

For post-college adults
who may be considering
a change in vocation

DR. KLINE CONTINUES
RECOVERY

It is a pleasure to report that for-
mer President C. Benton Kline under-
went successful by-pass surgery in
Birmingham during the summer and
is recovering normally.

He continues on sabbatic leave dur-
ing the Fall Quarter and will return
to full-time teaching at Columbia in
January, 1977. During this quarter
he has been named the first Wallace
McPhcrson Alston Visiting Professor
at Agnes Scott College. The Alston
Chair is in the department of Bible
and religion.

Upon announcing Dr. Kline's ap-
pointment. Agnes Scott President
Marvin B. Perry, Jr.. said, '"It is
particularly fitting that Professor
Kline be the first incumbent of the
Alston Chair. Dr. Kline joined the
Agnes Scott faculty in 1951, the first
year of President Alston's administra-
tion. By general agreement he was
one of the most effective, popular and
respected teachers in the faculty dur-
ing the *5()s and '60s."

COLUM5IR'6

NEW 6TUDENT6

Edward Lane Alderman, Jr. Nashville. TN
Ronald Joseph Allen Clinton. SC
Carol Denton Ayres Tucker. GA
Philip H. Baynes Reidsville. NC
Earl Van Buren Blankenship, II Talladega. AL
Richard Henry Brooks Sheffield. AL
Royce Leonard Browder Anniston. AL
Glen Albert Busby Gainesville, FL
Jimmy M. Cantey Decatur. GA
Clyde B. Carter Conyers. GA
David E. Chadwick Orlando. FL
Daniel R. Cline Atlanta. GA
John Wiley Dennis Conway. SC
Fred Craven Douglas, Jr. Huntersville. NC
Scott Gregory Downing Coral Gables. FL
Warner Robert Durnell West Chester, PA
Charles Ligon Evans Tampa, FL
Barry Dean Ferguson Gainesville. FL
Sanford M. Fitzsimmons Doraville. GA
Floren Francis Fisher Keystone Heights, FL
Michael Clay Fleenor Kingsport. TN
Truman Burgess Geeslin York, AL
Donald Raymond Guterman Donaldson. GA
John Coxwell Hall Atlanta, GA
Dolores Morris Hayward Tucker, GA
Sally Lodge Henderson Charlotte, NC
Kenneth Monroe Hicks Florence. SC
Brad Lawrence Huff Marianna. FL
William Edward Kelly. Jr. Winter Park
John Edward Kelsay Norfolk, VA
Crawford Abel King, III St. Louis, MO
Arthur C. Knorr Miami, FL
J. Bruce Lancaster Monroe. LA
Charles Russell Lee. Jr. Hamer. SC
Gregory Ennis Loskoski Anderson. SC
Joan Fisher Mackey Atlanta, GA
W. Tyler Martin Atlanta. GA
Harry Hunter McCall Salem, SC
George H. McDonald Florence, AL
Edward Lewis McIIwain Columbia. SC
Sandra Marilyn McQueen Easley, SC
Judith W. Moore Atlanta. GA
Casmero John Moriale Tampa, FL
Richard Montgomery Nelson Swainsboro, GA
Robin Shane Owens Clinton, SC
John Nelson B. Pope Bradenton. FL
Christopher Allen Price Atlanta. GA
William Hunter Ralston Atlanta. GA
Todd Jane Reagan Tokyo, Japan
Gary demons Record Chattanooga, TN
Richard Neil Robinson Atlanta. GA
Peter R. Roest Columbia. SC
Kathryn Hooks Sandifer Tucker. GA
William Judson Shaw Prospect, KY
Edward S. Slade Quincy, FL
Harmon Andrew Smith Conyers. GA
Gary Robert Soop Winter Park, FL
John Hillman Stuhl Orlando. FL
Elaine M. Trimm Kansas City. MO
Daniel Myron Van Buren Jackson, Ml
William Barnett Wade, Jr. Decatur, GA
George M. Walton Washington, GA
Philip Albert Williams Chiplcy. FX
J. Arthur Wood Rockvjlie, MD
Joseph Rennie Woody, Jr. Bristol. TN
Bowling Cox Yates, HI Marietta, GA
Emmie Caldwell Young Atlanta, GA

>fantoqg.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

Following each mailing of Van-
tage up to 200 arc returned be-
cause we have incorrect addresses.
The cost to the Seminary for these
returns has now risen to 25c each.
That is a $50 expenditure that can
be saved if you will let us know
when you move. Thank you.

FURTHER GRADUATE PLACEMENTS

ANDREA EDDINGS PFAFF AHLERS. Director of United Ministries Center,

Florida State University. Tallahassee. Fla. (Joint call with her husband

Jack)

JAMES DAVID ANDERSON. Minister for Music, Clairmont Presbyterian

Church. Decatur, Ga.
MADISON MAXWELL HIGHF1LL, 3 Church field in Charleston, W. Va.:

Putney Memorial, Hillsdale, and Belle Presbyterian Churches.
MILLIE B. MATTISON. Interim Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church. Rt. 11.

Box 972. Fort Myers, Fl. 33901
ALPHONSO NATHANIEL McLEAN, Pastor. Washington Shores Presbyteri

an Church, Orlando, Florida
BENNETT LANNEAU SCOTT. Director of Lay Ministries, St. Giles Presby-
terian Church, Richmond, Va.
CARY GOUGH SPEAKER. Clinical Work at Baptist Memorial Hospital.

Birmingham. A!.
BARRY EDWARD WILBORN, Chattooga County Presbyterian Ministries.

Cherokee Presbytery, Ga.

DODDS (continued)
Tucker. Georgia; the Kirkwood Pres-
byterian Church of Atlanta. Georgia
and the East Belmont Presbyterian
Church in Belmont. North Carolina.
While at the St. Andrews Church in
Atlanta Presbytery, he was a visiting
instructor in Bible and Evangelism
at Columbia Seminary.

He is a graduate of Gettysburg
College C49). He earned his B.D.
C54) and Th.M. (*6I) degrees at
Columbia Theological Seminary. He
is a candidate for the D.Min. degree
at Austin Theological Seminary.

With twenty-two years in the parish
ministry. Mr. Dodds brings to this

new work a wealth of experience as
a pastor and a churchman. He served
as the Chairman of the following
committees: Committee on Educa-
tional Institutions ( Synod of Geor-
gia). Commission on the Minister's
Work (Atlanta Presbytery). Church
Extension Committee (Atlanta Pres-
bytery). He was the Moderator of
the Presbytery of the Pines in 1975.

Prior to entering the ministry, he
served in the U.S. Air Force during
W.W. II as a radio operator on a
B-17. Upon the completion of his
college degree he taught school in
Laurel. Maryland.

Dick and his wife, Betty, will be

Columbb

Theological

&eminary

living at 736 Kirk Road on the Semi-
nary Campus. The Dodds have a
daughter, Roberta, who is attending
the Presbyterian School of Christian
Education in Richmond, Virginia.
Their son. John, is a Senior at St.
Andrews Presbyterian College in
Laurinburg, North Carolina.

As the Director of Seminary Rela-
tions he will have the responsibility
of relating the Seminary to the
Church Courts, the Columbia Friend-
ship Circle, and the Alumni. He will
also be involved in the placement of
ministers, publicizing the work of the
Seminar\. and in helping to strength*
en its financial resources.

COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, DECATUR, GEORGIA 30031
Vol. 70, No. 5 / Fall, 1976
Eugene H. Tennis, Editor
Published Quarterly

Second Class
Postage
Paid .ii

( )e< atur, Ga.