Columbia Theological Seminary Vantage, 78, number 1, Spring 1986

COLUMBIA SEMINARY

Vantage

SPRING 1986

Columbia begins
course on experiencing
alternative context

Hove DOES THE church relate to a
volatile world which becomes smaller
each year? As one way of seeking
responses to this question, Columbia
Seminary has developed a new course:
Alternative Contextual Experience
Now in its first year, the course, a
carefully designed part of the
curriculum, requires students to
examine the nature of an unfamiliar
social context and how the church
ministers within it.

During the second year of
seminary, students take the Alternative
Context course. They may choose to
work during the fall semester in
Atlanta with public housing, prisons,
or shelters for homeless people, or
they may spend the month of January
in the Caribbean, Central America, or
Central Europe.

The overseas segment of this
course particularly emphasizes
Columbia's growing commitment to
international theological education. Dr.
Erskine Clarke, director of the
international program, reports, "Over
half of Columbia's second-year

students have had an international
experience as a result of this year's
Alternative Context course. This
experience is part of our international
program.''

During the international
experience, students explore a radically
different culture and observe how the
church functions in the society. Before
leaving Columbia, students attend
lectures related to their particular
region. During the course, students
work on individual projects which
focus on politics, economics, family,
therapy, art, or religion as a way of
trying to understand the society.
Church leaders in each country help
organize the three-week trips and
make important contacts for the
groups. Because of this invaluable aid,
the students are able to meet with
significant leaders in numerous fields.
After returning to Columbia, all three
groups come together for a debriefing
and evaluation period.

Many students describe the trips
to Jamaica, Central America, and
Germany as pivotal experiences in

Columbia students in Central America pose for a group picture in Costa Rtu

their theological education. John
Barbour, who traveled in Central
America, claimed, "It was a rich, life-
changing experience. We lived in the
countries. We couldn't escape to our
affluent world. It truly challenged our
concepts of religion and culture."

John's group of eight students,
along with Professor Catherine
Gonzalez, spent three weeks in Costa
Rica, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. The
group went first to Costa Rica because
of us stable political atmosphere.

While they were in San Jose, they
talked with political leaders and exiles
from both Nicaragua and El Salvador.

Dr. Gonzalez reported, "The
divisions in Nicaragua were a great
change after Costa Rica. Even the
church is divided between traditional
views and the ideas of liberation "
She continued, "We learned so much
about the situation because the people
of Nicaragua are naturally gregarious.
We met with church leaders, but we
Continued on pa%e 2

Lay Institute created
with $1,000,000 gift

Vice President for Development /Seminary Relations James F. Dickenson, Vice Presi-
dent for Business Affairs Sidney Anderson, and President Philips receive check for
$1,000,000 from anonymous couple.

An anonymous Presbyterian couple
has made a one million dollar
commitment to Columbia Theological
Seminary and its continuing education
program, President J. Davison Philips
announced. The gift will create the
Lay Institute of Faith and Lite, with
the purpose of establishing a more
extensive continuing education
program for lay men and women.

"We are deeply grateful for the
vision and generosity of these donors.
An institute of this magnitude will
have significant impact in the Church
and the world. In addition to
increasing our continuing education
offerings for lay persons on our
campus, we will now be able to take
these programs to our constituency in
other locations in partnership with
presbyteries," Dr. Philips said

Columbia Seminary, recognizing
that it has responsibility for the
education of laity as well as clergy,

has developed the second largest
continuing education (non-credit)
program of the eleven Presbyterian
theological schools nationwide. The
Lay Institute of Faith and Lite will
enhance and broaden these continuing
education programs for laity
throughout the Southeast.

This gift will provide funds each
year for salaries of professors and
support personnel, the administrative
costs for conducting the courses at the
seminary and in other locations,
monies for library acquisitions, a
resource center, and other related
expenses.

Some projected areas for a lay
education program include officer
training, revitalization of
congregations, equipping of laity for
pastoral care and youth work, the
relationship of the Christian taith to
current issues, and theological study
tours. D

From the President

J. Davison Philips

Alternative Context

Continued from page 1

were also included in a community
meeting which was organizing a new
neighborhood in Managua."

The week in El Salvador brought
the group very close to war. John
Barbour said, "We felt the tear of
war when we heard the bombs at
night. The power of faith took on a
new meaning when we saw how high
the cost of discipleship can be in
Central America." The group met
( hristians who have remained strong
during persecution and began to
understand the hardships of living in
a culture which opposes Christianity.

The trip to Jamaica, let by
professors Clarke and Robert Ramey,
was based in Kingston, where the
group talked with top Jamaican
political leaders, met with the U S
Ambassador, and walked through the
meanest slum areas. The group also
heard special lectures and visited
various parts of the island. Karen
Walkup, one of ten students on the
trip, responded, "The contrasts that
we saw in lifestyles were over-
whelming It was uncomfortable,
unsettling It made me realize in a
vivid way that we have many of the
same inequalities in the United
States

The group in Jamaica had several
opportunities to observe the church at
work in both urban and rural settings.
It was an encouraging and inspiring
experience. In one particularly
depressed urban community, a local
congregation worked with people as
they struggled for a new sense of
personal dignity and economic
independence Karen said, "There is a
mutuality in the ministry there. The
church works with the people to
determine and meet community
needs."

Six students traveled to Europe
and faced the complex situation of
Berlin. The group spent a week
visiting cities in East Germany before
settling in Berlin for two weeks. Dr.
Fred Bonkovsky, leader of the group,

By this TIME m the academic year,
we have had more than LOO
prospective students visit Columbia
Semmar\ They represent various

categories college students, second
career candidates for ministry, men,
women, Americans and internationals,
various racial groups. The things that
they have in common arc their
commitment to Christ in response to
a call to faith and their growing sense
Of a call to ministry. Our faculty and
Staff, under the leadership of Dr Phil
Gehman and Ruth Tidd of the
admissions office, coordinate an
intensive effort to provide information,
offer personal counsel, and admit those
who have the faith, qualifications, and
attitude which make effective
ministers for Christ and the Church.

What do they find here? They
find a seminary of the Presbyterian
Church, with a campus and faculty

which are eminently suited for the
purpose of educating and nurturing

ministers.

Professor Hendnkus Berkhof or
Leiden, Holland, wrote to me recently
with appreciation for his experience as
Smyth Lecturer at the annual
Columbia Forum in February. He
expressed his greatest appreciation for

the opportunity to become
acquainted with a place of sound and
joyful learning."

I am glad that such an evaluation
appears to me to be quite accurate.
God is blessing us through the
prayerful support of Presbyterians and
other friends of Columbia. I pray that
we may use our resources and
opportunities to the fullest for God's
glory'

Faithfully yours,

explained the emphasis on Berlin by
citing the unusual mixture of four
cultures which they observed in the
city: Socialist, Turkish immigrants,
American military, and West German
culture. Bonkovsky commented, "We
had remarkable exposure to socialism
in East Berlin It was both scary and
challenging for us." He added,
Visiting Berlin is like taking a crash
course on the twentieth century." The
students had direct contact with
significant ethical and theological
issues which impact the modern

world.

Bill McKissack, a student on the
trip, reacted strongly to the divisions
within Germany. He said, "There is a
great wound in Germany. It splits
families and causes grief. The signs of
the Holocaust and death are very
evident in Berlin. It's shocking."

The German church stands at the
center of the Protestant heritage and
at the center of the contemporary
culture The group was able to visit
the famous church at Wittenberg,
where Luther nailed his 95 Theses,
but they also saw the modern church
at work. Dr. Bonkovsky said, "The
church belongs to the people. It is a
revelation to sec an emphasis on
weekday activities rather than Sunday
worship The church gets very
involved in social services

For all of the second-year
students, whether they experienced the
urban culture of Atlanta or the culture
of a different country, the Alternative
Context program challenged American
concepts and patterns of living. By
grappling with the concerns and
questions of other people, the students
developed new perspectives. As a
result, they claim a better
understanding of American culture
and its relation to other cultures.
However, the challenges remain How
is God at work in society' What
should the church's role be in society?
There is no simple answer. As one
Jamaican minister expressed it, "I
don't think the Christian life is
intended to be comfortable."

John A. Conant, Chairman

$6,000,000

effort

underway

Columbia Seminary has. launched its
Toward 2000 Capital Campaign to
secure $6,000,000 over the next two
years. Campaign activity began Jan. 1,
1986.

Chairman of the campaign, John
A. Conant, of the John Harland
Corporation, Atlanta, has announced
that as of Mar. 1, 1986, one-third of
the goal has been committed in
pledges and gifts.

The goals of the campaign are to
secure funds for a continuing
education program, one new endowed
professorship, renovations for four
buildings (Campbell Hall, Student
Center, Friendship Hall, and the John
Bulow Campbell Library), the
international student exchange
program, student scholarships, and

construction for two new buildings, a
continuing education center and a
media center.

President J. Davison Philips has
said, "Presybtenans look to Columbia
as a place to educate and nurture
church leaders. Columbia is faced with
great opportunities and challenges
today, new and significant resources in
endowments are needed as we move
toward the twenty-first century. May
God bless and lead us in this great
campaign."

Because the campaign will not be
conducted in churches, sessions of
churches will not be contacted. This
campaign is an effort to contact
individuals who have an interest in
theological education and foundations/
corporations which have expressed
interest in Columbia Seminary and its
programs. The members of the
committee as well as the seminary
community believe that the campaign
goal is attainable and necessary; the
seminary needs to secure additional
funding to prepare itself for the
twenty-first century.

This two-year campaign is the
first step. Phase I, of securing
$45,000,000. The Board of Directors
has approved a fifteen-year, three-
phase campaign to meet the needs
detailed in the Toward 2000 Report.
Phase II will come in the early 1990s,
and Phase III will take place in the
latter part of the next decade.

Guided by the need for strong,
outstanding leadership throughout the
Presbyterian Church (USA), Columbia
has as its mission the preparation of
ministers of Christ for service in the
church, the community, and the
world This mission extends to
nurturing those already ordained
through a program of lifetime
learning, and to serving as a
theological research center for the
entire church.

The seminary combines the
strength of its Christian commitment
and heritage with the people and
programs gathered to fulfill its
mission. Columbia provides a strong
educational and spiritual foundation
and a caring community for
developing leaders of the church.

Columbia functions in the present,
but it also has an eye on the future.
As we look toward the beginning of
the next century, the seminary will be
well -prepared for the new ministers of
Christ by the year 2000.

Campaign Committee

John A. Conant, Chairman

Atlanta, GA
Howell E. Adams Atlanta, GA

William T. Bryant Nashville TN

John R. Chambless

Montgomery, AL

Ludwick M. Clymer Fort Myers. FL

Howard Ector Atlanta, GA

Florida Ellis Atlanta, GA
Langdon S. Flowers Thomasvtlle, GA

Edward P. Gould Atlanta. GA

James V. Johnson Columbus. GA
P. Randolph Kowalski Greenville. SC

J. Erskine Love Atlanta. GA

W. Sloan McCrea Miami. FL
William J. Noonan, Jr. Pensacola. FL

Joseph E. Patrick Decatur. GA

Hansford Sams, Jr. Decatur. GA

John H. Weitnauer Decatur. GA

Two for
the ministry

"Mom. somebody told me that
you're going to be a minister!" Laura
Rains* teenaged daughter was
beginning to realize the full import of
her mother's theological studies.
Indeed, Laura and Tom Rains
surprised many people by their
separate decisions to enter Columbia
Seminary. After two decades of
marriage, family, and careers, Tom
and Laura are now full-time students
preparing for the ministry.

The decision came first for Laura
and was the culmination of many
varied experiences. She had attended
Agnes Scott before leaving in 1964 to
be married. Returning fifteen years
later, Laura finished her degree in art
and also pursued an interest in
English literature. She graduated in
1981 when she was expecting her
third child, Thomas.

During the intervening years
Laura had become active in the
Atlanta Junior League, serving as the
president in 1977. For four years in
the late 1970s she served as a lay
member of the Judicial Qualifications
Commission for the state of Georgia.
This commission researches cases
involving judges, and Laura's term as
a member taught her much about the
justice system.

In addition, Laura and a partner
started a small publishing company in
1975 to produce materials on Atlanta
for the bicentennial. Laura is still
involved with the business, but she
works on projects only as time allows.
Laura also had a full-time job as
mother to daughters Laura and Adair,
who are now 18 and 15.

When Laura returned to Agnes
Scott, she was not actually thinking of
seminary. "During my senior year,
they put up material for Columbia's
weekend for prospective students, and
I kept bumping into it everywhere I
went," Laura explains. She attended
the conference and also met with
Professor Ben Kline, who had been
dean at Agnes Scott during Laura's
first years there. Laura smiles as she
remembers, "It all made sense. Pieces
of my experiences fit together, and
bells started ringing."

Laura knew she was called to
ministry, but responding took much
preparation both for her and the
whole family. She began to take one
course at a time starting in 1982
while her son Thomas was still an
infant. Last year she moved to halt-
time status. After much patient
waiting, she finally became a lull-time
student this past fall. "I am anxious
and hungry to learn. I just wish I had
36 hours a day to juggle everything,"
she says.

Tom finished the application
process for Columbia last May and
jumped directly into the summer
Greek school. He admits, "I kept
running into ministry in everything I
did, and 1 finally gave in. However, I
wouldn't tell anyone that I was a
seminary student for a long time "

Tom graduated from Washington
and Lee in June of 1963 and later
received a master's in business

Laura and Tom Rains

administration from Emory University
in 1980. For eighteen years, Tom
worked in Atlanta with real estate
investments and other business
ventures.

After finishing a big development
project in 1981, Tom began to
explore other business options. "I
didn't realize that I was exploring
options for my whole life," Tom
explains. Tom had been serving on
the board of directors for Northside
Hosital, and this position had become
an avocation for him. With thoughts
of combining interests in health care
with his work in the church, Tom
joined a PC(USA) Mission Board trip
to Zambia, Africa, in 1984 and
studied their health care facilities.

Though this experience nudged
him toward ministry, he became more
convinced when he spoke with an
Emory business professor about the
possibility of teaching graduate
courses. Instead of encouraging
teaching, the professor urged Tom to
talk about ministry with Dr. Charles
Cousar at Columbia. As a result, Tom
gave in, left the business world, and
is now a full-time student handling
the hectic pace of first year studies.
Both Tom and Laura cite their
experiences at Peachtree Presbyterian
Church in Atlanta as influential factors
in their calls to ministry. "The
training events and biblical study gave
us an excellent background for
seminary," Laura claims. Tom adds
that responsibilities such as teaching
Sunday school and co-chairing the
Mission Committee and the Every
Member Canvass Committee gave
them both opportunities for service
and leadership in the church. The
combined knowledge and experience
proved to be very helpful in leading
them to seminary.

The younger members of the
Rains family are still adjusting to the
huge change which has taken place in
the household. "When Mom went
back to school, it was okay. When
Dad went also, the children wondered
if it was something they would
catch," Laura explains. Although the

basic family values have not changed ,
the total commitment to ministry has
stirred Up the family lifestyle.

When Mom and Dad leave well
established jobs for school, the style of
living changes accordingly Tom Sfl
"We're taking back the lifestyle thai
we had given to our children All of a
sudden. Dad is cutting back on
expenses and allowances ." Laura
affirms, This has definitely caused
growth in the family unit that would
not have occurred otherwise. However,
it is not without pain, and thai pain
comes in different forms for different
family members."

Tom and Laura have found that
friends arc generally supportive of
their decisions. Tom states, "When
you say you're in seminary, it is
initially a conversation stopper Then
most people become very interested in
learning about what you're doing."
Laura reasons that it is not unusual
for a friend who has seen you in one-
role to have a bit of difficulty
adjusting to your new position.
However, reactions to their pursuing
ministry, both individually and as a
couple, have been affirming.

When speaking of the difficulties
of the present situation, Laura says,
"We're still trying to absorb the
tremendous amount of change in our
lives." Tom's decision to enter
seminary last summer was a quick
one, and he claims that he is still
catching up with himself. Though
both admit the confusion of accepting
so much change after nineteen years of
stability, Laura and Tom affirm the
guidance of God as they look ahead.
Both Laura and Tom would like
to work in a parish and be involved
with preaching and teaching. Laura
affirms, "We have individual calls.
While we would enjoy working
together, we do not want to put that
constraint on the process of finding a
church. ' This summer they will be in
different locations as they fulfill the
course requirements for full-time
supervised ministry.

Meanwhile, Laura and Tom, who
are one of seven clergy couples at

Columbia, an i njoj ing thi academii

challenges at the seminary. Tom
especially enjoys hearing tht perspec-
tives Ol smaller Presbyterian churches
au<.\ absorbing stimulating ilassroom
material lama States, I can see doors

opening w i i ould nevei imagini tht

was pieces ol our lives are (Hit

together I am learning what I didn't

even know I needed 10 learn about

ministrj

i in pieces ol lif< s i icpei ieno s an
coming togi thei as I om and I aura

have time for Study and reflection at
seminary. Things mesh you begin

to tie disciplines together," Tom says
\ iiu j t... us "ii mi.li rstanding
themselves, the church, and thi
changing world, lama and Tom
articulate the challenge ol ministi |

\\ i have i" undi rstand peopli . to
use .an experience and background to
give meaning to the Gospel That s

whai ii s all aboUl "Q
WrttK S X8 is from Man-

illa, GA.

Graduation '86

COLI MBl \ Si MINAM ILl hold its

1986 I ommencemeni i tercisi
Decatur Presbyti nan < hun h on
Sunday [unt I . at A p.m. Some loo
studt ins will receive degrt i s; more

than (>0 students will receive ill' lii 51
professional degree the Doctor of

Ministry m Sequence, thi Mastei ol
Divinity, the- MA in Vouch Ministrj
or thi M A m 1 1" ologii al Studii s
The n maindet ol tht graduate s will
receivt thi Mastei ol Theology oi thi

Doitor ol Ministrj in Ministry
degrees

Speakers for this year s exert ises

are both distinguished graduates of
( olumbifl I hi R.I \ Joanna Adams

'78 will preach the Baccalaureati
sermon ai ( i rural Presbyterian Church
on June I at 1 1 a.m. M. Adams,
associate pastor and minister to tht
community at ( entral, is presideni ol
the YW(.A of Metropolitan Atlanta
and .i member ol the Brit I Stan m< m
Committee, Presbyterian < hurch
(USA) She is a member of
Columbia's Presidential Search

( Committee and has served as
presideni oi the seminary's Alumni ai
Assoi iation

Dr I Mans Daniel 66 this

year's Commencement speaker, is
pastoi "i 'Ii' Decatur Presbytt rian
Chun ii He i arned tht Ph I) from
VanderbUl University ami tau
beginning Greek for the DivinifJ
School dure He has also served .is

adjuni i professor at Louisville
Presbyterian Theological Seminar)
Before coming to Decatur, Dr. Daniel

was minister of the first Presbyterian

( hurch, Paducah, KY

Saturday, Maj J I, is filled with
activities in preparation lor graduation
the following day At 2 SO p.m.,
following graduation rehearsal, the
faculty will hold a reception honoring
the graduates and (heir guests in the
Student (enter Next, the Columbia
Choir will present "God's Trombones''
with poems by John Weldon Johnson
in the seminary chapel at A JO.
Saturday culminates with a dinner tor
the graduates, their families and

friends, and tht faculty at 6 p.m. m
the Student Center.

Continuing

Education

Calendar

For further information or to register for courses, call or write.
Douglas W. Hix, Director of Advanced Studies, or
Sara C. juengst, Associate Director of Advan d Stud.e ,

Columbia Theological Sem.nary, Decatur, GA 3003 1 / 404 :) / b<^

May 23-25 Together ,N Mission: An Interna Living Experim i
"rVamiues A weekend exper.ence in "^'^.""^r^W
Calvin Center. Coordinators: Sara Cov.n juengst and Fahed Abu Akel.
Cost $45 per adult; $35 per child

June 16-27 At Montreal, NC Credit courses* Offered jointly by
?tt J1SSLTSSS Taught by T. Ersk.ne Clarke, Columb.a

^T^ SACRAMENTS IN CONGREGATION*! LIFE Taught by D Cameron
Murchison, Union professor,

^O^^t^ZZ^TGo For*: God's G^M *
G-^. THE WOMEN'S STUDY BOOK FOP ^^J^^L
Jud.th Todd, the author, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA. <~ost

2 2 THE B.BLE As CANON Taught by James A. Sanders, Clairmont School
of Theology, Clairmont, CA. Cost $50.

3 NEW &FSBYTER1AN LITURGIES ON THE SACRAMENTS Taught by

Catherine G. Gonzalez, Columbia professor. Cost $30.

4 ROLE EXPECTATIONS EOR CLERGY W,v* Taught by Carohne Leach.
Associate Dean of Students at Columbia Cost $50

5. A Look at Habits of the Heart. Taught by Douglas W. Hix,
Columbia professor. Cost $50. Johnson

6. SIXTH ANNUAL SCHOOL OF EVANGELISM Directed by Ben C. Johnson,

Columbia professor. Cost $50.

July 7-18 On the seminary campus. Credit courses.* Ta K , K

1 Sociological Study of the Church and the Community Taught by

Harvey K Newman, Georgia State University professor

^Pastoral Care and GrIef Taught by Jasper N. Keith, Columbia

professor.

July 14-18 On the seminary campus.

1 HOW TO TEACH Remember and Go Forth: Gods Covenant With the
Om2u? ofFauh. the Women's Study Book for 1986-87 Taugh t by
Mary Boney Shears, Professor Emer.ta, Agnes Scott College. Cost $25^
2. Rethinking the Reformed Tradition Taught by George W. Stroup.
Columbia professor. Cost $50.

5. CHRISTIAN EDUCAT.ON IN THE Small CHURCH Taught by Sara Covin
Juengst, Associate Director of Advanced Studies at Columbia. Cost $50.
4. The Minister and Depression: Self and Others. Taught by Brian H.
Childs, Columbia professor. Cost $50.

5 Planning Family Ministries Taught by Carol Ikeler, Staff Associate
for Family Ministries. D.v.sion of National Ministries, General Assembly
Mission Board. Cost $50. . w;11

6. Preparing to Preach for Advent and Christmas Taught by J. Will
Ormond, Columbia professor. Cost $50^

7 SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY Directed by William J- Vamos
Director for Center for Christian Growth, Lafayette, IN. Coordinated by
Ben C. Johnson, Columbia professor. Cost $50.

Tulv 21-August 1 On the seminary campus. Credit courses.*

1 Activating Congregations for Effective Ministry Taught by A.

A Markley, Executive Presbyter, Congaree Presbytery

2. Preaching from the Psalms Taught by James D. Newsome,

Columbia professor.

Two week cred.t courses: prerequisite - M.DW. or equivalent You may
take ONE of the cred.t offerings in each two-week per.od and thus earn
three semester hours in each two-week per.od. Cost per course $330

Present PA.** "</<"/ SmA Lecturer Dr. Hendnku, Berkhof at forum.

Forum Preacher. ,he Rev. Joan SalmonCampbell. brought her exuberant cmmamnt
and energy to the pulpit.

Will Campbell, Alumni I ae Lecturer, captivated the Forum audience as he sang origi-
nal songs and read from his forthcoming book. Forty Acres and a Goat.

COLUMBIA
SEMINARY

1985-1986

Faculty and Adminis trative S taff

1

J. Davison Philips
President

Oscar Hussel
Dean of Faculty and
Prof/Christian
Education

Sidney Anderson
VP/Business Affairs

James F. Dickenson
VP/Development/
Seminary Relations

Donald Bailey
Field Rep.

Lee Carroll

Dir/Supervised

Ministry

Peter Carruthers
Dean of Students

Bonneau Dickson
Field Rep.

Philip R. Gehman
Dii Admission

Vocations

Juliette Harper Caroline Leach

Assoc. Dir/Seminary Assoc. Dean of
Relations Students

Cecil Moore

Supt. /Buildings and

Grounds

Suanne SauerBrun
Bookstore Mgr.

OUn Whitener

Asso*.. Dir/ Development

Biblical Area

_ Historical/Doctrinal Area

4 :

-.

Hi

)

Frederick Bonkovsky G. Thompson

Walter Brueggemann Charles Cousar David Gunn

ProT/Old Tesfament Prof/New Testament Prof/Old Testament Prof/Chnst.an Ethics

Assoc. Prof/ World
Christianity

Erskine Clarke Catherine Gonzalez

Assoc. Prof/American Prof/Church History
Religious History in
the World Context

Shirley Guthrie

Prof/Systematic

Theology

David Moessner
Assoc. Prof/ New
Testament

James Newsome Will Ormond
Prof/Old Testament Prof/Biblical
Exposition

Pastoral Area

Benton Kline
Ad). Prof/Theology

James Overbeck
Librarian and Ad)
Prof/Church History

Paul Smith
Ad| Prof/ Black
History and Identity

George Stroup
Prof/Theology

Brian Childs
Assoc Prof/ Pastoral
Theology and
Counseling

Barry Davies
Inst/Church Music

Douglas Hix
Assoc. Prof/ Pastoral
Studies and Director
of Advanced Studies

Wade Huie
Prof/Homiletics

Ben Johnson
Assoc Prof/
Evangelism

Sara Juengst
Assoc. Dir. of
Advanced Studies

Jasper Keith
Prof/ Pastoral Care
and Counseling

John Patton

Adj. Prof/ Pastoral
Theology

Robert Ramey
Prof/Ministry

Q ft

Lucv Rose Edward Trimmer Christine Wenderoth

Asst Prof/Preaching Asst. Prof/Chr,st,an Readers Services Librarian

and Worship Education

For the Record

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

Marion B. Boozer '68 has been
called to the First and Welcome
churches of Ware Shoals,
SC. Edwin Byrd, Jr. "58 is now

pastor ot the First Presbyterian Church
m Florence, SC J. Jey Deifell, Jr.
"66 was elected moderator of the
Southwest Florida Presbytery tor ..
one-year term This is the sixth largest
presbyters in the

denomination William E. Mills
77 is pastor of the First church in
I towah, TN

Lucy Rose, Assistant Professor ol
Preaching and Worship at Columbia,
gave the Alumni/ae Lecture at Union
Seminary in Richmond on Feb.
4 Sam Hughes '39 received an
honorary Doctor oi Science degree
from the Florida Institute of
Technology in August. He was a
charter faculty member there, serving
12 years as its first professor of
mathematics... Thomas J. Reeves
63 was inaugurated as the twelfth
president of Hastings College in
Nebraska in Ocotber Steve Shive
"85 and Dons Katz were married in
Ocotber in Greenville, SC. Woody
Brown '87, Steve Price '86, and
Rob Tolley '86 were in the
wedding Mr. Shive is associate pastor
of the Southminster church in
Crestwood, MO.

Edsel Huffstetler "56 has been
called to Mount Carmel church in

Ellerbe, NC William R. Thurman

'51 was honorably retired trom the
Jefferson Presbyterian Church of
Athens Presbytery on Dec.

31 Albert Harris *51 has been

elected moderator of Cherokee
Presbytery Clark David Benson
"40 retired from the ministry in
California with the American
Missionary Fellowship in 1984. He
and his wife have moved to
Sylacauga, AL Thomas R. Atkins
77 finished his tour in London in
March and in April will report to
Camp Lejeune, NC, to serve as
chaplain with the USMC Fleet
marines

Butch Miranda '85 has been
called as associate minister for
education at First (Scots) church in
Charleston. He and Nancy Hall were
married Mar. 8 in the seminary
chapel with Joe Johnson '85 and
Betty Castellani officiating Paul
Irwin '84 is associate minister at St
Paul's Presbyterian in Livonia, Ml. He
is on the staff with Katie Thoresen
84 Fred W. McDaniel, Jr. 58 is
a certified rehabilitation counselor with
the State of Delaware. He works with
the physically, emotionally, and
mentally handicapped.

Caroline Leach 72, Columbia's
Associate Dean of Students, traveled
with a group of women students to
the Women's Inter-Seminary
Conference held at the Iliff School of
Theology in Denver in early
April George H. Fitzgerald '57 is
now pastor of Purity church in
Chester, SC Charles Cousar "58.
Professor of New Testament at

Columbia, led Lenten Bible studies at
Westminster church in Rome, GA,
and Bethesda church in Camden, SC.

His article, "Petitionary Prayer and

th< < haractei of God," appeared in
the Pentecost issue of Journal for

Preachers

Warren W. Beale '50 was
honorably retired by Charleston
Presbytery in September Shirley
Guthrie, Professor of Systematic
Theology at Columbia, preached and
lectured at First church, Belmont, NC,
in January. In February he preached
and lectured to the elders and
ministers of the presbytery in
Durham. NC. led a ministers' retreat
for Mobile Presbytery, and completed
a book manuscript which has been
accepted by Westminster Press. In
March he preached and lectured at
First church, Pensacola and in early
April led an education event for
ministers and lay people of Savannah
Presbytery Harold White '40 is
stated supply at Jason church in La

Grange, NC Kenneth Hicks '80

has been called to the Spotsylvania
church of Fredricksburg.VA.

Daniel N. Sansbury '81 is the
organizing pastor for a new church on
the west side of Fayettevillc, NC The
hrst service was held Jan

26 Charles C. Talley "63 has been

installed as minister of the newly
chartered Pineda church in Melbourne,
FL. Last summer Dr. Talley was
invited to preach by the Dean of the
Chapel Royal in Scotland. He was also
invited to preach at the Thornton
Highland Gathering and Games in
Fife and .it the services for the
1, 100th anniversary of Christianity in
Largo While in Scotland, he greeted
Queen Elizabeth.

Turner Howard (D.Min. '85),
pastor of the West Emory church in
Knoxvillc, is president and organizer
of the newly formed Christian
Conciliation Service of East Tennessee
Inc. The non-profit corporation, a
spinoff from his D Mm dissertation,
is a peacemaking effort to provide
Christian alternatives to going to
court Brian Childs, Associate
Professor of Pastoral Theology and
Counseling at Columbia, led an adult

BIRTHS

To David '82 and Claire Bailey, a
daughter, Erin Cantey, Sept. 13, 1985
To Grady 82 and Mary Wynne
Perryman, a daughter, Melissa
(Catherine, Dec 2<s, 1985.
To Gwin 82 and A.J. Pratt, a son,
Jeremiah Gwin, Sept. 22, 1985.
To John 86 and Susannah White, a
son, John Gordon, Feb. 23, 1986.
To George '87 and Sue Waters, a
son, James Houston, Jan. 17, 1986.

DEATHS , , _ .

Henry Dickson Corbett 16, Jan. I,

1986.

Raymond L. Nelson '37, Jan. 23,

1986.

John Holmes Smith III '43, Jan. 9,

1986.

"""""^

^TZtit -62 has been elected Alumni! Anna Case Winters 78 has been elected

ae Association president-elect. Assoaatton vue-prestdent.

education class at Columbia church in Revolution in China" at Concord

D t ; "on Marriage and the Marital Presbytery. He preached on behalf ol

Life Cycle" in March. This semester the division ot International Mission

Dr Chlls ,s teaching an elective with during Witness Season , in churches in

Marilyn Washburn '81, M.D., on South Carolina and Florida

Pastoral Care tor Medical Students " Huntsville. New Orleans, and

at Emory University Medical School. Alexandria, VA

Dr Childs has published book reviews Freder.ck O. Bo kovs ,

in Journal for Preachers, Religious Professor ot Christian Ethics at

VuL Relies The Princeton Columbia, cendy^mpl^ 20-

Seminan Bulletin, and Pastoral week course in Trinity church s

p , (Atlanta) Bible class centering on

John' Patton, Ad.unct Professor Genesis and contemporary dynamics of

of Pastoral Counseling at Columbia. U.S^ famdy hf^ He *%*

attended on Mar. 22 the semi-annual author ot The Built Environment.

meetfng of the editorial committee of Present and ^J^g^

the Journal of Pastoral Care, of which for the National and Georgia

he has been a member for 15 years. Endowments for the Humanities and

On Apr,. 10 he lectured on "Pastoral the University Center of Georgia.

Care and Human Forgiveness" at a "Ethical Issues for the Eighties is he

,;:; ur s workshop Lbm** ^ * vrnf bXXT 08

MD Paul Smith. Adjunct Professor adults which Dr Bonkovsky is

of Black History and Identity at teachmg this spring for persons n

Columbia, was featured in an article North Atlanta and Cobb County. Dr.

in the New York Times on Jan. 29. Bonkovsky participated in the

Sr Smith and his family are moving planning and jn^o^

n l i. m . i,me wh^n he will conference on ethical issues in neo

church there He Is the firs, black CO - **. of

S2Sk. ,n logical Schools of North America

congregu u ^ awarded Dr. Bonkovsky a grant

Will Ormond '43, Professor of for research and writing on ethics and

Biblical Exposition at Columbia, ^ Charles Van Devender 76 has

conducted a preaching mission at First Charles Van _"f

u v, w/orrAn AR in been called to First church, snemeiu,

church, Warren. AR m Willard B. Hurlburt '75 is

March Robert P. Douglas, AL WI1W,U c A1

member of Columbia's Board of the new pastor at the Ev grn, AL,

Ditectors, and Keuh Hill '50 church In fL^ Peter C.

attended the 1985 Amencan Summer Carruthers 73 (Th.M. 83).

Inst" ore at the Waldens.an Seminary Columbia's Dean of Students, led a

Rome. Paulo Ricca, director of rhe series of d-f - J ' ^wt td

S,: t?Z b-een'Sted to the Sunday schoo, lessons at John Knox

n r -u, ir h of InreHflle MS church in Marietta, GA, on Scott

First church ot Luccdaie, mo. oj \ act Traveled

r^ no u, rnpr Tr '62 is a Pecks book, The Road Less Iratelea.

Ph D Ge rhd":TM^l, 62 in mid-March Dean Carruthers., ed a

Universiry Shojiro Ishii (Th.M. family rerreat lor Fust church,

Y,4 s l^pan Radio Director of the Beaufort. SC. on 'New Images of

Back to God Hour of the Christian ******* **""" ^

Reformed Church of North Mr Carruthers at ended ,* Adopt a

America Bill Jokela '78 ,s a U.S. School program a Winnona Hark

Army chaplain stationed in West Elementary School m Decatur in
Germany. ...George Stuart, jr. '45 .s February. As part of this ay.c

toed in the 1985 i Who's Who in P^ram. the sem.nary has adopted

IZican Religion Sara Covin Winnona Park because of the close

luengst '83. Associate D.rector of "cs w.th the school

Advanced Stud.es at Columbia, gave George Stroup, Pro.esso, of
the keynote address for the Women of Theology, has met tw.ee th, year

the Church of South Carohna -th the task force on Theolog.es

Presbytery on Mar. 22 > m F ' n ' s < Perspect.ves. The task
G Thompson Brown. Associate fotce .s wr.tmg a study paper for the

Professor of World Chr.snani.y at PC(USA). In January he attended the

_ Columbia, spoke on "Christianuy and turned on page ,

For the Record

Continued from page 6

meeting of the Council of Theology
and Culture and in March the
meeting of the Select Committee on a
Brief Confession of Reformed Faith in
St. Louis. Dr Stroup delivered an
invited paper on "The Role of
Narrative in Calvin's Hermcneutic" at
the Calvin Studies Colloquium,
Davidson College in January. In
February he taught seminars on "The
History of the Book of Confessions"
and "The Theology of the Book of
Confessions" for Grace Presbytery at
First church, Arlington, TX. Professor
Stroup delivered lectures on "The
Place of Evangelism in Reformed
Theology" at First church, Dallas.

David Moessner, Associate
Professor of New Testament, attended
the southeast regional meeting of the
Society of Biblical Literature
Conference in Chattanooga in
March On Feb. 3 David Gunn,
Professor of Old Testament at
Columbia, read a paper on the
parable of the un)ust steward to the
New Testament Colloquium of Emory
University. He spoke on Biblical
studies to the Update for Ministers in
Nashville and Temple Terrace and
read a paper on Naomi and Ruth to
the regional meeting of the Society of
Biblical Literature with Danna Nolan
Fcwell at the University of Tennessee,
Chattanooga, in March Dr. Gunn led
a study group on the Samson story as
part of a forum organized by the
southwest cluster of Atlanta Presbytery
at First church, LaGrange. In early
April he attended a conference on the
Bible and Literary Theory at the
University of Colorado in Boulder.D

Alumni/ae
Association
officers

During its annual meeting at
Forum the Alumni/ae Association
elected the following officers for the
coming year.

Hugh Hamilton '80 is the new
Association president. Hugh has
already shown his leadership qualities
by serving as president-elect. He was
associate pastor of the Starkville, MS,
Church before becoming pastor of the
First Presbyterian Church of
Covington, TN. Hugh and his wife
Sandy have an infant daughter.

Bob Pettit 62 is this year's
president-elect. He has served churches
in Abbeville, Aiken, and Spartanburg,
SC. Currently, Bob serves as pastor of
the First Presbyterian Church of
Anderson, SC.

Anna Case Winters '78 is the
new vice-president. Anna has served
churches in several different states and
is currently associate director of field
education for Vanderbilt Divinity

School. She is working on a PhD in
theology at Vanderbilt University and
is married to Mike Winters 76.

This year's secretary-treasurer is
Catherine Mason "82. Cathy has
served as the Association's vice-
president and is familiar with its
responsibilities. She is assistant pastor,
director of children's work, at First
Presbyterian of Hampton, VA, and is
married to another Presbyterian
minister, Jay Wilkins.D

Development I Seminary Relations

By James F. Dickenson

Vice President, Development/Seminary Relations

The Columbia Seminary story

Thi DAThs for the 1987 Forum have
been moved to February 2-5, Monday
through Thursday. Speakers will be
Tom Long, Smyth Lecturer; Paolo
Ricca, Alumni/ae Lecturer, Joe
Roberts, Forum Preacher.

An exciting ano enthusiastic story
is going on at Columbia Seminal)
Morale and energy are very high, and
those working here feel a strong sense
,,t commitment to making the
seminary one of the finest in the

world.

The past ten years have seen the

institution make giant strides, today it

is one of the leaders in theological

education.

Let me list a few ot the

seminary's assets.

A strong faculty with plenty of
depth.

Good management and
administration

A student body numbering
474 in six degree programs.

Six degree programs Master of
Divinity, Master ot Theology,
Doctor of Ministry, Master ot
Arts in Theologic.il Studies,
Master of Arts in Youth
Ministry, and Doctor of Sacred
Theology.

Good relationships with the
denomination, the supporting
synods, presbyteries, and
churches.

A desire to be strong

Harrison Taylor '34 ably led the
Alumni/ae Association as president last
year.

TO OUR READERS We apologize for
the mailing problems with our winter
issue of Vantage. We hope we've
straightened out those computer
glitches and that the problems are
solved However, please let us know i
you continue to receive multiple
copies. Editor

Vantage

Vol. 78, No. 1, Spring 1986
Published quarterly by
Columbia Theological Seminary

The Department of Development/
Seminary Relations

Editor: Juliette Harper
Associate Director
of Seminary Relations

Postmaster: Send address

changes to Vantage

Columbia Theological Seminary

P.O. Box 520

Decatur, GA 30031-0520

academically and responsivi ra

the needs of the Church,
An openness to creative new
programs, such as evangelism,
internationalizing theological

education, a strong Doctor ot

Ministry program utilizing oil

CampUS satellite groups, ami a

M, \. continuing education
program tor thi laitj . whii i>

vmII I, tailed The lnstitui
I aiili an. I I ifi
Faculty, administrators, statt,
students, all pulling together
for the glory ot t rod through
[i SUS < hrist.
All oi iiu abovi can I" seen an. I
documented from various points ol
\h\\ Yes, the seminary has comi a

long way in the past few years, but

we havi furthi i i Fortunately,

the Hoard of Directors, our SUppon
groups, and others are well ascan ol
our long-range plans, and W( Ml On
course to achieve those objectives,

I suppose for som< that a
seminary may not seem to I" an
exciting place to work, but, for us,
( olumbia s < minary is the place to

bi a

j

Have you made a
commitment to
1985-86 Annual Fund?

Columbia Theological Seminary Annual Fund

In cons.derat.on of the Semmarys needs, I/we accept the chalk..,, to share in
Colombo's comm.tment to shaping Christ.an leadersh.p of excellence

Signed

My/Our Commitment $

Remainder to be paid as follows:

monthly D quarterly D other

Enclosed $.

Name

Address

City

State

Zip

Area Code Telephone

D Scholarship aid Where most needed

I would like to have informat.on about the Matching Gift Program.

D I would like to talk to someone from Columbia about optional forms of

mving
Mail to: Columbia Theological Seminary - Annual Fund, Box 520,
Decatur, GA 30031

Presidential Search Committee

PLEASE ADDRESS all nominations and questions to the committee chairman Dr.
William T Bryant, First Presbyterian Church. 4815 Franklin Rd., Nashville,
TN 37220 Other members of the Presidential Search Committee are: Joanna
Adams, William A Adams, Edith Atkins, Charles Cousar, Ann D. Cousins.
McCoy Franklin, Sidney Harmon, Erskine Love, and Sloan McCrea.U

Pr^)sorCatherme Gonzalez, Ms. SalmonCampbell, and Pat Bacon '81 led the last
worship service during Forum '86.

Dr ]im Speed '57, his daughter, Sarah '88, and Professor Will Ormond '43 enjoy a
P^ - <>> *-" -- .+.< u-uh Till Campbell during Forum coffee break. break during Forum activities.

COLUMBIA SEMINARY

Vantage

Second Class
Postage
Paid at
Decatur, GA

Publication No. 124160

P.O. Box 520

Decatur, Georgia 30031

CONTENTS

Alternative Context Course J

$1,000,000 Gift l

From the President 2

$6,000,000 Effort Launched 2

Clergy Couple ^

Continuing Education 4

Faculty and Administration 5

For the Record

Alumni/ae Association Officers '

The Columbia Seminary Story 7