SUMMER 1983
Columbia 5eminory
VontoQ
NEW APPOINTMENTS STRENGTHEN FACULTY
Lucy Rose Edward Trimmer
The Board of Directors of Colum-
bia is pleased to announce four signif-
icant appointments to the Seminary
faculty. Appointed to a three-year
term as ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
OF PREACHING AND WORSHIP
is Lucy A. Rose, former Pastor of the
John Calvin Presbyterian Church in
Salisbury, NC. Ms. Rose served as
Pastor of John Calvin for five years
before coming to Columbia. She also
served the First Presbyterian Church
of Sanford, NC, before returning to
Duke Divinity School to earn her
Th.M. degree in Ministerial Studies.
While at Duke she worked as a
gradutate assistant in homiletics and
during the years as Pastor in Salis-
bury returned to Duke as a lecturer
in homiletics.
Ms. Rose's undergraduate work
was done at Agnes Scott College
where she was graduated with a B.A.
in English (cum laude). She went on
to earn a M.A. in Teaching from Em-
ory University and a D.Min. from
Union Theological Seminary in
Richmond.
The Seminary is confident that Ms.
Rose's abilities as an effective
teacher, skillful biblical interpreter,
and talented speaker will make her
presence on our campus a blessing for
students and faculty alike.
R. Leon Carroll
A second faculty position, ASSIS-
TANT PROFESSOR OF CHRIS-
TIAN EDUCATION WITH A
SPECIALTY IN YOUTH MINIS-
TRY, was instituted by the Board
and will be filled by the Rev. Edward
A. Trimmer, former pastor of the
Trinity United Methodist Church,
Grand Rapids, MI. Mr. Trimmer will
come to Columbia in August with the
completion of his Ed.D. dissertation
at Columbia University in New York.
He was graduated with a B.A. from
West Virginia Wesleyan College in
Social Science and went on to earn
his M.Div. degree and a M.A. in
Christian Education from the Meth-
odist Theological School in Ohio.
Mr. Trimmer has done extensive
work in youth ministry in various set-
tings within the Methodist Church
and has served as Teaching Assistant
in Christian Education at the Meth-
odist Theological School in Ohio. His
interests also include "Outdoor" Edu-
cation, with both youth and children,
and Special Education, the relating of
Christian Education and Special Ed-
ucation. He served as a group leader
at the President's Conference on the
Handicapped and is actively involved
in Church consultation in this area.
Columbia looks forward to the
growth of an exciting and vital Youth
Peter Carruihers
Ministry program under the able
leadership of Ed Trimmer.
The third new faculty appointment
is that of R. Leon Carroll, Jr. to the
position of DIRECTOR OF SUPER-
VISED MINISTRY. Mr. Carroll
comes to Columbia after almost eight
years as Associate Pastor and Minis-
ter of Education and Community at
the First Presbyterian Church,
Charleston, WV. Before his ministry
in Charleston, Mr. Carroll held Asso-
ciate Pastorates at the Highland
Presbyterian Church, Louisville, KY,
and the Whitehaven Presbyterian
Church in Memphis, TN.
He was graduated from the Uni-
versity of Southern Mississippi with a
B.S. in Psychology and Religion and
from Columbia with the M.Div. de-
gree. His continuing education in-
cludes work in Christian Education
and Field Education Supervision at
Louisville Theological Seminary, Mc-
Cormick Theological Seminary and
Union Theological Seminary in Rich-
mond. He has also done extensive
work at the Presbytery level in Chris-
tian Education and was the Director
of the 1983 Christian Education Con-
ference at Montreat in June.
Lee Carroll has had a great deal of
experience in supervising seminary
cont'd on p. 7
BOARD ACTIONS
Dr. Wm. A. Adams
One of the highlights of the Spring
Meeting of the Board of Directors
(April 12-13) was a Planning Semi-
nar conducted by Dr. Robert Lynn of
the Lilly Endowment, Inc., and Dr.
John Fletcher of Alban's Institute.
The Seminar focused upon the basic
theme of "The Future of Protestant
Seminaries." It provided valuable in-
sights of trends in the life of Protes-
tant seminaries with specific applica-
tions to Columbia Seminary. The
members of the Board received valua-
ble training that underscored their re-
sponsibilities and opportunities. Drs.
Lynn and Fletcher raised many ques-
tions about the future of Columbia
and encouraged the Board to plan
comprehensively and constructively.
A follow-up report on the Seminary
by Dr. Fletcher has been received and
distributed to the Board for their fu-
ture planning.
Dr. William A. Adams, Executive
Presbyter of Atlanta Presbytery, was
elected to be the Chairman of the
Board of Directors. Serving with Dr.
Adams will be Mr. Ludwick Clymer
(Memphis, TN) as Vice Chmn. and
the Rev. Gerald Voye (Temple Ter-
race, FL) as Sec'y.
The Board expressed its deep ap-
preciation to Dr. J. Phillips Noble for
his excellent leadership as Chairman
of the Board since 1978. Grateful ac-
knowledgement was also made to
Charles McCain and Frederick
Woodward from the Synod of the
Mid-South and Eugene Rogers from
the Synod of the Southeast for their
dedicated service on the Board prior
to rotating off.
The Board received the report of
the Office of Development that the
Capital Funds Campaigns in the
three supporting Synods had been
reached and exceeded. An amount of
$7,424,413 has been received in gifts
and pledges on a goal of $7,000,000.
The actions of the Board of Direc-
tors relative to faculty appointments,
resignations and retirement are re-
ported elsewhere in this issue of
VANTAGE.
BELATED DIPLOMA
Fifty years ago, one of the mem-
bers of the CTS graduating class was
Bonneau H. Dickson. Times were
hard and Bonneau didn't have $5.00
to purchase a diploma. He went to
Dr. Richards to explain his situa-
tion just knowing that he would be
the only one who would not be
handed a diploma at the Commence-
ment Exercises. However, he was
handed a scroll tied with blue ribbon
as were all of his classmates. He
found inside the scroll a note certify-
ing that he had completed all require-
ments for graduation with honor and
that the certificate could later be ex-
changed for a diploma.
This year, Bonneau was presented
with an official diploma the M.Div.
degree from CTS.
Dr. Richards recently confided
with Bonneau that not more than
three or four diplomas were given in
the entire Class of '33.
Columbia Theological Seminary, Box 520, Decatur, Ga. 30031. Vantage, Vol 75 No. 2, Richard A. Dodds and Betty K. Dodds, Editors
Published Quarterly. Second Class Postage Paid at Decatur, Ga., Publication No. 124160.
FROM the PRE6DENT
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
is a reality! This event, concluding a
long process of Re-Union, occurred at
a Communion Service here in Atlanta
on Friday, June 10. The more than
13,000 people there experienced a
sense of excitement as we face the fu-
ture together.
There is, of course, some apprehen-
sion to be mixed with that excite-
ment. One of these is the future of
seminaries in the Re-United Church.
A special committee, which includes
the Presidents of the eleven institu-
tions, plus eleven other persons
elected from the Church-At-Large,
will have five years to develop a plan
for financing theological education in
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Those of us who have enjoyed a
strong regional base very much want
to see that continued in some form.
Indeed, many of the Presidents of for-
mer United Presbyterian Seminaries
indicate that they have not been satis-
fied with the system of support from
the General Assembly level.
The danger is that the eleven insti-
tutions, through an emphasis on serv-
ing the whole Nation, could find
themselves with needless duplication
and a very destructive competition.
Columbia is in a great position as
far as location, facilities, faculty and
students are concerned to make a tre-
mendous contribution over the next
decade and more to the Re-United
Church.
We look forward to that. We do so
because a theological seminary is the
one indispensable institution of the
Church. While many others are help-
ful, you could not have a denomina-
tion without a place to train
ministers.
I know that all of us who love Co-
lumbia, and who have supported it,
will unite in seeking to make it a
stronger influence than ever as we go
forward together with many
Presbyterians throughout the United
States.
With a prayer for God's blessing
upon you and all you are doing, I am
Faithfully yours,
J. Davison Philips
President
COMMENCEMENT 1983
Weltner
May 29 marked the 15 1st Commencement Exercises of
Columbia Theological Seminary. Upon recommendation of
the faculty, Dr. William A. Adams, Chairman of the
Board of Directors of Columbia and Executive Presbyter
of Atlanta Presbytery, awarded 42 degrees to graduates
from 12 states and 1 country outside the U.S.
Commencement was preceded by a Baccalaureate Ser-
vice Sunday morning at the Central Presbyterian Church
of Atlanta with the Rev. P. C. Enniss, Jr., pastor of Cen-
tral Church, preaching. Rev. Enniss' closing remarks in his
sermon entitled "Set Free to be Slaves" were, "The tug of
war continues in every generation freedom and obligation
. . . We are free! . . . Only what if after we've gotten
Calvin off our backs ... we find the highest and most ful-
filling form of freedom in the disciplines and duties of self-
indentured slavery to the living God . . . who alone has
the power to make us truly free?"
Dr. Mary Boney Sheats, Callaway Professor of Bible
and Religion at Agnes Scott College, delivered the Com-
mencement address, "This Ebenezer," at the Druid Hills
Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.
Graduates Sara Juengst, Alice
Hickcox, and Richard Troost were
awarded their Master of Divinity degrees
"with distinction" for their outstanding
academic achievements. Charles Long-
street Weltner and Gary Headrick were
awarded the Master of Arts degree in
Theological Studies "with distinction" as
well. Interestingly enough, Mr. Weltner,
who did his Master's work in Semitic
Languages, also serves as a Justice of the Supreme Court
of Georgia.
Sara Juengst received the Wilds Book
Prize for the highest distinction in aca-
demic work over the entire Seminary pro-
gram. She was also awarded the Abdullah
Award for the best paper setting forth a
plan for the teaching of Bible in the pub-
lic schools. The Presbytery of St. Andrew
Women of the Church Preaching Award
for the best sermon written by a student
during the academic year also went to
Ms. Juengst.
Thomas Bagley, D. Min., received the Lyman and Miki
Mobley Prize in Biblical Scholarship for exemplary work
in the field of Biblical Studies as it relates to the worship
and work of the Church.
Sara Juengst, Tom Bagley, and Richard Troost were
awarded Columbia Graduate Fellowships. Alice Hickcox
received the Fannie Jordan Bryan Fellowship.
President J. Davison Philips concluded the Exercises
with a charge to the graduating class consisting of appro-
priate passes of scripture, a Seminary tradition of long
standing, and with the Benediction.
The Class of '83 left the Seminary Campus with the
words of Dr. Mary Boney Sheats fresh in their minds, "In
the passage from I Samuel, the Israelites said to their
judge, 'Don't stop praying to the Lord for us.' I am sure
this is the hope that you who are leaving Columbia Semi-
nary have: that all those who love and believe in this insti-
tution remember it in prayer every day."
r
Commencement Speaker Dr. Mary Boney Sheats with Dean Oscar Hus-
sel (on left} and President Philips.
The Commencement Exercises were held in the Sanctuary of the Druid
Hills Presbyterian Church which observed its Centennial this year.
S. Juengst
Charles (Chuck) Roberts of Pine Bluff. AR. celebrates his graduation
with his bride-to-be. Lib Upchurch.
Dr. John Sloop. Pastor of the Lithonia Presbyterian Church, Lithonia,
GA. with his support group who encouraged him to earn his D.Min.
Doctor of Mini6try Du
Mo6ter of Prt6
(In Theological Studies)
Thomas Owen Bagley, Jr Robert Joseph Blumer, Jr. Francis McMaster Burriss Craig D
COLUMBIP &EMIN
Gary L. Headrick Charles Longstreet Weltner
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inity Degree
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PROFESSORS LEAVE CAMPUS
Ludwig Dewitz
Keith Nickle
Tom Long
This issue of VANTAGE fea-
tures the appointment of four new
faculty positions by the Board of
Directors. It is with a deep sense
of heartfelt loss and regret, how-
ever, that we acknowledge that
three of Columbia's finest profes-
sors will no longer be gracing the
classrooms and the campus of the
Seminary. One professor is retir-
ing, one is returning to the pastor-
ate and another is accepting a call
from one of our sister theological
institutions in the Presbyterian
family.
Dr. Ludwig Dewitz, Professor of
Old Testament, retires this year
after 24 years of dedicated service
to Columbia. Dr. Dewitz will be
honored by the Seminary Commu-
nity and the Alumni/ae during the
Columbia Forum in February,
1984. His contribution to the life
and mission of Columbia Seminary
has been far reaching and will be
presented in a special article in the
1984 Winter Issue of the
VANTAGE.
Dr. Keith Nickle, Professor of
New Testament, has chosen to
leave the Seminary to return to the
pastorate. Dr. Nickle came to Co-
lumbia in 1975 after serving as
Professor of Biblical Languages at
St. Louis University for eight
years. His teaching in the world of
academia was preceded by two
pastorates in Texas (1958-67).
Keith has accepted a call to be-
come the pastor of the First Pres-
byterian Church, Jefferson City,
TN. His wife, Marie, also en-
deared herself to the Seminary
Community and will be greatly
missed. The good news about the
Nickle departure is that their son,
Stephen (one of four sons), will re-
main on the Seminary campus.
Stephen is the recipient of a Co-
lumbia Scholarship and a member
of the incoming class.
Dr. Charles Cousar, who has
worked closely with Keith in the
Biblical Area, expresses the feeling
of the faculty and students when
he states, "I shall greatly miss
Keith Nickle. He has been a val-
ued colleague over the past decade.
His own scholarship, his demand
for excellence from students, his
keen sense of humor, and his com-
mitment to training ministers will
be hard to replace."
Another faculty member whose
loss will be keenly felt is Dr.
Thomas G. Long. Tom joined Co-
lumbia's faculty in 1978 and has
worked with students in strength-
ening their communicative skills in
the art of preaching. Professor
Long has done much to demon-
strate the importance of preaching
the Word with clarity and
conviction.
Dr. Long received his Ph.D.
from Princeton Theological Semi-
nary in 1980. After struggling with
Princeton's call to become their
Professor of Preaching and Wor-
ship, Tom accepted it and plans to
begin his work in the Fall.
His lovely wife, Sherrill, along
with their children, Melanie and
David, are looking forward to their
new life at Princeton but have ex-
pressed their regret at having to
leave the Columbia Seminary
family.
Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Oscar
Hussel, emphasized what Tom
Long has meant to Columbia by
stating, "Tom Long will be
remembered at Columbia not only
as an outstanding preacher that
is his well deserved reputation
among the churches but as a
skilled, caring teacher and as a
faculty member with keen insight
into the purposes and shapes of
theological education."
As these outstanding Professors
and their families leave Columbia,
they go with a sincere appreciation
for their work and with a strong
sense of gratitude to God.
FACULTY IN PRINT
Three of Columbia's professors
have made significant contributions to
the Seminary and the Church during
the past year through their recently
published works. Dr. Charles B.
Cousar's commentary on Galatians,
part of a series entitled Interpreta-
tion: A Bible Commentary for Teach-
ing and Preaching, has been met with
the highest praise and excitement
throughout the church by ministers
and lay people alike. Designed for the
teaching and preaching needs of the
Church, Galatians is a rich resource
for anyone wishing to gain a better
understanding of what the text has to
say with regards to "the critical ques-
tions and problems of contemporary
life and faith." A wonderful aid for
Bible Study, Dr. Cousar's commen-
tary should be in every church
library.
Another commentary, this one by
Dr. James D. Newsome on First and
Second Samuel, part of the Knox
Preaching Guides series, has also
come into print recently and promises
to be an invaluable resource for bibli-
cal preaching in today's world. Dr.
Newsome presents "sound and tested
exegesis" of the texts in Samuel and
then reflects specifically on the pos-
sibilities these texts have for preach-
ing. The freshness of Dr. Newsome's
reflection brings the beauty and rele-
vance of the two often neglected
books alive for preachers and makes
them a helpful sermon resource.
Dr. Ben Johnson has produced sev-
eral booklets to place in the hands of
ministers and laypersons to
strengthen the work of Evangelism.
His major work of the year, An Evan-
gelism Primer, from John Knox Press
is proving to be a wonderful resource
for those interested in Evangelism. It
is subtitled "Practical Principles for
Congregations" and presents just that
in a clear and helpful way. There are
also 14 "lecturettes" to accompany
the book for use in the local
congregation.
Columbia is proud of the work of
her professors and is always delighted
when their expertise and wisdom can
be shared with the church through
the printed word.
CAMPUS SCENES
. !*-
Summer Greek Students and their families are welcomed
to Columbia Seminary with an old-fashioned picnic.
Professor Charles Cousar teaches Beginners' Greek during
the intensive Summer Session Greek School.
Eight units of the Married Students Apartments ihuilt in
1953) are being completely refurbished during the
Summer.
mkm
COLUMBIA THEOLOCT
SEMINARY
PRESBYTERIAN U
Dr. Harry Barrow, Director of Admissions, welcomes Co-
lumbia Scholars Leeann Rogers, Stephen Nickle and Lee
Holiday to the campus.
NEW STUDENTS
ARRIVE
What do a minister of music, a
clerk at a department store, a physi-
cian, a police officer, a Christian edu-
cator, a teacher of disabled adults, a
managing director of a department
store, a counselor at a drug rehabili-
tation center, and a recent college
graduate have in common? All of
these men and women are responding
to the call of ministry and are in the
new class of entering students at Co-
lumbia Seminary.
On the week-end of July 4th,
packed cars and U-Haul trailers be-
gan arriving on Columbia's campus!
Men, women and children from many
different states were busy moving into
student housing. They were getting
ready for the Summer (Beginner's
Greek) School, which began of July
5th and is being taught by Dr.
Charles Cousar.
Over 60 new students have been
accepted into the Master of Divinity,
Master of Arts in Theological Stud-
ies, and Master of Arts in Youth
Ministry Programs. These students
come from thirteen states, including
Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia,
Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Nevada,
North Carolina, South Carolina, Ten-
nessee, Texas and West Virginia. The
various backgrounds and experiences
of these men and women should com-
prise an interesting and qualified new
class of students!
FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE
SETS NEW RECORD
Since 1949, CFC has been actively
supporting Columbia Seminary by
praying for the faculty, staff and stu-
dents, by encouraging men and
women to consider the call to minis-
try and by giving financial support to
selected projects.
Pres. Gena Taylor presides.
During the 1982-83 year, CFC was
lead by Betsy Hammet, Pres.; Gena
Taylor, V.Pres.; Fern Shutt, Sec'y-
Historian, and Ruth Esche, Parlia-
mentarian. Guided by this able lead-
ership, current giving has exceeded
$33,000 a new record, well above
the Goal of $30,000!
Newly elected officers are: Gena
Taylor, Jacksonville, FL, Pres.; Chick
Scarsbrook, Auburn, AL, V. Pres.;
Mildred McDonald, Georgetown, SC,
Sec'y-Historian; and Ruth Esche,
Marietta, GA, Parliamentarian. The
1983-84 Project is Columbia Scholar-
ships and Reclassification of Books in
the John Bulow Campbell Library.
APPOINTMENTS (cont'd from p. I)
students and has worked as Visiting
Instructor in Christian Education at
UTS, Richmond, on several occa-
sions. It is with the greatest anticipa-
tion and joy that Columbia welcomes
Lee and his wife, Betty Wilby, and
children, Mary Margaret and Robert
Scott to our community.
Another faculty position came open
this year when Dean of Students T.
Erskine Clarke was appointed Associ-
ate Professor of American Religious
History in the World Context. To re-
place Dr. Clarke as DEAN OF STU-
DENTS is Peter C. Carruthers, a
1973 graduate of Columbia, who for
the past three years has served the
Seminary as the Director of Super-
vised Ministry. Dean Carruthers was
the Associate Pastor of the First
Presbyterian Church in Gastonia,
NC, for four years before coming to
Columbia in 1980. He was graduated
from Florida Southern College and
studied for one year at the University
of Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland.
This past May, Dean Carruthers re-
ceived his Master of Theology degree
in Pastoral Counseling from Colum-
bia and most certainly brings a great
deal of insight and expertise to the of-
fice of Dean of Students. Pete and his
wife, Fran, a native of Atlanta, will
continue to live in Decatur with their
daughters, six year old Courtney and
three year old Meredith.
1983 GRADUATE
DEGREES
DOCTOR OF MINISTRY (In-
Ministry)
Zane Alexander
Atlanta, Georgia
William R. Barron
Knoxville, Tennessee
Charles L. Donnell
Albany, Georgia
John M. Mills
Eatonton, Georgia
John F. Sloop
Lithonia, Georgia
Elwood L. Waters, Jr.
Greenwood, South Carolina
Roy E. Watkins, Jr.
Fort Mill, South Carolina
MASTER OF THEOLOGY
Peter C. Carruthers
Decatur, Georgia
Jeffrey D. Gibson
Barbados, West Indies
Eric E. Lynch
Barbados, West Indies
MASTER OF ARTS (In
Theological Studies)
Gary L. Headrick
Hokes Bluff, Alabama
Charles L. Weltner
Atlanta, Georgia
GRADUATE PLACEMENTS 1983
Thomas O. Bagley, Clinical Pastoral Education
Robert J. Blumer, Jr., Pastor, Walhalla PC, Walhalla, SC
Francis M. Burriss, Pastor, Lake Murray PC, White Rock, SC
Craig D. Childs, Org. Pastor, Mission Church (PCA)
Carl R. Crawford, Pastor, First PC, Fordyce, AR
Duke B. Crawford, Student, Austin Seminary, Austin, TX
Elbert E. Darden, Temp. Supply, Pkwy Gardens PC, Memphis, TN
S. Donald Fortson, Asso. Pastor, Forest Hill PC, Charlotte, NC
James C. Gable, In Conversation
Timothy J. Havlicek, Asso, Pastor, First PC, Pensacola, FL
Alice Hickcox, Graduate Study Emory University
Douglas E. Hughes, Pastor, Gretna & Woodland PC, Gretna, FL
David B. Janzen, Asso, Pastor, Highlands PC, Gainesville, FL
Sara C. Juengst, Staff Asso. for Missions Coordination, GAMB
Sidney L. Leak, Pastor, Sandersville PC, Sandersville, MS
C. Walter McCanless, Asso. Pastor, Westminster PC, Spartanburg, SC
S. Catherine Mason, Asso. Pastor, First PC, Tallahassee, FL
Joseph A. Orehosky, In Conversation
Lawrence W. Peebles, Pastor, Cane Creek & Second PC, Union, SC
Charles W. Roberts, Asso. Pastor, Reid Memorial PC, Augusta, GA
Deborah K. Shulby, In Conversation
H. Andrew Smith, Pastor, First & Carmel PC, Piedmont, AL
Steven H. Souther, Pastor, Stockton PC, Stockton, AL
J. David Speering, In Conversation
David F. Steele, Jr., Pastor, Villa Rica PC, Villa Rica, GA
J. William Taber, Pastor, Trinity PC, Sylvester, GA
David S. Thompson, Pastor, Erata, Laurel, Pisgah & McFarland,
& Heidelburg PC, Laurel, MS
G. Richard Troost, Pastor, First PC, Winder, GA
Robert R. Wilcox, In Conversation
THE COLUMBIA FORUM
Jan. 31-Feb. 3, 1984
COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, BOX 520, DECATUR, GEORGIA 30031-0520
Vol. 75, No. 2/Summer 1983
Richard A. Dodds and Betty K. Dodds, Editors
Published Quarterly
t >
Columbia
Theological
6eminory
L VantQQfc-J
Second Class
Postage
Paid at
Decatur, Ga.
Publication No. 124160