Vantage Fall 2016 by Columbia Theological Seminary

VANTAGE C O L U M B I A

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ENCOUNTERING GOD PA R T O N E O F C O L U M B I Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; S 3 -PA R T M I S S I O N

VANTAGE

P O I N T

ENCOUNTERING GOD AS FREE AND FIERCE

A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT

N SEPTEMBER, THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH DECLARED MOTHER THERESA OF CALCUTTA A SAINT. This is a significant event for many millions of Catholics around the world. Protestants tend not to declare Christian brothers or sisters to be saints; although certainly Presbyterians and Baptists and Pentecostals, and other Protestants, do gratefully recognize and celebrate the presence of saints in our midst.

Here is what I find interesting about Mother Theresa’s sainthood: toward the end of her life, Mother Theresa admitted that she was often plagued by doubt. She frequently felt abandoned by God, filled with darkness instead of light, despair instead of joy. Some news outlets reacted to this information with alarm, others with derision, still others with denial. It shook up some people because it did not seem to match her public image of deep faith. Yet the Roman Catholic Church, in this decision for sainthood, said, in effect, “Doubters, too, can be saints.”

Leanne Van Dyk PRESIDENT

object of our possession or presumption. And it is certainly the case that encountering God is sometimes dangerous and not always safe. You will remember that Adam and Eve hid from God in the garden. Moses resisted God at the burning bush. Job was overwhelmed by the grandeur of God in God’s survey of the works of creation. The Psalmist frequently cries out in anguish at the absence of God.

The theological insight of the Reformed tradition reminds us that God is free and fierce in God’s love and majesty and purposes. So, we encounter God only because God first reaches out to us. Encountering God is always a gift. We are committed to educating and forming our seminary students We at Columbia Theological Seminary have spent to develop a lively sense of God’s gracious initiative in so a good bit of time in this past year reflecting on our many ways. In creation, God makes room for us and for all of mission statement and drawing out implications God’s creatures in a universe of stunning size and splendor. In for our work. Our mission is captured in one the Incarnation, God extends divine hospitality to us in Jesus succinct sentence: Christ. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are shaped into disciples through word and Theological Seminary exists to educate sacrament and community and service.

“Columbia and nurture faithful, imaginative, and effective leaders for the sake of the church and the world.” As we talked about this sentence, we asked ourselves, “If we stay true to this mission, what will we inevitably find ourselves doing?” Our answer is threefold: we will encounter God; we will cultivate leaders; we will transform communities. That is what we will do in pursuit of our mission. And so we have created three mission themes of Encountering God, Cultivating Leaders, Transforming Communities as we communicate with our friends about what is happening at Columbia Seminary. Encountering God is our first mission theme. We may at times naively assume that we can “encounter God” whenever and wherever we wish. This is a foolish delusion! God is not an 2

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In this first mission theme of Encountering God, we name in humble prayer that God will be present to us, in undimmed hope that God will comfort and guide us, in sturdy confidence that God has a claim on each of us, and in deep gratitude that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. The next two issues of Vantage will unpack the second and third mission themes as we continue to explore God’s call on us here at Columbia Seminary. We are grateful for your support and encouragement in our work of educating and forming leaders for God’s church and the world.

Many Blessings,

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IN THIS ISSUE DEPARTMENTS

VANTAGE POINT

pg 1

REASONABLE SERVICE

pg 12

HYPERFOCUS: WORSHIP

pg 14

LIFELONG LEARNING

pg 18

TAUTA PANTA

pg 23

RECOGNIZING SCHOLARS

pg 38

2016 GRAUDATES

pg 40

NEWS FROM COLUMBIA

pg 42

BEST OF THE BLOG

pg 43

VANTAGE / VOL. 109, NO. 1 FALL 2016

EDITOR

Michael K. Thompson

DESIGN

5° Branding

PHTOGRAPHY

Michael K. Thompson FEATURE

ENCOUNTERING GOD

PART ONE OF COLUMBIA’S 3-PART MISSION PG

FACEBOOK POLITICS and an Encounter with God at the “Lunch Table”

ENCOUNTERING GOD IN “THE OTHER”

FINDING GOD IN WHAT I DIDN’T UNDERSTAND

MEETING GOD IN HEBREW CLASS

CONTRIBUTORS

Bethany Benz-Whittington ’15 Ryan Bonfiglio Randy Calvo, Jr. ’81 Rebekah Carpenter ’17 Pam Cottrell Corie Cox Mary Lynn Darden Sarah Erickson ’03/DEdMin ’10 Israel Galindo Rajathy Gerlyn Henry ’18 Steven Miller Barbara Poe Sandra Taylor Valrie Thompson Diane Thorne Leanne Van Dyk Kristin Wolf ’15

This issue of VANTAGE is available online at www.ctsnet.edu.

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Something happened recently, though, when I commented on a friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s post, and found myself mired in a contentious debate with a complete stranger.

FACEBOOK POLITICS

A N D A N E N C O U N T E R W I T H G O D AT T H E “ L U N C H TA B L E ” B Y B E T H A N Y B E N Z W H I T T I N G T O N , M D I V ’ 15

S WE MUDDLED OUR WAY THROUGH THIS ELECTION SEASON, I WAS REMINDED OF WHY I REALLY LOVE SOCIAL MEDIA. I created for myself an echo chamber

almost never encounter anyone with whom I disagree. When I do, it is unsettlingly foreign. I waded into the waters of a political debate, thinking the anonymous person on the other side of the computer was just that: anonymous. As we went round and round, I began where others agree with me on Facebook and Twitter. I think to get a picture of who this person is. He is a parent of two most of us do. If not, good for you. But I lean very heavily in girls. He believes in freedom of speech above all else. He one direction, and I am comfortable in my lean. feels deeply. I get that. I get all those things. We used our Something happened, though, when I commented on experiences to try to convince each other of our respective a friend’s post, and found myself mired in a contentious views as he also got to know me. I am a minister. I am very debate with a complete stranger. concerned about the way women and people of color are I remember, when I was in the seventh grade, the treated in this country. I suffer from social anxiety. argument I got into with Leslie. She had been raised We were transported back to that lunch table in the Southern Baptist, while I am a cradle Presbyterian. She was, seventh grade. Suddenly, instead of talking to a stranger, even in the seventh grade, a very serious Christian. I cannot I was engaging with a friend. Indeed, we remember why we were talking about were still incredibly frustrated with each women in ministry, because my call to “I clearly remember other’s views, but our approach shifted. seminary did not come until I was nineteen. her saying, “God We became friends. Just for a few minutes, So it must have just been one of many we were fellow travelers on this complex would never call issues we disagreed on and happened to be journey we call life. Though I cannot the issue of the day. I clearly remember me to be a preacher remember his name, I remember his story, her saying, “God would never call me to be because I’m a and it changed me. a preacher because I’m a woman.” woman.” Because I don’t believe in coincidences, I I almost lost my lunch. It was so foreign don’t believe our meeting was accidental. to me to imagine that women would not I am more likely to take a pause, read carefully in online be called to ministry. Even then, I was sure that our human discussions, and respond with love because I remember that ideas about who God would call are very different from there was a person on the other side of the screen that one God’s ideas about who God will call. So for her to say “God time. It was a sacred moment when I realized that this was a would never” with such certainty made every fiber of my child of God, made in God’s image. Maybe next time, I will seventh grade being shiver a little. more easily remember. This, however, was before Facebook. It was back when I only talked to people I knew, and we only really spoke in Rev. Bethany Benzperson. Now, we can connect with people all over the world, Whittington is the Stated without knowing them, and engage in deep, sometimes Supply Pastor at Peace meaningful, conversation about the new issues of the day. Presbyterian Church in But I still find myself in those same kinds of conversations Jacksonville, FL. In her that make me feel like I am going to lose my lunch. spare time, she attends Pride Some of this is because I struggle with the concept of parades, works on criminal grace. Some of it is because I struggle with my own ego. justice reform, and sometimes Mostly, it is because I have created my echo chamber and comes in first place at trivia.

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ENCOUNTERING GOD IN “THE OTHER”

B Y K R I S T I N W O L F, M D I V ’ 15 S T U D E N T

PON GRADUATING FROM COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY IN MAY 2015,

I sought out Christian fellowship and tried out many churches, and to be honest, still do not feel at home in any of them. There is this idea in the West that we must go to a I was accepted as a Global Missions Intern under church to experience Christian community. Seminary taught Global Ministries, a joint mission effort on behalf of Disciples me to think critically and engage worship and leadership in of Christ and United Church of Christ Churches. I sensed new ways in the church. a really strong call, ready to serve the church in areas of the I went to Thai churches, but I did not speak the language world not familiar to me. Global Ministries asked me if I would which often felt isolating. The ones that offered translation serve in Chiang Mai, Thailand. had devices that didn’t work properly. Even better, sometimes As someone who is a woman, opinionated, covered in every person in the room would be laughing at something tattoos, and outspoken I struggled with the idea of being the worship leader said, and I was hearing crickets over the immersed in a Christian community that resembled the headsets. ideals and picture of the church in America in the 1950’s I also tried a number of international churches filled with with all its struggles and its people who spoke English. These people looked and acted like complexities. But I said “yes” me, but I heard prosperity gospels, narratives of a wrathful before that even fully hit me. There is simply no better God, militaristic language, and conversion-based ideologies everywhere. People would ask me how many souls I had saved way to encounter God than or tell me stories of exorcising demons from natives and all through neighbors we have I could think was, this is not the church I know. These were labeled “the other.” When Westerners teaching this theology and people were eating it I arrived in Chiang Mai, up by the spoonful. I felt devastated, kind of crazy, and really Thailand, I had gone through off-put. I went to church, that place where I go to get fed about a month of training in and encounter God and was faced with another question, “Where am I?” I was the outcast, the new person to everyone. I felt like I stepped back in time hadn’t dawned on me that I would feel lonely and not and my first instinct was rejection. excited moving abroad on my own. As lonely as I was, I was not willing to worship God in a manner that felt unjust and unethical, even if these were the most wellanti-racism, cross-cultural work, story-telling, and sensitivity intentioned dangerous religious beliefs. Religion became training to be prepared and equipped for ministry in Thailand. a topic I avoided instead of something I embraced. I felt I stepped off the plane and right into what felt like a giant like I needed to clarify what I meant when I said “I’m a mess with all sorts of obstacles and unexpected changes. As a person with a disability, my level of comfort in flexibility Christian,” or “I’m a missionary.” Those terms don’t carry pleasant connotations in all communities and they had done was really shallow, and I felt like this was the most unorganized a lot of damage, from what I had witnessed in Thailand. I chaos. I was in no position to minister, but desperately needed had a friend even say to me over lunch, “It’s an aggressive someone to minister to me. There was a specific moment I term, missionary. Think about who else goes on missions…the recall feeling, like I was going to burst if I had to introduce military.” myself and where I was from again. I was the outcast, the new The trouble with my rejection of the church in Thailand is person to everyone. It hadn’t dawned on me that I would feel that I was modeling behavior that broke apart communities. lonely and not excited moving abroad on my own. 6

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If my life’s vocational work was to build and transform Christian communities, I knew that I could not do that alone. I trusted Columbia Theological Seminary to cultivate me into a leader in the church and I was running from my first opportunity to do that. I did, however, learn that most of my Christian community building would be done breaking bread, at hospital bedsides, and in fragmented moments where humans encountered each other and sought to be more human together. I had to ask God to place me in a position to view the church and all its obstacles in a new light. I spent most of my life engaging people of various religious traditions and now was an opportunity to model the growth that all of that experience taught me. I did have to let go of the idea that in order to be Christian I had to be in a church teaching right theology and justice to its followers. I now worship in church buildings ignoring entirely the language used, or the music played. I now worship in moments with Christians and non-Christians alike seeking a spark that ignites human empathy.

My day to day life as a “missionary” in Chiang Mai, Thailand is spent at a 9-5 job with ordinary people doing ordinary stuff. I am not bringing anything but my human experience with a God I do not fully comprehend to the table. I am not giving loads of money away or providing a service that places other people to be reliant upon me. I participate in life here in Chiang Mai, Thailand and that has been where peace and transformation have occurred. Because I came here, I can do human things with other humans and as a result we are transformed. I stopped asking myself why I came to Thailand, and started living my life in Thailand as a follower of Jesus Christ and all sorts of miraculous things happened. “No one longs for what he or she already has, and yet the accumulated insight of those wise about the spiritual life suggests that the reason so many of us cannot see the red X that marks the spot is because we are standing on it... All we lack is the willingness to imagine that we already have everything we need. The only thing missing is our consent to be where we are.” –Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith FALL 2 0 1 6 / VANTAGE /

FINDING GOD

IN WHAT I DIDN’T UNDERSTAND B Y R A J AT H Y G E R LY N H E N R Y, M D I V ’ 18

AM AN INDIAN BY BIRTH, AND A CANADIAN BY UPBRINGING. Because of my

groups of two or three, and pick a social issue we thought was pressing. Our task was to convince the rest of the class that our social issue was the most important. There were 14 of exposure to India and the poverty there, I have a great us: 3 internationals, 1 white person, 5 coloured and 5 black. affinity to groups who are marginalized and oppressed. Coloured is a term used for a group of people in South Africa Last year, I came to a new country with a notion that I am whose ancestry has a mix of black, white and first nations. the poster girl for the South Asian oppressed minority There were only two ground rules—no violence and no community of the world, representing everything India had attacking the facilitator. to offer. Everyone got into small groups, most clustered with Columbia Theological Seminary provided me with many their ethnic identities. Johan, an upper middle class white opportunities through the year, from studying about a God male—intelligent, quite likeable—was a member of the church who stands with the marginalized and the oppressed to that created apartheid, the Dutch Reformed Church. This working and walking with those same people in the greater day, he opted to be by himself. Even though we had been Atlanta area. I thought that my understanding of self as together 6 weeks, others gathered in their own ethnic groups communal, humble and able to identify with injustice and the oppressed was complete and true. I thought I understood also. Johan went first to make his case for a big picture vision called “intersectionality.” Once he finished his presentation, God correctly…and then South Africa happened. Every time I heard “South Africa,” I thought of the heroes he volunteered to write on behalf of every group to make the process easier. I admired: Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, Steve Biko. So As the second group presented, he interrupted them with when I got off the plane in May and set foot in Cape Town, South Africa for my summer class, it was a dream come true. a few clarifying questions to make recording more efficient… or so he thought. The group, subtly reacted by saying that he I remember telling God, “You brought me here to be with was interfering with their free thought flow. The presenting and learn from people who have been victims or witnesses group continued…as did Johan. Again, he asked a clarifying question to those presenting. They were “Do you see what is agitated, and said they were done. A proposal happening here? You came from the floor that Johan stop writing…but have just played out he continued writing. It just seemed most logical. “Who made you in charge, Johan?” what apartheid was another classmate challenged. like. It is still with us in When things got heated, the facilitator many ways.” finally stepped in, “Do you see what is happening here? You have just played out what apartheid was like. It is still with us in many ways.” of apartheid.” I was placed in Cape Town, as a part of an When others started expressing that they, too, thought ecumenical training for young leaders. The first couple of Johan was an oppressor, I couldn’t take it anymore. I felt that weeks were honestly very difficult for me. I could not fully this was so unfair, and said that to use the words apartheid comprehend the racial and economic dynamics of South Africa post-apartheid. I was constantly making mistakes, and and white supremacy, and conflate that with individual personalities like that of Johan was violence. *silence* I couldn’t figure out why. Johan finally spoke. He said this was just his personality. “I Around week 6, we were asked to divide ourselves into

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would’ve taken charge, even if I wasn’t white.” “No, you wouldn’t!” someone called out. I could not understand. “God, what am I missing?” After this session, many people stopped talking to me. People didn’t like me much after what I had said. Anashe, a black South African, moved her chair away from mine. Confused and agitated, I asked Anashe, “Hey, are you mad at me? Let’s talk. I don’t even know why you are angry.” I felt like it was my right to hear why she was angry with me. She looked at me saying, “Just because you have the confidence to ask me, doesn’t make it my duty to tell you.” I felt horrible. I just stood there, my eyes filled with tears. Later, another black South African named Khuthala decided to talk to me. He started off by calling me an oppressor by association. He said that because of my class interests, I am able to relate to Johan more than I can relate to the rest of the class. He said that the violence that I saw directed toward Johan was temporary and confined to that space. But the violence he was directing at the rest of the group was perpetual and ongoing. He told me about how living in a country like South Africa after apartheid is far more challenging than I can imagine. Johan taking charge, even while there was some discomfort, was evidence of an upbringing which tells children that they are allowed to be assertive, if they believe what they think is the best option. I grew up in a culture that taught me to be assertive too. I found myself thinking, “God, is he right? Am I an oppressor?”

Bishop Desmond Tutu There’s Johan: this Peter England meets with the class in wearing, get into your car and drive, white South Africa. Author man. And then there is Khuthala: from Gerlyn Henry is kneeling Kyletshia—the largest slum in Cape Town, to the left of Tutu. having to walk 10 minutes to go to the bathroom, black man. There I was: an “American” who speaks English fluently, assertive, and has enough money to buy a cup of coffee every day. The tension wasn’t just words. It was in our very existence. “God, how could I not know this?” I came to Cape Town thinking that I was humble, aware and diligent in understanding racial dynamics. I know that all people are made in the image of God. I thought my first year at Columbia Seminary had prepared me…and it had! I was ready to listen when confronted with the image of the oppressor. I was able to wrestle with it. Though I was offended when Khuthala said that I had economic and social interest, it is true. I do. I encountered God in this. I found God, for the first time…in my lack of understanding. I continually assess myself to see when I am playing my card of privilege. I wonder though, with my access, if I can ever fully participate in the struggle of the people with whom I believe I identify. Columbia Theological Seminary taught me how to analyze situations, how to engage in cultures beyond what I knew. Most importantly, Columbia Seminary taught me how, in the face of challenge, not to break. As a result, I learned more of what it means to encounter God. FALL 2 0 1 6 / VANTAGE /

MEETING GOD IN HEBREW CLASS BY MICHAEL K. THOMPSON

MONG THE MOST CHALLENGING REQUIREMENTS FOR SEMINARY ARE THE LANGUAGE CLASSES. I generally find

that most students have their preference—either for the precise, even scientific nature of Greek or the more fluid, artistic nature of Hebrew. And I am always most impressed by our international students, many of whom come with a different “home” language of Korean or Hungarian to learn their Biblical languages in an English speaking classroom. I spent some time with our Summer Hebrew class taught this year by Dr. Ryan Bonfiglio, Lecturer in Old Testament. Historically, the course has been cross-registered with the Candler School of Theology, so it attracts different students and takes place on a slightly different schedule. Students from Mercer, the Interdenominational Theological Center, and other schools attend as well. I had the chance to sit with Dr. Bonfiglio and some of the students before listening in on a class. “Hebrew is hard to learn, and even harder to retain,” Dr. Bonfiglio says. “But the point of taking Hebrew is not just to learn an ancient language but to come to interact with Scripture in a profoundly new way.” He then outlines several goals for his class: 1. Reading Hebrew forces us to do what we so often fail to do when reading Scripture in our native language: to slow down and to pay attention to the details. 2. Reading Hebrew makes the Bible seems more strange, more unfamiliar. Being faced with the strangeness of Scripture—and God—we are invited to be curious, to ask honest questions, and to be willing to be surprised by what we find. 10

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3. The difficult work of translation has the potential to cultivate in us a deeper appreciation for different cultures and people and to lead us to ever more authentic relationships with God and neighbor. All the way through our discussion, Dr. Bonfiglio emphasizes that studying a language is about understanding. That is why intercultural discussion is so important to Hebrew study. Any church leader should be a translator, not just of the text, but the culture as well. That’s also why one of his “commandments” for the class is “Thou shalt never use Hebrew from the pulpit just to sound smart.” The goal of learning Hebrew is to promote understanding about God in a way that is accessible and engaging to a lay audience that will likely never study biblical languages. Cara Forney is a Candler student who took Hebrew at CTS in the summer of 2015 and participated in this summer’s class as a tutor and teaching assistant. “Taking Hebrew changed my view of the Bible,” she says. “I think it’s necessary in every church to have someone guide others through the nuances easily lost in Hebrew.” Cara goes on to describe how knowledge of Hebrew has deepened her faith and helped her get to know her classmates, who are themselves from a variety of cultural backgrounds. “I chose Columbia Theological Seminary because I wanted to learn in the context of relationships with God and other people,” says Claudia Ford, an MDiv student from Columbia Theological Seminary. “I didn’t want to go to a theological school just to study. We are making each other better to do justice to the reading of God’s word and living in God’s world.”

“I enjoy studying Hebrew, because I tend to race through the text in English, but the Hebrew slows me down to spend more time with God.” A number of the students note the ethnic diversity of the class as a further bonus when thinking cross-culturally. Just the fact that there are 5 African American women in the class, most of whom have aspirations for a PhD, seems significant. Many are used to living in two worlds already, but the ability to think and process what they are learning together adds further dimension to their reflections. “The sky is the limit when you consider how diverse this class is. There are no barriers,” Ebo Quaninoo comments. “I enjoy studying Hebrew, because I tend to race through the text in English, but the Hebrew slows me down to spend more time with God.” In fact, Dr. Bonfiglio introduces worship into the classroom regularly. It allows students to hear and live into

the Hebrew language at work in a spiritual context. Often, it is more memorable to sing in Hebrew than to say it. Yet, there is also an element of humor that the class truly appreciates. “Father Sarducci” (of Saturday Night Live fame) comes to visit on occasion with an important lesson in grammar. He bears a strange resemblance to Dr. Bonfiglio, and bears considerably more academic rigor than the character I remember from my youth. In sum, this Hebrew class is a microcosm of community where many facets of life can be shared, understood, and expressed in new ways. Tools are given and sharpened for a variety of academic and pastoral experiences ahead. Most importantly, it has been a place where students can meet God and one another in a fresh way.

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REASONABLE

SERVICE

IN PARTNERSHIP:

PRESBYTERIAN HERITAGE CENTER COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY STUDENT REBEKAH CARPENTER did her summer internship at the Presbyterian Heritage Center (PHC) in Montreat, NC. We sat down for an interview with her, as well as Board member Jack Sadler and Executive Director Ron Vinson. VANTAGE: First tell us a bit about the mission of the Presbyterian Heritage Center. RON VINSON: We are a non-profit education center for Presbyterian/Reformed history serving multiple denominations within that tradition, including PC(USA), ARP, EPC, ECO, PCA, RCA and others. We provide educational materials to local churches for historical research and general knowledge about our faith heritage. We are even working on some new confirmation curriculum materials. For example, we provide a historical detective search for kids. We host annual conferences for up to 200

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people. We also offer DVDs and flash drives with a variety of information and historical lesson plans. And Rebekah can tell you more about what she did this summer. REBEKAH CARPENTER: We wrote and implemented a variety of interactive, fun, and contemplative programs this summer that were embedded with theology, history and heritage. We worked with children, youth and the adult counselors, parents and grandparents that attended with them. The participants acted out and deeply reflected on the history of the English Bible. They pondered, debated and wrestled with the scriptures after understanding how the text was written, read and proclaimed in the ancient world. They tried their hand (and very well I might add) at interpreting the Bible for themselves in light of the theology, history and heritage surrounding the text. And they brought scripture to life by re-enacting and modeling the environment of the ancient people while Jesus was in direct relationship with them. It was powerful! I watched children, youth and adults trust their own ability to be a philosopher and an interpreter of theology,

history and faith heritage for themselves. VANTAGE: Describe your relationship with Montreat. JACK SADLER: Montreat, as a local community, includes the conference center, a college, 2 churches — PC(USA) and EPC. Presbyterian/Reformed roots run deep in this community. We work especially close with the conference center, renting our facility and space for events. What was exciting about this summer’s internship program was that the PHC was able to instill and teach theology, history and faith heritage across so many different areas of Montreat and the Montreat Conference Center, especially with the children in the Clubs program and with our Senior High Youth Conferences. Rebekah also worked with worship planning and leadership, not only with Montreat Presbyterian Church, but also with the Montreat Conference Center. She participated in the Adult Summer Club which caters primarily to retired persons, and worked with the Crafts program which serves all ages. Rebekah

developed partnerships with the staff of the Montreat Conference Center, and worked in partnership with seminarians from across the country to provide devotions for the youth summer club program. VANTAGE: Describe your relationship with Columbia Theological Seminary. JACK: About 10 years ago, the Presbyterian Historical Society’s Montreat office was closed and gave a large collection of local church histories, books and other items to the archives at the John Bulow Campbell Library at Columbia Theological Seminary. The Library returned over 10,000 books to the PHC that were outside Columbia Seminary’s mission or were duplicates. There is also a seat on our Board for Columbia Seminary, and faculty and former faculty present programs and lead discussion groups in the Center here. Our Director has also provided archival display services for Columbia Seminary. VANTAGE: Let’s explore more the work done this summer at the Presbyterian Heritage Center.

“They pondered, debated and wrestled with the scriptures after understanding how the text was written, read and proclaimed in the ancient world.” REBEKAH CARPENTER

JACK: One of Montreat’s greatest blessings is its children and youth. Our objective is to engage children and youth in age appropriate activities. We want to expose our youth to Presbyterian Reformed history, theology, and faith heritage, and most importantly to the Bible. With over 5,000 senior high and 1000 Clubies, the fields were ripe for harvest. This summer was our inaugural event for a five-year program—having a summer intern who will continue to expand the program to reach more children, youth and adults. We believe it more than met our goals. We are pleased to announce that funding is now in place to assure that the program will continue for the next four summers—and perhaps longer! The PHC’s Youth Initiative also includes a desire for year-round expansion of our work to other denominations and a desire for greater partnerships with clergy and church staff to begin making theology, history and faith heritage much more a part of regular church life, confirmation classes, Christian education, sermons, retreats, special programs and new member orientation. RON: We created summer modules which are an unbelievable source of

information about things like the history of the English Bible. We will create a drama for participants to act out. We will have a new program in May 2017 with Michael Morgan, seminary musician at Columbia Seminary, about the Music of the Reformation. JACK: We provide resources that help people interpret the Bible and bring it to life in a way that points people to God and Jesus. We have carvings by John Mack Walker Jr. which people can use to reflect on Scripture. We do a talk about parables called “God is Alive” to set a modern context of Jesus’ teachings for kids. One example is a devotion which focuses on the Zacchaeus carvings. Kathy Dawson, Associate Professor of Christian Education at Columbia Seminary, helped create materials around the 5 senses using food, music, and other items. We had a cage to express how smallness limits us, and invited kids to write about their own limits. At the end, the kids break the cage as we talk about grace through Jesus. We also share how our heritage includes thousands of communities connected by the Bible and God’s Spirit. VANTAGE: Tell us about your vision for the future and how you hope to benefit the church.

RON: Our vision is to enable people of the Reformed tradition to honor their past, to allow their heritage to inform their life today, and to offer hope for the future. We have innovative, immersive lesson plans and educational models on many topics—John Knox, history of the English Language Bible, various mission histories and their impact today – for local churches who share this vision. JACK: We are chartered as a 501(c)(3) Educational Non-profit. We are funded by individual gifts and a few grants. We accomplish our vision through education, as we understand from where we have come, how that journey impacts our lives today, and gives us guidance for the future. This summer was a step forward in realizing this vision—even with the least among us!

that alongside our efforts for growth, we very much need to be instilling theology, history, faith heritage and a love for the Bible into the very fabric of those who are currently in our churches. Otherwise, our foundation is sinking sand. I believe with my whole heart that the Presbyterian Heritage Center is vital and is being directed by God to fill this pervasive need. We want people to be energized through learning, and be able to see that through the power of the Holy Spirit. These ancient practices still speak into our modern context and have the capacity to energize and revitalize our churches.

RON: Our programs and materials are free! We have films, lessons, documents, timelines, photos, DVDs, and flash drives. We are working on confirmation class materials, including one on John Knox. We want to do a better job of passing tradition REBEKAH: The Presbyterian down to the next generation. Heritage Center is immersed in activities, liturgy, VANTAGE: Thank you preaching resources, and all for sharing more about active programs. Part of my the great work happening background is in growth and at the Presbyterian development. I know that Heritage Center. For more the church needs to be using information, readers may go cutting edge marketing tools to their website at to bring in young families www.phcmontreat.org. and expand its reach. I have been involved in this research and I believe in it. However, I also have a deep conviction FALL 2 0 1 6 / VANTAGE /

H Y P E R F O C U S

WORSHIP D R . R E B E C C A S P U R R I E R , Associate Dean for Worship Life and Assistant Professor of Worship

S COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY’S NEW ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR WORSHIP LIFE, I am deeply grateful

in conversation with disability scholars and activists. In particular, my recently completed dissertation, “Works of Love: Beauty and Fragility in a Community of Difference,” brings together the fields of liturgical theology and disability to join a faculty that understands worship as central to the studies to consider how Christian congregations could seminary’s academic work and spiritual formation, as well as recognize and desire the differences and disabilities of those to its service to the church and world. Since who constitute them without engaging in condescension and I began my position in July, it has been a segregationist charity. delight and a privilege to encourage and In the dissertation, I highlight the significance of mental support the many gifts of students, faculty, disability for public worship based on ethnographic research and staff as through our daily prayers the at a parish where the majority of congregants live with Spirit is at work among us. diagnoses of mental illness and experience multiple forms One of the seminary community’s of injustice in their daily lives. I describe the worship arts greatest gifts is the gathering of by which people with differing abilities are essential to this Christians from different theological and community’s liturgy in beautiful and sometimes disruptive denominational backgrounds, which expands Dr. Rebecca Spurrier ways, and I reflect on the work of the Spirit in creating forms and deepens our knowledge of God, one of space and time that make room for differences within another, and the church through common worship. My common worship. As I studied this community, I sought a own story bears witness to the power of such encounters. While I am a member of a local Mennonite congregation and way to value the work of all of the members within a common powerfully shaped by an Anabaptist heritage, I am also deeply liturgy, which led me to argue for a broader understanding of what counts as participation in Christian worship and committed to an ecumenical vision born of worshipping with community. and studying other congregations and religious traditions. In The Disabled God, the theologian Nancy Eiesland writes Growing up in a Brethren in Christ Church in Zambia and of the church as a communion of justice and struggle. When working for six years in Ukraine with Mennonite Central God gathers us from different places in our world and country Committee, I experienced, and grew to love, very different expressions of Christian worship. My years at Calvin College and city and Christian tradition, we bring with us the people nurtured an appreciation for a Reformed theology of worship, and places that have shaped our knowledge and experience of God. We bring different ways of singing and praying. We and my doctoral research in an Episcopal congregation bring different experiences of suffering and oppression and deepened my love for the choreographies and beauty of freedom and hope. Yet, the God who gathers us, promises the liturgy. These and many other experiences of Christian Spirit is at work in and through all of the differences. particularity lead me to celebrate the diversity of the As the Associate Dean for Worship Life, I hope to Christian tradition that the Columbia Seminary community challenge our students to think theologically about liturgical brings to our worship life. hospitality. Such hospitality is a daily discipline as we strive Our diversity in worship is a gift, and it also challenges to plan and lead worship in ways that are welcoming and us to create modes of access and to foster good liturgical accessible to all members of our community, while also hospitality. It challenges us to create a space where our inviting each one to bring to our common worship their differences can thrive. These questions—of access and particular gifts. hospitality—were central to my doctoral work in theological studies at Emory University, where I explored these topics 14

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Tim Moore (left), Executive Director for L’Arche Atlanta brings core members and staff to lead worship in Campbell Hall Chapel.

We are also stretched to think about questions of hospitality as we engage with and are led in worship by partners and visitors from outside Columbia Seminary. Recently, members of L’Arche Atlanta led us in chapel. L’Arche is a place where people with and without intellectual disabilities accompany one another in the work of community. Through encounters with one another and with communities like L’Arche, we at CTS grow in our knowledge and love of God and are transformed; we delight in and struggle with the hopes and possibilities of human difference that are at the heart of our work and worship. HERE ARE FOUR SETS OF CRITICAL QUESTIONS AND THEOLOGICAL PRIORITIES I BRING TO MY WORK AT COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. 1. PARTICIPATION AND ACCESS A seminary community is place where time is scarce and where there are many equally competing goods for the time that we have. Keeping in mind busy schedules, what are the theological assumptions about time that we share as seminary community regarding participation in worship? Related to these questions of participation are questions of access. Does everyone who wants to participate in our common worship have access? How do we as a community distinguish access to common worship from preferences about worship? How do we name and address barriers to common prayer? How are these barriers articulated by the people who experience them? 2. ECUMENISM AND DIFFERENCE The richness of seminary worship involves both the opportunity to encounter other traditions as well as to lead

in one’s own tradition, while keeping in mind those for whom certain patterns of worship might be unfamiliar or uncomfortable. I understand such unity and diversity to be an important value of CTS in its worship life. So I want to ask: Is there genuine liturgical hospitality being shown to those participating in worship forms and practices other than their own? Are traditions being represented in ways that are not tokenistic? What kinds of familiarity do students have with the full repertoire of liturgical options within their own traditions? 3. PRAYER AND ACADEMIC FORMATION Seminary classrooms are often places where students ask difficult questions about what they believe about God and the world around them. Regular patterns of praying and singing, preaching and sharing in communion, prepare an academic community for the difficult work of theological reflection and transformation. Is seminary worship helping to ground students for that critical theological work? And how are students encouraged to bring what they are learning in the classroom to their planning and participation in worship? Finally, how are students invited to remember in worship the communities they are interacting with across the city and world as part of their seminary study? 4. SPIRITUAL FORMATION AND THEOLOGICAL IMAGINATION Broad participation in worship with a diversity of worship planners can result in rich diversity but also in lack of depth or continuity in common worship and in worship leadership. How is seminary worship experienced as spiritually formative rather than episodic? Is the process of planning and reflecting on worship not only task-oriented but also theologically and prayerfully imaginative? Does a worship planning process invite students to reflect on God’s activity in our common worship?

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WE’RE NEVER FINISHED! A C O M M U N I C AT I O N S U P D AT E

request to receive Vantage. This is the policy for most institutions N SEVENTH GRADE, I HAD A WONDERFUL, of higher learning. Our basic goal is to be more effective stewards YET DEMANDING, ENGLISH TEACHER NAMED MR. MONDRONE. In his most fully animated of your contributions. Vantage will be available electronically on

self, he would react any time a student indicated they were finished with an assignment. Immediately, he would cry out, “We’re never finished!” Then he would post a new assignment on the chalkboard, so that no time was lost keeping all of us working and learning. Other students would groan, even as they gave dirty looks to the student who blurted out the imprudent comment. The truth is we all learned so much in his class. It was the bedrock on which I and countless other students learned to write. And we learned that change is inevitable. As a person of faith, I am blessed to have learned this lesson (many times over!) that change is likely, if we are faithfully following God. While this was not Mr. Mondrone’s primary teaching objective, he certainly modeled it well as a confessing Christian himself. I know that God is active in the midst of change. In the Fall of 2012, I addressed you, the readers of Vantage, when I began working at Columbia Theological Seminary. At that time, we redesigned Vantage, constructed a new website, created new templates for e-newsletters, and began to further build our social media presence. In 2016, we have re-visited the look and avenues of our communications again. We have a complete rebrand of the seminary, a new integrated website and blog, and a fresh design for Vantage. Our goals have been to present images reflecting our history and our present well in the growing digital age, and to create core messages that reflect our essential values and beliefs in clear and memorable ways. We are also always looking for the most effective ways to convey our messages.

A new logo that reflects our vision is at the heart of the rebrand.

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CHANGE 1 Starting with this edition of Vantage magazine, it will be delivered to donors actively supporting the school or individuals who make a specific

our website at www.CTSnet.edu/vantage. Anyone can access this edition and others as far back as 2007.

CHANGE 2 You will find a completely re-vamped 2015-16 Annual Report. This year we have created a mission focused Annual Report with messages from the Board Chair, the Rev. Dr. Tom Walker, and President, Dr. Leanne Van Dyk, highlights and accomplishments, and financial information. Our goals are twofold. We want you have greater understanding of the mission and life of Columbia this past year. And, again, we are seeking to be good stewards of your contributions. These changes will allow us to consider additional ways to deliver more information to you, our faithful supporters, 2016 2017 and to broaden our outreach to potential students for both our degree programs and The Center for Lifelong Learning. The donor recognition lists which previously doubled the size of the Fall Vantage and constituted the core of an Annual Report will be available Academic catalog for 2016-2017 on our website. You make the mission of educating and nurturing faithful, imaginative, and effective leaders for the sake of the Church and the world possible. We could not do this without you. We hope you understand. Our work is achieving success. Our internet footprint is now one of the best of any school our size and many quite larger. We will seek to improve on that effort through our updated website and blog, as well as various social media platforms. Our materials now have a consistent look and message to better broadcast our presence for local neighbors and international CATALOG

Faithful educational resources featuring Columbia faculty.

Visit our interactive catalog pcusa.org/cmpcatalog

Leader’s Guide 680747 • $8.95 Participant’s Book 680748 • $4.95

Leader’s Guide 680781 • $8.95 Participant’s Book 680782 • $4.95

partners, for friends of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the growing and diverse set of relationships we share with other denominations. Our goal has been to help us become a better seminary and community. I look forward to more opportunities to grow together in the years ahead. Feel free to let me know if you have any thoughts or ideas for our communications. And by all means, please share your stories with us!

A new website marks a big step for our communication efforts. Be sure to visit www.ctsnet.edu.

Grace and Peace, Michael K. Thompson Director of Communications

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LIFELONG LEARNING

ORIGIN STORIES:

How The Center for Lifelong Learning is Creating Leaders In 2014, The Center for Lifelong Learning partnered with then Leadership in Ministry (LIM) coordinator Dr. Robert Dibble and offered its first series of clergy leadership workshops. Working with trained faculty and with peer clergy, participants immersed themselves in the study and application of Bowen Family System Theory (BFST) as a theory of practice for ministry leadership. It was instantly obvious that LIM aligns perfectly with Columbia Theological Seminary’s charge of “Encountering God, Cultivating Leaders, Transforming Communities.” It wasn’t long after that first cohort that things started changing for both LIM and The Center for Lifelong Learning.

ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES

The first big change happened earlier in 2016 as longtime coordinator Dibble began the process of stepping down from administration of the LIM workshops at other locations. Active in LIM since 1994, Dibble assumed the role of program director in 2010. According to Dibble in his message to LIM participants, “As for me, this discernment process has been spiritually enriching. As best as I have been able to discern God’s will and sense of timing, it seems most appropriate to step aside and invite new leadership.” In the same message, Dibble announced that starting in 2017 the new director of LIM would be Israel Galindo, The Center for Lifelong Learning’s Associate Dean. Galindo, active in LIM since 1995, has written numerous books on BFST, including The Hidden Lives of Congregations (Alban), Perspectives on Congregational Leadership (Educational Consultants), and A Family Genogram Workbook (Educational Consultants), with Elaine Boomer and Don Reagan. He is one of fourteen facultycoaches currently teaching LIM workshops. In this transition The Center for Lifelong Learning assumed administrative responsibilities for the workshops at all four LIM workshop site locations, currently Portland, Boston, Lost River, and Atlanta. 18

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A MEETING OF THE MINDS (for the first time!)

In August of 2016 the CLL secured a grant from the Pastoral Excellence Network for the purpose of gathering the fourteen LIM faculty members of the CLL, on the campus of Columbia Theological Seminary. Several faculty members have been teaching in the program for over 10 years. One faculty member has been teaching in the workshops for 20 years.

classics) author Ed Friedman’s oft-repeated statement was: “It takes years of mentoring by someone who has internalized family systems theory and intentional work in your family of origin, for this way of thinking to become your own.” “I simply don’t think I would be useful/helpful/happy/ excited about my work. It’s shaped how I have managed congregational crises through the years. I like being a parish priest after 33 years of service more than I imagined I ever would.” (From an Episcopal priest.) “BFST has given me a useful framework for understanding and responding to the various situations of It is not insignificant that many of the participants, and my life and ministry. It helps me distinguish what I do and workshop facilitators, have been through several cycles of do not have responsibility for. It helps me take responsibility the workshops. After all, LIM workshops have been around for my own behavior and helps me give others responsibility since 1992. Since 2010, 20 participants (10%) for theirs. Investing time and resources have attended for 6 consecutive in BFST and the Leadership in Ministry years, and 12 have attended for seven “BFST has given me a retreats has given me additional consecutive years. useful framework for capacity, something of similar value Workshop participants have to my seminary training. I feel more understanding and included: pastors, rabbis, other mature and more equipped for life and responding to the congregational staff members, work. Learning and using BFST has various situations of interim pastors, chaplains, lay leaders, helped me, my family, our staff team, denominational workers, pastoral my life and ministry.” and those to whom I minister.” (From a counselors, public school counselors and denominational executive.) early childhood educators. Over 200 “The value of LIM, personally, is to be aware of my own men and women from 14 denominations and 28 states and core emotional processes and to better assess my own role the District of Columbia have participated. Participants in any interactions. I think I have become somewhat less have received Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) for both likely to remain stuck in a reactive posture. I also think that denominational and professional accrediting bodies, as well my awareness of the extended family field has helped me as graduate credit for Doctor of Ministry and other degree both stay connected with my extended family, able to name programs. and access that field as a source of strength, and also decide “After 20 years of working with the theory, clergy, who I want to be in light of that.” (From a Mennonite and congregations, I can honestly say I’ve not encountered minister.) a comparable theory of practice for the challenges of The schedule for upcoming workshops for all four ministry of self-work,” says Galindo. “In fact, when I was a locations through early 2019 can be found on the dean [at the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond], seminary website. To learn more about LIM, please visit I remember that BFST was consistently the top answer leadershipinministry.org where you will find sample alumni gave to the question, ‘What was the most helpful schedules, faculty bios, location information and thing you learned in seminary?’ (with preaching and registration links. Registration for all sites is now open. theology ranking the next most highest).” Register early to reserve your spot. Experience has shown that family systems thinking cannot be learned from a book or a single seminar. Generation to Generation and A Failure of Nerve (BFST “That is a lot of accumulated knowledge and expertise,” says Galindo. Despite the long tenure of its faculty members, who teach in the four locations, they have not all met personally, nor have they gathered together all at once in the program’s 24-year history. The gathering provided an opportunity for the LIM faculty to reflect on their work, share their learning and wisdom, and cultivate a shared ethos in the program to which they are passionately committed.

MOVING FORWARD

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LIFELONG LEARNING

COURSE SCHEDULE DEVELOPING LAY LEADERS February 6 – 8, 2017 Dr. Eugenia Freiburger In this course, led by a nationallyrecognized expert in lay mobilization, participants will learn ways and means for developing and mobilizing persons within congregations for leadership roles. SPIRITUALITY OF MARGINALITY February 9 – 12, 2017 Kevin Park Certificate in Spiritual Formation This weekend seminar will explore expressions of spirituality emerging from the Asian North American ecclesial communities that have largely been shaped by experiences of marginality, the sense of living inbetween two worlds or existing on the boundaries of cultural norms.

SEVEN CONCEPTS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR TEACHING February 13 – 15, 2017 Israel Galindo This program is for congregational educators—lay teachers, pastors, teaching and program staff who want to be more effective in their teaching. This is a 3-day educational workshop for development in the area of teaching and learning in the congregational context.

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ARTICULATING OUR MISSION, ROLE, AND VALUE February 26 – March 1, 2017 Compass Points Certificate Course Bethelwoods Camp and Conference Center, York, SC. PERSONNEL AND LEADERSHIP March 1 – 4, 2017 Compass Points Certificate Course Bethelwoods Camp and Conference Center, York, SC. THE ENDURING SPIRITUALITY OF HOWARD THURMAN March 4, 2017 Lerita Coleman-Brown Spirituality Program Half-Day Retreat Thurman encouraged people to “center down,” embrace quiet and stillness.

In this retreat we will witness with silence, centering prayer, readings, journaling, and connecting with nature the contemplative practices Howard Thurman promoted. WISDOM AND WIT OF THE DESERT FATHERS AND MOTHERS March 6 – 31, 2017 Carl McColman Certificate in Spiritual Formation Online Class Explore the stories of the Desert Mothers and Fathers that shine with a sincere desire for humility, recognizing that pride is the greatest obstacle in our relationship with God.

WITH ISRAEL GALINDO • FEBRUARY 13 - 15, 2017

How do we understand “illuminating” or “bringing light to” the texts and context of our faith? We invite you to consider this question as we delve into the first handwritten, illuminated Bible of its scale in over 500 years: the St. John’s Bible.

Led by Ann Laird Jones February 19 - 22, 2017 Montreat Conference Center Certificate is Spiritual Formation

ILLUMINATING THE TEXT February 19 – 22, 2017 • Anne Laird Jones • Certificate in Spiritual Formation • Montreat Conference Center This class will explore the St. John’s Bible, a work of art that unites a medieval Benedictine tradition with modern technology, illuminating the Word of God!

PASTORAL LEADERSHIP AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE March 9 – 10, 2017 Dr. Michael L. Cook Emotional intelligence is the awareness of and learning how to manage one’s emotions, reactions, and responses to stress and anxiety in interpersonal and corporate relationships. This interactive seminar is for pastors and ministry leaders who want to develop their emotional intelligence (EI) and learn how to access and use their EI in the practice of pastoral leadership.

THE PROCESS OF AGING AND IMPLICATIONS FOR MINISTRY March 20 – 22, 2017 Mary Ann Johnson Older Adult Ministry Certificate Course This course will explore practical ways that congregations, families, and caregivers can adapt and respond to age-related changes and to enhance well-being and quality of life among older people.

TEACHING FOR TRANSFORMATION WITH OLDER ADULTS March 22 – 24, 2017 Joyce MacKichan Walker Older Adult Ministry Certificate Course Explore learning styles, examine effective teaching methods, experience current teaching-learning theories, and consider application to and adaptations for older adults.

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LIFELONG LEARNING

COURSE SCHEDULE continued

IMMERSION EXPERIENCE: AN INVITATION TO A DEEPER SPIRITUAL LIFE April 2 – 04/05, 2017 Jim Dant, Carl McColman and Debra Weir Certificate in Spiritual Formation Montreat Conference Center Discover the key ideas and foundational practices for the grand adventure of life in the Spirit! LITURGY OF THE HOURS April 20 – 23, 2017 Paul Lang Certificate in Spiritual Formation Montreat Conference Center Countless saints have used this to

patiently reshape their lives before God. Paul Lang recovers this ancient but timeless discipline with his own musical compositions to lead us in praying the hours. DEVOTIONAL WRITING May 1 – June 9, 2017 Melissa Tidwell and Beth Waltemath Online Class Designed for writers with a serious interest in exploring the genre of devotional writing, this course of six weeks will study a present a series of topics, discussions with others and writing prompts.

2017-2018 COHORT CERTIFICATE IN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION APPLICATION DEADLINE June 15, 2017 Certificate in Spiritual Direction THE HIDDEN LIVES OF CONGREGATIONS February 5 – March 2, 2018 Israel Galindo An Online Course This course is a study of the often unseen congregational dynamics the affect the life of a congregation.

Leadership in Ministry Workshops ATLANTA • BOSTON • LOST RIVER • PORTLAND SAVE THE DATES! ATLANTA: November 13-15, 2017 and March 5-7, 2018 LOST RIVER, WV A: April 3-5, 2017 and October 16-18, 2017 LOST RIVER, WV B: April 24-26, 2017 and September 25-27, 2017 BOSTON: May 15-17, 2017 and October 2-4, 2017 PORTLAND: May 1-3, 2017 and September 18-20, 2017

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T A U T A P A N T A

WE ARE ALL PART OF A LIVING TRADITION that reaches back to the earliest days of God’s people reflecting on their world, their experience of God, and their sense of God’s calling. Tauta Panta refers to “all these things,” as in “Seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33). These are notes from our journey as alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of Columbia Theological Seminary. NEWS FROM CAMPUS

APRIL 28, 2016:

Executive VP to Fulfill New Role at Columbia Theological Seminary Columbia Theological Seminary President Leanne Van Dyk announced the creation of a new leadership position this week, Vice President of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Dr. Van Dyk further announced the appointment of current Executive Vice President and Dean of Faculty Deborah Flemister Mullen to serve in the new role. As part of the new leadership position, Dr. Mullen will create, plan, and implement comprehensive strategies to impact the culture of the Columbia Seminary campus.

JUNE 4, 2016:

Ben Campbell Johnson, Professor Emeritus Dies at Age 84 Dr. Ben Campbell Johnson, Professor Emeritus of Evangelism at Columbia Theological Seminary and the founding Director of the Spirituality Program at The Center for Lifelong Learning passed away Thursday afternoon. A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 17 at 2:00 pm, at Shallowford Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.

JUNE 7, 2016:

Christine Roy Yoder Named Interim Dean of Faculty Columbia Theological Seminary President Leanne Van Dyk announced that Professor of Old Testament Language, Literature, and Exegesis Dr. Christine Roy Yoder will be appointed as the Interim Dean of Faculty effective July 11, 2016. Current Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Dr. Deborah Flemister Mullen will begin sabbatical this summer. Just last month, it was announced that Dr. Mullen will return from sabbatical to a newly created leadership position as the seminary’s first Vice President of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Dr. Yoder will serve as Interim Dean of Faculty until the appointment of a new Vice President of Academic Affairs.

JULY 20, 2016:

New Associate Dean for Worship Life Appointed at Columbia Seminary Columbia Theological Seminary President Leanne Van Dyk announced earlier this year the creation of a new position, Associate Dean for Worship Life. “We are committed to forming our students as leaders in worshipping communities,” said Dr. Van Dyk. “After all, worship is a primary location of the work of the Spirit. Our faculty is eager to welcome a colleague who will mentor our students in thoughtful and authentic worship.” This summer, Columbia Seminary welcomed Dr. Rebecca Spurrier as the new Associate Dean for Worship Life and Assistant Professor of Worship.

JULY 23, 2016:

New Dean of Students Appointed at Columbia Seminary Columbia Theological Seminary President Leanne Van Dyk has announced that the Rev. Brandon T. Maxwell will be appointed as the new Dean of Students. Currently, Rev. Maxwell serves as the Assistant Director of Admissions at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University and as Pastor of Worship & Spiritual Formation at Park Avenue Baptist Church in Atlanta. For these and more stories, see www. ctsnet.edu/columbia-connections.

The Rev. Brandon Maxwell, new Dean of Students, enjoys his first Convocation at Columbia Seminary.

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T A U T A P A N T A

ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES

1950s

| Robert Montgomery ‘53 had two articles published recently: “Conversion and the Historic Spread of Religions” in The Oxford Handbook of Religious Conversion, Oxford University Press, 2014; and “Special Persons and the Spread of Religions” in Pastoral Psychology, June 2016. These articles came from his search for understanding the great variations in receptivity to religions, in particular the gospel of Jesus Christ, introduced from the outside of societies and were prompted by his experience among the very receptive aboriginals in Taiwan from 1956 to 1972. Rob Roy McGregor ’57 had his second volume of Calvin’s Sermons on Job (Chapters 15-31) published in June in ebook format by Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh, Scotland. Roland Perdue ’59 is interim pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, NC. This is his twelfth interim position since his retirement in 1998.

1960s

| Simeon Fulcher ’64 retired as associate pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Honolulu, HI.

1970s

| J. Ernest Johnson ’72 retired as pastor, Highland Presbyterian Church, Fayetteville, NC. Sheppard Lawrence ’74 retired as chaplain, Wuesthoff-Brevard hospice, Rockledge, FL. Harry Chronis ’76 retired in Knoxville, TN. 24

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Joan Gray ’76 is interim lead minister at First Presbyterian Church, Marietta, GA.

Cathedral of St. Michael and All Angels, effective February 1, 2016.

Al Masters ’76, ’91 (DMin) is stated supply at Tyger River Presbyterian Church, Moore, SC.

Daniel McMillan ’84 retired as pastor of Green Hill Presbyterian Church, Enterprise, AL.

Bruce Swanson ’79 retired as pastor of First United Presbyterian Church, Nampa, ID.

Joe Brice ’85 retired from Providence Presbyterian Church, Dallas, GA.

1980s

| Ed George ’80 (MATS) is ACPE supervisor at Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center, Muskogee, OK. Marc Coker ’81 retired from First Presbyterian Church, Laurens, SC. Peggy Hegeman ’82 is pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Cleghorn, IA. Mark Jumper ’82 is professor at Regent University School of Divinity, Virginia Beach, VA. He was recently named as that school’s Director of Master’s Programs. He recently completed a mission trip training Ukrainian military chaplains at Kiev Theological Seminary. These chaplains are regularly in frontline combat service. Regent University released this news story, while Christian Broadcasting Network-Emmanuel of Kiev released a video report that was broadcast in eastern Europe.

Paul Forsyth ’85 retired as pastor, New Hope Presbyterian Church, Gastonia, NC. Lynn Stall ’87 (DMin) is pastor of Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church, Chapel Hill, NC. Rob Williams ’87 (DMin) is retiring and moving to New Zealand where his son lives. Grace Kim ’88 (MAYM) concluded her service with the Presbyterian Mission Agency after 34 years as a longtime pastor, educator and translator. Joy Smith ’88 is interim pastor of Cherokee Park United Church, St. Paul, MN. Jerry Ferrari ’89, ’94 (DMin) retired as chaplain and Bible teacher at McCallie Middle School, Chattanooga, TN. Jack Haberer ’89 (DMin) is pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Allentown, PA.

1990s

| Earl Smith ’90, ’00 Gwin Pratt ’82 retired as pastor of St. Luke Presbyterian Church, Wayzata, MN. (DMin) served as bridge interim pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Brandon, FL Jeffrey Gibson ’83 (ThM) was appointed where he has been the parish associate by the Most Reverend Archbishop of the since 2011. He now has the title of pastor Province of the West Indies and Bishop of emeritus. Barbados to the position of Dean of the

Sara Burress ’91 made her Perpetual Monastic Profession (“final vows”) as a Benedictine Sister at Sacred Heart Monastery, Cullman, AL. This ceremony caps a seven year discernment through the stages of initial monastic formation. She currently serves as director of pastoral care at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Birmingham, AL. Greg McMinn ’93 is contract call pastor at Hemphill Memorial Presbyterian Church, Stockbridge, GA. Patricia Sue Cashion ’94 retired in Crystal Beach, FL. Scott Huie ’94 opened up a new Christian music booking agency in Nashville, having recently re-signed the Newsboys. He is also doing supply preaching in Middle Tennessee Presbytery. Marvin Lindsay ’94 is pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, MO. John R. Ragsdale II ’94 retired in Jacksonville, FL. Beverly Ostrowski ’95 was honored as the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce’s Healthcare Professional of the year (2015). This award recognizes excellence and innovation and honors the efforts of individuals making a significant impact in the healthcare community. Stephen Bird ’96 retired in Waxhaw, NC. Joe Clifford ’97 is senior pastor, Myers Park Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC. Kathryn McLean ’97 received her Doctor of Ministry Degree from McCormick

Theological Seminary May 7, 2016. Todd Green ’98, associate professor of religion at Luther College in Decorah, IO, is serving as a Franklin Fellow to the Office of Policy and Global issues in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs in the U.S. Department of State’s Franklin Fellows Program. Sallie McDaniel ’98 (MATS) retired, but is still doing some Christian Education and consulting. Jenn McGee ‘98 married John Alexander on Paradise Beach in Indialantic, FL, Oct. 29, 2016. Daniel Robinson ’98 (DMin) retired as pastor of Riverside Presbyterian Church, Cocoa Beach, FL.

He tackles issues that matter, asking questions about life, death and litterbugs. Jane Fahey ’01 was pictured and quoted in the March 22 issue of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She was speaking against the “campus-carry” bill at a press conference of a coalition of ministers, rabbis and other “campus-carry” opponents who urged Georgia Governor Deal to veto the measure. Jane is now interim executive presbyter at Greater Atlanta Presbytery. Diane Freelander ’01 retired in Deep Park, WA. Blaine Hill ’01 is associate pastor at Lake Murray Presbyterian Church, Chapin, SC.

Lynn Rubier-Capron ’98 is pastor of First Paul Min ’01 received the Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew Theological Presbyterian Church, Verona, NJ. Seminary. Jan Stewart-Tolbert ’98 is contract call Tim Reynolds ’01 is pastor of Second associate at First Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, TN. LaGrange, GA. David Cozad ’02 (DMin) is interim pastor at Central Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, | Ella Busby ’00 GA. (DMin) retired as pastor, Good Will Josh Braley ’02 is pastor of Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, Mayesville, SC. Presbyterian Church, Archer, FL and Keith Morrison ’00 retired from First teaches religion at Santa Fe College in Presbyterian Church, Union, SC. Gainesville, FL. He and his wife Laurel Luke Ponder ’00 is pastor of First Trinity welcomed twin daughters Winifred and Presbyterian Church, Laurel, MS. Casilda in April, 2015.

2000s

Hunter Camp ’01, ’08 (DMin) has written a book that was recently published. Ancient City Musings is comprised of columns he wrote for the St. Augustine Record and the online magazine, “Totally St. Augustine.”

Fred J. Powell ’02 is intentional interim/ transitional minister at Woodlawn Presbyterian Church, Sharon, SC. Cynthia Benz ’03 is interim head-of-staff at First Presbyterian Church, Ocala, FL.

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ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES continued Susan Takis ’03 is pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Wildwood, FL. She also serves on the executive committee of the presbyteries’ cooperative committee on examinations for candidates (PCC) for the denomination.

Jessica Derise Zolondek ’05 is interim pastor United Parish, Bottineau, ND.

Glen Hunihan ’07 retired as pastor of Legacy Presbyterian Church, Frisco, TX.

Mary Ann McKibben Dana ’03 has been named the recipient of the 2016 David Steele Distinguished Writer Award by the Presbyterian Writers Guild. She will receive the prestigious award at the Presbyterian Writers Guild’s General Assembly luncheon June 23 in Portland, OR.

Manikka Bowman ’06 was featured in a Georgia State University magazine article about the connection between public policy and theology. Brandon Brewer ’06 is associate team director at Seasons Hospice, Glen Burnie, MD.

Ashley-Anne Masters ’07 is interim manager for spiritual care and the Heartlight program at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. She is co-author of Bless Her Heart: Life as a Young Clergywoman, Holding Hope: Grieving Pregnancy Loss During Advent and contributor to Talking Taboo: American Christian Women Get Frank About Faith. A recent article “Ask a… Hospital Chaplain” appeared in the March 28, 2016 issue of Presbyterian Outlook.

Larry Yarborough ’03 (DMin) is pastor of Deermeadows Baptist Church, Jacksonville, FL.

April Love-Fordham ’06 recently had a book published, Dismantling Injustice, A Disorderly Parable of the Song of Solomon. The Disorderly Parable Bible Studies teach the way Jesus taught, by using stories of everyday people and things to illustrate spiritual truths.

Jihyun Oh ’06 is interim pastor at Troy Bronsink ’04 is director and founder Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church, of The Hive, a Center for Contemplation, Atlanta. Art and Action in Cincinnati, OH. Jeremy Wilhelmi ’06 is chaplain at Brad Clayton ’04 married Julianie Shirek University of the Ozarks, Clarksville, AR. April 23, 2016 in Charleston, SC. Cathy Cavazos Renken ’07 and husband Susan Thomas ’04 was ordained and Brad are proud parents of a son. Harvey installed October 2, 2016 at Trinity James Renken was born September 30, Congregational Church, Fitchburg, MA. 2016. Andy James ’05 is associate presbyter for James Goodlet ’07 and wife Margaret small church ministries & technology in are proud parents of daughter Louise New Hope Presbytery. Douglas Goodlet born March 22, 2016. John Napoli ’05 is pastor of United Presbyterian Church, Bloomington, IN.

Chris Henry ’07 is the featured speaker on “Day 1” October 23, 2016. The Nick Reed ’05 and Kathy Wolf Reed ’09 nationally broadcast ecumenical radio are proud parents of Caroline Evans Reed program, formerly known as “The born May 14, 2016, weighing 6 lbs. 12 oz. Protestant Hour,” Day 1 has been broadcast every week for 71 years. Clay Thomas ’05 received his Doctor Paul Hoang ’07 and wife Thao are proud of Ministry degree May 14, 2016 from parents of son Joshua Hammi Hoang Duke Divinity School. born March 23, 2016. Christine Vogel ’05 (DMin) retired in Chicago, IL. 26

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Scott Tucker ’07 is interim associate pastor for grand adults at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA. Reggie Weaver ’07 is working with Common Cause as college outreach coordinator, Greensboro, NC. Collin Adams ’08 was installed August 28, 2016 as pastor of Waverly Road Presbyterian Church, Kingsport, TN. Claudia Aguilar Rubalcava ’08 (MATS), ’11 is pastor for justice and witness at Virginia Highland Church, Atlanta. Catherine Neelly Burton ’08 and husband John are proud parents of Alice Crenshaw Burton, born February 20, 2016. Emily Zeig Lindsey ’08 and husband Rodney Lindsey are proud parents of twin daughters. Audrey Jayne Lindsey and Madelyn Jayde Lindsey arrived April 22, 2016. Libby Shannon ’08 is director of the Office for Advocacy and Gender Justice and associate chaplain at Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL.

Kathryn Threadgill ’08, ’16 (DEdMin) returned to Hickory, NC to begin a new venture with custom art and furniture refinishing. At her “Creative Wonders” she will be selling work in galleries, teaching some art classes and more.

4 on “Day 1”, the nationally broadcast ecumenical radio program. Formerly known as “The Protestant Hour,” Day 1 has been broadcast every week for 71 years.

Brian Coulter ’09 received his Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick Theological Seminary May 7, 2016.

worship and music and assistant professor in the practice of worship at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta.

Joshua Owens-Sweeney ’14 and Anna Owens-Sweeney ’16 were married April 2, 2016 in the chapel at Columbia Theological Seminary.

Nancy Kinzer ’11 is associate pastor Lucy Waechter Webb ’08 and Daniel Webb for pastoral care at Northminster Presbyterian Church, Roswell, GA. ’08 are proud parents of Jude Edmon Waechter Webb, born March 23, 2016. Khalia Williams ’11 is assistant dean of

Lauren Peters ’14 was ordained April 3, 2016 at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Athens, GA. She is Campus Minister at Spring Hill Presbyterian Church, Mobile, AL.

Emily Proctor ’09 and Richard Proctor ’09 are proud parents of Julian Thomas Proctor born March 16, 2016.

Shawn Allen ’15 has accepted a mental health chaplain fellowship at the VA in Dallas/Fort Worth.

Paul Sherwood ’09 is pastor of Oakmont Presbyterian Church, Hoover, AL.

2010s

Alex Barnes ’12 and Andrea Galehouse were married on September 4, 2016. Eric Barton ’12 received his Doctor of Business Administration degree July 16, 2016 from Walden University.

| Hamilton Barnes ’10, ’12 (MAPT) was ordained July 17, 2016 by the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta at Buford Presbyterian Church, Sugar Hill, GA.

Evelyn McMullen ’12 (DEdMin) is executive director of Bright Threads Ministries (weaving people of ALL abilities into the fabric of congregations) in Lakeland, FL.

Jenny Sumner Carswell ’10 is coordinator of CPE at Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, FL.

Dan ’11 and Bethany ’13 Jessop are copastors at First Presbyterian Church, Williamsburg, IA.

Thomas Cook ’10 (DMin) retired from pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Grand Haven, MI. Kelly Fitzgerald ’10 is associate pastor of family ministries at First Presbyterian Church, Sarasota, FL.

Bethany Benz-Whittington ’15 was ordained and installed April 24, 2016 as Stated Supply at Peace Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville, FL. Matthew Benz-Whittington ’15 was ordained June 12, 2016 at Idlewild Presbyterian Church, Memphis, TN, He is a chaplain resident at Baptist Medical Center, Jacksonville, FL.

Kimberly Skeen ’15 received a palliative care/hospice fellowship at Veteran’s Tricia Garrett Fearing ’13 is a counselor at Administration, Mountain Home, Johnson “The Retreat” Domestic Violence Services City, TN. Fred Young ’15 and his wife Jennifer are in East Hampton, NY. proud parents of Parker, born July 4, 2016. Brian Copeland ’14 is pastor of Ramah Presbyterian Church, Huntersville, NC.

Elinor Dale ’14 left her church in Muncie, Brian Powers ’10, ’11 (ThM) received his IN to pursue a ThM in Pastoral Care at PhD May 9, 2016 from Emory University, Princeton this year. Atlanta. James Davis ’14 and wife Laura Hudson Matthew Ruffner ’10 was the featured preacher August 28, and David Powers ’10 was the featured preacher September

Joseph Taber ’14 and wife Leah are proud parents of William Joseph Taber V, born July 13, 2016.

Davis ’11, are proud parents of Jacob Robert Davis born April 21, 2016.

Jeffrey Cain ’16 is pastor of Commerce Presbyterian Church, Commerce, GA.

Micah Dowling ’16 and Katelyn Nutter ’17 were married August 27th in Montreat, NC. Karl Heimbuck ’16 was ordained July 31, 2016 as pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Mountain View, WY. FALL 2 0 1 6 / VANTAGE /

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Kate Morrison ’16 was ordained and installed July 10, 2016 at First Wyoming United Presbyterian Church, Torrington, WY. Emily Peterson ’16 is Program Coordinator for the Office of Advanced Professional Studies, Columbia Theological Seminary. Perzavia Praylow ’16 is pastor of Calvary Presbyterian Church, Winnsboro, SC. Kristy Ray ’16 is associate pastor for children & family ministries and outreach at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Indialantic, FL. She was ordained October 16, 2016 at Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church, Fishersville, VA. Lisa Strott ’16 is associate pastor for pastoral care at First Presbyterian Church, Hilton Head Island, SC. Dana Waters ’16 is associate pastor for youth and mission at Fort Hill Presbyterian Church, Clemson, SC. Tamira Wimbish ’16 is teaching social studies and language arts at Ash Christian Preparatory School

IN MEMORIAM E. Lane Alderman ’80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 14, 2016 Kelly Allen ’92 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June 5, 2016 D. Clyde Bartges ’42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 7, 2016 David Beville ’74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June 5, 2016 W. Jack Bunkley ’68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 15, 2016 J. Ferrell Drummond ’88 (DMin) . . . . . . . . May 7, 2016 Pierre DuBose ’54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 19, 2016 Brett Fenwick ’66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 23, 2016 Joseph E. Gamble ’67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 28, 2016 George A. Grissom ’57 . . . . . . . . . . . . August 19, 2015 Penny J. Hill ’86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .October 4, 2016

Once again, Columbia Theological Seminary has created an Advent Devotional for 2016 with meditations and devotions written by our faculty, staff, students and alumni. Some churches and individuals will be receiving the print version soon, but you may look at it online now at www.ctsnet. edu/2016-advent-devotional.

Edsel Huffstetler ’56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August 4, 2016 Georgianna B. Johnson ’80 . . . . . . . . . . March 19, 2016 A. Lamar Potts ’74, ’88 (DMin) . . . . . . . October 6, 2016 John M. Reagan ’52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August 25, 2016 E. Moss Robertson ’50 . . . . . . . . . . . February 19, 2016 John C. Ropp ’60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 9, 2016 Martha V. Ross ’67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 29, 2016 James D. Skinner ’48 . . . . . . . . . . . . October 28, 2015 Robert Louis Stevens ’60 . . . . . . . . . . . . June 14, 2016 Walter H. Styles ’45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June 4, 2015 Dennis Whitaker ’96 (DMin) . . . . . . . September 1, 2016 Anne Wilson ’82 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 19, 2016

FACULTY & STAFF P U B L I C AT I O N S A N D A C T I V I T Y

JOHN AZUMAH, Professor of World Christianity and Islam, Director of International Programs, delivered the 8th Kwame Bediako Memorial Lecture on “Boko Haram Explained: Lessons for Our Time” in Accra, Ghana, on June 9. The lecture was attended by senior and leading members of the academy, the media, the political establishment and clergy of various religious persuasions. He gave a one-week intensive MA lectures at Akrofi-Christaller Institute in Ghana, on “Christ and Other Faiths in the African Context” to a class of 15 students from six African countries. John served as a keynote speaker at an international conference in Nairobi, Kenya, on “Faith and (In)Security” delivering a paper on “The role of sacred texts in religiously inspired violence in Africa.” The conference was co-sponsored by the Candler School of Theology and attended by members of the diplomatic corps, NGOs, Ministers of State, members of Kenya security and intelligence service, leading Christian and Muslim scholars and selected Muslim and Christian youth. John was also the main speaker of an Annual Missions Conference of the Uganda Christian University, in Kampala during July 10-17, where he spoke on “Understanding Islam and Engaging with Muslims in Africa.” John taught two classes on the themes of political and militant Islam at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, on August 7 & 14 to over 700 participants. He served as the main facilitator of a oneweek intensive lay preachers training for the Presbyterian Church of Ghana congregations in the USA in Orange, NJ, from August 15-20. Dr. Azumah published the following: “Is the God of Abraham and the Father of Jesus, also the God of Muhammad?” (forthcoming), in Journal of African Christian Thought (September 2016); “Mission in the Islamic World: Making

Theological and Missiological Sense of Muhammad”, in Charles E. Van Engen, ed., The State of Missiology Today: Global Innovations in Christian Witness (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2016), pp. John gave a five-week series of lectures on the “Five Faces of Islam” at North Avenue Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, on August 21, 28, September 4, 11 and 18. He spoke at a Missions Conference of First Presbyterian Church, Houston, TX on September 26 & 27. Dr. Azumah was the main speaker for the Annual Broom Colloquium of the Abilene Christian University, TX, on November 9 and 10. He also spoke on the theme of “Understanding and Engagement with Islamic Diversity in North America.” BRENNAN BREED, Assistant Professor of Old Testament, published an article last April titled, “Reading Job as a Kierkegaardian Text: The Incarnation of Indirect Communication,” in the peer-review journal Biblical Interpretation. He led a two-part series titled, “What is the Bible?” at Church of the Epiphany in Decatur, GA. Brennan also appeared on two podcasts, New Books in Religion (http:// newbooksinreligion.com) and On Script (http:// onscript.study) to discuss his first book, Nomadic Text. In May, Brennan traveled to Heidelberg, Germany to receive the Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award for Theological Promise, a first book award in Religious Studies offered by the Forschungsinstitut Internationale und Interdisziplinäre Theologie at the University of Heidelberg. On August 14, Brennan taught an adult education class at Central Presbyterian Church titled “Is the Old Testament a Political Text?” This coming fall, as the Wister Cook Theologian-in-Residence at The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, Brennan will begin teaching a weekly adult education class on

Nomadic Text: A Theory of Biblical Reception History by Brennan Breed wins the Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award for Theological Promise.

The American Theological Library Association Serials (ATLAS) research database is available to Columbia alumni/ ae. The database provides online access to more than 150,000 articles and citations—and to the full text of hundreds of peer-reviewed journals. Columbia’s library provides funding for this valuable resource for alumni/ae. It is a key tool for lifelong research, study, and sermon preparation. For more information—and a login ID and password—contact Erica Durham (404-687-4661 or durhame@ctsnet.edu).

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FACULTY & STAFF continued Sunday mornings which will last for the duration of the 2016-2017 academic year. The course is titled “Christology in Scripture and Tradition.” In the fall, the class will focus on the biblical traditions about Jesus, and in the spring it will trace various conceptions of Christ from the ancient world to the modern. Brennan will also speak to the Religious Studies undergraduate club at Appalachian State University on October 17, and preach in the chapel at Mars Hill University in North Carolina on October 18. On November 5, All Soul’s Sunday, Brennan will preach at Epiphany. He can also be found playing ukulele and guitar weekly at Epiphany’s children’s chapel and at Winnona Park Elementary School’s Community Circle. At the SBL Annual Meeting in San Antonio, held in November, Brennan will present a paper with CTS alumnus Davis Hankins in the “Bible and Economics” section, titled “Qohelet and Ptolemy: A Reevaluation of the Role of Economic Analysis in Biblical Studies.” In September, Brennan published an article, “What Kind of World is Possible?: Biblical Apocalyptic Literature and Visual Art,” in J. Schedtler and K. Murphy, eds., Apocalypses in Contexts: Apocalyptic Current throughout History (Fortress Press, 2016). WILLIAM BROWN, William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament, finished a ninemonth sabbatical at the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton, NJ (www.ctinquiry.org). He was part of a 30

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12-member research team involved in a NASA-funded program to study the “societal implications of astrobiology.” While there, he was writing a new introduction to Old Testament exegesis that offers best practices and includes a diversity of approaches to be published by Westminster John Knox. Bill is now back on campus in Decatur where he presented a Forum on September 14 titled “Boldly Going Where No Old Testament Scholar Has Gone Before! Exploring the Frontiers of Theology and Astrobiology.” On September 17, Bill, along with two other members of CTI, was hosted by Krista Tippett in her studio in Minneapolis to talk about astrobiology and its theological implications. In addition to teaching, Bill continues to serve as project director of the AAAS Science for Seminaries program for CTS, enlisting well-known scientists to give public lectures on campus throughout the year. KELLY CAMPBELL, Associate Dean of Information Services, Director of the John Bulow Campbell Library, completed her term as President of the American Theological Library Association (ATLA) in June. During the 2016 annual conference, Kelly presided over the association’s annual meeting, which resulted in updated bylaws. Campbell’s term on the ATLA Board continues until 2017. While serving as President, Campbell contributed a chapter to the book Women in Leadership and Work-Family Integration, vol. two: A Women’s Identity by Cambridge Scholars, which was published

in July 2016. In August 2016, Kelly co-chaired the International Federation of Library Association, Relindial (Religions: Libraries and Dialogue) Satellite Meeting in Columbus, Ohio. The meeting’s theme was “Fostering Global Communication among Religions and Libraries.” In October, Kelly participated in an ATS accreditation visit to Azusa Pacific Seminary of Azusa Pacific University. In addition, the fall edition of In Trust magazine includes a review of Campbell’s dissertation, titled Work-Life Balance of Women Leaders in the Association of Theological Schools. MICHAEL LEE COOK, Lecturer in Pastoral Care and Counseling, represented CTS at the consultation Pathways to Military Chaplaincy: A Seminary Initiative at Boston University in April. In June, he poke on the topic “Living Healthy in Ministry” at the Young Clergy Initiative at Claflin University. In August, Michael spoke on the topic “Becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist: A Theologians’ Perspective” at Richmont University. In September, he spoke at the Georgia Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (GAMFT) South-Metro Chapter meeting on the topic “Using Faith to Build a Meaningful Private Practice” and posted to the Columbia Connections blog on “Emotional Intelligence: Why be Interested?” in support of the Lifelong Learning seminar Pastoral Leadership and Emotional Intelligence he will facilitate in March 2017. Michael was the plenary

speaker at the AAPC Atlantic Region Fall Conference in November at Neumann University in Aston, PA on the topic “A Clinical and Theological Conversation on Acceptance, Forgiveness, and Healing.” He will publish this talk in the Journal of Pastoral Care or Journal of Pastoral Theology. Michael is currently researching and writing a new book under the tentative title: Pastoral Care Made Public: A Relational and Systemic Perspective with projected completion in 2017. Michael preached at First Presbyterian Church in September on the topic “A Calling to Fulfill” in support of Seminary Day, and will contribute a reflection for the CTS Advent Devotional entitled “The Eternal Embrace of God.” KATHY DAWSON, Associate Professor of Christian Education, Director of the MAPT Program, taught a course at Vancouver School of Theology titled Hardwired to Faith Maturity: Children and Adolescent Spirituality. She also taught a course for the Commissioned Ruling Elders of the Presbytery of West Virginia on Teaching the Bible. Kathy gave a charge to the Rev. Christopher H. Jones at First Presbyterian Church, Cartersville, GA. She also taught and brought into the CTS community new students in the MAPT, Dual, and DEdMin programs. Kathy attended the Teaching Professor Technology Conference in Atlanta and the Religious Education Association Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh. She keynoted the Cumberland Presbyterian Forum in Memphis in November. Don’t forget to check the latest posts and conversations at http://hope4ce.net and the companion Facebook group. We’re over a thousand members in the latter and always looking for innovative ideas in Christian education and faith formation. MARK DOUGLAS, Professor of Christian Ethics, Director of the MDiv Program, taught at Ottowa Presbyterian Church (OH), as well as Trinity Presbyterian, Central Presbyterian, Morningside Presbyterian, Oak Grove UMC, Decatur Presbyterian, and Dunwoody UMC (all in Atlanta). He participated in ordination services for Bethany BenzWhittington in Jacksonville, FL and for Perzavia Praylow in Augusta, GA. Mark led a retreat for Aiken Presbyterian (SC) and led a workshop for Presbyterians for a Better Georgia

in Atlanta. He attended part of General Assembly, where he resourced groups working on issues arising in the Middle East. Mark has attended conferences in: New Haven, CT; Newagon, ME, where he presided at a session on religious responses to climate change and gave a presentation on integrating environmental concerns into theological curricula; Prague, Czech Republic, where he presented a paper on post-secularlism; Charlottesville, VA, where he was on a panel about new trends in Just War thinking; Atlanta, GA; and San Antonio, TX. He also organized the “Talking Politics in a Polarized Society” event for The Center for Lifelong Learning at CTS. Mark concluded his term as Chair of the Board of Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL) and began service on the City of Decatur Ethics Committee. He wrote a review of and participated in an online symposium on Ted Smith’s book, Weird John Brown at syndicatetheology.com. SARAH ERICKSON, Director for Lifelong Learning, preached and led worship at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Tucker, GA on June 26 and July 3, and at Ray Thomas Memorial Presbyterian in Marietta, GA on Aug. 14. In July she traveled to Kansas City, MO for a gathering of program leaders in the “Southern Cluster” of Lilly Endowment, Inc. affiliated programs. Sarah authored a week of devotions in summer issue of These Days (July 24-30). She attended the Teaching Professor Technology Conference in Atlanta in September, and the 2016 POAMN/ARMSS Conference, “Christian Discipleship: People of the Spirit, People of Hope” in Richmond, VA in October. There she gave a report of the Older Adult Ministries Certificate Program partnership with POAMN during the business meeting. ANNA CARTER FLORENCE, Peter Marshall Professor of Preaching, preached and lectured in May at the Festival of Homiletics, held this year in Atlanta. In June, she traveled to Sweden to teach a preaching course for pastors at the University of Uppsala. In July, Anna spent two weeks in Toronto, while serving as a guest preacher at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church. In August, she preached and lectured for the Freeman Series at First Presbyterian Church in Oxford, MS. In September, Anna preached at McDonough FALL 2 0 1 6 / VANTAGE /

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FACULTY & STAFF continued Presbyterian Church in McDonough, GA, and delivered three lectures for the Mercer Preaching Consultation in Chattanooga, TN. In October, Anna taught and lectured for a conference entitled, “Working Preacher Presents: The Craft of Preaching” at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Anna also team taught a course with Dr. Khalia Williams entitled “Preaching the Verbs,” for Lifelong Learning here at CTS. In November, she led a workshop for the Presbyterian Church of Canada’s Synod of Central and Northeast Ontario, and taught a course for the Anglican Church of Canada’s College of Preachers near Toronto. ISRAEL GALINDO, Associate Dean for Lifelong Learning, Director of Online Education, continues to write for the Columbia Connections blog posting articles: “Reasons for Not Attending Church,” “Life Assessment,” “Can You Pass this C.E. Test?,” “Tucker’s Top 10,” “Great Quotes on Ministry,” “Volunteerism and the Future of Church Ministry,” “The Hawthorne Effect,” “Back to Basics: Leadership Rules 101,” “Getting to Know the Familiar Stranger,” “For the Bookshelf: The Other Six Days,” “Dealing with the Pushy Parent,” “For the Bookshelf: The Lay-Driven Church,” “A Repertoire for Leadership in Anxious Times,” “What Tough Leaders Do,” “Raising a Normal Teenager,” “For the Bookshelf: The Year 1000,” “Checking Your Leadership Assumptions,” “What sustains pastoral excellence?,” 32

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“Congregations as Communities of Faith,” “A Faculty Coach Reflects on the LIM Workshops,” and “Bad Teaching” In March, Israel presented “Leadership Lessons from the Dog Whisperer” at the Leadership in Ministry Workshop. In February, he participated in a video webinar by the Association of Leaders in Lifelong Learning for Ministry. In March, Israel attended the Southeast gathering of the National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion at Mercer University, as well as the Advisory Committee meeting of the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion in Indianapolis, IN. He participated in a consultation on online graduate education for Association for Hispanic Theological Education (AETH), Hispanic Summer Program at Union (HSP), and Hispanic Theological Initiative, Princeton (HTI) and another consultation on strategic planning and developing a business plan at Healthy Congregations, Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, OH. In April, Israel did a presentation on Bowen Family Systems Theory for Come See Columbia Day. He published You Had to Be There: Tales from the front lines of ministry (Didache Press). In May, Israel presented “Murphy’s Laws and Murray’s Laws” at the Leadership in Ministry Workshops, both in Portland, OR and Boston, MA. Israel participated in a consultation on grant proposal development for Association for Hispanic Theological Education (AETH), and also the May Leadership Event: Healthy Congregations, with

Mickey Crimone presenting. In June, Israel posted “Ten curriculum assessment tools every dean needs. Part 8: Entering Student Profiles” for the blog for theological school deans, Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Religion and Theology. He published 1001 Systems Theory Quotes: One Hundred and One BFST Quotes for the Novice and the Curious (Didache Press, 2016). Israel wrote “Christian Education: Are You Doing it Wrong?” for Presbyterian Outlook in the July 18, 2016 issue. He participated in the Pastoral Excellence Network Southern Cluster meeting in Kansas City, MO during July 25-27. In August, Israel participated in a consultation on developing a signature pedagogy with Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus OH, and also the Leadership in Ministry Faculty Gathering at The Center for Lifelong Learning at CTS. In September, Israel presented “Exploring the Ninth Concept,” at the Leadership in Ministry workshops, Portland, OR. He spoke on “The Secret Lives of Families” at Smoke Rise Baptist Church. Israel presented “Murphy’s Laws and Murray’s Laws” at the Leadership in Ministry Workshops, Lost River, WV, as well as “Exploring the Ninth Concept” at the Leadership in Ministry workshops, Boston, MA. BILL HARKINS, Senior Lecturer of Pastoral Theology and Care, Director of the ThD Program, was featured in an article in the Cigna/ Church Pension Group Health and Wellness Newsletter http://pages.

exacttarget.com/conditions/ . Bill’s article entitled “Me and My Shadow, King Lear, and Walter” was published in the Winter/Spring edition of Vantage for CTS. Bill presented a workshop on Family Systems Theory at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church for the Community of Hope lay cohort. He served as Psychological Health Faculty at CREDO for Recently Ordained Clergy at Trinity Episcopal Conference Center on the Outer Banks of NC in late May 2016. In July, Bill completed his 40th consecutive Peachtree Road Race, and was featured in the AJC http://m.ajc.com/news/sports/ harkins-fulfills-promise-to-friend-at-ajc-peachtre/nrrzH/ and the Cathedral Times of the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip https://www.stphilipscathedral.org/Sermons/why-irun-peachtree/ where Bill is now in his 11th year of serving as Canon Associate for Pastoral Care. On July 17, Bill preached at the ordination of CTS alum Hamilton Barnes at Suwanee Presbyterian Church. In early August, Bill led a week-long Vanderbilt Divinity School Men’s Retreat at Pingree Park, CO. On September 14, Bill spoke to the Community of Hope Pastoral Care committee at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church on family systems and group dynamics. During August and September, Bill served as consultant to All Saints’ Episcopal Church. He led the All Saints’ vestry retreat at Montara Farms in early September, and served as guest homilist/teacher in late September. On September 14, Bill presented a Lunch and Learn educational workshop on Grief and Loss at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip. In October, Bill served as Psychological Health faculty for CREDO Conference 7022 for Recently Ordained Clergy at Chapel Rock Episcopal Conference Center in Prescott, Arizona. In late October he attended the 2016 Annual Conference of the Southeast Region of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, at Kanuga Conference Center, Flat Rock, North Carolina, where he serves on the Education and Training Commission of the region. November 15-16, he presented a workshop on “Steps to Psychological Wellness and Wholeness” for the Church Pension Group and the Episcopal Diocese of Maine in Portland, Maine. Coming Up: On December 7-8, he will serve as psychological consultant to the Commission on Leadership and Impairment at their meeting in Detroit, Michigan. Bill was appointed to

this commission by the Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefforts Schori in 2015. TIM HARTMAN, Assistant Professor of Theology, had a German translation done this summer of his article, “Syncretisms Near and Far: Considering Christian Identity amidst Pluralism” published in the journal SaThZ (Salzburger Theologische Zeitschrift). His book review of Reading Theologically edited by Eric Barreto appears in Interpretation this Fall. Tim will be teaching Christian Education classes on Christology at Druid Hills Presbyterian Church and North Avenue Presbyterian Church, as well as on moral politics at First Presbyterian Church, Atlanta. ZANDRA L. JORDAN, Director of The Center for Academic Literacy, participated in the prestigious, invitation-only Smitherman/Villanueva Scholarly Writing Retreat at Stanford University, July 25 - 30. “Designed to support scholars of color working on their first book in fields related to writing, rhetoric, and literacy,” the Retreat provided mentoring, daily writing time, workshops, feedback on work in progress from peers and senior scholars, and “space for the most important emerging scholars in [the] field to build together and build conversation across language and rhetorical traditions of people of color.” Coming Up: In December, in light of her service as Minister of Adult Christian Education at Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, Zandra will lecture at the 38th Annual Sunday School Publishing Board’s Conference in Nashville, TN on the role and benefits of Sunday church school, the roles of the pastor and superintendent, and communicating the Sunday church school’s purpose to church leaders and the congregation. KIMBERLY BRACKEN LONG, Associate Professor of Worship, traveled to Taiwan Theological College and Seminary in Taipei to deliver the Siang-Lien Lectures, April 16-21. While there she also led worship, preached, and taught workshops. She served as keynote speaker, worship leader, and preacher for Peace River Presbytery in Sarasota, Florida on April 28. On June 2, she served as keynote speaker, FALL 2 0 1 6 / VANTAGE /

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FACULTY & STAFF continued worship leader and preacher for Central Florida Presbytery in Orlando. Along with CTS alumna Leigh-Campbell Taylor, Long served as liturgist, preacher, and workshop leader at the Mo-Ranch/ PAM Worship and Music Conference at Mo-Ranch in Hunt, Texas, June 19-23. On August 27, she had the privilege of presiding at the wedding of Katelyn Nutter (CTS 2017) and Micah Dowling (CTS 2016) at the Montreat Conference Center in Montreat, NC. Long’s new book, From This Day Forward: Rethinking the Christian Wedding, was released by Westminster John Knox Press in late May. While on sabbatical this fall, she continues work as co-editor of the revision to the PC(USA) Book of Common Worship, which will be published in 2018. RAJ NADELLA, Assistant Professor of New Testament, Director of the MATS Program, traveled to Seoul, South Korea at the end of June to present a paper at the International Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL). His presentation was part of a panel on “The Task and Mission of Biblical Hermeneutics in the Global South” that consisted of scholars from Asia and Asia Pacific. During his time in Seoul, Raj also met with the Executive Council of the SBL to discuss further a proposal to host the 2019 International Meeting at the United Theological College, Bangalore, India. SBL has officially approved the proposal for the Bangalore International meeting that would be the first in South Asia. In the second of week of July, Raj traveled in Vijayawada and Hyderabad, India, promoting Columbia Theological 34

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Seminary. As part of that effort, he gave presentations on “Emerging Trends in Biblical Interpretation” to lay leaders and seminarians. He also preached in Vijayawada on a Sunday. From August 15-19, Raj gave five lectures on “The Roman and Early Christianity” at the Asian Leadership Study Program. This intensive program, which was initiated and co-taught by Dr. Kevin Park, was sponsored by the PC(USA) and Columbia Theological Seminary, including the Korean American Ministries at CTS. The two dozen lay and ecclesial leaders that attended this program are currently serving various congregations in the U.S. and are originally from several Asian countries such as Taiwan, Japan, India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam. From October 14-16, Raj presented at the 2016 ATS Roundtable Seminar for Newly Appointed Faculty. He was part of a panel of faculty members who “shared their experiences of surviving and thriving as theological educators.” He also participated in a panel discussion on “Great Ideas for Teaching.” In November, Raj presented a paper at the National Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature on the topic of LukeActs and Empire. Coming Up: In late December, Raj will co-lead, along with Professor Martha Moore-Keish, a twoweek Lifelong Learning travel seminar to South India. KEVIN PARK, Associate Dean for Advanced Professional Studies, Assistant Professor of Theology, and Interim Director of KAM, has helped organize a one-week class for the Asian Leadership

Program at CTS with the PCUSA Office of Asian Congregational Support that took place August 15-19 and taught a course, “Toward and Asian American Theology: A Contextual Theology of the Cross.” As a part of the steering committee of AANATE (Association of Asian North American Theological Educators) he was part of the organizing team for the 2nd Biennial AANATE Conference at CTS on Oct. 7-9 and moderated the keynote address. Kevin, with two other editors, Drs. Hak Joon Lee and Kil Jae Park, published an edited curriculum for Korean North American Youth entitled, Living Together, as a third of the trilogy (the first two were, Living Between and Living Faithfully) self-published through Generation to Generation Publications. He presented a talk on the future of the second and third generation Korean American ministry at the ECKAM (Evangelical Coalition of Korean American Ministries) at their gathering in Duluth, GA. CHARLES RAYNAL, Professor Emeritus of Theology, taught The Fellowship Class on “The Trial of Jesus before Pilate, John 18:28-19:16” at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC, on September 18. He attended worship to hear Columbia Seminary graduate Dr. Joe Clifford (MDiv ’97), their new pastor preach a fine sermon. Along with Nancy Snell Griffith, former archivist at Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC, Charlie has published a new book, Presbyterians in South Carolina, 1925-1985: Mid-Century Change in Historic Denominations (Wipf

and Stock Publishers). This is the fourth volume of the History of the Presbyterian Church in South Carolina (2 volumes, 1870 and 1883), first commissioned by the Synod of South Carolina in 1849 and written by Columbia Professor George Howe. The third (1926) was edited by Frank Dudley Jones, who attended Columbia Seminary, and William H. Mills. The Synod of SC commissioned the final volume as it was being taken up into the PCUS Synod of the Southeast in 1973. This volume recognizes that when the PCUSA was formed in 1983 from the main northern and southern branches of Presbyterians, a vital African American presence in the Carolinas contributed an indispensable part of the newly formed PCUSA, because missionaries came from the North beginning in 1865, establishing congregations and an extensive network of Presbyterian parochial schools, academies, and colleges. This under-reported dimension of Presbyterians in South Carolina makes up an important component of the Columbia Theological Seminary family in South Carolina, where more of these congregations and schools were established than in any other state. REBECCA F. SPURRIER, Associate Dean for Worship Life and Assistant Professor of Worship, published an article in the July-September volume of the journal Liturgy entitled “Disabling Eschatology: Time for the Table of our Common Pleasure.” She preached at Atlanta Mennonite Fellowship in August. Rebecca served on a panel on Theology and Disability for a Disability Summit hosted at Candler School of Theology in September. She consulted with the national L’Arche Spirituality Task Force, which met in Atlanta in October. Rebecca is participating in Liturgical Awakening, a year-long project of scholarly collaboration and dialogue, that will culminate in a workshop sponsored by St. John’s Abbey and Liturgical Press. In November, Rebecca attended the American Academy of Religion in San Antonio, TX. See a full article about Rebecca on pgs 14-15. MICHAEL THOMPSON, Director of Communications, provided social media training in August and September for NAMI Georgia (National Alliance on Mental Illness). He led the Rockdale/Newton team for the October 8 NAMI Walks in Atlanta.

JEFFERY L. TRIBBLE, SR., Associate Professor of Ministry, taught the Connectional Lay Council Convocation Discipleship Academy based on his book, Joining Jesus: A Class Manual for Initiation into Christian Discipleship and Welcome into the A.M.E. Zion Church on March 19. He attended the Association of Theological Schools Pre-Conference and Mid-Career Workshops in Phoenix Arizona during April 13-16. On May 18, He led a bible study in a series, Conversations about the Call, at First Afrikan Presbyterian Church in Lithonia, GA. He was an invited participant in a week long Writing Workshop, Writing Beyond the Academy, sponsored by the Collegeville Institute Center for Ecumenical and Cultural Research in Collegeville, Minnesota during June 12-18. He served as a ministerial delegate to the 50th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference of The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church where he also was a certified candidate for the office of Bishop during July 20-27. Though he was not one of the four persons who were elected and consecrated to the office of Bishop at this meeting, it was a tremendous learning experience. He was preacher for the opening communion service for the Atlanta District Conference and Christian Education Convention and presided over the 2-day meeting held August 5-6, at Faith A.M.E. Zion Church in Atlanta Georgia. He continued to serve as Supply Pastor of the Wood Station-Napier Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Ringgold, GA. He was appointed to the Leadership Design Team for the Mid-Winter Christian Education Meeting of the A.M.E. Zion Church. Jeffery was elected as Co-Convener of the National Council of Churches Christian Education, Ecumenical Faith Formation, and Leadership Development. LEANNE VAN DYK, President and Professor of Theology, was elected Vice President of the Board of Commissioners for the Association of Theological Schools, a position that will eventually transition into the President of the Board. HARUKO NAWATA WARD, Professor of Church History, wrote a liturgical order, led and preached for Asian Sunday worship, “Reflections on Racism: Asian American History and Presence and the Church in USA,” at Oakhurst FALL 2 0 1 6 / VANTAGE /

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FACULTY & STAFF continued Presbyterian Church on May 22. She preached a sermon for Chapel at School of International Studies, Kwansei Gakuin University, Nishinomiya, Japan on June 9. There Haruko also attended the International Symposium: Conflict, Justice, Memory and Healing on June 9 and 10. Later in June, she conducted research at Kirishitan bunko, Sophia University, in Tokyo. In August, Haruko visited NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, several historical sites and churches with Reformations’ roots in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Then she also visited churches and communities with interesting histories such as Beguinage in Bruges, Belgium. On August 18, 2016, Haruko read her paper “Psalms for the Community of Christians in the Early Modern Jesuit Japan Mission,” for the panel The Psalms from Reformed Geneva and the Dutch East Indies to Jesuit Japan, for the Sixteenth Century Society and Conference (SCSC) in Bruges. At the SCSC, a new publication Devout Laywomen in the Early Modern World, ed. Alison Weber (Abingdon, UK: Routledge, 2016), which has Ward’s essay “Women Apostles in Early Modern Japan, 1549-1650,” was featured on the book display. In the fall at CTS, Haruko organized a Forum, co-sponsored by the Student Coordinating Council and the Office of Academic Affairs, featuring two speakers, Congolese and US Presidents of FEBA (Woman Cradle of Abundance), on their work on women against violence in Democratic Republic of Congo on October 26.

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RALPH BASUI WATKINS, Peachtree Associate Professor of Evangelism and Church Growth, completed his Masters of Fine Arts in Photography at Savannah College of Art and Design on June 4, 2016. During June 6-10, he led the Wabash Center Teaching Fellowship Cohort for religion faculty of African Descent, Wabash Teaching Center, Wabash College, Wabash, IN. During August 8-10, Ralph was the keynote speaker, preacher, and a workshop leader at the PUSA Disciples Go Conference in St. Petersburg, FL. He preached at the ordination serve of the Rev. Brandon Perkins (’16) on August 21, 2016 at Providence Missionary Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA. During September 9-11, Ralph led Men’s Retreat for Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, San Diego, CA. On August 12, he preached for the Men’s Day worship for Bethel. During September 15-17, Ralph led Men’s Retreat for CN Jenkins Memorial Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC. During October 9-11, he led the Doctoral Students Cohort, Louisville, Institute. Louisville, KY. During October 14-17, Ralph led Tri-Church Leadership for Calvary Presbyterian Church, Retreat, San Francisco, CA. He had a photography exhibition titled The Spirit of Photography at The Apex Museum, Atlanta, GA during October 8-29, 2016. Coming Up: A new television show is airing on Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasting Network, “Talk it Out with Dr. Ralph Basui Watkins.” This monthly show deals with controversial topics that faith communities wrestle

with and models ways to have difficult conversations while respecting with whom you disagree. DEBRA WEIR, Associate Director Spirituality and Lifelong Learning, taught with Maria Tattu-Bowen at Together in the Mystery Supervisor Training for Spiritual Directors during May 18-20 on the CTS campus. In June she co-led, with Jim Dant, the Certificate in Spiritual Formation course, Hospitality as Spiritual Practice: The Welcoming Voice of the Book of Ruth at First Baptist Church, Greenville, SC. In July, Debra taught the Spiritual Growth and Discipline class for the regional conference of the PC(USA) Association of Professional Administrators in Lawrenceville, GA. She attended the Teaching Professor Technology Conference in early October and served as a Practice Group Supervisor for the CTS Certificate in Spiritual Direction residency October 9-14. During November 1-13, Debra was in New Mexico leading the Desert Spiritual Traditions Pilgrimage at Ghost Ranch and other locations with Wayne Mell and Lori Liller Arnold. CHRISTINE ROY YODER, Interim Dean of Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professor of Old Testament Language, Literature, and Exegesis, was the speaker for the Currie Enrichment Series at First Presbyterian Church, Kerrville, TX in April. She is the editor of a volume titled “The Senses in Israelite Wisdom Literature” of the peer-reviewed journal Hebrew Bible

and Ancient Israel (Vol. 5/1, 2016). On September 17-18, Christine gave two lectures as Theologian in Residence, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Dayton, OH. During October 12-14, she represented Columbia Seminary at the Association of Hispanic Theological Association (AETH) Biennial Meeting, at Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ. Christine is the author of an article titled “Sheaves, Shouts, and Shavuot: Reflections on Joy” forthcoming in Journal for Preachers (Pentecost, 2016). During November 3-6, she attended the Henry Luce III Fellowship in Theology Conference, Pittsburgh, PA. During November 18-21, Christine attended the annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion and Society of Biblical Literature, San Antonio, TX. Coming Up: During December 12-14, she will attend the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) School for New Deans, Pittsburgh, PA. WILLIAM YOO, Assistant Professor of American Religious and Cultural History, taught a class on “The Presbyterian Struggle over Slavery in the Nineteenth Century: Contrasting Interpretations of Race, Culture, and the Bible” for the Adult Summer Series at Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA on July 31 and will preach at First Presbyterian Church in Marietta, GA for World Communion Sunday on October 2. He will serve as a panelist on “The Reality of North American Theological Education” at the Association for Asian/North American

Theological Educators Biennial Conference at Columbia Theological Seminary on October 8. He contributed a book review of The Spirit Moves West: Korean Missionaries in America in The Journal of Asian Studies 75:2 (May 2016) and completed the following forthcoming publications: American Missionaries, Korean Protestants, and the Changing Shape of World Christianity, 1884-1965 (Book, Routledge, October 2016); “Moving from ‘Foreign Mission’ to ‘World Mission’ in South Korea and the United States: The Rise of Reverend Kyung-Chik Han and the Uneasy Transitions within the American Presbyterian Missionary Enterprise in Korea after 1945” (Article, Mission Studies, November 2016); “Cumberland Presbyterian Church,” “Helen Kim,” “Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),” “Protestant Theological Seminaries,” and “James Woodrow,” (Entries in Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States, Rowman & Littlefield, November 2016); The Presbyterian Experience in the United States: A Sourcebook (Book, Westminster John Knox Press, 2017). He participated in the Wabash Center’s Teaching and Learning Workshop for Pre-Tenure Theological School Faculty from June 13 to 18 in Crawfordsville, IN, conducted archival research at the Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia, PA from June 22 to 24, and taught his five-year-old son, Caleb, how to catch and throw a baseball in the summer of 2016.

OBITUARY: JUDITH PASZTOR Word was received from Hungarian friends of the death of Judith Pasztor. She was 83 and died in Budapest. She and her husband Dr. Janos Pasztor first came to Columbia Seminary for the academic year 1986-1987. He was the Dean of the theological faculty at the University of Debrecen and she was one of the university’s senior administrators. They made many Columbia friends during their time on the campus—he lectured on the history of the Reformed Church in Central Europe and she helped students and faculty catch glimpses of Christian life in a communist country. They returned to the campus on several occasions after that year, including in 2000 for his participation in the first Campbell Scholars Seminar. During all of these visits Judith Pasztor was not only a brilliant interpreter of Christian faith but also a witness to courage and compassion in the midst of the great suffering of Central Europe’s “Bloodlands.” Professor Emeritus David Bartlett wrote on learning of her death: “Judith was one of the best story tellers I have ever known—largely because she told some of the best stories. They were stories about courage and faith in the face of autocracy and oppression; implicitly they were stories about herself.” Dean Christine Yoder wrote: “I am one of the many members of the Columbia community who have been fortunate to meet Judith and Janos, to enjoy their generous hospitality, to learn from them, and to be inspired by their stories and lives.” For many years the Pasztors welcomed Columbia students and faculty to their Budapest home during the January term’s Explorations: Alternative Context course. After Janos Pasztor’s death, she continued to show much hospitality to visitors from Columbia. They were together a great gift to the Columbia Seminary community, and we remember her—and them together—with gratitude and affection. –submitted by Erskine Clarke FALL 2 0 1 6 / VANTAGE /

R E CO G NI Z I NG

SCHOLARS

FELLOWSHIPS, AWARDS, & PRIZES FOR 2016 ON MAY 14, 2016, COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY held its annual commencement exercises at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA. This year, 74 degrees were awarded in six graduate degree programs. These are just some of the students who distinguished themselves with outstanding scholarship.

Brittany Fiscus-van Rossum (MDiv/MAPT ’17) was awarded the C. Virginia Harrison Memorial Award. Virginia Harrison served in innumerable capacities from 1925 to 1961. Upon her death, members of her family established an award to be given each year to a rising senior who is conscientious, responsible, hardworking and who shows great potential for leadership in the church. Brittany is under care of the Presbytery of Arkansas. Her home church is First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville, Arkansas. Brittany graduated from Murray State University in 2009, after which she taught English in Japan and operated bus tours across the United States. She and her husband Cooper were married on Halloween 2015. Currently, Brittany worships and works with the congregation of Mercy Community Church, where she serves as a pastoral intern.

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Dale K. Mullis, Controller/Assistant Treasurer, was presented the Betsey Burgess Staff Award. Betsey served Columbia Seminary faithfully for 22 years, and upon her retirement established this award for one “who has demonstrated faithfulness, dedicated service, and Christian character upholding the Seminary’s purpose and mission.” President Leanne Van Dyk presented the award to Dale who has served faithfully in a spirit of kindness, generosity, and commitment for the past 11 years. Prior to joining Columbia, Dale has served in both public accounting and private industry with over 20 years of experience. “Mission is the big difference between the private for-profit culture and the faith-based not-for-profit world,” said Dale. “When we open our Business Office meetings with prayer, we set the tone for God’s call on each of us to do God’s Mission as we serve.”

AWARDS

RECIPIENTS

Harvard A. Anderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LaToya Monique Leary Columbia Graduate Fellowship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yeonhwa Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Daniel Kwon Woo Oh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brandon Jamar Perkins Emma Gaillard Boyce Graduate Fellowship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hyunsuck Lee Fannie Jordan Bryan Fellowship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Victor Chandra Anna Church Whitner Fellowship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrew Michael Hagee James T. and Celeste M. Boyd Book Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Landon Ayer Dillard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emily Elizabeth Peterson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George Dana Waters V The Robert Ramey, Jr. Christian Leadership Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anna Grace Owens-Sweeney Wilds Book Prize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeffrey William Banks William Dudley Fund Awards (must be 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Loan Thi Nguyen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sandor D. Fejervary Abdullah Awards: • For Bible in Public Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrea Beth Hall • For Moral & Spiritual Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sonya Nicole Lawrence Julia Abdullah Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Victoria Ann Smith Samuel A. Cartledge Biblical Studies Award (NT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ludwig Richard Max Dewitz Biblical Studies Award (OT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Giuk Choe

Victor Chandra

The John Nelsen Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathryn Kim SongAe Threadgill George and Sally Telford Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lawrence Price Doyle H. J. Riddle Memorial Book Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeane Torrence Florie S. Johnson Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Indiantown Country Church Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Lisa Marie Schrott

Emily Elizabeth Peterson

Lyman and Myki Mobley Prize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Victor Chandra

Florrie Wilkes Sanders Prize in Theology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brittany Fiscus-van Rossum St. Andrew Presbytery Preaching Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cassie Lea Waits

William Rivers Waddey Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kristina Elizabeth Ray Dabney & Tom Dixon Creation Care Sermon Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karl William Heimbuck AAAS Science Sermon Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karl William Heimbuck FALL 2 0 1 6 / VANTAGE /

2016 G R A D U AT E S

CONGRATULATIONS T O O U R R E C E N T G R A D U AT E S !

DOCTORAL LEVEL GRADUATES: ThD, DMin, DEdMin

FRONT ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: Johnathan Allen Arnold, Andrea Beth Hall, Antoinette Del Kemp, Mary Brennan Thorpe, Pamela Ayo Yetunde,

Myrna Latrice Thurmond-Malone, Erin Reed Cooper

MIDDLE ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: Delesslyn Audra Kennebrew, Daniel Francis Lewis,

Christy Lynn Williams, Allen Sterling Boykin, Jr., Karma Dale Johnson

TOP ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: Herman Earl Haynes, Jr., Phillip Andrew

Hagen, Lawrence Price Doyle, Victoria Ann Bennett Smit, Tonya Nicole Lawrence NOT PICTURED: Daniel Lee Hagmaier, Kathryn Kim SongAe Threadgill (both graduated in absentia)

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MASTERS LEVEL GRADUATES: MDiv, MAPT, MA(TS)

FRONT ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: Seung-eun Rhee, Tamira D. Wimbish, Ursula M. Walker, Carrie Broach-Waller Weatherford, Loan Thi Nguyen,

Lauren Wright Pittman, Julie M. Erkel Hagee, Kristina E. Ray, Lisa M. Schrott, Jeane E. Torrence

SECOND ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: Annette

Jones, Perzavia T. Praylow, LaToya M. Leary, Adrainne J. Gray, Kyung Ahe Cho, Byonghoon Yoo, Landon A. Dillard, Karl W. Heimbuck, Jill M. Joyner, Anna G. Owens-Sweeney

THIRD ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: Joshua C. Stanley, Jeffery W. Banks, Daniel Kwon Woo Oh, Robert Andrew

Wilmesherr, Sandor D. Fejervary, Diana Oliver Blosser, Laura K. Morrison, George Dana Waters V Giuk Choe, Sungyuhn Ham, George S. Latimore, Victor Chandra Chang, Daekeun Park, Brandon J. Perkins, Andrew M. Hagee

FOURTH (SHORT) ROW LEFT TO RIGHT:

FIFTH ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: Micah S. Dowling, Jin Kyung Ko, Chanhyung

TOP ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: Johnathan L. Sasser, Eton R. White, Hyunsuck Lee,

Charles M. Wright Pittman, Myung Jin Chae NOT PICTURED: Emily E. Peterson, Yeonhwa Lee, Darryl C. Coleman Jr., Kyoung Ki Kim (all graduated in absentia)

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NEWS FROM

COLUMBIA

JUNE 18, 2016:

DMin Alumna Jan Edmiston Elected as Co-Moderator for PC(USA) with Tawnya Denise Anderson For full story, visit Presbyterian Outlook at www.pres-outlook.org.

Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary to speak at their Alumni Reunion on May 16. In addition to giving The Edwin H. Rian Lecture on the topic “Beginnings to Begin Again,” she received that seminary’s 2016 Distinguished Alumna Award.

SEPTEMBER 2016:

JUNE 8, 2016:

DMin Student Peter Langerman of Durbanville, South Africa Elected to Serve as Moderator of the General Assembly for Uniting Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa For full story, visit Uniting Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa at www.unitingpresbyterian.org. mbia faculty.

ional resources featuring Colu

$8.95 8 • $4.95

OCTOBER 11, 2016:

Being Reformed series adds third title by noted Old Testament scholar William Brown For full story, visit Presbyterian Mission at www.presbyterianmission.org. Visit our interactive catalog pcusa.org/cmpcatalog

• $8.95 Leader’s Guide 680781 • $4.95 Participant’s Book 680782

OCTOBER 18, 2016:

MDiv student Brittany Fiscus Awarded Goodwin Prize for Essay “The ‘Sum of the Gospel’ as Good News on the Streets” For full story, visit Theological Horizons at www.theologicalhorizons. org. For these and more stories, visit www.ctsnet.edu/our-calling/ current-activity/. NEWS RELEASES FROM COLUMBIA

APRIL 13, 2016:

Prof. Brennan Breed Wins 2016 Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award for Theological Promise Columbia Theological Seminary’s Assistant Professor of Old Testament Brennan W. Breed is being honored for his work, Nomadic Text: A Theory of Biblical Reception History (Indiana: Indiana University Press, 2014). He is among ten winners to receive the prestigious 2016 Manfred Lautenschlaeger Award for Theological Promise, an international award given annually by Forschungsinstitut Internationale und Interdisziplinäre Theologie to outstanding first books in theology. The celebration of the Awards will take place at the University of Heidelberg (Germany) in May.

Even More (Really Exciting) Changes With Leadership in Ministry So, it is with great pleasure that I inform you that Israel Galindo will be assuming responsibilities as Coordinator in 2017. For me, this is very good news for many reasons: Israel has been personal friend since our days in seminary going back to the late 70’s; moreover, he has been a trusted colleague and counselor; his reputation as a consummate professional is well established; and finally he already has close personal and professional ties with almost all of the faculty and many of the participants, especially at the Lost River, WV location where he was on faculty for many years.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2016:

Columbia Recognized Among “Seminaries that Change the World” Columbia Theological Seminary is pleased to announce that it has been recognized as one of the Seminaries that Change the World, Class of 2016-17 by The Center for Faith and Service. Each year, Seminaries that Change the World identifies a select group of seminaries and divinity schools offering innovative courses, programs, and opportunities for students seeking to engage in social justice and service work while in seminary. Columbia Theological Seminary’s recognition as a one of the Seminaries that Change the World reflects its ongoing work to connect faith and justice in the classroom, in campus organizations, and through contextual education opportunities.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2016:

Mark Allan Powell to Give 2016 Smyth Lectures Internationally known scholar Dr. Mark Allan Powell, the Robert and Phyllis Leatherman Professor of New Testament at Trinity Lutheran Seminary will present the Smyth Lectures at Columbia Theological Seminary on October 11-13, 2016. Dr. Powell will deliver a series of three lectures offered free to the public each day in the Harrington Center Chapel on the seminary campus located at 701 S. Columbia Drive, Decatur, GA. MAY 28, 2016: Princeton Seminary Names Columbia Professor Emerita Kathleen The Smyth Lectures were recorded on LIVESTREAM and are available at www.livestream.com/ctsnet/2016smyth. O’Connor Distinguished Alumna Princeton Theological Seminary invited Dr. Kathleen M. For these and more stories, see www.ctsnet.edu/columbiaO’Connor, William Marcellus McPheeters Professor Emerita of connections. 42

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BEST OF THE BLOG

MAY 16: CHARGE TO THE GRADUATES, MAY 14, 2016

BY LEANNE VAN DYK, PRESIDENT It is the long tradition of Columbia Theological Seminary for the president to send out the class of graduates with a series of charges from the words of Scripture. There are, of course, many charges in the pages of the Bible–from the sublime, “Let anyone who has ears listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches,” (Revelation 3) to the mundane, “You shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, purple, and crimson yarns. . .” (Exodus 28). The charges that I have selected for today address specifically the character and quality of a leader–these texts charge us to act in ways that will honor God and do good to others. Listen to these words from Scripture… For full story, see www.ctsnet.edu/columbia-connections.

JULY 27: BEYOND THE LOCKIN: REAL MINISTRIES REQUIRE REAL CONVERSATIONS

BY REV. DOMINIQUE A. ROBINSON, CHILDREN’S, YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT PASTOR, PROVIDENCE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH It’s summer time and this means that most churches are either on break or working overtime to keep their children, youth and young adults engaged. My church is of the latter type. We work hard to offer more than the usual programming beyond the Graduate Recognition service in May and the Back-to-School service in August. We seek to have weekly discipleship encounters for the purposes of consistency and faith development.

However, as a Children’s, Youth & Young Adult Pastor of an urban context, I have learned that weekly bible study, two Sundays a month separate worship and monthly fellowship events are not enough to sustain the attention and develop the faith of my young people. What they are looking for is beyond a lock-in. They want answers! They want safe and sacred spaces to express how they feel about what’s going on in the world around them. For full story, see www.ctsnet.edu/columbia-connections.

AUGUST 2: WHAT CLERGY DON’T TALK ABOUT

BY ISRAEL GALINDO, ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR LIFELONG LEARNING AND DIRECTOR OF ONLINE EDUCATION Most pastors are good preachers, and some fine pulpiteers and wordsmiths. In their preaching and teaching ministry they need to cover a wide range of topics, issues, and subjects, from the Bible to contemporary complex social issues; from marriage to parenting to leadership. The image of addressing issues from cradle to grave, birth to death (or “womb to tomb”) is apt. There are, however, things clergy are not prone to talking about easily. Money issues, for example tend to be difficult for clergy, whether personal or church finances. Sexuality, race, politics can be difficult for some (though interestingly, not sports!). Personal struggles with depression, loneliness, feelings of incompetence, and crises of faith may be near the top of things clergy do not talk about—all to their detriment, and, to risk of spiritual and mental health. For full story, see www.ctsnet.edu/columbia-connections.

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