COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Vantage WINTER 199 Colloquium '97 moved to April 21-23 Making its first springtime appear- ance is Columbia's Colloquium, a time for reflection and reunion. Formerly a January event, Colloquium '97 will take place April 21-23. Dr. Nancy Ammerman and Dr. Howard Rice will be the speakers, and Dr. Calvin O. Butts will be guest preacher. This annual event, a highlight of the seminary's calendar, offers a time for examining the life of the church. The activities included in this year's three-day schedule include special worship services, lectures, and a variety of formal and informal occa- sions for visiting with guest speakers, professors, and friends. The Alumni / ae Association Banquet and the Alumni /ae Reunion Luncheon also occur during the three-day gathering. Registration for Colloquium '97 opens on Monday, April 21, at 3:00 p.m. The formal opening is a banquet at the seminary at 6:00 p.m. High- lights of the evening event will be the presentation of Distinguished Service Awards and a welcome from Presi- dent Douglas Oldenburg. Alumni /ae Association business will be included in the evening's activities. An 8:00 worship service will follow the banquet, led by Dr. Butts. The evening will conclude on the seminary campus with coffee, dessert, IBNIH I The alumnilae reunion lunch will be held April 22. Distinguished Service Awards will be presented to two alums during the opening banquet on April 21. and music on the quadrangle. The second day begins with morning prayers at 9:00 a.m. At 9:15, Dr. Ammerman will present a lecture, "Congregations in the Wilderness of Change." Following a mid-morning break, Dr. Rice will present his first lecture, "Ministry in the Midst of Change" at 10:45. The Reunion Luncheon on Tuesday, April 22, will be a gathering rime for the classes of 1922-42, 1947, 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, and 1996. There will be time after the luncheon for classes to continue to meet and share fellow- ship. Tuesday afternoon is free of scheduled activities and organized events. Tours of the new addition to the John Bulow Campbell Library will be offered during this time. Off- campus possibilities include climbing Stone Mountain, touring the High Museum, playing golf, or visiting Underground Atlanta. The lengthening spring days offer ample daylight for a late afternoon chance to mix and mingle on the seminary quadrangle. A 5:00 p.m. event, with light refreshments served, is designed to offer Colloquium participants a chance to meet and visit with Columbia's newest faculty members: Carlos Cardoza-Orlandi, Kathleen O'Connor, Cam Murchison, and Darrell Guder. Jim Newsome '55, who is retiring at the end of this academic year, and Shirley Guthrie, who will retire in December, will also be present. Bluegrass music and a barbecue dinner begin at 6:00, also on the quad. The evening's activities will conclude with worship at 8:00 led by Dr. Butts. On Wednesday, April 23, Colloquium '97 opens its final day with morning prayers at 9:00 a.m. Dr. Ammerman's presentation, "Congre- gations Looking Toward the Future," follows at 9:15. Dr. Rice will deliver the final lecture, "Ministry as Spiritual Guidance," at 10:45. The four lectures and two wor- ship services will take place at Colum- bia Presbyterian Church. Other events will be on the Columbia campus, as noted. Costs of the Monday dinner and Tuesday barbe- cue are $10 each. Cost of Tuesday's reunion luncheon is $6. Nancy Ammerman Howard Rice Dr. Nancy T. Ammerman is professor of sociology of religion at Hartford Seminary in the Center for Social and Religious Research. From 1984 to 1995, she taught sociology of religion at Candler School of Theology at Emory University. She holds degrees from Southwest Baptist University (B.A.), the University of Louisville (M.A.), and Yale University (M.Phil., Ph. D). Dr. Ammerman is the author of several books and articles, including her most recent book, Congregation and Community. In 1993, she served on the panel of experts convened by the U. S. Depart- ment of Justice and Treasury to make recommendations in light of the government's confrontation with the Branch Davidians at Waco. In 1995, she testified before the Senate Judi- ciary Committee on this incident. Dr. Howard Rice is professor of ministry and chaplain at San Francisco Theological Seminary (SFTS). He is a graduate of Carroll College and McCormick Theological Seminary. He has received honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees from Carroll and Whitworth Colleges. Dr. Rice, who has been a professor at SFTS for almost 30 years, served as moderator of the 191st General Assembly. He has been active in advocating the spiritual renewal of the Presbyterian Church and the role of women in ministry. In 1991, he published Reformed Spirituality: An Introduction for Believers. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III is pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York City. He received his B.A. from Morehouse College, the M. Div. from Calvin Butts Union Theological Seminary in New York, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University. Dr. Butts is active in a number of organizations, including the Organization of African- American Clergy. He has been instrumental in the establishment of the Thurgood Marshall Academy fol Learning and Social Change, a public intermediate and high school in New York City. Under his leadership, Abyssinian Baptist Church has completed several multi-million dollar programs for low- and moderate- income housing in New York City. For more information about Colloquium '97 or to register, call 404/687-4566. lee T. Read '98 Reflections after Ten Years Douglas W. Oldenburg, President It is hard for me to realize that I have completed 10 years as president of Columbia Seminary. When you are enjoying something as much as I am enjoying working at Columbia, time surely flies. As I reflect over the past 10 years, my overwhelming feeling is one of gratitude. I am grateful for those who have gone before me and laid the foundations upon which we have built, grateful for the courage of the search committee in calling me, grateful for the wonderful people with whom to work on the faculty, staff and Board, and grateful for the strong support we have received from our various constituencies. Truly, my "cup runneth over." After 10 years, I am more con- vinced than ever that the seminary plays a vital role in shaping the future of the church. The kind of leaders we recruit and train will play a critical role in determining what kind of church we will have in the next several decades. I am also more convinced that local congregations must become more active in challenging those with the greatest potential for effective and faithful leadership in the church to consider God's call to ministry. Al- though the seminary has an important role in the formation of persons for ministry, there is a limit to what we can do in three short years. We need congregations, pastors, and lay people to take more initiative in presenting the call of God to those with outstand- ing gifts for ministry. Students and pastors also need increasingly to understand that a seminary education is only one step in their theological formation and training for ministry. Seminaries are always being asked to include more and more required courses, and every request has merit, but it is simply impossible to include everything that ministers need to know in a three-year curriculum. I wish presbyteries and congregations would hold pastors more accountable for their continuing education. Effective ministry requires life-long learning and growing, especially when the world and the church are changing so rapidly. As I look forward to the next several years, I see a number of challenges that confront us at Colum- bia. Let me list a few: 1. Perhaps the greatest challenge we face is to maintain the high quality of our faculty. With a number of significant retirements coming in the next few years, we need to fill these positions with people reflecting scholarship, diversity, and a solid commitment to the church. While centered in the Reformed tradition, we also need faculty who will reflect diverse theological perspectives. The faculty is the heart of any educational institution, and we must maintain a strong heart. 2. We need to practice responsible stewardship of the financial resources God has entrusted to us. We have recently been blessed with funding that will enable us to dream new dreams, but we have to do that in a careful and prayerful way. That is an enormous responsibility and chal- lenge. 3. We need to complete the long- range planning process we have begun so that we not only have a vision for Columbia in the future, but also a strategic plan for fulfilling that vision. 4. We need to keep recruiting students who have the greatest potential for effective ministry. We are not interested in simply having more students, but we are always searching for those who have special gifts for ministry. I remain convinced that the church needs and deserves the very best. 5. We must continue to respond to the changing needs of the church without losing our focus on our primary mission. With the decline in General Assembly and synod mission programs, we are being asked to take up the slack and begin new programs (i.e., evangelism, spirituality, lay education, new church development, etc.), but the danger is that we will become "a mile wide and an inch deep." We must never lose sight of our primary mission to train women and men for leadership in the church. In retrospect, it's been a wonder- ful 10 years, and I am grateful to God for the privilege of serving Columbia during this time in its history. I look forward to the future filled with enthusiasm and the conviction that what we are doing at Columbia is the most important thing in the world! I hope you agree. Stoncil Boyette and Randy Tyndall Computer and media specialists join Columbia's staff Columbia has filled two positions in computer support and audio-visuals. Stoncil Boyette has been named systems coordinator and comes to Columbia with 18 years in the com- puter industry. Randy Tyndall, media specialist, has worked in the audio- visual field since 1979. Stoncil Boyette comes to Colum- bia from the Friendship Force in Atlanta, where he was manager of information services for six years. He led two major network upgrades and the successful remote networking project which allowed athletes and their families to communicate elec- tronically during the Olympics. He also designed and implemented a computer network with connections to 50 countries. He was customer service and network services manager for Harbin- ger Information Services of Atlanta, an Internet and information service provider, for five years. At Atari, Inc., Boyette was field service engineer, and for the National Hurricane Center, he maintained the radar and laser systems for hurricane hunter aircraft. Boyette has attended Miami Dade College and the Robert Morgan Technical Institution. Randy Tyndall was in sales and support of audio-visual equipment for the Georgia educational market at Technical Industries before coming to Columbia. Prior to that, he spent 16 years at DeKalb College, where he was media production supervisor and managed a department with a $600,000 annual budget. At DeKalb, Tyndall produced and edited video and multimedia-based programs and provided audiovisual support to faculty, administration, staff, and more than 16,000 students. He has also worked in web page design for clients using the Internet. He is a graduate of Georgia State University, from which he received bachelor's and master's degrees in communications. Tyndall is a board member of the Georgia Association for Instructional Technology and the Southeast Regional Media Leadership Council and a member of the Associa- tion for Education and Communica- tions Technology. Dean of Faculty James Hudnut- Beumler said of these two appoint- ments, "In Stoncil and Randy we have years of expertise in the technical fields upon which the future of education depends. Both bring a can- do attitude to the exciting challenges before Columbia. It's a pleasure to work with them." A During the annual Smyth Lecture Series, October 8-10, Dr. Morna Hooker delivered lectures to Columbia's students, faculty, and guests on the prophetic actions of Jesus. Dr. Hooker is (he Lady Margaret's Professor on the Faculty of Divinity at the Univer- sity of Cambridge in England. Her lectures were "Is This Not a Prophet?," "The Signs of a Prophet," and "More than a Prophet." VANTAGE Columbia receives $66,000 grant for new church development *S Peter Denlea '89 with four elders of the Laguna United Presbyterian Church Alum ministers with the Lagunas Irishman?" One of the women responded, "We think this man can do the work here!" During the past 18 months, the Laguna church has come into its own in many ways, experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit in all that it does. There has been an extensive effort to train the session in the Book of Order and to reinforce Presbyterian polity. Worship is a joy, the session functions briskly and efficiently, and there is a phone in the church for the very first time. The church is well known throughout the presbytery, and relationships with two sister churches in the presbytery have been reestablished. Not all the changes have been with the Laguna church. Peter has also been transformed in the midst of these Presbyterians. "There is no substitute for all I have experienced here," Peter said. "The feast days and celebrations; the dances and the deer dinners, the funerals which are extraordinary and speak to the heart of the Laguna people, and being formally presented to the Governor and the Tribal Council, have touched me to my very soul." June Sarracino, a Laguna elder, who was presented a Leadership Award at General Assem- bly this year, says, "Peter has helped us to grow in so many ways. He is Laguna!" Peter will complete his work at Laguna and begin an eight-month sabbatical in February. "The folk at Laguna have taken me and my family in as one of their own, and it is very difficult to leave. But I discovered early in my ministry that the talents that moved me along during my 25 years in the Navy are the same ones that God uses in me for the church. I'm a bit of a trouble shooter, a change agent, and a battery charger. When that work is done, as it is at Laguna, it's time to move along and let the new pastor come in." Peter will begin his sabbatical with a retreat at the Benedictine Monastery in Abiquiu, New Mexico, and will travel, write, and rest. D Editor's note: This is a continuation in an occasional series on alums and their ministries. Peter Denlea '89 was named Small Church Pastor of the Year in the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta in 1993, the first of these awards ever given. While a seminary student, Peter was supply pastor at the Bremen, Georgia, church and following graduation, Peter became the pastor of Ormewood Park Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. Where is Peter these days? When he and Kemira (MATS '90) left Atlanta in May 1995, they took up residence in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Peter was called to Laguna United Presbyterian Church in Laguna as their stated supply. The Laguna church provided the 224 loaves of outdoor ovenbread for the 6,000 people who joined in the Sunday morning worship at the 208th General Assembly. The Laguna People, whom Peter serves, are one of the 19 pueblo tribes in the Southwest. The Laguna church represents the only Native American Presbyterian church in the Presbytery of Santa Fe and in the state of New Mexico and is the only mainline Protestant denomination that is sanctioned on the pueblo. Peter serves three village churches: Casa Blanca, Paguate, and Seama. When it was pointed out to Peter that there was a part-time call open at Laguna, he was reluctant to apply because "I don't know anything about Native Americans," he said. A member of the Committee on Ministry (COM) persisted, and Peter, along with another Anglo and two Native Americans, applied. Peter received a unanimous call, even after confessing that he was intimidated by the thought of serving Native Americans because of his ignorance of their culture. When the COM met with the session to finalize Peter's call, the regional presbyter asked the session, "You have been pressing me for a Native American pastor for over a year now, so how come you picked this big, pushy, noisy Brooklyn Columbia Seminary has received a grant for new church development for the twenty-first century from Lilly Endowment Inc. The two-year $66,000 grant will allow researchers to identify and analyze factors found in effective new churches in order to develop evangelism and church development strategies for the twenty-first century church. Participating mainline denomina- tions and other church communions include the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Reformed Church in America, the Episcopal Church, the United Methodist Church, the Southern Baptist Conven- tion, the American Baptist Church, the Luthern Church, Missouri Synod, and the Vineyard Christian Fellowship. Research will focus on the investiga- tion of new churches within those denominations and will identify pastoral and leadership profiles, the theology and practice of evangelism, and models found in those churches that have effectively attracted and assimilated unchurched people into active church membership. The project addresses a need created by demographic changes within the United States and the decline in new church development in mainline denominations during the last 20 years. The decline is reflected in the decreasing numbers of adher- ents within these church bodies and a resulting loss in ministry and service. Since the Civil War, the predomi- nant means used to reach increasing numbers of unchurched Americans through old-line denominations has involved a two-fold strategy: organiz- ing hundreds of thousands of new churches and increasing the size of existing congregations. The pattern of opening a large number of new churches in the 15 years after World War 11 stands in marked contrast to the 1980's, when relatively few new congregations were begun by main- line denominations. While seeking to remain faithful to their comprehensive mission, most denominations now realize afresh the need for continued growth if they are to serve in a significant fashion in the next century. Questions related to new church starts include their progress and effectiveness. This project will use two surveys to determine effe< live ness by looking at the new churches with the largest numerical growth ol unchurched persons who have become active church members in each denomination. The criteria to analyze these effective new churches and their leadership will be leadership profiles, evangelism, governing body support, demographic strategies and models, and racial-ethnic determi- nants that might uniquely define effectiveness in reaching unchurched people through new church develop- ments. The goal of this research is to identify the potential of providing for long-term, sustained membership growth which comes from un- churched people It. ommg respon- sible church members. The ultimate intent of the project is to develop and utilize models of new church devel< ij 1 ment that have the potential of providing long-term, sustained membership growth at the rate of 10 percent or more each year over a 10- year period. The pivotal nature of this project is particularly significant since a number of the participating denomi- nations have established new church development as a major priority in the next decade, to which millions of dollars will be allocated. And the insights on evangelism and church development for existing chimin will benefit thousands of churches. D Columbia students excel at Presbyterian ordination exams In all four categories of the examina- tions required for ordination by the Presbyterian Church (USA), the percentage of Columbia students passing their exams last September far exceeded the national average for all persons taking the ordination exami- nations. "As a group, Columbia students performed extremely well," said Columbia's Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Philip R. Gehman. In the examination in biblical exegesis, 90.3 percent of all Columbia students who sat for the exam in September passed it. This compares to a national pass rate on this exam of 71.9 percent. Nine out of 10 Columbia students passed the examination in worship and sacraments last fall, compared to a national average of 77 percent. Columbia students passed the theological competence examination at a rate of 90.6 percent, compared to 76.8 percent for the national average. In the subject of church polity, Columbia students passed at a rate of 83.9 percent, also in excess of the average national rate of 76.7 percent for this exam. "The remarkable rate of success of Columbia's students in the Presbyte- rian ordination exams is a credit both to Columbia's excellent students and also to its outstanding faculty," said Gehman. D Timothy T. Read '98 WINTER 1997 Continuing Education and Lay Institute Calendar For further information or to register for courses, call or write: Rebecca S. Parker, Director of Continuing Education, or Richard S. Dietrich, Director of the Lay Institute of Faith and Life Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA 30031; 404/378-8821. February 3-May 9 Healing: The Neglected Mandate This course will focus on the larger issues surrounding health, including medical services, the nature of health, and our responsibility for our own health. This issue is one with profound theological and biblical implications. Every Monday, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Leaders: Walter Brueggemann, Brian Childs, Ernestine Cole, Will Coleman, Cameron Murchison, and Marilyn Washburn. Cost: $160. February 16-March 31 Ar i Exhibition Meltings at the Boundary: Light and Darkness See article on page 7. March 3-4 Sighs Too Deep for Words: Discerning Spiritual Expression in Modern Jazz Leader: Clay Hulet. Cost: $100. March 6, 13, 20 What is Mission? Lessons from the Global Church Leader: Carlos Cardoza-Orlandi. Cost: $25. March 15 Moving On: Freeing mi Fi mininf Spirit A time for personal reflection, workshops, and worship. The event will be held at Mary & Martha's Place in Atlanta. Cost: $50. Lay classes set for February Columbia's winter evening lay school, beginning February 3, offers three challenging courses. In "Personality and Spirituality," learn about the relationship between spirituality and different personality types. Course instructors are Ben Johnson and Julie Johnson. How do we understand our contemporary culture through eyes of faith? In "Signs of the Times," Will Coleman helps sort out these difficult issues. In "Paul's Letter to Philemon," Will Ormond and Rick Dietrich consider what Paul may have to say to today's Christian, both as a church member and as a person in society. Classes meet Monday evenings, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m., February 3, 10, 17, and 24. Cost of a course is $35. Also beginning in February is "The Church Between Gospel and Culture," taught Thursday mornings by George Telford. Morning lay school meets 10:00 - 11:30 a.m., February 6, 13, 20, and 27. Cost is $25. For more information or to register, contact the Lay Institute of Faith and Life at 404/687-4577. Revisiting one's call after three March 31 -April 8 Jamaica Pilgrimage This trip is designed to introduce partici- pants to Jamaica as they learn about Caribbean theology and experience the fresh insights that come from travel outside one's familiar terrain. Leader: rY -iiri1cfrT7' George Telford. Cost: $850 or $950 for D.Min. students seeking course credit. yCcLlb ill lllllLlOliy April 6-11 Men's Contemplative Retreat This retreat, held at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, Georgia, is designed to provide time for contempla- tion, reflection, interaction with members of the order, and generous amounts of unstructured time. Leader: David Guthrie. Cost: $210. April 13-17 Women's Contemplative Retreat This retreat, held at the Benedictine Spirituality Center in Cullman, Alabama, is designed to provide time for contemplation, reflection, interaction with members of the order, and generous amounts of unstructured time. Leader: Charlotte Keller. Cost: $225. April 14 Creating a Carinc Congregation This workshop will look at issues for the mentally ill in our communities and ways that pastors and parishioners can be the body of Christ for these persons. Cost: $35. April 15 The Center City Meets the Suburbs This day-long workshop is co- sponsored with Greater Atlanta Presbytery's Urban Mission Division. Leader: Donald Shriver. Cost: $10. April 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14 Faith in the Work Place Lunch at Central Presbyte- rian Church, Atlanta. Leaders: Ben Kline, Rick Dietrich, Linda Momingstar, Paul Osborne, Tom Frank. Cost: $50. April 27-29 Naming the Pieces, Working toe Puzzle: Handles for Campus Ministry This workshop for beginning campus ministers and "old timers" will help campus pastors discern and implement the critical elements of a campus ministry. Leaders: Dee Koza, Ann Clay Adams. Cost: $85. May 2-3 Weekend Lay School in Houston Presbytery Leaders: Stan Saunders, George Stroup, Rick Dietrich. May 3 Religion and Public Education Leaders: Timothy Fulop, James Hudnut- Beumler. Cost: $25. June 20-July 2 Presbyterjan Heritage Tour of Scotland This trip will visit Edinburgh and other historical sites. Leaders: Phil and Betty Noble. See article on page 6. Like most things in life, ministry has predictable stages of development and transition. A significant transition occurs approximately three years into ministry. At this point, one has been in ministry long enough to assess one's call, the particular church, and the immediate future. Unfortunately, many pastors react rather than evaluate. Approximately 50 percent of new pastors will make the decision to search for a new church at this point because they cannot clarify the issues and thus make decisions based upon inad- equate information. Short pastorates often present problems for the church and for the individual. This seminar, scheduled for May 5-7, is designed to address the issues in this transition. Often, ministers, with better information, will remain with the congregation, working on important issues for the congregation and for themselves. Leadership for the event is provided by TAS 2 TE, Transition and Survival Skills Training Experience. This organization has been providing research and training in the early years of ministry since the early 1980's. The organization is Presbyterian, although insights and research cross denominational boundaries. Cost is $135. In addition to the May '97 offering, the event will also be sched- uled May 4-6, 1998. For more infor- mation, call the Continuing Education Office, 404/687-4562. D So that's what it means! A new Lay Institute evening course to be offered "off campus" will take a fresh look at the Bible stories told in Sunday school to children the stories about Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden; Daniel in the lion's den; Peter walking on the water; and the woman anointing Jesus' feet. The course is designed for adults who are seeking first-time or renewed Bible literacy and who want to learn how to apply the "old" stories in new ways in their lives. Roswell Presbyterian Church in the north Atlanta suburb hosts the course. Faculty include Old Testament "story tellers" Will Coleman and Kathleen O'Connor and New Testa- ment "story tellers" Ann Clay Adams and Stan Saunders. Course sessions are Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. on February 27, March 6, 13, and 20. Registration on February 27 begins at 7:00 p.m. Registration fee is $35 in advance, $45 at the door ($30 for members of Roswell Presbyterian Church). To register or for more information, call the Lay Institute at 404/687-4577. Church business seminar planned for April Pastors are trained to think theo- logically and to act in practical situations with a biblical and theologi- cal base. Often, however, seminary training does not cover the areas of budget, balance sheets, personnel, and conflict that are part of administering a church. This is particularly true for churches whose size does not justify a church business administrator. Church Business Administration for Church Pastors, scheduled for April 7-9, is designed to teach basic administrative skills and to help the pastor become more conversant with the business side of operating a church. Areas to be covered include management of human resources, conflict management, management of financial resources in planning and budgeting, and long-range financial planning, such as capital improve- ments and debt management. The seminar will use resource people from the University of Georgia's College of Business and D. Cameron Murchison, professor of ministry at Columbia. This is a pilot project funded by outside resources, so the cost is only $65. For more information, contact the Office of Continuing Education at 404/687- 4562. VANTAGE Columbia's Doctor of Ministry Program grows and offers specializations Editor's note. In this expanded issue of Vantage/ four pages are being devoted to Columbia's Doctor of Ministry degree in the Advanced Studies Program and to Continuing Education, the Lay Institute of Faith and Life, the Spirituality Pro gram, and CTS Press. We hope that this will be an annual feature. Columbia Seminary offers courses of study leading to both basic and advanced degrees. At present, more than 335 students are seeking Columbia's advanced degrees: Master of Theology (Th.M.), Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.), and Doctor of Theology (Th.D). Almost 80 percent of these students are in the D.Min. program. George Telford '58, Columbia's director of advanced studies and associate professor of theology and church, notes that many D.Min. students are best served by a program that is largely generalist in character. "A general approach allows students to customize an advanced degree program so that the candidate can pick and choose those areas of study most relevant to his or her needs," says Telford. Notwithstanding the broad appeal of a generalist program, many students are attracted to one of the specializations that Columbia offers in the D.Min. program. "Given the extraordinary strengths and compe- tencies of Columbia's faculty, we have developed five possible areas of specialization," says Telford. These include Gospel and culture; cross- cultural ministries; Christian spiritual- ity; pastoral counseling; and Korean- American ministries. Gospel and Culture Specialization Columbia's doctor of ministry specialization in Gospel and culture has been developed to help ministers consider and respond to the profound challenges to Christian discipleship at the end of the twentieth century. Through disciplined study and creative exchange, students wrestle with the distinctive characteristics of the times in which we live and how our understanding of God and our reading of the Bible are shaped and challenged by our location in culture. Telford explains, "This specializa- tion focuses upon what God is saying and doing in and through contempo- rary culture and what changes need to take place in the church and its ministry to respond faithfully and creatively to changing cultural pat- terns." The skills and talents of many of Columbia's faculty are brought to bear on these issues. Among them, Walter Brueggemann, professor of Old Testament, focuses on "old dangerous texts for new dangerous times," and with colleagues and students examines ways in which to respond to the new interpretive situation in which the U.S. church finds itself. In discussions and seminars on the theology of culture, George Stroup, professor of theology, focuses both upon the relation of the Gospel and contemporary culture and upon the way the church in previous contexts engaged the culture. Associate Professor of Church History James Hudnut-Beumlcr examines social theory for ministry and mission, with careful attention to issues of social analysis and church practice. Other faculty members join in the seminars and work with candidates on doctoral projects. Columbia's location in Atlanta offers excellent resources to consider questions arising from the intersection of Gospel and culture. For example, Charles Campbell's course on "Good News to the Poor" engages students in the interpretation of Scripture and the preaching of the Gospel in conjunc- tion with the ministries to the home- less of the Open Door Community in Atlanta. A specialization in Gospel and culture allows students to combine issues of social, cultural, and theologi- cal analysis with actual ministerial practice and leadership. Cross-Cultural Ministries Specialization The doctor of ministry specializa- tion in cross-cultural ministries was developed to address the urgency of living and ministering in a culturally diverse and religiously plural context. "Ministers of all races are recog- nizing that they must develop cross- cultural ministries for the revitaliza- tion of the church," says Telford. "That means that ministers are going to need biblical, theological, and missional models and skills for dialogue across different cultures." Columbia's cross-cultural special- ization is designed to equip ministers with these skills and models. Stu- dents examine the ecumenical charac- ter and ecclesiological models emerg- ing within cross-cultural ministries. "It is our goal," says Telford, "to help students in this program develop skills for resolution of cross-cultural conflicts and communication, as well as for interfaith experience and cross- cultural critique." Telford points out that many members of Columbia's faculty are addressing the challenges of cross- cultural ministry. For example, Marcia Riggs, associate professor of Christian ethics, has focused much of her research, writing, and teaching on the relationship between oppression and socio-religious ethical practice. Carlos Cardoza-Orlandi, instructor in Walter Brueggemann, professor of Old Tes dangerous texts for new dangerous times world Christianity, focuses on the history, social location, culture, and religious character of various ethnic communities and is particularly interested in developing church leadership which seeks a reconciliatory process with mainline/ traditional Christianity. Not all of Columbia's D.Min. classes must be taken at the Decatur campus. Telford notes, "Half of the courses that students need are also available in satellite locations as distant as Rochester, New York; Birmingham, Alabama; Charlotte, North Carolina; Jackson, Mississippi; Brandon, Florida; Columbia, South Carolina; Nashville, Tennessee; and Kingston, Jamaica." Columbia's Doctor of Ministry program is ecumenical with a large D.Min. class in "old diversity of students participating. "We have students from 29 denomina- tions represented in the D.Min. program," says Telford. "Our current D.Min. candidates come horn 31 states and four other countries, and they are graduates of 65 seminaries. Even a specialization does not prohibit one from following other areas of interest and need. Telford notes, "Students in either a specialized program or the generalist program have access to all courses and are not required to remain in an inflexible 'track.'" Whether one specializes or takes a generalist approach, Columbia's doctor of ministry is designed to help ministers increase their faithfulness and competency as they move into the twenty-first century. D Timothy T. Read '98 Doctor of Ministry calendar of events March 31-April 8 Jamaica PlLGRIMA< a June 2-16 Seminar to the People's Republic of China and Honc Kong July 7-18 Session I Summer School i. Through the Eyes of Women taught by Jeanne Stevenson-Moessner 2. Inside Islam taught by John Kelsay 3. Spirituality for Ministry within the Congregation taught by Ben Johnson Tulv 21-August 1 Session II Summer School 1. Image and Word: Theological Reflections on Media and Culture taught by Iwan Russell-Jones 2. New Testament Ethics taught by Stan Saunders September 8-10, October 6-8, November 3-5, December 1-3 Introductory Core Seminar for Doctor of Ministry Students The beginning seminar or all new Doctor of Ministry students who wish an advanced yet flexible, course of studies, customized for their particular interests and goals. October 13-17 Introductory Seminar for Students in Cross-Cultural Specialization (See description on this page.) October 20-31 Introductory Seminar for Students in Gospel and Culture Specialization (See description on this page.) November 17-25 Introductory Seminar for Students in Christian Spirituality Specialization WINTER 1997 Columbia's continuing education strengthens ministry Whai B THE CHI RCH's mission in a time when it no longer holds the attention of the culture? What are strategies for being a faithful church in the midst of change? How do we understand ourselves to be the church and so be faithful in our leadership? These are some of the questions and concerns that underlie the offerings and pro- grams of the Office of Continuing Education as it works to strengthen and support the diverse ministries of the church. Often, continuing education has been conceptualized as retooling or adding courses not taken in seminary. This assumes the basic foundation for one's ministry was completed in seminary. As the culture in which the church exists undergoes profound changes, as does our understanding of human process and development, continuing education is shifting from luxury status to being an integral part of one's continuing ministry. It is not possible to gather all the knowledge, skills, and spiritual resources for a lifetime of ministry in three years; rather, continuing education is an ongoing process. Continuing education at Colum- bia is working to build a program to support persons in ministry, thereby providing for the church resources for its work in the world. Three empha- ses are being focused on in the next three years. These will be built into the existing program which is rooted in the classic traditions. Each fall, beginning in 1997, Columbia will Take a tour of Scotland's Presbyterian heritage This educational and fun trip will begin in Edinburgh, where the significant historical sites will be visited and where the group will worship at St. Giles cathedral. After leaving Edinburgh, the itinerary includes St. Andrews, Aberdeen, Inverness, Oban, Iona, Glencoe, Stirling, Glasgow, Ayr, and the final two nights in the Border Country. Throughout the tour we will be accompanied by a guide who will help make our heritage come alive. The group, limited to 25, will depart from Atlanta on Friday, June 20, and return on Wednesday, July 2. An optional stay of three nights in London, July 2-5, is available. Betty and Phil Noble '45, who have been to Scotland many times, will lead the tour. For more informa- tion, call Columbia's Office of Con- tinuing Education, 404/687-4562, or Phil Noble, 404/378-1373. D offer a clergy assessment workshop to assist pastors, educators, and church professionals to take stock of their ministry, assessing what their goals, hopes, and dreams are for themselves and their place of ministry, assessing their strengths and weaknesses, and taking intentional steps to build their ministry skills. The second area of emphasis is to assist pastors at the different transi- tion points in their lifelong ministry. The current focus is on the first five years of ministry where the greatest stress occurs. Future workshops will focus on the later transitions in ministry, the maturation, mid-career, and pre-retirement stages. Each stage has specific tasks and skill develop- ment. For the first five years of ministry stage, a series has been developed to assist pastors at three critical junc- tures. They are the initial entry into a congregation from seminary, 18 months into the ministry, and at three years when a person is making critical decisions about remaining in ministry or moving to a different church. Dates for these workshops are listed in the calendar. These transitions are natural in the life cycle of a ministry, and the workshops will help persons Columbia course receives award The Georgia Alliance for the Mentally 111 (GAMI) awarded Columbia its Religious Outreach Award for Outstanding Individual or Organiza- tion. GAMI chose Columbia because of its "Creating a Caring Congrega- tion" series, which seeks better understanding of mental illness in order to be more effective ministers to the mentally ill. This series, held each spring, is co-sponsored by the Presbyterian Mental Illness Network, a division of the Presbyterian Health, Education, and Welfare Association. The first year, the event was organized largely through the efforts of Ben Gautier, whose daughter has schizophrenia. His goal was to insure that the mentally ill, their parents and friends received acceptance and ministry from their churches. The series has been a continuing success. Last year's meeting dealt with financial issues and pediatric mental illness. One speaker, Nancy Lee Head, is a Columbia alumna who has schizophrenia and who is now ministering as a staff person for a peer group of mentally ill persons in Washington, D.C As its recent award suggests, the "Creating a Caring Congregation" series at Columbia is committed to breaking the power of fear and creating more effective ministers. D Lance Mullins '99 Brian Quids, professor of pastoral theology and counseling, will be teaching a course during the summer ses sion with James Baker on pastoral care and preaching. know what they can expect and give them tools for the transitions. The third area of emphasis is leadership. Leadership is an art and a skill. Programs and workshops in this area will focus not only on skill development, but also on understand- ing the dynamics of leadership, spiritual formation, and congrega- tional theory. Columbia's continuing education program is designed to look at the entirety of a person's ministry in its complexities. The program is grounded in the belief that sound theology, historical background, and biblical insight undergird the practice of ministry and should be part of the daily exercise of ministry. Workshops and seminars build on the strong academic foundations laid in semi- nary and support pastors, educators, chaplains, and other church profes- sionals as they seek to serve God. Fall '97 calendar for continuing education September 18-20 Me? Write a Book? Why Not! A step-by-step approach from idea to outline. Do you have enough material for a full book, or do you have an article? How do you get started? How do you plan the book? How do you write a proposal? Leader: Cecil Murphey. Cost: $120. September 27 Women Choosing to Lead: Naming the Struggles, Reclaim- ing the Strengths Women bring a specific type of leadership to ministry that is different from the way men lead. This workshop will help women leaders both personally and spiritually. Leader: Constance Buchanan. Cost: $75. November 3-7 Clergy Self-Assessment This seminar is designed to increase the effectiveness of ministry by taking stock of where a pastor is in his or her ministry. In this seminar, leadership style will be assessed, compatibility with the congregation examined, the positive aspects of conflict explored, methods of self-care discovered, and effective use of strengths in ministry learned. Leader: Roy Oswald. Cost: $150. November 17-19 When the Honeymoon Is Over After 18 months into the first congregation, a significant transition occurs as the realities of the call become evident. This workshop is designed to help persons assess what is happening in their congregations and to themselves as they develop their styles of ministry. Cost: $135. December 8-9 Exploring the Dynamics in the First Five Years of Ministry for the Church This event is designed for presbytery executives, chairs and members of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry and the Committee on Ministry, and others interested in knowing more about the dynamics and transitions in the first five years of ministry that affect the life of the congrega- tion and the individual pastor. This process has significant impact on the health of congregations as well as that of presbyteries. Leadership is provided by TASTE, Transition and Survival Skills Training Experience. Cost: $85. VANTAGE Lay schoolers grapple with issues of faith and life Why is human forgiveness such a problem for many of us, and what can we do about it? How can we distinguish between unhealthy stress and healthy anxiety as faithful Christians "in the world but not of the world?" What can we learn for our con- temporary lives by looking closely at the women in the Old Testament? What can we anticipate about our spiritual growth when we become older adults? What lessons can we learn about bearing grief and pain by reading the Book of Lamentations? Is there Christian hope in a society that seems to be falling apart around us? These are just a few of the kinds of questions faculty and participants grapple with in the Lay Institute's evening and morning lay school courses. "Each session, we offer a mix of courses in study of the Bible, theology, and practical issues of faith in society and in personal life," says Lay Insti- tute Director Rick Dietrich. Among recent study topics have been women in the Old Testament; the Acts of the Apostles; the ethics of life-and-death medical issues; deepen- ing one's spiritual journey; and human forgiveness. For more information on winter lay school offerings, see page 4. Learn to read with theological discernment When you read a novel, what differ- ence might it make to look for the presence or absence of God in the world the author has created? An ongoing study group at the Lay Institute of Faith and Life offers the opportunity to learn to read literature with theological discern- ment. Called "Theology and Litera- ture," the group which is open to everyone meets the first Tuesday of each month, from 7:30 - 9:00 pm in the Harrington Center on the Columbia campus. Among the many books the group has read and discussed are Pat Conroy's Prince of Tides, John Berendt's Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Maya Angelou's / Know WJiy the Caged Bird Sings, Robertson Davies' The Rebel Angels, and Laura Esquivel's Like Water for Chocolate. The fee is $10 for a year's partici- pation (payable in September). Group leader is Rick Dietrich, director of the Lay Institute. To find out what the group is reading for the coming month, call 404/687-4577. D WINTER 1997 Seeing faith in Lay Institute the visual arts hosts art exhibit In the movie, Schindler's List, none of the characters caught up in the Holo- caust voices the inevitable question, "Where is God in this?" Why? Was the question there in the movie nonetheless? In the French-Canadian film, Jesus of Montreal, we encounter an actor who takes on the role of Jesus in a passion play but becomes like Jesus in life. And in the Albert Brooks comedy, Defending Your Life, we view an afterlife in which the primary criterion of judgment is not good or bad deeds, but rather how pervasive fear was in one's life. In each of these films, a theological claim is present. What idea of God is portrayed here? What is the value, purpose, or direction of human life here? And how should faithful people respond to such claims? An ongoing study group at the Lay Institute of Faith and Life offers the opportunity to learn to view and discuss movies from a theological perspective. Called "Faith and Film," the group which is open to every- one meets the third Tuesday of each month, from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. in the Harrington Center at Columbia. Besides Schindler's List, Jesus of Montreal, and Defending Your Life, some of the films discussed have been: The Mission; Eat, Drink, Man, Woman; The Shawshank Redemption; Babbettes Feast; Vie Piano; The Lion King; Pulp Fiction; and Enchanted April. The study group fee is $10 for a year's participation (payable in September). Group leader is Fritz Bogar, a Presbyterian minister cur- rently serving Norcross Presbyterian Church. To find out what the group is viewing for the coming months' sessions, call 404/687-4577. He has described a circle upon tin- face of the waters At a boundary between light and darkness. Wremi ixc. wiiii rHB fragment of poetry from the book of Job (26:10), Atlanta artist Mary Callaway Logan has produced a series of three- dimensional "dwellings," reflecting her response. She describes the work as the dwellings of her meetings with the God for whom "darkness is not really dark." Called "Meetings at the Bound- ary. Light and Darkness," these pieces will be exhibited by the Lay Institute of Faith and Life beginning February 16 in the Harrington Center at Columbia. Mary Callaway Logan is an ordained United Methodist clergywoman and pastoral psycho- therapist, as well as an artist. Her work has been exhibited at Santa Fe South, Art South in Atlanta, and the Atlanta Public Library Downtown. This is the third exhibition the Lay Institute has arranged to display in the Harrington Center. Previous shows were of George Rouault's Miserere series (arrangements made in conjunction with Christians in the Visual Arts), and Lynda Dubov's "Voices in the Ghetto: A Visual Kaddish." Mary Callaway Logan will be on hand at 7:00 p.m. for the February 16 opening to meet and talk with inter- ested viewers. The exhibit can be viewed between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays from February 16 through March 31. For more informa- tion, call 404/687-4577. Turn to page 4 for a calendar listing of upcoming Lay Institute events, as well as articles on Bible stories for adults and February lay scliools. Each summer the Lay Institute offers a workshop on the PW Bible Study In jazz, listen for the voice of the voiceless "In its beginnings, jazz was the blues. Born in the working fields of slaves in the American South, the blues gave voice to a\ oiceless people, crying out with 'sighs too deep for words,'" says Clay Hulet, a ja drummer who is associate director ol the John Bulow Campbell Library al Columbia. "Today, instrumental jazz contin- ues to speak volumes without saying a word," says Hulet, who recently taught an evening Lay Institute course called "Sighs Too Deep for Words" (a phrase drawn from Romans 8:26). Hulet holds master's degrees from Columbia Seminary and Clark Atlanta University. About 20 people attended the four-week course, in which Hulet surveyed the history of jazz as a mode for spiritual communication. The group listened to and discussed numerous jazz recordings from across the years, ranging from King Oliver to Chick Corea, focusing in particular on the modern era from Charlie Parker to John Coltrane. "Considering that the God of Scripture is the God of the oppressed, God is in this music," Hulet says. "In jazz, the sacred and the secular are intertwined." Little has been written about the relationship between jazz and reli- gion, because few people are expert in both areas. Among the sources Hulet recommends are two articles from the theomusicological journal, Black Sacred Music: "From the Heart: A Reflection on the Essence ol fazz" (1992) by Mtumishi St. Julien and "Improvisa- tion, Individuation, and Immanence: Thelonius Monk" (1989) by Hugh J. Roberts. Hulet will reprise the seminar on discerning spiritual expression in modern jazz for the Office of Continu- ing Education in March. See the calendar on page 4 for more informa- tion. D Announcing the Certificate in Spiritual Formation A Response to Spiritual Hunger in the Church Today's theological climate has fostered a growing interest in Chris- tian spirituality, especially as men and women make serious inquiry into the nature, practice, and significance of a life in the Spirit of Christ. In response, Columbia has designed a non-degree program specifically for ministers and laity who wish to help others on their spiritual journeys and learn more about Christianity's rich spiritual heritage. The Certificate in Spiritual Forma- tion offers an exploration of commu- nity-grounded spirituality that is rooted in Scripture, theology, a history of tradition, readings in the spiritual classics, prayer and meditation, and in skills for assisting others on a spiritual journey. Candidates have six years to complete the program, culminating with a Pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Components and Structure of the Certificate in Spiritual Formation Program The Certificate Program has tour major components: Immersion Week, Elective Courses, a Practicum, and a Spiritual Pilgrimage. Immersion Week. This week- long retreat offers opportunities to reflect on one's spiritual journey and to develop resources for helping others on such a journey. Insights cleaned here will provide focus regarding each individual's strengths and weaknesses, helping participants to discern a structure for courses. Elective Courses. Each candidate is required to complete six elective courses, each of a week's duration Three or four electives will be offered each year and will examine spiritual- UN from biblical, theological, histori- cal literary, social, doctrinal, and /or practical dimensions. Electives will be ottered at Columbia or at satellite locations around the country. Practicum. Emphasizing knowl- edge and skills in the practice of spirituality, each candidate will conceive, design, and conduct a practical act of ministry. The Practicum will include projects such as forming a small group for prayer, study, support, and /or outreach; leading a retreat; and teaching a school of prayer. Pilgrimage. The final segment of the certificate program will involve a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The pilgrim- age is a six-unit course. Tuition plus $500 covers all expenses. A reaction: "This program is precisely what I need. One of the powerful motivations for my involve- ment is that there is no degree to be Immersion Week (four units) Elective Courses (six courses at three units each = 18 units) Yearl Fall Immersion Week New Testament Spring Immersion Week Spirituality of Compassion Spiritual Classics June The Literature and PractRi of Spirituality Year 2 Immersion Week Immersion Week Reformed Spintuahtv Personality and Spirituality Teaching Spiritual Formation Earthy Spirituality Psalms Group Spiritual Direction Year 3 Immersion Week Immersion Week Prayer in Many Forms History of Christian Spirituality Spirituality and the Formation of Community Practicum (four units) Pilgrimage (six units) Tuition: $100 per unit earned. Tve spent too many years ^ ^te^Lon, contact the seeking the Holy Crail of earned W 404/687 . 4587; fa 40 4/687- degrees, but now, I am exc ted about program a / com Q learning, experiencing, and having my *oii, emau v- CTS Press presents resources for pastors and the church ^m-T^^B I ZT\ Something More. For church members A\ CTS Press, a publishing arm of Columbia Seminary, is committed to producing dynamic, effective, and reasonably priced materials suitable for every size congregation. For a complete listing of resources, contact CTS Press, P.O. Box 520, Decatur, GA 30031. Telephone 404/ 289-8952. Fax 404/289-1267. Email: ctspress@aol.com. Leading a Congregation in Changing Times Signs of the Times. Eight-part series examines icons of contemporary American culture in 30-minute video sessions: television, car, gun, game, mall, body, and computer. $79 for two two-hour videos and viewer's guide. Theses for The Church Bi \ Johnson New Day ^Jc New Church Ben Johnson Something More. For church members who recognize a spiritual vacuum in their lives and search for a deeper, more authentic faith. $2; $1.50 each 12 or more. Discipleship 101. For Beginning Disciples. Introduces youth to faith; foundational training for new members. Eight sessions on Mark 1-8. New Day/New Church. Companion to 95 Theses, this guide defines the context, proposes a transitional church, and offers practical ways to begin. $1 1.95 Gathering the Church in the Spirit. Walter Brueggemann explores eight texts on the Spirit that guide the church in changing times. Book $5; one-hour video $30. Presbyterians in World Mission: A Handbook for Congregations. G. Thompson Brown. Combines history with a practical challenge to today's congregations. Revised edition $1195. Discipleship 202. For Intermediate Disciples. Helps participants mature in faith. Eight sessions on Mark 9-16. SiqNS Of THG -FiMes Rtlfl.ngOu' Cultu'C With E ot Faith 1 GoowingI 1 CHURCH 1 I LEADERS 1 Can We Just Talk About It? A Discussion of Homosexuality Helps persons seeking God's direction on this controversial subject. Ben Johnson dialogues with Walter Brueggemann (Old Testa- ment professor) and Charles Cousar (New Testament professor). 30 minutes. $19.95 . Growing Church Leaders. Robert Ramey. Practical helps for developing lay leaders in a changing age. $7.95 95 Theses for the Church. Ben Johnson. Summarizes the state of the church, the context of ministry, seminaries, pastors, and the denomination in today's culture in 95 terse statements. $8.95. Prayer and Spiritual Life Invitation to Pray. A call to prayer for individuals and congregations. Four forms of prayer: corporate, personal, life-centered, and contemplative. $2; $1.50 each for 12 or more. Letting God Find You. Specifically created for persons who know little about beginning a Christian journey. $2; $1.50 each for 12 or more. Evangelism and Church Growth Adventure in Prayer. A challenge to a 30-day prayer experiment. $2; $1.50 each for 12 or more. When You Join the Church. How to identify, cultivate, and assimilate prospective members. Introductory Packet contains one cassette, one Leader's Guide, one book. $9.95; Additional books, $2 each. Pastor Helps Art of Pastoring. William C. Martin. Pastor, therapist, and spiritual director provides 81 pungent reflections on the task, role, and person of the pastor. $7.95. Discipleship The Discipleship Series. Innovative Bible studies to teach faith basics. Introductory Packet for each series contains one workbook, one audiocas- sette, and one pocket cross. $9.95 each. Discipleship 303. Acts: The Church Alive. Uses early church history to explore the church's role in the disciple's life. Discipleship 404. Romans: A Mature Faith. A study of Romans 1-8 designed to help inquiring Christians think the faith in an in- formed manner. Discipleship 505. Living in the Kingdom of God as a Disciple of Jesus Christ. Ten studies of Jesus' parables present implica- tions of the Gospel for our personal lives and for life together in the world. Special offer: All five Introductory Packets for $40. Prices do not include shipping. All prices subject to change without notice. DISCIPLESHIP 505 VANTAGE Art has been an important part of Sunday school teaching, as this Farm Security Administration photograph, taken in 1939 in San Augustine, Texas, shows. Columbia receives grant to study material objects of Christianity More than just ideas and institutions, religion in America is a rich mixture of objects, behaviors, and people. To help understand this complex mix- ture, Columbia Seminary has received a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to investigate the history of American religion by focusing on material objects and economic themes. Columbia's Dean of Faculty and Executive Vice President James Hudnut-Beumler directs the three- year Material History of American Religion Project. Daniel Sack has recently joined the seminary staff as the project's associate director. Eight scholars, historians of American religion, are investigating various aspects of the material and economic history of American religion and have chosen a fascinating collec- tion of research topics under the project's broad thematic umbrella. Marie Griffith (Northwestern University) explores devotional forms, especially related to fund-raising and tithing, among twentieth-century American Pentecostals. James Hudnut-Beumler (Co- lumbia Seminary) tells an economic history of religion in the U.S. from the colonial period to the present. Colleen McDannell (University of Utah) looks at how religion was presented in the famous Depression- era Farm Security Administration (FSA) photographs. Robert Orsi (Indiana Univer- sity) explores the ways in which children lived the Catholic faith from the late nineteenth through the twentieth centuries. Daniel Sack (project staff) is interested in the role that food has played in American religious life. Leigh Eric Schmidt (Princeton University) seeks the roots and cultural meanings of the paradoxical coupling of efforts to expose religious counterfeits with the enshrinement of new religious authorities. Judith Weisenfeld (Barnard College) looks closely at a range of American films, from both Hollywood and independent producers, as sites for producing shifting constructions of race, gender, and religion. ; Diane Winston (Princeton University) investigates five commu- nities whose religious convictions resulted in a self-conscious rejection of American commercial culture and their rejection of that culture in the material conditions of everyday life. These scholars will share original documents and objects and their works in progress through a rich and informative World Wide Web site that will serve as an electronic journal. Through this and other means the project hopes to share the results of its research with a larger public. For more information, visit the project's web site at http:/ / www.materialreligion.org, or call Columbia at 404/687-4633. D Winter reading recommendations from Columbia's faculty Always Being Reformed: Faith fur a Fragmented World by Shirley C. Guthrie Helping People Forgive by David W. Augsburger God the Spirit by Michael Welker Tlie Coming of God: Christum Esclmtology by Jiirgen Moltmann The Domestication of Transcendence: How Modern Thinking Aboui God Went Wrong by William C. Placher A Primer on Postmodernism by Stanley J. Gren/. Lifesigns: Intimacy, Fecundity, and Ecstasy in Christian Perspective by Henri J.M. Nouwen The War Against the Poor by Herbert J. Gans Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy by Jostein Gaarder TTie Fifth Gospel: Isaiah in the History of Christianity by John F.A. Sawyer The Temple Bombing by Melissa Fay Greene Adolescence by John W. Santrock Soul Searching: Why Psychotherapy Must Promote Moral Responsibility by William J. Doherty The Fall to Violence: Original Sin in Relational Theology by Marjorie 1 K-witt Suchocki Theology, History, and Culture: Major Unpublished Writings by ' ' Richard Niebuhr ed. by William Stacy Johnson Typhoid Mary: Captive to the Public's Health by Judith Wal/.er Leavitt The Poetry of Healing: A Doctor's Education in Empathy, Identity, and Desire by Rafael Campo Moths and Other Stories by Helena Maria Viramontes Amazing Grace: Vie Eives of Children and the Conscience of a Nation by Jonathan Kozol Doing Brief Psychotlierapy by Michael Franz Basch Memories of God: Theological Reflections on a Fife by Roberta C. Bondi Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English by Patricia T. CConner Vie Wounded Storyteller: Body, Narrative, and Ethics by Arthur W. Frank The Politics of God: Christian Theologies and Social Justice by Kathryn Tanner Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt Mr. Ives' Christinas by Oscar Hijuelos The Sportswriter by Richard Ford Crisis Counseling by Howard W. Stone House of Eight by Mary Oliver Autumn Rhythm: New and Selected Poems by Leon Stokesbury A New Handbook of Christian Theologians ed. by Donald W. Musser and Joseph L. Price The Creed: The Apostolic Faith in Contemporary Theology by Bernard L. Marthaler Neu> Visions for the Americas: Religious Engagement and Social Transformation ed. by David Batstone Cecil Moore '62, superintendent of buildings and grounds, was the first recipient of the Betsey Burgess Staff Award for faithfulness, dedicated service, and Christian character upholding the seminary's purpo se and mission. WINTER 1997 Jasper Keith (STD '79), professor of pastoral care and counseling at Columbia, has been called as pastor of Decatur Presbyterian Church. In addition to teaching, Dr. Keith also directed super- vised ministry at Columbia. He joined the Columbia faculty in 1972 and was named professor emeritus in 1996. Jeanne Stevenson- Moessner, adjunct assistant professor of practical theology, was ordained on October 24, the fortieth anniversary of Presbyterian women in ordained ministry. With her and her daughter is Margaret Towner, first woman ordained in tlie PC(USA), who took part in Stevenson-Moessner's ordination. For the Record If you have recent news you would like to contribute to this section, please send it to the editor. ^ Two Columbia professors have recently been honored. Erskine Clarke '66, professor of American religious history, received the Francis Makemie Award for 1996, given for "the most outstanding published book-length contribution to American Presbyterian or Reformed history" by the Presbyterian Historical Society for his book, Our Southern Zum. John Patton, professor of pastoral theology, received the J. Obert Kempson Out- standing Service Award given by the Southeast region of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education to some- one who has made a significant contribution to the development of clinical pastoral education Nibs Stroupe '75 is co-author of While We Run Thi> Race, which has received the Outstanding Book Award on human rights by the Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Human Rights in North America Sherron George (DMin '86), the John William and Helen Lancaster Professor of Evange- lism and Missions at Austin Seminary, and Darrell Guder, professor of evangelism and church growth, were faculty members at the Conference on World Mission and Evangelism in Brazil, sponsored by the World Council of Churches Wil Howie '90 is minister of First church, Charleston, MS, and staff associate of mission in Si. Andrew Presbytery, which in- cludes helping coordinate their Partnership project with Ntem Presbytery in Cameroon, West Africa, and the synod's Living Waters for the World water purification project on the Texas/ Mexican border. D. Cameron Murchison, Jr., professor of ministry, preached at the Westminster church, Gainesville, FL, the Presbyterian Student Center at the University of Florida, and the Mission Conference for the Abbeville, SC, church. Dr. Murchison led a congre- gational retreat for Covenant church, Atlanta, and an officers' retreat for Spring Hill church, Mobile, where he also preached. He attended a confer- ence for professors of polity in theo- logical institutions in Louisville, KY, and the annual American Association of Religion /Society of Biblical Litera- ture (AAR/SBL) meeting in New Orleans Jeff White '89 is minister of congregational care at First church, Winston-Salem, NC Harold Prince '60, professor emeritus, preached the homecoming sermon for the Duncan's Creek church, Clinton, SC Ron Cram, associate professor of Christian education, holds babies once a week in the neonatal unit of Grady Hospi- tal, Atlanta Richard Dietrich, Correction: The DMin. dissertation title for Joan Murray '96 should have read "Relationships with God as a Dimension of Pastoral Supervision." director of the Lay Institute, was at Waverly Road church, Kingsport, TN, for their Stewardship Weekend and at Shades Valley church, Birmingham, for their lecture series on "Pain and Healing." Dr. Dietrich was featured speaker at First church, Henderson- ville, NC, for their arts festival. Several alums have married recently: Deborah Zarrett '91 and John Wells '96 on Aug. 24 in Decatur; Kari Ward '96 and Steve Kolmetz '95 on Sept. 21 in Decatur; Monnie Adams '95 and Stephen Caine '96 on Nov. 16 in Mobile; and Coile Estes '86 and Michael Mears on Dec. 27 in Atlanta Jeanette Rodenbough (DMin '93) is interim pastor of the Pine Hall and Sandy Ridge, NC, churches David Moessner, profes- sor of New Testament, presided at the Luke-Acts Seminar of the annual meeting of SBL in New Orleans. He has had two articles published re- cently: "The 'Script' of the Scriptures in Acts" in History, Literature, and Society in the Book of Acts and "'Eye- witnesses,' 'Informed Contemporar- ies,' and 'Unknowing Inquirers'" in Festschrift for J. Smit Sibinga, Novum Testamentum 38 Clover Beal '91 is assistant chaplain at Eckerd College. ....Pat Wrisley '88 is organizing pastor BIRTHS To Mark '80 and Ginger Jumper, a son, Jonathan Mark, Sept. 11, 1996. Adopted by Preston '86 and Debbie Shealy, a son, Dustin Matthew, born Dec. 25, 1990, and a daughter, Paige Ann, born Mar. 21, 1995. To David '86 and Nancy Weirnauer, a daughter, Claire Elizabeth, June 25, 1996. To Dick '90 (DMin '94) and Karen Walkup Newsome '88, a son, Daniel Brantley, June 26, 1996. To Dan Milford '93 and Nadia Rosales, a son, Austin Erik Milford- Rosales, Sept. 27, 1996. To SherylLynn Frazier '95 and Jeffrie, a daughter, Hannah Grace, July 20, 1996. To Jackie and Timothy Fulop, assis- tant dean of faculty and director of research and evaluation, a daughter, Lily Patricia, Sept. 6, 1996. DEATHS Harry Bryan '29, Nov. 18, 1996. David Wilkinson '43, June 27, 1996. BobBevis'59, Dec. 7, 1996. James Gaillard '71, April 5, 1996. Robert White '71, July 14, 1996. Glenn Martin '74, July 25, 1996. Mary Grace Cartledge, widow of Professor Sam Cartledge '29, Nov. 17, 1996. A memorial service was held at Columbia Presbyterian Church on Nov. 22 with Joan Gray '76 and Wade Huie '46 officiating. at Celebration, a new church develop- ment in Orlando, FL Ernestine Cole, associate dean of students, attended a meeting of the Presbyte- rian Health Network in Charlotte while attending the 1997 biennial conference of the Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association. Charles Cousar, professor of New Testament, preached at the Prospect church, Mooresville, NC, and led a congregational retreat for Trinity church, Columbia, SC. Dr. Cousar attended the annual SBL meeting in New Orleans Cliff McLeod '80 received the D.Min. degree from Union Seminary in Virginia in June Kathleen O'Connor, professor of Old Testament, presented a paper on "Feminist Biblical Studies: Prob- lems and Prospects" at the annual meeting of the Catholic Biblical Association, two papers at the annual SBL meeting on "Pedagogies for Cross-Cultural Classrooms and Churches," and one on Jeremiah, "The Broken Mended?" A paper she co- authored, "Unfaithful Passion: Coding Women, Coding Men in Jeremiah 2:1- 4 2," was published in Biblical Interpre- tation. Dr. O'Connor has been ap- pointed to the Editorial Board of the Abingdon Old Testament Commen- tary series Darice Dawson '94 is Protestant chaplain at Florida Institute of Technology Robert Ramey, professor emeritus, delivered the inaugural lectures for the Bob Ramey Enrichment Series and also preached at Memorial Drive church, Stone Mountain, GA. He led spiritual growth retreats for Brookhaven Christian Church, Atlanta, and Grace Chapel church, Madison, MS, where he also preached. He preached at the sesquicentennial anniversary service of the Sharon church, Charlotte, and at his "home" church, First church, Danville, VA. Dr. Ramey has also taught at Columbia and at Columbia's Center for Theological Studies in Florida. Shirley Guthrie, professor of systematic theology, has preached and taught at churches in Greenville, SC; Cleveland and Jackson, MS; Atlanta; Knoxville, TN; Jonesboro, AR; Pampa, TX, and McDonough, GA. Dr. Guthrie was speaker for a conference for youth leaders in Montreat John Herndon '85 is a new member of the General Assembly Council of the PC(USA) Will Coleman '85 gave papers on black theology, syncretism, and the African Diaspora and West African Roots of African-American Spirituality in the South at panel discussions at the annual meeting of the AAR. He participated in an interview with Iwan Russell-Jones, former Columbia professor, for BBC Radio on "Millennialism." He has been scholar in residence at Rhodes College and gave a paper at their Religious Studies Colloquium on African-American religious slave narratives. Dr. Coleman gave the Davis Forum Lectures at the Univer- sity of San Francisco and has lectured at Grace St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Memphis. His writings include an article on Cornel West for A New Handbook of Christian Theologians and a book review for Black Issues in Higher Education Frank Harrington '60 (ThM '61) and the Peachtree church celebrated 25 years of ministry together on Oct. 20. Belinda Curry '93 is associate for policy development and interpreta- tion in the Office of Social Policy Formation and Interpretation of the General Assembly Council, PC(USA) Walter Brueggemann, professor of Old Testament, partici- pated in Bill Moyers' "Genesis" series on PBS and lectured at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN; Lee Institute, St. Louis; and Baptist Seminary, Richmond. He preached at the installation of the executive of the Greater Dallas Community of churches. Dr. Brueggemann gave a paper at SBL on "Jews and Christians in Biblical Theology." His book, The Threat of Life, has been published by Fortress Press, and his articles on land, creation, and Genesis have appeared in collected volumes Philip Gehman '68, vice president for student life and dean of students, participated in workshops in Chicago on the Student Information Project sponsored by the Association of Theological Schools and in Baltimore on "Innovations, Design, Construc- tion, and Costs of Student Housing," sponsored by the Association of College Administration Professionals. ...Gloria Jennings '90 (MATS '88), director of alumni /ae relations and associate director of the annual fund, has preached at the Madison and Union Point, GA, churches. Ben Johnson, professor of Chris- tian spirituality, has preached at Trinity church, Traveler's Rest, SC; First churches in Port Huron, MI, Fort Dodge, IA, and Raleigh, NC; Ray Memorial church, Monroe, GA; Pleasant Hills church, Pittsburgh, PA; and Christ church, Largo, FL. He has conducted an immersion week for the Certificate in Spiritual Formation in Winter Park, FL, and led a clergy Continued on page 11 Vantage Volume 86, No. 1, Winter 1997 Published quarterly by Columbia Theological Seminary Circulation: 25,000 The Office of Development/ Seminary Relations Editor: Juliette Harper Director of Publications and Publicity Postmaster: Send address changes to Vantage Columbia Theological Seminary P.O. Box 520 Decatur, GA 30031-0520 VANTAGE For the Record continued from page 10 retreat for Eastern Virginia Presbytery. Dr. Johnson gave the keynote address and led workshops for the Northeast Wee Kirk Confer- ence in Pittsburgh, the Synod of Southwest Evangelism Celebration and the Synod of the Covenant Brian Childs, professor of pastoral theology and counseling, spoke at the annual awards conference of the Rosalynn Carter Institute and at First church, Americus, GA. He has published an article in Journal of Literature and Medicine. Dr. Childs has consulted with Baptist Health Care System of Florida and lectured at Georgia State University Law School on assisted suicide Polly Deppen '92, associate pastor of Hamilton church, Pittsburgh, was featured in Successful Women, a lifestyle newspaper in southwestern Pennsylvania Rusty Douglas '80 is minister of evangelism and disciple- ship at Peachtree church, Atlanta Warner Durnell '78 is pastor of the St. Andrews church in Nashville. Michael Poulos '92 is associate pastor with youth and their families at Trinity church, Atlanta Clayton Bell '58 is chairman of the board of Christianity Today Ann Clay Adams, director of admissions, was moderator for the Caribbean and North American Area Council of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches at its 1996 meeting in Canada. With Laura Conrad '98 and Anna McArthur '98 , she served as leader- ship and worship team for the South Carolina Statewide Student Confer- ence in Garden City. Ms. Adams has taught adult classes on ecumenics and the liturgical year at the Norcross, GA, church Timothy Fulop, assistant dean of faculty and director of re- search and evaluation, chaired an African- American religious history section at the annual AAR/SBL meeting and taught at Central Baptist Theological Seminary and the North Georgia extension of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He co- edited African American Religion: Interpretive Essays in History and Culture C. Benton Kline, president emeritus and visiting professor, taught "Creation and Covenant" for an adult classes at Trinity church, Atlanta, and Clairmont church, Decatur. He led vespers at Lenbrook Square retirement community, Atlanta Jeanne Stevenson Moessner, adjunct assistant professor of practical theology, was keynote speaker at the annual Charles Gerkin Pastoral Care Symposium sponsored by Emory Clergycare. She has at- tended a conference on spirituality and healing, sponsored by Harvard Medical School and Deaconness Hospital in Boston. From the Bookstore No. of copies A new title by Columbia faculty: Letters of Paul (Interpreting Biblical Texts series) by Charles B. Cousar A new book of interest for our church: A Brief History of the Presbyterians by James H. Smylie Retail Columbia price price $15.95 $13.56 $10.95 $9.31 Total amount for books 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.) Georgia residents: add five percent sales tax on books and shipping Total Method of payment (please check one): check payable to CTS Bookstore (included with order) VISA MasterCard Novus (please print information below): Visa / MasterCard / Novus# .Exp. date. Church establishes scholarship honoring former pastor and wife First Presbyterian Church of Savannah, Georgia, has established the Stewart Scholarship at Columbia Seminary with a gift of over $5,000. The scholarship honors Margaret and J. Walton Stewart, Jr. '31. Dr. Stewart served as minister at First church from 1955-71, at which time the church named him minister emeritus. The Stewart Scholarship will be used to prepare students for pastoral ministry. President Douglas Oldenburg remarked to the church about Dr. Stewart, "We are proud to claim him a graduate of Columbia. I am confident his ministry to and with the congrega- tion for so many years has made a tremendous difference in many lives. The income from this scholarship fund will help students who need financial support as they prepare for leadership in the church of Jesus Christ. I know of no greater cause." First church minister Stephen Williams noted the influential role ol Dr. Stewart. Williams said, "Dr. Stewart's ministry has shaped this congregation. For 40 years, first as minister, and then minister emeritus, his faithful witness has taught and inspired our members. We sometimes think that our influence on a church is very fleeting, but Walton and Marga- ret have defined the Christian gospel in ways their friends will never forget." When Dr. Stewart graduated from Columbia, he belonged to a class of 12 men, including Peter Marshall and Name (as it appears on card) Street address for UPS shipment: City State. .Zip. Phone. Wallace Alston. Born in Mobile, Alabama, Dr. Stewart graduated from Presbyterian College in 1928. He earned the Th.M. and Th.D. degrees from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia. He was ^n instructor .it Columbia during the 1932-33 aca- demic year. Dr. Stewart served churches in Conyers, C aitersville, and i uharlee, Georgia. Prior to his call to Savannah, he served Plaza church in Charlotte, North Carolina, and First l luirch in Natchez, Mississippi. During his pastorate in Savannah, he led the congregation in the construc- lu>n of its SanCTUarj . completed in L946. An elder in First church and the retired director of Christian education there, Geraldine Jones, said of the Stewart Scholarship, "Members of the church responded generously to tin- concept of a scholarship to honOl Walton Stewart. This is anothei way, besides including the contribution to the Fund for Theological I ducation in the church budget, to indicate our Support of theological edu< ation the old Presbyterian commitment to an educated clergy." Presently Dr. and Mrs. Stewart, the daughter of Presbyterian minister Dunbar Ogden, live in Richmond Virginia. They celebrated then sixtieth wedding anniversary and Dr. Stewart's ninetieth birthday within the past year. The Stewarts have three grown children and nine grandchil- dren. D Nelle McCorkle Prices subject to change as determined by publishers. Please send this completed order form to: CTS Bookstore, P.O. Box 520, Decatur, GA 30031 . " m m w * m m mm * 9- * m t * j^'^yjy^L'^S^y^E In October Columbia held an open house and a dedication service fo> tht John Sulow Campbell Library's addition and renovation. WINTER 1997 Celebrating Montreat's centennial The celebration of the Centennial Olympic Games is history, but Presbyterians have another exciting centennial to celebrate: this year, 1997, is the one hundredth birthday of the Montreat Conference Center in Montreat, North Carolina. Many observations of the milestone are planned, some of which are already underway. One of the tributes to Montreat's rich history is the summer 1996 issue of American Presbyterians: The Journal of Presbyterian History. Included in the issue are articles by William Kennedy, G. Thompson Brown, Joel Alvis, Mary-Ruth Marshall, and Rebecca Young, a senior Master of Divinity student at Columbia. As part of the celebration, all of the authors will participate in a panel presentation of their articles on June 15, 1997, at Montreat. Young's article, "A Place in the Heart: The Role of Montreat Confer- ence Center in the History of the Women of the PCUS," covers women's involvement at Montreat for the entire 100 years of its exist- ence. In doing research for the article, Young visited the Montreat archives and interviewed both women and men who were involved in many ways in women's activities at Montreat: former PCUS women's leaders, conference speakers and guests, children of speakers, and those who worked as college staff assistants during the women's conferences. The result is a mix of historical data, personal stories, and memories of the close relationship between PCUS women and Montreat and the effect of that relationship on the wider church. Other articles in the journal include a pictorial history of Montreat; an exploration of Montreat as an educational center; the relation between Montreat and world mis- sions by Columbia professor emeritus Tommy Brown; Montreat and Presbyterian social policy; and a discussion of how youth kept the issue of racial discrimination before the leadership of Montreat and the PCUS. The wide array of issues addressed in the journal reflect the powerful impact that Montreat has had on the history of the Presbyterian Church. Come See Columbia Day Thursday, April 24, 1997 9:00 - Registration 10:00 - Worship, led by Sara Covin Juengst Author of PW Bible Study for 1996-97 11:00 - Meet the six CFC scholarship recipients After lunch - Attend a seminary class and tour the John Bulow Campbell Library's addition and renovation All Presbyterian Women are encouraged to attend. For more information, call 404/687-4566. Sponsored by the Columbia Friendship Circle Vantage P.O. Box 520 Decatur, Georgia 30031 404/378-8821 CONTENTS Colloquium '97 moved to April 21-23 1 Reflections after ten years 2 Computer, media specialists join staff 2 Alum ministers with Lagunas 3 Columbia receives new church development grant .... 3 Students excel at ordination exams 3 Continuing Education, Lay Institute Calendar 4 Continuing Education, Lay Institute offerings 4 Doctor of Ministry degree grows 5 Continuing education strengthens ministry 6 Lay Institute offers variety of courses 7 Certificate in Spiritual Formation, CTS Press 8 Columbia receives grant to study material religion .... 9 Winter reading recommendations 9 For the Record 10 Church establishes scholarship honoring alum 11 Celebrating Montreat's centennial 12 COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Periodicals Postage Paid at Decatur, GA Publication No. 124160