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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Years ago I read a little booklet entitled Whitherbound. It raised the question, "Where are you going?" That obviously is a vital query. We do need to know where we are going as persons; we do need goals. As that is true of us as individuals, it likewise applies to the institutions in which we are involved. So the issue becomes for us as Southern Baptists: Where are we going?

I would not be so presumptuous as to answer the above question for our entire Convention, but perhaps a few things can be said for Southeastern. Wehope to see our Seminary continue its high standard of academic excellence. It is our desire to see a continuing enhancement of the spiritual life of the community. Moreover, we trust our students will become more and more adept in ministry skills. So much to foster those ideals have been met in the past; we strive to see those traditions carried on and even deepened.

But before we can achieve our institutional goals — any goals for that matter — roadblocks must be cleared. Therefore, we long to see a spirit of unity and love and reconciliation and commitment and all other good graces fostered. To that end we labor.

Further, matters like our Seminary's accreditation must be faced. Here we have good news. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) has decided to take no immediate action. We are to prepare a paper for submission in July 1989 showing what steps we are taking to address the agency's concerns. These concerns are in four areas:

1. The current image of the Seminary.

2. Faculty involvement in faculty hiring.

3 . Perceptions of academic freedom.

4. Role of Trustees in governance.

The SACS committee will evaluate us in December of 1989. That gives us virtually a year to resolve these issues, which the Trustees and Administration are committed to doing. The Association of Theological Schools ( ATS ) has also decided to take no action until June. That gives a good space of time to deal with their concerns, which are virtually the same asSACS. So our accreditation is as firm as it has always been and we have ample time to satisfy the needs. We thank God for that. Students and alumni need not fear for accreditation.

Of course, there are many obstacles to face as Baptists today — individually and institutionally. But if we believe God is in our midst, we can have confidence he will give the victory. As we trust our Lord, face our problems, seek God's leadership and attack the issues positively, the future is bright, for it is God's future. That is where we are Whitherbound.

Lewis A. Drummond

President

Graduate Maria deFatima Roma of Brasilia, Brazil, proudly waves her dipl

oma.

Michael Hawn delivers commencement address.

Southeastern Holds Fall Graduation

Seventy-two students received di- plomas in Fall Commencement ex- ercises held Saturday, December 10, 1988 at Southeastern.

The graduation ceremony, the first presided over by new President Lewis A . Drummond, took place at 10: 30 a.m. in Brinkley Chapel.

C. Michael Hawn, Professor of Church Music, delivered the charge to the graduates. His address, entitled "Pickets and Prayers," was taken from

Micah 6: 1-8 and PhUlipians 2:5-11.

"After all your religious rites have been spoken and your rituals have been performed, these are the only things that matter; these are the essence of faith — doing justice, loving tenderly and walking humbly with God, 1 sub- mit, are the basis for a covenant for ministry," Hawn said.

Hawn cited the dangers of letting min- istry be dommated by any one of the three parts of the covenant, urging the graduates to instead keep each part in balance. He also encouraged the class to remain hopeful in difficult times.

"You are graduating at a difficult

time," he said. "It is very hard to be a Southern Baptist. It's harder yet to be a Southern Baptist minister. It's very hard to be a Christian. But difficult times are the best times for ministry."

In addition to Dr. Hawn, other partic- ipants in the ceremony included Dr. T, Furman Hewitt, Professor of Christian Ethics, who delivered the invocation; Drs. John Keating Wiles, Assistant Pro- fessor of Old Testament and Malcolm Tolbert, Professor of New Testament, who gave the Scripture readings; and Jonathan Eidson, President of the Stu- dent Council, who gave the bene- diction.

Beasley-Murray Guest Professor At Southeastern

George Raymond Beasley-Murray

George Raymond Beasley-Murray, a world-renowned New Testament scho- lar, will be a guest professor at South- eastern Baptist Theological Seminary during the 1989 spring semester.

A resident of East Sussex, England, Dr. Beasley-Murray has taught at Southern BaptistTheological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.; Spurgeon's College in London and Baptist Theological Seminary in Ruschlikon, Switzerland. He has also been president of the Baptist Union in Great Britain and Ireland and a pastor of Baptist churches in London and Cambridge.

Beasley-Murray is the author of eight books and has had articles published in

the Journal of Theological Studies, Expository Times, Theology Today, Baptist Quarterly, Foundations, Review and Expositor, Broadman Commentary, New Peake's Com- mentary and The New Bible Commentary.

During his time at Southeastern, he will teach a full academic schedule of New Testament courses.

"Dr. Beasley-Murray is one of the finest New Testament scholars in the current academic world," said South- eastern's President Lewis A. Drum- mond. "His reknown is worldwide. We are most fortunate to have this man on our faculty."

3

A Southeastern student follows along in the Book of Mormon. (Photos by Fran Cook )

Practicum Teaches Southeasterners About Other Area ReUgions

By Fran Cook

Men 0/ Athens, 1 perceive that in every way you are very religious...! passed along and observed the objects of your worship... (Acts 17:22-3, RSV)

Just as Paul thousands of years ago, students enrolled in a special January Interterm 1989 course taught hy Dr. George Braswell observed first-hand the religious pluralism found in the Research Triangle Area. The 43 Sou- theasterners were not subjected to the Areopagus, but encounters with seven religious groups in a whirlwind four days left them a bit drained, a little humble, and more knowledgeable.

This course, entitled Practicum in American Religions Groups, began with a dream. A dream of Dr. Braswell's to combine theory with practice, to "move out of the classroom into the real work-a-day world in which we live." Students had the unique opportunity to listen to and dialogue with religious leaders in their own setting, on their turf. These leaders represented a variety

Statue in the Hindu Temple

of world religions and cultic groups: Hindu, Muslim, Morman, Unification (Moonies), Hare Krishna, Unity, and Jehovah's Witness.

Students prepared for this encounter

with study, prayer, and reflection upon their own theology and its relation to people ot other faiths. What they found were highly educated, highly dedicated individuals who valued this chance to converse with the students and clear up misconceptions. "This church," began Mrs. Amanda Bunton of the Raleigh Stake OfThe Church Ofjesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, "is a Christian, Christ-centered church." She spoke of a need to "teach people our correct beliefs" which are "misrepresented sometimes intentionally." UNC- Chapel Hill Professor Richard D. Rust and Duke Associate Professor Kerry Lee led brief seminars on Morman Theology.

Dr. Ganga Sharma, Swami at the Avi- ation Road Hindu Temple, also appre- ciated this spirit of inquiry. As well as holding a Ph.D. in Science, Dr. Sharma once sat as a UN delegate for India. His $500,000 temple sits on six acres of land and contains approximately twenty marble images flown in from India. He explains that for the Hindu community "the temple is the home- land for them religiously." Member- ship has in creased from 150 to 500 people in the past few years. Mr. Wil- liam Hearn, Interfaith Witness repre- sentative for the North Carolina Baptist Convention, reports that "all these reli- gious groups except one, the Moonies, outgrew Southern Baptists, statistical- ly, last year."

Practicums like this are designed to help students understand other relig- ious bodies, converse intellectually with their members, and share the Christian faith in an effective way. Reli- gious pluralism does not exist "out there" but "right here" where students serve churches. It is not. Dr. Braswell implores, "going to go away from us." Students, such as senior Mike Viar, found they were forced to search even deeper into themselves and ponder further upon their own theology. It seems, Viar reflects, "I have taken my tradition for granted, taken the Bible for granted. That's a very humbling expe- rience." But as Dr. Braswell says, "Let this not be the ending but let this be a beginning."

IN MEMORIAM

Harry R. McCall, '57, died October 14, 1988 at his home in California. He is survived by five children, two sisters, three brothers, and six ^grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Heart Fund, 9 Oakland Ave. , Inman, SC. 29349. Beverly Lorraine Johnson, '88, died January 3, 1989. The family may be reached at Rt. 3, Box 3 14, Wilmington, NC 28403.

4

During this Spring semes- ter, J 989, Southeastern has students from 51 states and 10 foreign countries. At right, students register for new classes.

Why Students Chose Southeastern

First year students tell what it means to begin their seminary experience in the midst of turmoil.

J. Eric Morgan, M.A.C.E.; Monrovi, Liberia: I had a choice between the six Baptist seminaries. Everybody talked about all the other seminaries besides Southeastern, so I decided to come here and see what it was like. I think, with all that has happened here, it presents a chal- lenge to me and my future ministry. 1 don't see it as a disappointment. It is all part of my training.

Eric Back, M. Div., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: We were members of the Canada Convention of Southern Bap- tists. We thought it would be interesting to come to one of the other seminaries in the United States. We looked at the cata- logues and decided we liked Southeast- ern. We were also attracted to the small town life — we have two small children. Personally, I was also encouraged to hear of Dr. Drummond's coming. 1 don't think you can be unaffected by what is going on here. I recognize that there are people here who are hurting; that it has been a sizeable disruption of the lives of the professors who've been here a long time and for students who've gone through the whole thing. I'm hopeful that both groups are overcoming some of the polarization and recognizing that things are going to change.

Jeffrey Clemens, M. Div., Schenec- tady, N.Y. — I was checking all my options. Southeastern was affordable and it had a good reputation in the past. I was very impressed with some past grad- uates that I've known. They were very

well prepared and I Uked what they did with their education. 1 think the turmoil is hampering the training process. It you're inside a pressure cooker, you're going to be affected by it. But you can choose to overcome it. I can look at it and say it's terrible or I can really grow through it. Life is going to change. If we can't love each other, though, what in the world are we doing here?

Charles Carter, M.A.C.E., Amherst, Va. — Once I came and looked at the cam- pus, I knew this is where I wanted to go. I had an interview with Dr. Dorman and was pleased with what I found out. I don't feel like I've been affected at all by the turmoil. Not knowing what it was like before, I can't say how it has affected classes. To me, they 've all been very good.

Jennifer Hayes, M.A.C.E., Big Stone Gap, Va. — Someone from Southeastern came to my school and that helped me get to know Southeasternbetter . I really have not been affected personally by what's happened, but you can perceive people's hurt, especially when professors talk about it in class. The biggest thing I'm concerned about is the accreditation problem.

Terri Steed, M. Div., /Lang., Charlotte, N.C. — A lot of my professors in college had gone here and I was impressed with them. I can tell that it has affected a lot of people, but I think it has helped them be more caring and open to the new students coming in. They've helped us to understand and relate better

Jennifer Hayes Terri Steed

to what's going on.

Virgil Smith, A. Div., Conway, S.C. — Southeastern was recommended to me by a former student. I thought it would be a good place for me to get a good education. When I came here I didn't know that there was a controversy. I don't think it has affected me in any way. It hasn't disturbed my faith. I'm not on either side, I'm on God's side. I believe it God has called you to preach, then you have my 100 percent backing whether you're black or white, man or woman. I'm learning something from ( continued on page 7)

5

ALUMNI NEWS

1950s

Daniel R. Low, '54, has resigned as associate pastor in evangelism and senior adult ministry at Northside Cliurch, Charlottesville, VA. He and his wife, Maryiln, will move to Greensboro, NC. Earl H. Pitts, '55, has retired as Superintendent ot Boy's Home of the South. Finley Sizemore, ' 55, is the author of a new hook entitled Suicide: The Sigm and Solutions, Victor Books.

William H. Edwards, '57, has retired as pastor of Brown Mountain Baptist Church in Pilot Mountain, NC.

Jerry Niswonger, '57, is new pastor of Main Street Church, Emporia, VA.

1960s

Calvin S. Metcalf , '60, has been elected to serve as president of Tennessee Baptist Convention for the 1988-1989 convention year. He is pastor of Central Baptist Church of Fountain City, TN. Emory Byrum, '62, resigned as pastor of Craddock Church, Portsmouth, VA. Samuel E. Harvey , Jr., '62, is new pasttir cif First Church, Grifton, NC.

Henry V. Napier, '64, recently retired as pastor of Raleigh Heights Church, Chesapeake, VA. J. Howard Tew, '64, has completed his interim pastorate at Taylor Road Church, Chesapeake, VA.

David H. Cromer, '65, is new pastor ot lordan Memorial Church, Greenwood, SC. Milton D. Parker, '65, is director of missions for Hebron Association, GA.

Charles E. Stine, '68, is newpastor of West Side Baptist Church, West Side, NC.

Dr. Calvin Metcalf

john and Kathy Copf)(e

1970s

Hilton F. Moore, Jr, '70, is new pastor of Gashes Creek Church, Asheville, NC. Morris B. Davis, '71, is new pastor of Salem Church, Cochran, GA.

Andrew Pickens '72, is new pastor of Bells Church, Apex, NC.

Ron Rowe, '72, has resigned as pastor of Ridge- wood Baptist Church to become director of mis- sions of Black Creek Baptist Association, Orange Park,FL.

Waites Page McLeod, '73, is new pastor of Immanuel Church, North Augusta, SC. William L. Smith, '75, has resigned as minister of education and outreach of Sunset Park Church , Wilmington, NC to accept asimilar position with the Brushy Creek Church, Greenville, SC. Don Seymore, '76, is the new pastor of York- minster Church, Hampton, VA. Mack Styron, '76, is new pastor of Eagles Church, Macclesfield, NC.

David A. Howell, '77, is new bi-vocational pas- tor ot Smyrna Baptist Church, Goochland, VA.

Paul W. Wall, '77, is new pastor of Central Church, Lenoir, NC.

Lawrence R. Hunt, '78, pastor of Fox Hall Church, Norfolk, VA., has been admitted to the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. John E. Earnhardt, '79, is new pastor of North Catawba Church, Lenoir, NC.

1980s

John and Kathy Copple, '80, were recently named missionaries to Nigeria by the Foreign Mission Board . He will start and develop churches as an associational consultant and they will be involved in a variety of outreach ministries. Dennis Guy, '80, is new pastor of Garner's Chapel Church, Mount Olive, NC.

Christopher C. Rackley, '81, is new pastor of Gethsemane Church, Amherst, VA. William L. Ross, '81, is new pastor of Vinton Church, Vinton, VA.

Donnie Solesbee, '81 , is new pastor ot Holston Creek Church, Inman, SC.

David Barrett, '82, is new pastor of First Baptist Church, Ct^wpens, SC.

Tommy Puckett, '82, announces the birth of twin daughters, Jenna Rae and Rachel Brooke on October 26, 1988.

Brian William Reynolds, '82, and Rachel Ann Roakes were married October 15, 1988atKedron Baptist Church, Gladys, VA. Timothy E. Stinnette, '82, is new pastor of Midway Baptist Church and Emmanuel Baptist Church at the Forks of Buffalo, Amherst, VA. Keith Bradsher, '83, is new pastor of Calvary Church, Charlotte, NC.

Don Dowless, '83, is new pastor of Corinth Church, Louisburg, NC.

James Gill Knox III, '83, is new principal at

Garner Senior High School, Garner, NC.

Thomas E. Lamm, '83, and Kimberly Renee

Williams were married December 31, 1988 at Mt.

Bethel Holiness Church, Wake Forest, NC.

Mike Lovett, '83, has resigned as pastor of Pol-

locksville Church, PoUocksville, NC. to begin

duties as an Air Force Chaplain.

Ken Barnes, '84, is the new associate pastor for

education at Temple Church, Newport News, VA.

Hannah Jeanne HoUifield, '84, and Roger

Darrell Baricom were married January 14, 1989at

First Baptist Church, Laurinburg, NC.

John McQuarry, '84, is new pastor of Rhoades-

ville Church, Rhoadesville, VA.

Julian R. Mills, Sr., '84, is new pastor of North

Rocky Mt. Baptist Church, Rocky Mt., NC.

Robert H. Rhoden, '84, is new pastor of Del-

rayno Baptist Church, Oxford, NC.

W.Jim Whitehead, '84, is new pastor of Beulah

Church, Yanceyville, NC.

David A. Baker, '85, is new pastor of Bethesda Church, Macon, GA.

Mark S. Bush, '85, is new minister ot education and youth at Rivermont Avenue Church, Lynch- burg, VA.

Patrick L. Coffey, '85, is new pastor of Memor- ial Church, Pulaski, VA.

E. Arlen Goff, '85, has been received into the Presbytery of Missouri as aminister of the Presby- terian Church ( USA ). He is new minister of Pros- pect Presbyterian Church, Meridian, MS. James W. Ellis, Jr., '86, was ordained September 25, 1988 at First Church, Washington, DC. Sharon Walters Bower, '87, is new Associate Director ot Admissions at Elon College, Elon College, NC.

Richard G. Butterworth, '87, is new pastor of The Sea Island Baptist Church , Lady's Island, NC. Karen T. Clark, '87, was ordained October 16, 1988 by Four Oaks Church, Four Oaks, NC.

Charles M. Eaton, '87, is new minister of educa- tion and youth at Harris Church, Greenwood, SC. Susan Dale Finley, '87, has joined the staff of Fieldale Church, Fieldale, VA. Garry Gates, '87, is new minister of youth and senior adults at Glen Hope Church, Burlington, NC.

James N. (Dock) Hollingsworth, '87, is new

minister of education and youth at Alabama Road Church, Roswell, GA.

Haeng-Joon Lee, '87, has resigned as Korean pastor and minister of music at Ogden Church, Wilmington. He is the new associate pastor and minister of education and music at Korean First Church, Dallas, TX.

Ben Littlejohn, '87, is new pastor of Southside Church, Spartanburg, SC.

Kathy R. Toole, '87, and C. Duane Toole are Co-ministers of music and education at Univer- sity Baptist Church, College Park, MD. Jack Gaylor Carter, '88, and Ellyn Gale Gray were married December 10, 1988 at Oxford Bap- tist Church, Oxford, NC.

Gregory S. Craft, '88, is new minister of youth and children at Southside Baptist Church, Ches- terfield, VA.

Eddie Creech, '88, is new pastor of Sims Mis- sic^n, Sims, NC.

Peggy DuCharme, '88, has been assigned as a journeyman to Japan by the Foreign Mission Board. She will be an elementary

^ teacher in Tokushima

f K — City, Japan. She will be teaching Missionary Children.

William C. "Bill"

George, '88, was

Peggy DuCharme ordained receritly at

Kenbridge Church Kenbridge, VA. He is currently the pastor of that church.

Donald L. Godfrey, '88, is new pastor of Hick- ory Rock Church, Louisburg, NC. Ben K. Hodge, '88, has been appointed Wake Forest University's new corporate relations officer.

Jeff Hudgins, '88, was recently ordained to the gospel ministry by Ringgold Church, Ringgold, Va. He is pastor of Mulberry Church, Nathalie, VA.

Thomas H. Kelly, Jr., '88, was recently ordained to the gospel ministry by the First Baptist Church, Carlisle, SC. He also married Phyllis Adams, December 17, 1988. He will be the new minister of education and youth at Temple Church, Wilmington, NC. Charles E. "Chuck" Linder, '88, is new minis- ter of education at Walnut Hills Church, Willi- amsburg, VA.

Debbie McDowell, '88, has been appointed as a church and community ministries apprentice by the Home Mission Board. She will work in the Columbia, SC. area.

Michael C. Metcalf, '88, has been assigned as a Chaplain to the 1st Battalion, 39th Field Artillery, Regiment ( Airborne ) Fort Bragg, NC. Randy Myers, '88, is new minister of youth and education at Salem Baptist Church, Fredericks- burg, VA.

Robert and Joannah Powers, '88, announce the birth of Patrick Adam on November 23, 1988. Bill Spangler, '88, is associate child care worker at North Carolina Childrens' Home, Thomas- viUe.NC.

R. Michael Thompson, '88, is new pastor of Stevens Chapel Church, Smithfield, NC.

6

Student Receives Theology Award

Janet Sue Given, a third-year Master of Divinity which Church Music stu- dent from Sutton, West Virginia, is the recipient of the Middler Theology Award at Southeastern Baptist Theolog- ical Seminary. The award was presented to Mrs. Given at Convocation ceremo- nies opening the spring semester on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

The Middler Theology Award, made available by a grant from Mr. and Mrs. Robert Culler of High Point, N.C., is based on the best paper in theology presented by a student during the first semester of his or her "Systematic Theology" education.

Mrs. Given's paper was titled "Brunner's View of Scripture and its Application to the Current SBC Con- troversy." The monetary award will be applied toward the purchase of signifi- cant theology books.

A graduate of Glenville State College, she is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Griffin of Flatwoods, W.Va. and currently serves as Minister of Music at Parkview Baptist Church in Durham, N.C.

Education Conference Scheduled

The twelfth annual Conference on Educational Ministry will be held on the campus March 20-22. There will be celebration, fellowship, worship, and professional updating for the large and congenial group of church and denomi- national leaders who usually attend.

Featured speakers and interest group leaders include Mancil Ezell ( Media and teaching specialist) and Ray Conner (recreation specialist), from the Sunday School Board; Tom Jackson (specialist in helping teachers deal with the Old Testament) who is new pastor of the Wake Forest Baptist Church; and sev- eral local church/ denominational lead- ers and faculty members.

The conference begins with registra- tion at 3:00 p.m. on Monday and con- cludes at noon on Wednesday. A $35 registration fee covers conference fees and materials, two meals, and refresh- ments. A spouse may accompany you for $17.50.

To request information or to register write: Professor Bruce P. Powers,

Southeastern Baptist Seminary, Wake Forest, NC 27587

Why Students Chose Southeastern

from page 5

the people here. I know 1 can't walk on this campus and not speak to somebody because they think differently from me.

Sandra Cline, M. Div./C.E., Harri- sonburg, Va. — I had come here to visit because of a youth director I knew who had attended Southeastern. Southeast- ern's kind of always been on my brain; it was the only one I came to visit. Pm not a

ViriJil Smith

Sandra Cline

political person. When I came to visit, it was right after the trustee meeting and everyone was telling me "Don't come here" and it was so totally confusing. But 1 know why Pm here. The Lord wants me in a ministry position and I'm going to study to learn as much as I possibly can while I'm here.

Faculty Notes

Halhrooks

Miller Named Academic Coordinator

Glenn Miller has been named Inte- rim Academic Coordinator, replacing Robert Dale who left the seminary in December.

Miller, who has been with Southeast- ern since 1976, will also chair the Aca- demic Policies and Procedures Com- mittee.

Halbrooks Named D, Min Director

Thomas Halbrooks has been named Director of Advanced Pro- fessional Studies. Halbrooks will also chair the Committee on Advanced Pro- fessional Studies.

Faculty Contributes To Publication

Ten faculty members contributed to the Fall 1988 issue of Faith and Mission.

Morris Ashcraft, Professor of Theology contributed an article entitled "Southeastern Seminary in Crisis: 1986-87" and RichardL. Hester, Pro- fessor of Pastoral Care and Psychology of Religion, contributed "The Family As the Cradle of Theology."

Hardy Clemens, a member of the adjunct faculty during the spring 1988 term contributed "Theological Forma- tion in Our Local Church."

In the sermon section, Malcolm O. Tolbert, Professor of New Testament, contributed "Elements in a Mature Faith: Mark 8:27-35."

Professors Donald E. Cook, Robert H. Culpepper, Glenn T. Miller, Delos Miles, Robert E. Poerschke and John Keating Wiles contributed book reviews.

Faith and Mission is a semi-annual publication of the Southeastern faculty designed for those persons engaged in Christian ministry.

] OUTLOOK — Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Bulletin

JL^-. (USPS 504-560) Wake Forest, N.C. 27587 * Volume XXXVlll

Number 3, Jan. -Feb. 1989 * Lewis A. Drummond, President * George E. Worrell, Vice President for External Affairs, David V. Teague, Editor * Laura S. McCabe, Editorial Assistant *James Stokes, Photographer * Patricia Hall, Newswriter * Ann Cohen, Alumni Secretary * ISSN0887-0934 * Published seven times a year by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary * Printed by Edwards &.Brough ton Company, Raleigh, N.C. * Second class postage paid at Wake Forest, N.C. and additional entry offices.

7

CALENDAR

February

27- March 3

Spring recess

March

13-14 Board of Trustees Spring meeting

14 Founders' Day:

10 a.m., Binkley Chapel Frank Campbell, president Averett College 21-22 Spring Lectures

J. P. Allen, retired visiting professor of preaching. Golden Gate Seminary

23- 24 Easter recess

24- 27 Offices closed

April

6 Faculty lecture Michael Hawn, professor of church music 25 Missionary Day Fran Cook,

former US2er to Canada

About the cover: A number of Southeastern students listen as Dr. Ganga Sharma, Swami at the Aviation Road Hindu Temple, talks to them about his religion. The students were partici- pating in Dr. George BraswelVs Practi- cum in American Religious Groups. Photo by Fran Cook.

In This Issue

Beasley-Murray Joins Faculty Page 3

Southeasterners Learn About

Area Religions Page 4

Why Students Chose

Southeastern Page 5

Alumni News Page 6

Givens Wins Award Page 7

Drs. Glenn Miller and Don Cook and Mrs. Kaye Cook serve Wake Forest residents on Neic Year's Day

Some 300 Wake Forest residents turned out to enjoy a Neu' Year's Day dinner of black-eyed peas, cabbage and turnip greens served by Southeastern faculty and staff members. Pictured in the foreground are Hallie Frazier from Raleigh, her pastor Richard Mills and his daughter of Harris Chapel Baptist Church, Youngs- w!ie,N.C.

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Bulletin (USPS 504-560) Wake Forest, N.C. 27587

Address Correction Requested

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED: If you have moved, we'd like to know! Each copy returned as undehverable costs the Sennir\ary an additional 30 cents in postage. Please send your change of address to the Communications Office, Southeastern Seminary, P.O. Box 712, Wake Forest, NC 27587.

arch' April 1989

Seeds of Faith: Planting Churches

Story on page 4

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Dreaming A New Dream

It has been one year since I became Southeastern Seminary's fourth president. These last 12 months have been challenging and unusual, but in light of difficulties, God has led and blessed me richly by being here.

Now, with new administrative structures in place, and our new dean, L. Russ Bush, III, prepared to begin his responsibilities, it is time to turn our attention to Southeastern's future. It is time to dream a new dream.

Our highest dream and goal is to move forward in sharing Christ's gospel with the world and 1 am excited about the possibilities that holds for our beloved seminary . With this in mind, let me share with you some of my long-range dreams.

We want our students to have the best atmosphere possible here to grow academically, practically and spiritually. Toward this end. Southeastern needs to provide the most extensive theological cur- riculum possible as well as a far-reaching "delivery system" of scholarly programs. Plans are underway for adding new and innovative courses, including development of a Ph.D. graduate program.

As we do this, we will also develop more programs that meet the needs of the thousands of pastors in small churches who have little or no theological education. To do this, we hope to establish a number of education centers throughout the Southeast.

My personal big dream is to develop a World Missions and Evangelism Center here. This is a long-range dream that will take much planning and prayer. I want Southeastern to be a leader in church planting, world missions and evangelism.

I believe the future at Southeastern is bright. A fresh move of the Holy Spirit is taking place. With God's help, and through the prayerful support of our friends, Southeastern will continue to be a leading center for preparing ministers.

Lewis A. Drummond

President

Profile: L. Russ Bush III

New Dean's Ministry Has Taken Many Different Turns

when L. Russ Bush, III entered Mis- sissippi College in 1963, becoming a minister had never entered his mind. He had his sights set on becoming a scientist .

"I always wanted to be a scientist," Bush, 44, said. "I took all the math and science I could in high school. I took pre-coUege courses. I had thought I'd go to Mississippi State and become a chem- ist or engineer. I had thoughts of going into pure research."

About midway through his college years, though, Bush began to feel a pull in another direction — toward full-time Christian service. Since he made that choice. Bush's career has included terms as a youth director, an interim pastor and, since 1973, a professor of the phi- losophy of religion at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

The church and the Southern Bap- tists in particular have been an impor- tant part of Bush's lifeever since he was a young child. His father, a dentist, was also a lay preacher who taught Bible classes for a number of years. His mother wrote curricula for the Sunday School board.

It was a boyhood friend of his father's who helped lead Bush to Christ.

"He'd known Dad all of his life," Bush said. "He saw I was under convic- tion in my life. One day he just caught me after church. He asked me if he could take to me about my salvation. We went to this tiny room behind the baptistry. He made the experience very personal to me — 'For God so loved Russ Bush' — Then we knelt, he prayed and 1 prayed. It was a very real experience of grace. My father thought it was great but he wanted to ask me some questions. We went out and walked for a couple of hours it seemed to me and talked about it. He was satisfied and helped me quite a

bit. I made it public that evening."

At that time, though. Bush hadn't even begun to think about full-time Christian service. He expected to even- tually go into engineering, chemistry or some related field. He expected to devote himself to research.

But before enrolling in a major uni- versity , Bush decided he wanted to go to a Christian school for his core classes. There was also a renowned chemistry professor at Mississippi College that he wanted to take classes from.

During those first two years of school , he remained active in Christian work as a BSU Summer Missionary in Jamaica and at Ridgecrest working in the audio- visual aids division of the Church library

department. It was while he was at Ridge- crest that he felt called into the ministry.

"It was a tremendous spiritual expe- rience for me," he said. "Since I was working with the taping in the audio- visual office, I was more involved in the services than I would have been. That's when I felt the call of God come to me to go into preaching. While I was there that summer, Billy Graham was speaking and he was very impressive to me. When I got back to school, I really prayed about going into the ministry, I read my Bible, and I became convinced God was speaking to me."

Bush enrolled at Southwestern, receiv- ing his M.Div. in 1970. Toward the end of his doctoral work, as he was doing research for his dissertation. Bush had an opportunity to try his hand at teach- ing. 1 his experience eventually led him to redefine his idea of what kind of ministry he wanted to do.

"When I finished my seminar work and was working on my dissertation, somebody went on sabbatical leave," he said. "I took over the class. Then another professor went to Midwestern. I started teaching for him. In Jan. , 1 973, they had found no replacement. So they asked me if, on a contract basis, I'd teach those classes. Student evaluations came back positive."

"I had a chance to try different things while working on my dissertation at the same time. But when they came and asked me to teach full-time, I had to think about it. I was reading Romans 10 where it has this little sequence 'How shall they hear ... '.It dawned on me how can they preach unless they be sent. I saw teaching as a way of sending preachers. It became for me a sign from the Lord that there is more than one way to be involved in preaching. ' '

Trustee Meeting

Following is a synopsis of actions taken during the semi-annual meeting of Southeastern 's Board of Trustees, held March 13- 15. The board: *Elected L. Russ Bush, III as the new Dean of the Faculty A^ice President of Academic Affairs. *Voted to "approve and adopt" responses to the Southern Associa- tion of Colleges and Schools and the

Association of Theological Schools regarding the seminary's accredita- tion.

*Referred back to the mstruction committee the question of whether to make the Southern Baptist Con- vention's doctrinal confession, the Baptist Faith and Message, its official faith statement.

*Postponed until their December

meeting a decision on formulating a response to the SBC Peace Com- mittee.

*Approved Dr. Drummond's aca- demic title as Professor of the His- tory and Philosophy of Evangelism.

*Referred to the administration a proposal that would prohibit the use of tobacco on seminary grounds and at seminary functions.

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Pastor Alan Sasser presents a new family for membership at Greystone Baptist Church in Raleigh.

Church planting

Process Requires Dedication, Missionary Spirit

Planting the seeds that grow into a new church has always been an impor- tant part of Southern Baptist life. To be involved in this process requires com- mitment, dedication and a sense of mis- sion from the individuals and churches involved. It also requires considerable faith in knowing when the time is right to move from being a mission to an inde- pendent church.

Following is an overview of the role Southeastern has played through the years in planting churches as well as an examination of some of the steps in- volved.

Dreaming the Dream

The dream of seeing a new church planted and growing is one held by many seminary students. For that reason, the Praxis program was formed about 15 years ago.

Dr. George Braswell, Professor of Missions and World Religions, has been involved in the program since its incep- tion. Begun as a pilot program between

Southeastern and the Home Mission Board, Praxis creates a triangle between the board, the seminary and the local church.

' ' Praxis means action, ' ' Braswell said. "It is putting theology into practice. It's planting churches."

Prospective members of the teams are interviewed, given assignments, then scheduled for orientation. The Home Mission Board pays each student a sti- pend and travel expenses to and from the field. The local sponsors provide room, board and job-related expenses. The students receive eight hours of credit for the ten weeks, but Braswell says they work hard for that credit.

"A team of two ladies started Bible studies in Greenwich Village, New York. In the first few weeks they knocked on 600 doors. These students bear a simple witness to the gospel. They are graded on the ability to share, and graded on their reflections on the assigned read- ings."

The team begins by thoroughly inves-

tigating the target area. They study city maps, make phone calls, examine the population growth, and take door-to- door surveys. The local church does its part by helping to make plans and pray- ing for the work. The pastor is an inte- gral part of planning and supervising.

During the past 1 5 years the program has sent over 200 students to 25 states. These areas have been as diverse as Ore- gon, Boston, inner-city New York, and West Virginia. "I don't recall any stu- dent ever saying he wouldn't do it again," Braswell says.

He recalls one student who was sent to Portland, Oregon, and called back to say he had found 40 people who wanted a church. There was an immediate need for the guidance of the student team and the support of the local church.

Another couple went to Pennsylva- nia and began to work with the fast- growing Asian population. The couple could not forget the needs of the mis- sion, and returned to Pennsylvania after Continued next page

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Children participate in Sunday School at Greystone Baptist Church.

their graduation. They later moved from that work to the mission field in Taiwan. Their Praxis experience provided them with well-defined goals for their ministry.

The efforts of the Praxis teams always result in a Bible study, and usually in- volve Vacation Bible Schools . " It 's hard to know what the interest is until you do a survey," Braswell said. "We must let the people tell us the need. We're not imposing a church on them. "

There are currently 10 students on the waiting list for Praxis at Southeast- ern. The mission fields are open, but the money is not available to send every student who would like to minister through the program.

Forming the Group

Once a mission work has begun, the support of a core group of committed workers is essential. Dr. Thomas Bland has seen first-hand what an important role they play, first at a church in Bur- lington, North Carolina in the early 70's, then at Greystone Baptist Church in Raleigh, and most recently at the Wood- haven Baptist Church in Cary.

Bland, professor of Christian Ethics and Sociology, served as pastor for the churches while they were in the forma- tive stages. He stresses the importance of having dedicated workers.

"The sponsoring church gives people to work. New works must have a nucleus of people with a missionary spirit. At Greystone, very dedicated people came and planned to stay." he said.

The sponsoring church not only pro- vides the people to work with the mis- sion, but must be prepared to give money, and spiritual guidance. But these contributions are not lost. In fact, Bland says, "It is a 'law' of missions that the sponsoring church gets back more than it puts into it."

At the time Greystone was formed, Dr. John Lewis, former pastor of First Baptist Church in Raleigh gave a call to the people of his congregation. He had seen the growth in the area, and organ- ized a survey to determine the need for a mission. When he gave the call to his people in the spring of 1 983 , 1 7 people came forward.

"They responded to the call to be on a mission for Jesus Christ," Bland said.

The young mission faces many chal- lenges, including developing the organi- zational structure. "Especially in more affluent areas, people want everything at once — graded choirs, youth organi- zations, etc. There must be a trade-off. New work has an enthusiasm and vital- ity not always present in established churches," Dr. Bland said.

One year after the mission was begun the congregation organized as a church. Greystone Baptist Church now has 400 members.

Building the Fellowship

When Reverend Walker Armstrong speaks of his fellowship, he does not call it a mission. "We are achurch now, ' ' he says.

The church developed from the reali- zation that several people from the Apex/ Gary, N.C. area were driving a consider- able distance to attend the Providence Baptist Church in Raleigh. Providence provided workers and encouragement to the group to begin a work in Cary. Since its beginning in the fall of 1986, Cornerstone has worked to meet the challenges faced by a young church. Armstrong says they have taken them