The Magazine of Covenant Theological Seminary
COVENANT Winter 2005- 06
Vol. 20, No. 4
F INDING
Y OUR
STORY IN THE
To Know and Be Known
CHRISTMAS S TORY
Christ-centered Ministry: An Interview with the Dean of Students
Westward-Ho: Alumni Church Planting
Human Cloning: A Monster in the Making?
Volume 20, No. 4 Winter 2005-06 FROM THE PRESIDENT
2 We usually think of the Christmas season as a time of great rejoicing – and rightly so. As Christians, this is when we celebrate God’s gracious gift of Jesus Christ to a sinful world
Finding Your Story in the Christmas Story SHAWN SLATE (M.DIV.’02)
in need of saving. Yet, even as our Savior was born in Bethlehem on that first Christmas day, opposing forces were
6
at work attempting to prevent the proclamation of God’s Word expressed in Christ. In our own day, many opposing forces still challenge the full and clear expression of the Gospel message. Two of these are particularly pernicious. The first is the continuing erosion of belief in the authority of Scripture. The other,
To Know and Be Known How Christ’s Love Moves Us into Intimacy, Humility, and Risk
ironically, is a tendency by even those who do recognize the authority of God’s Word GREG PERRY
to truncate its message by making moral instruction or societal reform the primary focus of their sermons. Well intended as such messages may be, if the communication of God’s
14
Word does not include the proclamation of the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, then the teacher has missed the point. He misleads himself and those under his care into trusting in something other than the grace of Christ alone for salvation. A focus on Jesus Christ is central to everything we do at Covenant Seminary. This focus is reflected in our seven core values, each of which we will examine in some
Christ-centered Ministry Dalbey Addresses Seminary’s First Core Value
detail in Covenant magazine, beginning with this issue. Included here is an interview Christ-centered ministry. Such ministry upholds the authority of God’s Word and
18
proclaims that Jesus Christ and His finished work are the center of our faith, the
Westward-Ho
with Dr. Mark Dalbey, Dean of Students, who discusses the first of these core values:
source of our morality, and the motivator for personal and societal reform. We rejoice at seeing more and more students coming to Covenant Seminary to grow in understanding of Christ-centered ministry. We rejoice also in sending out individuals like the alumni you will meet in these pages. Whether it is Mark Kuiper in California,
As the U.S. Population Expands to the West, Alumni See Need and Go – COVENANT TO THE WORLD –
Bill Boyd in Texas, Shawn Slate in Virginia – or any of many others I could name – God is using alumni like these to spread His Christ-centered Good News all over the world.
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This is the mission for which we at Covenant Seminary live. This is the mission for which we sacrifice our time, our talents, and our treasure: so that Gospel ministers may be trained and sent forth to proclaim clearly the message of Christ. Please consider prayerfully how your own sacrificial partnership in this mission can help bring the joy of Jesus to
Human Cloning: A Monster in the Making? LUKE BOBO
those who do not yet know Him. May Christ be at the center of your heart and your rejoicing this Christmas season – and always.
Bryan Chapell, President
COVENANT MAGAZINE
Winter 2005- 06
Events
11
Alumni News
12
Intercessor
22
Campus News
28
Student Profile
30
Connecting and Re-connecting at Covenant Seminary
Pastors and ministry leaders from across the nation gathered at Covenant Seminary this past October for the Seminary’s annual Connect conference. Topics addressed included leading for change, youth ministry, and Gospel-centered worship. To hear messages from the conference, log on to www.covenantseminary.edu and use the search word “Connect” in the Online Resources.
SHAWN SLATE (M.DIV.’02) Reformed University Fellowship Campus Minister for the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.
F INDING
Y OUR
STORY IN THE
CHRISTMAS S TORY
But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. – GALATIANS 4:4-5
COVENANT MAGAZINE
Winter 2005- 06
2
Finding Your Story in the Christmas Story
Maybe you are familiar with the traditional folk tale of the three trees, each of which had great aspirations for its life. One of the trees wanted to be made into a beautiful treasure box. Another wanted to be used to build a regal sailing vessel. The other wanted to grow big and tall and become the largest tree of them all. Three trees, each with dreams, each with expectations, were met with unexpected and, at times, unwelcome circumstances. In fact, they all were cut down and transformed into things that did not seem to live up to their high aspirations. The first tree was not made into a beautiful treasure chest; it was made into a feeding trough. The second tree was not made into a regal sailing vessel; it was made into a little fishing boat. The third tree, instead of stretching from heaven to earth, was cut down and made into a piece of lumber.
M
mas. They were footed and made of fleece with his favorite
aybe you can connect
cartoon character ironed on, but it was not a scooter.
with the story of the three
Tears welled up in the boy’s eyes. He threw the box across
trees at this point. Perhaps
you have had dreams and
the room and knocked over the Christmas tree. Christmas
desires about your life, and
was a great big disappointment because it did not bring a
have found these desires,
scooter. Oftentimes, that is what Christmas is about for us – the scooter, not about receiving Christ. And for you and me,
like the trees, cut down.
we are not disappointed about pajamas, we are disappointed
Life is not exactly what
you thought it would be and you find yourself at times
about life. What does it really mean to be disappointed
disappointed, lacking joy and hope. Maybe you are angry
about life? Isn’t it that we are disappointed with God’s
with God Himself – and Christmas becomes a great big
providence – and ultimately with God Himself? We think
disappointment for you.
God is not delivering and that He is not fair or loving. I do not know what disappointment you face. Maybe you
One Christmas not too long ago, a young boy I know wanted a scooter. As his family gathered around the
thought you would be married by now. Maybe you thought
Christmas tree opening up present after present, they finally
you would have children by now or live in a certain part of
came to the last present. The son opened up this gift with
the country or in a certain neighborhood. Your dream could
great vigor. The wrapping came off, the box was opened, and
have been going to college and changing the world by land-
the little boy’s hand went into that box and pulled out paja-
ing a certain job after graduation. But now you aren’t doing
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3
Training Servants of the Triune God
what you thought. Maybe your family is not what you hoped
or the most influential person, then we are just cogs in
it would be and you are tired and frustrated, lacking joy
the wheel, completely unimportant.
because you think God is not doing what you would like
But God’s Word teaches us that, by Jesus coming into
Him to do. And that makes you mad. At times it makes
this world in human flesh, “[Christ] made himself nothing,
me mad. What is the cause of all this disappointment and
taking the very nature of a servant….” Think about how
frustration? I think we are disappointed because we do not
Jesus did it. He came into this world not with pomp and
believe the Christmas story. We do not believe the one true
circumstance, but as a servant. He was born of the virgin
story of God’s redemption. Instead, we believe false stories.
Mary, a young girl who was not wealthy or powerful. She did not come from the corridors of power – she was just
We all have stories that shape our lives. Some of us call them “worldviews,” others call them “stories” or “values.”
faithful. Jesus’ birth was announced, not through the halls
But we all have stories that dictate the way we interact
of the palace, but to lowly shepherds. To people living
with the world. Though the young child
menial lives, doing menial jobs, God
mentioned above believed in Jesus and
comes and announces His Incarnation.
the Christmas story, at the moment in
There is a message for us here: Jesus
time when he unwrapped his presents,
brings significance to the most seemingly
Christmas was about a scooter. It was
insignificant parts of life. It is through
about a scooter bringing joy into his life,
those small acts of faithfulness, carried
rather than God Himself.
out by regular people, that the light of
What are some stories or values that
Christ is brought into this world.
compete in our hearts with the Christmas
We also believe the story of
story? One is the story of possessions. That was the story of the first tree in the folk tale. It wanted to hold treasure. Don’t we want it all? If we have it all, then we will be happy, right? We buy into the story of possessions, and often this costs us a lot. But the Christmas story greets us with a revolutionary message about what is valuable in this world. The apostle Peter writes, “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or
We all have stories that shape our lives. Some of us call them “worldviews,” others call them “stories” or “values.” But we all have stories that dictate the way we interact with the world.
popularity, which is what the third tree longed for. A song written to retell this folk tale includes a line spoken by the third tree, which says, “I will grow straight and tall, I will rise above them all/branches lifting as in prayer, when they all will look to heaven as they see me pointing there.” Don’t we often want to be the one who is seen? We tend to want praise and honor and to dazzle the people around us. We want to be popular because, if we are popular, then we are significant. If we are not popular, we are
gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers,
nobodies. If someone else is not popular, then he or she is
but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without
a nobody, too. But once again the Christmas story brings us quite a
blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:17-19). Through these verses, we see that what we often consider valuable and able to
different message about the importance of receiving the
bring us happiness is really perishable. Yet, through
praise of others. Through the entirety of Jesus’ life, we
Christmas – Christ being born into this world – God
see the unpredictability and even danger of the effects of
makes way for the greatest gift: His own Son as a ransom
popularity. Mary, Joseph, and Jesus spent the early years of
for our lives.
Jesus’ life in exile because an unjust ruler was threatened
We also believe the story of power. The second tree
by His popularity. As Jesus’ public ministry progressed, the
wanted to be a great sailing vessel that would go across the
same crowd that sang His praises turned against Him. Jesus
seas. We buy into the story of power, thinking that this
saw the fickle nature of popularity, and He warns us that,
makes us significant. We think that if we are not in charge
as His followers, we will experience the same trials.
COVENANT MAGAZINE
Winter 2005- 06
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(See Matthew 10.) But Jesus shows us what it means to love
While the tale of the three trees is imaginary, it was
our neighbors. Jesus entered into the lives of average people
created to represent a real truth for you and me. All of our
with routine lives. And He entered into the lives of those
dreams, all of our expectations are met in Christ and in
who rejected Him.
His story. If you are joined to Christ through faith, your story is joined with and organized by this most central story, the
Jesus, the great reject, comes and embraces His despisers – this is love. In 1 John 4:10-12 we read, “This is love: not
story of redemption, in which you and I participate by God’s
that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as
grace in Christ. If you are not part of this grand narrative of
an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so
the Incarnation this Christmas season, would you begin to
loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever
participate in His story for the rest of your life? You see, the story is not about how great I am or how
seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his
great you are – the story is about how great He is. When
love is made complete in us.”
you hear the Christmas story this year,
In essence, what is wrong with the stories of possessions, power, and
look at your life and see how you are
popularity? The common element in all
participating in His story. See the
of these stories is that something takes
promises that are announced with
the place that only God should have in
Christ’s birth in this world and see
our lives. As Jesus is the main character
those promises for your life today –
of the Christmas story, and the whole
until He comes again. ■
story is arranged around Him, so also our
1
O Little Town of Bethlehem, Phillips Brooks, 1868.
stories need to be arranged around Jesus. He is the only one who can live up to our hopes and dreams as we sing at Christmastime: “the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” 1 When we try to arrange our story around someone or something else, it will only lead to destruction. However, the Good News is that God knew that we would believe untrue stories. So He became man and entered into our lives by sharing our disappoint-
...[Jesus] frees us from the false stories that so easily enslave us by showing us the true story of Christ.
ment and suffering because He loves us. He comes to us and essentially says, “You are loved because you are loved – not because of your possessions, prestige, power, or anything else.” By this He frees us from the false stories that so easily enslave us and shows us the true story of Christ. The three trees all had dreams which were initially unfulfilled. If you know the rest of this folk tale, you know that all of their dreams were made complete when they became participants in the Christmas story – when they participated in Christ. The first tree became the manger where Jesus was laid at His birth. The second tree became a boat that carried Jesus and His disciples. And the third tree became a beam in the cross of Christ.
www.covenantseminary.edu
5
Training Servants of the Triune God
GREG PERRY Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies
To KNOW AND BE KNOWN How Christ’s Love Moves Us into Intimacy, Humility, and Risk
COVENANT MAGAZINE
Winter 2005- 06
6
To Know and Be Known
Have you ever visited a city when it was filled beyond capacity for an event like the Olympics? There are no hotel rooms, parking is tight, traffic is slow, and the license plates you see are mostly from out of state. Try to imagine such a crowd in firstcentury Jerusalem. People were packed in to celebrate Passover. The city had not doubled or tripled, it had ballooned to over twelve times its normal size. But the Passover feast we read about in John 13 was unlike any other. There was an electric current running throughout the pilgrim crowd. People were asking questions.
“
. . . Now, my heart is troubled, and what shall I say?
Did you hear what happened in Bethany?
‘Father, save me from this hour?’ No, it was for this very
They say he raised a man from the dead
reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”
after four days in the tomb. Could it be?
Could He be the Anointed One from God?” Even as they
(John 12:23, 27,28). Of what sort of glory does Jesus speak?
celebrated their miraculous deliverance from slavery in
Isn’t it the glory of the King? If so, then why is He so
Egypt, the people wondered if Jesus of Nazareth was the
troubled on this night of celebration? Yes, Jesus brought
Promised One, the One who would throw off their Roman
Lazarus back to life, but reactions include a plot to kill
rulers and tax burden. Could Jesus be the Messiah, who
Him. Yes, He was anointed with oil, but by a woman with
would again bring God’s people into an inheritance of their
unbound hair who poured her perfume on His feet, not
own? Already, many had given Him a royal welcome into
His head. Yes, He entered the city in triumph, but riding
the city with palm branches and shouts of “Hosanna!”
a donkey colt, not a chariot. Who is this King and what
It was an exhilarating time, and accordingly, John positions
kind of strange glory is He to receive?
this story at the turning point of his Gospel.
Knowing Jesus Is Personal
Six times before in John’s Gospel we have heard Jesus
Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
say, “My hour has not yet come.” At the wedding in Cana, near the beginning of His ministry Jesus had responded to His mother’s agenda by saying, “My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4b). The momentum builds throughout His public ministry until, in answer to questions from Jewish leaders, Jesus says, “a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.” (John 5:25). Indeed, these words were on the minds of many who had arrived in Jerusalem from Bethany: Lazarus had heard Jesus and come to life! In John 12 and 13, “the hour” is no longer coming. Jesus
– JOHN 13:1a-5
says, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
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7
Training Servants of the Triune God
Do we really want to know this Jesus? Do we want to
those parts of our lives that we would just as soon keep
understand this strange glory of His? Or, do we just want to
covered or at a safe distance.
know about Jesus? Everyone who was anyone in Jerusalem
My son Stephen has a dog named Max. Max is a
wanted to know about Jesus. But, if we only want to know
beautiful yellow Labrador and Stephen professes to love him.
about Jesus, we can keep our own agendas for Him. We can
Yet, one day last summer, when it came time to wash Max,
try to manage Him much like those who had plans for Him
Stephen, with new clothes on, stood at a distance and
during this Passover. Yet, amidst the clamor for information,
started to spray Max down with the hose. Every dad knows
Jesus slips away from the crowds to have dinner with
the next move. I pulled off my tie, opened my collar, kicked
His disciples.
off socks and shoes, came beside Stephen, and said, “You too,
Jesus’ dinners were not like those of the Pharisees.
Son! Take off your shirt and shoes, and get ready to get wet.
The Pharisees’ dinners resembled the Greco-Roman
If you love Max, we’re going to have to get personal.”
symposia, with their rhetorical matches and honor
Knowing Jesus means that He knows you. Getting
bestowed on the greatest debater. But at
involved with Jesus means He is already
His meal, the host, Jesus, takes off His
involved with you. By the time Stephen
outer robe to dress like a slave and do the
and I were finished washing Max, we
work of a slave. Not even a Hebrew slave
smelled like dogs and had wet clumps
was to wash people’s feet, yet Jesus pours
of Lab hair all over us. That is what
water into the basin to undertake the
happens when Jesus gets involved with
necessary task.
us. “He who knew no sin, became sin for
We do not have any traditional
us, so that in him we might be made the
parables in John’s Gospel; instead we have living parables. The living parable of John 13 is like a cardiac crash cart: it is designed to shock the system. In Luke’s account of this same dinner we read that a “dispute broke out among them [the disciples] as to which one of them was considered to be the greatest” (Luke 22:24). Even as doctors and nurses only jolt a patient with electricity when his heart is dysfunctional, Jesus jolts the disciples by making Himself their servant.
righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21).
Even as doctors and nurses only jolt a patient with electricity when his heart is dysfunctional, Jesus jolts the disciples by making Himself their servant.
Clearly, Jesus was anticipating the cross at His meal. Do we look back on it in order to know Jesus like this, the Jesus who does this?
– JOHN 13:6-10a
Yet, even as a servant, Jesus is the Head of the Table,
Knowing Jesus is not only personal, it is also very
not us. He sets the terms of the relationship, not us. If we
humbling. But Simon Peter is not buying that. He cannot
are to know Jesus, He must first know us. If we are to get
imagine allowing His Lord to wash his feet. “It will never
involved with Jesus, He must first get involved with us.
happen!” he says. Simon was a no-nonsense kind of guy, a
That is what is happening here at this meal during this
self-made man; he could wash his own feet. But, Jesus plainly
strange revelation of His glory. Jesus acts like a slave to get
tells him, “You don’t realize what I am doing for you, but
near His disciples in a way that involves personal knowledge,
later you will understand.” After Peter’s denial, after the
intimacy, and exposure. He “shows the full extent of His
cross and the resurrection, after Peter’s restoration, then he
love” (John 13:1b) for them and for us. Jesus moves into
Winter 2005- 06
Knowing Jesus Is Humbling
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean...”
Does the Lord’s Supper jolt us like this?
COVENANT MAGAZINE
Knowing Jesus is personal.
would see that self-sufficiency has no place in knowing Jesus.
8
Knowledge comes through connection, not isolation;
knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You
through relationship, not self-sufficient autonomy. Jesus says, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me” (John 13:8). John’s language of “part” or “portion” is the language of inheritance. Jesus is saying to Peter – and to us – unless
call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
I wash you, you cannot share in my kingdom. Peter takes Jesus’ rebuke, but his exuberant desire to correct his error only reveals his inability to understand this living parable. One Biblical scholar guides us through the difficulties of this text by suggesting that Jesus is applying the metaphor of cleansing in three ways: as the bath that is needed for 1) conversion, 2) sanctification, and 3) example.
– JOHN 13:10b-17
Peter seems to be confusing the second
For years, I missed the element of
application for the first. But Jesus
risk we embrace in knowing Jesus. Yet
reminds him that he has already been
these verses clearly teach such risk. Jesus
bathed (John 13:10a). What he needs
said, “You are clean, though not every
now is the regular foot washing of
one of you.” Jesus knew who was going
sanctification. Like Peter, those of us who
to betray him, and that was why He said
have been bathed by Jesus need to humble
not every one was clean. When He had
ourselves daily in repentance and confes-
finished washing their feet, Judas was still
1
sion by having our feet washed again. German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer diagnosed the situation of many of our churches all too well when he wrote, “The final breakthrough to fellowship does not occur, because, though they have fellowship with one another as believers and as devout people, they do not have fellowship as the undevout, as sinners. The pious fellowship permits no one to be a sinner. So, everybody must conceal
in the room! Jesus, with full knowledge
Once again, we are jolted by the enormous difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Him intimately enough to accompany Him on His way.
his sin from himself and the fellowship.
of Judas’ plans, washed his feet, too. Only two disciples are mentioned here, one a denier, the other a betrayer. Jesus knows them both. We do not know people’s hearts like Jesus did and does. We would like to be able to look on the outside and discern who will take advantage of us and who will be appreciative. The fact of the matter is that we do not even know our own hearts like Jesus does. The final point of Jesus’ living parable
We dare not be sinners! Many Christians are unthinkably
is that He serves the denier and the betrayer, the takers and
horrified when a real sinner shows up. So we remain alone
the thankful, and He calls His followers to do the same.
with our sin, living in lies and hypocrisy.… It is the grace of
Knowing Jesus is risky.
the Gospel that is so hard for the pious to understand.”
2
Once again, we are jolted by the enormous difference
Jesus’ living parable requires humility in all three of its
between knowing about Jesus and knowing Him intimately
applications – to be converted, to repent in an ongoing
enough to accompany Him on His way. Jesus showed the full
manner, and to serve. Knowing Jesus is humbling.
extent of His love to Peter the denier. Later, he would ask him three times, “Peter, do you love me?” Peter answered,
Knowing Jesus Is Risky
“Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
“...you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he
(John 21:15-19). Those who are known by Jesus know Jesus. 1
2
D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John, The Pillar New Testament Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1991), 465. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together, trans. J. W. Duberstein (London: SCM Press, 1954), 100.
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Those who know Jesus follow his steps. It is a risky business. Peter himself would write to Christians enduring “all kinds
9
Training Servants of the Triune God
of trials” (1 Peter 1:6), saying, “To this you were called,
Knowing Jesus means getting involved with Him and
because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example,
His world because He is involved with us in our world.
that you should follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21).
Knowing Jesus means staying close to Him as we follow
Jesus’ living parable in John 13 is so essential to a
where He is going because He has already come near to us.
true knowledge of Him that it is captured not only in the
Knowing Jesus means we cannot play it safe.
narrative of the upper room, it is also preserved for us in one
The need for risky involvement in God’s world becomes
of the earliest Christian hymns, as recorded in Philippians 2.
all the more real to many of us as we face the aftermath of
Consider this parallel:
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. My brother, a Baptist pastor in New Orleans, was left with no income after the storm hit.
John 13:3a: “Jesus
Philippians 2:6:
This is not a time for me or any other person involved in
knew the Father had
“Who being in very
his life to play it safe. Many others are in the same situation,
put all things under
nature God, [Jesus] did
so we must follow Jesus into risky involvement. We cannot
his power...”
not consider equality
stay at a distance if we are to be servants of our Master.
with God something
Be it suffering from storms or human injustices, Jesus’
to be grasped...”
followers must get involved. It will be risky. It will be costly. But it is the only way to follow Jesus – because that is where
John 13:4b:
Philippians 2:7:
“…[Jesus] wrapped
“[Jesus] made himself
a towel around
nothing, taking the very
his waist.”
nature of a servant…”
John 13:5a: “…[Jesus]
Philippians 2:8b:
began to wash his
“…he humbled himself
disciples’ feet, drying
and became obedient to
them with the towel
death – even death on
that was wrapped
a cross!”
He will be. ■
This message was originally given as a sermon during Chapel at Covenant Seminary. To access more messages like this online (as MP3 audio files and PDF text messages) log on to www.covenantseminary.edu.
around him.” John 13:12a: “[Jesus]
Philippians 2:9-11:
put on his clothes and
“…God exalted him to
returned to his place.”
the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
John 13:13: Jesus said,
that at the name of Jesus
“You call me ‘Teacher’
every knee should
and ‘Lord,’ and rightly
bow…and every tongue
so, for that is what
confess that Jesus Christ
I am.”
is Lord…”
COVENANT MAGAZINE
Winter 2005-06
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EVENTS Gatherings, Conferences Spring 2006 Francis Schaeffer Lectures & Student Mission Fellowship Conference
Seek the Peace of the City: Ministry in an Urban Context DATES AND TIMES: Friday, February 24, 7 - 9 p.m. & Saturday, February 25, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. PLENARY SPEAKER: Mark Gornick, Director, City Seminary of New York and author of To Live In Peace: Biblical Faith and the Changing Inner City OTHER SPEAKERS INCLUDE: Joseph Muutuki, Pastor of New City Fellowship of Nairobi, Kenya, and Scott Roley author of God’s Neighborhood and Pastor of Missions and Outreach for Christ Community Church, Franklin, Tenn. LOCATION: Covenant Seminary Chapel
Save the Date!
Yimi Summer Conference DATES: June 12 to 17, 2006
This summer, Covenant Seminary’s Youth in Ministry Institute (Yimi) will bring together high school students from across the nation to help them grow in their view of God, themselves, others, and the entire world. The Yimi summer conferences also give high school students a chance to think about vocational Christian ministry as they begin the transition into life as adults. E-mail yimi@covenantseminary.edu to be added to the conference mailing list.
CONFERENCE FEE: $15.00*
PLEASE JOIN US These events are open to the public. To learn more log on to www.covenantseminary.edu or call 1.800.903.4044.
Winter 2005-06
Lifetime of Ministry Courses Register online for any of these two- to five-day ministry enrichment courses. As part of the Lifetime of Ministry program, these classes can be audited* for a minimal fee ($25 to $50). Deadline for registration is three business days prior to the course start date. Register online at
This spring, Covenant Seminary’s Francis A. Schaeffer Institute is teaming up with the Seminary’s Student Mission Fellowship to host teachers and practitioners with a depth of wisdom and experience in ministering in an urban context. The lecture series will seek to answer the following questions: What does the Gospel look like – in both word and deed – in an urban ministry context? What exactly is an “urban ministry context”? What are similarities and differences between ministering in urban contexts abroad and in the United States? And how do we seek the peace of the city in practical ways?
www.covenantseminary.edu.
Disciplines of Grace INSTRUCTOR: Scotty Smith, Pastor of Christ Community Church, Franklin, Tenn. DATES: January 3 to 6, 2006
Peacemaking in Practice INSTRUCTORS: Judy Dabler, Executive Director of the Center for Biblical Counseling and Education, and Paul Vazquez, Director of Conciliation Services for the Center for Biblical Counseling and Education, St. Louis, Mo. DATES: January 6 and 7, 2006
Film and Theology INSTRUCTOR: Denis Haack, Co-Founder and Director of Ransom Fellowship DATES: January 9 to 13, 2006
Church-Based Community Ministry
*Free for alumni, current students, and staff. Students who wish to
INSTRUCTOR: Amy Sherman, Author of Restorers
earn academic credit for attending
of Hope, Reaching the Poor in Your Community
should contact the Covenant
With Church-Based Ministries that Work
Seminary Registrar’s office
DATES: January 13 and 14, 2006
(tuition fees apply).
Evangelism Practicum INSTRUCTOR: Mark Roessler, Pastor of Catalina Foothills Church, Tucson, Ariz. DATES: January 17 to 20, 2006 *non-transcript audit
www.covenantseminary.edu
11
Training Servants of the Triune God
news
ALUMNI If you have information for Alumni News, please mail it to Covenant Magazine or e-mail Alumni News: alumni @covenantseminary.edu Hurricane Update Covenant Seminary alumni seem to have been spared some of the worst damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Allen (M.Div.’00) and Lynette Vargo reported from Meridian, Miss., that their home received some damage, but was still inhabitable. Allen is the Assistant Pastor of Northpointe Presbyterian Church in Meridian. For detailed information about PCA churches affected by the hurricane, log on to www.pcahistory.org/churches/katrina. After 33 years of service as Pastor of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Youngstown, Ohio, William Wolfgang (M.Div.’70), has recently retired. Please join this congregation in giving thanks for his faithful service. William and his wife Judith continue to live in Youngstown. They have two daughters and one grandson. Douglas Lee (M.Div.’73) began serving as the U.S. Army Reserve’s Chaplain Brigadier General on Oct. 1, 2005. This is the highest appointment an Army Reserve Chaplain can receive and only one Army Reserve Chaplain Brigadier General serves at any given time. Douglas is a member of the Siouxlands Presbytery. Christopher Bennett (M.Div.’78) joined the pastoral staff of Crossroads Presbyterian Church in Woodbridge, Va., this past July after having completed 26 years of active duty as a Navy chaplain. Chris is serving the Crossroads congregation as Assistant Pastor for Assimilation and Ministry Coordination. He and his wife Frances have one grown daughter.
COVENANT MAGAZINE
Chris serves Crossroads with Senior Pastor Don Sampson (M.Div.’01) Nancy Pearcey’s (M.A.’81) recent book, Total Truth (Crossway), was awarded the 2005 Evangelical Christian Publishers Association Gold Medallion Award for best book in the category of “Christianity and Society.” Marcus Serven (Th.M.’92) began serving as Pastor of Covenant Family Church in Troy, Mo., this past summer. He previously served Providence Reformed Church in Paso Robles, Calif. The Serven family made quite a transition in coming to Missouri, since their family of 11 are all native Californians.
Birmingham. The service was held at Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church. Bob Flayhart (D.Min.’02) delivered the sermon.
Jeff Rickett (M.Div.’97) began serving as Church Planting Pastor for New Town Church in Columbia, Md., this past February. Jeff formerly served as Associate Pastor for Broadneck Presbyterian Church in Arnold, Md. Learn more at www.newtownchurch.net.
Births
Mark Horne (M.Div.’98) has returned to St. Louis, Mo., to serve as Assistant Pastor and writer at Providence Reformed Presbyterian Church, where Jeff Meyers (M.Div.’88) is Senior Pastor. Mark previously served as Pastor of First Reformed Presbyterian Church in Minco, Okla. Mark and his wife Jennifer have two sons and two daughters.
This past December, Al DeHart (M.Div.’95) accepted a call to serve as Pastor of Relationship and Fellowship at River of Life Community Church in Ocala, Fla. After participating in a missions trip to Namibia, Africa, in 2002, Al has spent the last two summers leading mission teams to Namibia to teach abstinence in the public schools. He and his wife Kim have two children: MacKenzie (10) and Carson (8).
This past summer, David McIntosh (M.Div.’00), became Organizing Pastor of Hartsville Presbyterian Mission in Hartsville, S.C. The church plant has begun meeting weekly on Sunday evenings. David formerly served as Assistant Pastor of Woodruff Road Presbyterian Church in Simpsonville, S.C.
Jim (M.Div.’96) and Sara Ward are preparing to move to Peru in order to serve with Mark (M.Div.’99) and Lori Berry and others in Lima on the New City team (Mission to the World). Jim’s responsibilities will be in the areas of leadership development, evangelism, worship, and church planting. Sara will help lead economic development efforts. Jim formerly served as Assistant Pastor of Youth and Families for Springton Lake Presbyterian
Winter 2005- 06
Church in the Philadelphia, Pa., area. Jim and Sara have three children: Caroline (8), Chloe (6), and Elijah (3). Learn more on: www.mtwsa.net/limanewcity.
Grant Beachy (M.Div.’04) was ordained and installed as Assistant Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Travelers Rest, S.C., on May 15, 2005. Tom Franklin (M.Div.’05) was ordained on September 4, 2005, in Evangel Presbytery as a Campus Minister for Reformed University Fellowship at Birmingham Southern College and the University of Alabama at
12
Mike (M.Div.’97) and Kim Curtis’ third son, Daniel Matthew, was born on April 1, 2005. In June, Mike moved from being a U.S. Army Chaplain to being a U.S. Air Force Chaplain. He is now assigned to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. The Curtis family lives on the south side of Oklahoma City. Tom (M.Div.’97) and Tara Gibbs celebrated the birth of Caroline Hart on July 7, 2005. Caroline joins siblings Anna Catherine (7), Thomas (5), and Lucy (3). Tom is Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, San Antonio, Tex. Gabriel Vasconcelos was born to Christiano (M.Div.’00) and Ana de Sousa on August 11, 2005. The de Sousas live in Cambridge, England, where Christiano is pursuing a Ph.D. Mike (M.Div.’00) and Linda Farley joyfully announce the adoption of Rachel Marie Farley (born July 14, 2003) and Lydia Faith Farley (born June 29, 2004) on August 3, 2005. The girls are biological sisters and were each placed with the Farleys by the Missouri foster care system when they were two days old. Big brother Caleb is four years old. The girls were baptized on August 14, 2005, by Andrew Vander Maas (M.Div.’99), pastor of Crossroads Presbyterian Fellowship. Mike serves as the
Music Director for Crossroads, a new PCA congregation in St. Louis, Mo. Mike is currently a Ph.D. candidate and Adjunct Instructor of Historical Theology at Saint Louis University. Wes (M.Div.’02) and Amy (M.A.C.’00) Zell celebrated the birth of Elias Owen on September 30, 2004. The Zells live in Charlottesville, Va,. where Wes is Director of Undergraduate Ministries for the Center for Christian Study and Amy is Coordinator of Women’s Ministries and Counselor-in-Residence for the Center.
ALASKAN GLORY AND MAJESTY TOUR DATES : July 1 to 11, 2006
Joel and Jennifer (Maurizio) Lohr (M.A.C.’03) welcomed their first child, Josephine Marie, into the world on May 5, 2005. Jennifer is working as a counselor at a local high school and junior high in Stonington, Ill. Joel is Pastor of Old Stonington Baptist Church. Slayton James was born to Tucker (M.Div.’03) and Stacy York on July 25, 2005. He joins bothers J.T. and Titus and sister Marriaye. Tucker serves as Associate Pastor for Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, Pa. Jeff (M.Div.’04) and Veronique Kim welcome Victor Andrew, born on June 9, 2005. The Kims have accepted a call to serve in France with United World Mission. They will assist French pastors in mobilizing and developing the local church to engage the culture for Christ.
Correction from Fall 2005 In the Fall 2005 edition of Covenant magazine, Peter Bekins (M.Div.’05) was incorrectly listed as Philip Bekins. The Covenant Seminary community would like, once again, to congratulate Peter on receiving the Exegetical Prize for the class of 2005.
www.covenantseminary.edu
HOSTED BY: Dr. and Mrs. Bryan Chapell
Experience the glory and majesty of God’s creation as you travel the great state of Alaska and grow in understanding of God’s splendor through Bible teaching by Dr. Bryan Chapell. In addition to elegant dining, quality entertainment, and a European spa, daily teaching and evening fellowship will make this a truly memorable vacation. This Alaskan get-away includes a sevennight cruise on the Celebrity Summit and a customized three-night journey into Denali National Park which will include an outdoor, evening worship service on Sunday. Enjoy the spectacular Alaskan scenery including: glaciers, fjords, white-capped peaks, and natural wildlife. Grow in grace through the power of God’s Word as it is preached surrounded by the glory and majesty of God’s workmanship. Inside cabin pricing begins at $1,500.00* (airfare available through Celebrity Cruises). *This rate includes a $500.00 discount for early booking and is offered until January 31, 2006.
To learn more log on to www.covenantseminary.edu or call 1.800.903.4044.
13
Training Servants of the Triune God
CHRIST- CENTERED MINISTRY Dalbey Addresses Seminary’s First Core Value: Christ-centered Ministry A simple but deeply meaningful mission statement guides the work of Covenant Seminary. It says: The purpose of Covenant Theological Seminary is to train servants of the triune God to walk with God, to interpret and communicate God’s Word, and to lead God’s people. This statement gives the Seminary a clear focus for its daily work. At the same time, this statement is amplified by six core
determined to preach
values. Like the sails and rudder of a ship, the mission
nothing except Jesus
statement and core values help the Seminary stay the
Christ and Him
Covenant Seminary’s Core Values Are:
course in an ever-changing world.
crucified. In Hebrews
Christ-centered Ministry
2:12 and Revelation 5,
Biblical Authority
of Students and Assistant Professor of Practical Theology,
we see that Christ-
Grace Foundation
begins a series of articles in which you can get to know more
centered worship means
Relational Emphasis
about not only the Seminary’s core values but also today’s
that Christ is present in
Pastoral Training
faculty and administrators who hold to such values.
all aspects of our worship
Church Leadership
and will be the focus of
Kingdom Perspective
The following interview with Dr. Mark Dalbey, Dean
Core Value No. 1:
heavenly worship forever.
Christ-centered ministry: We believe that a seminary
education is successful only if – at its end – the student knows Jesus Christ more intimately than at its beginning.
Q In developing Christian ministry training, it could
seem redundant to list Christ-centered ministry as a core value. Why is this so important for Covenant Seminary to
Q Why is Christ-centered ministry first among
emphasize? Why is this important for the Church today?
the six core values? Is that intentional?
A So much of ministry today has a tendency to be focused
A Yes, Christ-centered ministry was intentionally listed
on a human person whom God has used as a leader in the
as the Seminary’s first core value because this Christ-
Church. The focus can be on a teaching or ministry method-
centeredness forms the foundation of the other five values.
ology that is supposed to lead to successful leadership and is
Additionally, this reflects the priorities we learn from
often marked by numbers and media attention. This can eas-
Scripture. In Luke 24:25-27, 44-49, we learn that Christ
ily replace the Christ-centered priority of life and ministry.
centered all of Scripture on Himself. In Colossians 1:15-20,
It is important to see that Christ-centered ministry is not
we see that Christ is Lord of Creation and Head of His
simply about the content of teaching – it is also about the
Church. In 1 Corinthians 2:2, Paul writes that he was
COVENANT MAGAZINE
Winter 2005- 06
14
Dalbey Addresses Seminary’s First Core Value: Christ-centered Ministry person of Christ intimately connected and related to the
A Deep understanding of Biblical truth is inseparably
people in ministry. “Christ-centered” is simply another way
connected to deep intimacy of relationship. In John 15:15,
of saying “in union with Christ.” Once the Church loses this
Jesus tells His disciples that all that the Father gave Him,
vital union-with-Christ focus, all the other “good” things
He made known to them. In describing His relationship with
done in the name of Christ or with the correct doctrine of
His disciples, Jesus does not call it a master-servant nor even
Christ are not sufficient for true Christ-centered ministry.
teacher-student relationship, but rather friend-friend. This represents intimacy.
Q The explanation of Christ-centered ministry
The Bible never separates love and the knowledge of
includes the intent that students would know Jesus more
truth; it always links them together. Having all knowledge
intimately. What kind of knowledge is this? How does
without love is nothing according to 1 Corinthians 13.
the Seminary encourage acquiring such knowledge?
Therefore, we seek to carry out all of seminary life – both
Mark Dalbey (center) with current students Andy and Jorja White.
In describing His relationship with His disciples, Jesus does not call it a master-servant nor even teacher-student relationship, but rather friend-friend.
www.covenantseminary.edu
15
Training Servants of the Triune God
Christ-centered Ministry
inside and outside of the classroom – in a way that maintains this full Christ-centered understanding of life and ministry. Q How does the Seminary encourage Christ-centered
ministry as opposed to another type of ministry? A We have a deep passion, like the apostle Paul, “to see
Christ formed in you [our students].” This includes humble, prayerful engaging of students not only in the classroom, but also in chapel services, covenant groups, over lunch, at
[Students] want to deepen their understanding and grasp of Scripture in a way that transforms their lives so they are more like Christ. They see their future ministries as the fruit of this connection to truth and love, which is seen in the ministry of Christ Himself.
picnics, and while walking, sitting, or standing with students. It is our desire to develop all of our teaching, conversations, and activities with Christ at the center. Q What is the biggest hindrance to Christ-centered
ministry in the pastorate or Christian life? A I think the biggest hindrance is allowing our lives to
be shaped by the demands and expectations of ministry performance. Good things that are focused on doing can all too often be disconnected from our identity and being in Christ. In my life, in the Seminary’s life, and in church life – we must reconnect more intimately and personally with Christ Himself in order to live out true Christ-centered ministry. Q How are you encouraged in seeing students grow
in Christ-centered ministry? A Over the six-plus years that I have been Dean of
Students for Covenant Seminary, I have seen our students
Master of Arts in Counseling students meet in practicum group.
increasingly desiring deeper intimacy with Christ and one Q How are you encouraged in seeing alumni grow
another. My first-year Covenant Group1 of twelve new students is filled with people who have had significant
in Christ-centered ministry?
ministry experience – many having lived and served overseas
A I observe our graduates seeking to practice Christ-
– and they are coming here for more training in Christ-
centered ministry in multiple contexts, such as established
centered ministry. They want to deepen their understanding
churches, church plants, overseas mission, youth ministry,
and grasp of Scripture in a way that transforms their lives so
and campus ministry. The common message I hear from
they are more like Christ. They see their future ministries as
them is a recognition of their ongoing need for deep
the fruit of this connection to truth and love, which is seen
connection with Jesus – to have Him as their dearest friend,
in the ministry of Christ Himself.
in truth and love. They know that they must look to this Vine for their lives and for fruitful ministries. ■ 1
COVENANT MAGAZINE
Winter 2005- 06
16
Covenant Groups are small groups of students and faculty that meet weekly over the course of a year, giving an opportunity to share personal needs, struggles, and praise with the purpose of encouraging and praying for each other.
A Call for Your Memories
COVENANT SEMINARY Celebrates 50 Years Next summer, Covenant Seminary will celebrate 50 years of training pastors and ministry leaders to serve the Church. The experiences of alumni, staff, and supporters of the Seminary will be part of that celebration. Currently, a 50th Anniversary Scrapbook is being composed in commemoration of the past and future of Covenant Seminary. Whether you are a graduate, current or former staff person, or supporter, we hope your stories will be part of this collection! Please take a moment to gather your Covenant Seminary memories. Then pass them on. Your submission could take the form of:
a photo related to Covenant Seminary history a memorable seminary moment thoughts on how Covenant Seminary prepared you for ministry memorabilia (old publications or other meaningful items) even a recipe which helped your family get by during lean seminary years
They are your memories! Just send them our way to help celebrate God’s faithfulness. OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION: The deadline for submissions is February 1, 2006. Submissions can be sent via U.S. mail or e-mail (please e-mail in advance if you will be sending a digital image). All photos and other special items will be returned to you as soon as possible. Every contributor will receive a complimentary edition of the 50th Anniversary Scrapbook.
PLEASE CALL OR E-MAIL IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS. Covenant Theological Seminary Attn: Jackie Fogas 12330 Conway Road St. Louis, MO 63141 (ph) 314.392.4061 (fax) 314.434.4819 (toll-free) 1.800.903.4044 50thscrapbook@covenantseminary.edu
WESTWARD -HO As the U.S. Population Expands to the West, Alumni See Need and Go A September 2005 MSN.com article reported that “The [United States’] population as a whole is shifting westward….” 1 The article summarized a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that the states with the most significant increases in birth rates between 2001 and 2002 were all in the West. That’s why, when Mark Kuiper (M.Div.’96) began to
these men have experienced some common cultural themes
seriously consider church planting, Mission to North
in their ministries in the West. They also share the same hope
America (MNA) asked him to consider a church plant
for those they serve. The following is a snapshot of their lives
in the West. This was no small request. At the time, Mark
and ministries.
2
was on staff at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville,
Mark Kuiper – Christ Church of Pasadena
Va., serving as the Youth Pastor. He had many contacts in
A NEW DREAM IN CALIFORNIA
the Virginia area who were eager to see him plant a church
Many people move to California to pursue a dream.
nearby. But, as MNA presented the idea of moving West,
Whether that dream is a career, money, fame, or just a desire
the desire grew in Mark’s heart to reach out to people in
to be part of the Californian mystique, Mark Kuiper says
this geographic region and offer them a church home.
there is no shortage of U-Hauls crossing the state line.
While Mark supported his fellow church planters in the
But on the other side of that dream is a less attractive
Southeast, deeply knowing the need for their missions, his
reality. “I think there is an unbelievable burden on people
road led across the Mississippi River, past the Rockies, and
here to look successful,” Mark says.
into Pasadena, Calif. As one stage of life concluded for Mark
“A country music song says something along the lines of,
and his family in the Southeast, another was born.
‘I am not smart enough to live on the East Coast and not
Bill Boyd (M.Div.’95) was also no stranger to the need
pretty enough to live on the West Coast,’” Mark says with
for churches to be planted in the West. He was the Reformed
a smile. But he knows the reality of the song and sees the
University Fellowship Campus Minister for the University
resulting burdens that people bear.
of Texas at Austin for eight years, serving students from all
So what does a church planter who was born in Australia
over Texas and the Western states. After several people
and has lived all over the U.S. have to say in a culture
approached him about leading a church plant in West Austin,
that seems set on a dream that leaves many burned-out
Bill sensed it was time to serve the community he and his
and frustrated?
family had grown to love in a new way. 1
It is nearly impossible to lump into one category cities as 2
far apart geographically as Austin and Pasadena. However,
COVENANT MAGAZINE
Winter 2005- 06
18
http://lifestyle.msn.com/ArticlePage.aspx?cp-documentid=27719; accessed Sept 28, 2005. Mission to North America is the church planting agency of the Presbyterian Church in America
Christ Church of Pasadena
Christ Church youth group on a mission trip in Mexico.
In a real way, it is the same message that he shared with high school students and their parents when he was a youth pastor in Charlottesville, Va. Mark tells them about Jesus, who said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:30). “When people can hear that the Father looks down on
Mark Kuiper
Dan Radmacher, Worship Leader
them and says, ‘Because of Jesus, you are my son or daughter, and I am well pleased’ – it is such a relief,” Mark says. At times, Mark has felt he has little to offer, but he sees
This is the message that Mark and the people of Christ
the growth of Christ Church as a gift from God.
Church of Pasadena have celebrated for the past four years
“I remember meeting the man who leads our church
as they continue to welcome more and more people from
worship now and thinking, ‘He is so gifted. Why would he
their community into their congregation.
want to be part of our church plant? I have nothing to
“Unfortunately, at times, churches can just add to the
offer him.’” But this man – and many others – have become
list of what people think they need to do to make God
committed to Christ Church. They love their church home
happy with them,” Mark says. But he adds that sharing
and gladly welcome new people in.
about God’s grace in Christ has a “phenomenal” impact
“The messages of the culture can be pretty dark some-
on those who have heard.
times,” Mark says. “People who are following Jesus can feel
Mark regularly remembers the truth he received in
like they are paddling upstream with all their might, just to
Dr. Philip Douglass’s class during his time at Covenant
stay in place. But that really makes worship on Sunday all
Seminary. “Dr. Douglass taught us from Scripture that our
the sweeter.”
worth is not wrapped up in our performance,” Mark says.
Not only are Chirst Church’s members meeting on
As a pastor, Mark knows he needs the same grace that he
Sunday for worship, but they also meet in small groups
tells his congregation about. Church planting is difficult.
www.covenantseminary.edu
19
Training Servants of the Triune God
All Saints Austin
Bill (right) and Martha (left) Boyd with All Saints member (center). All Saints Church celebrates coming together as a church body with a meal together. All Saints was particularized (no longer a mission/church plant) in May 2005.
around the metro area for Bible study and prayer throughout the week. This is extremely important in a place such as Pasadena, where many people struggle to have a sense of community even in their own backyards. People work long hours due to the high cost of living and are extremely spread out over a large geographical area. By God’s grace, Mark is embracing this urban sprawl as
Bill Boyd – All Saints Austin
an opportunity. In fact, along with VisionLA, the local PCA
A NEW SONG IN A MUSIC CITY
church planting network, Mark has a dream. He hopes that
When Bill Boyd and a core group from Redeemer
more churches will be birthed out of some of these home
Presbyterian Church in Austin, Tex., began to consider
groups so that many congregations will reach into their
planting a church on the western side of their city, they
neighborhoods in coming years (see www.vision-la.org).
had a principle they felt was worthy of following. It was “less is more.” They arrived at that conclusion out of
Mark knows that he cannot promise those who follow
necessity and deep conviction.
Christ that they will get everything they think they need.
The necessity came because their public worship services
But he gladly shares the hope that, one day, their deepest dreams will come true in a new city where they will hear
started much sooner than they had expected. There was
from the Father, “well done good and faithful servant.”
not enough time to organize multiple programs on Sunday morning. So they began meeting for worship, keeping their congregational life fairly simple. Their focus was the essentials of the Church, which they found in Scripture. It was that basic. “Our focus began with the gathering of God’s people for worship, an emphasis on fellowship, and engaging with our community,” Bill says.
COVENANT MAGAZINE
Winter 2005-06
20
As the U.S. Population Expands in West, Alumni See Need and Go
involve either attacking the culture or fading into retreat.
As they have grown as a church body, they have
“One thing we have emphasized since the beginning
continued to cherish less being more. “We are about simplicity not for the sake of simplicity, but for the
of All Saints Church is that our goal is not to critique the
sake of clarity,” Bill says. “We want people to know
culture but to dialogue with people,” Bill says. “We need
that the Gospel frees them from the frenetic pace
to address the issues people are wrestling with and seek to serve them.”
of the world around them. In Christ we are being redeemed from the bondage of things that lead people to fret away years of their lives.” Interestingly enough, Bill serves a community comprised of many former Californians. Next to Silicon Valley in California, Austin is the largest hub of high-tech industry in the United States. It is also the No. 2-rated city in the United States in which to start a business. All of this makes Austin unique in Texas. “Austin really has as much in common culturally with California as with the rest of Texas,” Bill says. As a native of Mississippi, Bill did not grow up in a context like that of Texas or California. But, the eight years he spent as the Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) Campus Minister for the University of Texas at Austin has firmly connected him to families all over the West and given him a heart to continue to serve there. Even with Bill’s RUF background, All Saints is not a monolithic congregation made up of only young people. Rather, it is made up of people with diverse backgrounds and interests. But this diversity makes their body richer.
One out of four Covenant Seminary graduates plants a church within
ment happening. “The main thing those out-
eight years of graduation.
side of the church are looking for is the kind
In addition to Mark Kuiper
of picture reflected in the lives of people who
and Bill Boyd, the following is a sampling of other alumni who are planting churches around the U.S.
are part of the church,” Bill says. “People sense where there is self-righteousness and where there is a freedom to engage.”
Your prayers for their
Recently, All Saints hosted Jerram
ministries are appreciated.
Barrs, Professor of Christian Studies and
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Mike McLaughlin (M.Div.’02) SEATTLE, WASH. Andre Lewis (M.Div.’04) COLUMBUS, OHIO Greg Blosser (M.Div.’02) KALAMAZOO, MICH. Marc Swan (M.Div.’01) CHAMPAIGN/URBANA, ILL. Dave Thomas (M.Div.’03) WEST LEBANON, N.H. Chris Accardy (M.Div.’00) PORTLAND, MAINE Per Almquist (M.Div.’99) LA PLATA, MD. Jamie MacGregor (M.Div.’98) HARTSVILLE, S.C. David McIntosh (M.Div.’00)
All Saints also has the opportunity to celebrate the vibrant arts community in
Serving in this highly secularized culture can be difficult. But Bill sees cultural engage-
POOLER, GA. John Fender (M.Div.’02)
Contemporary Culture and Francis A. Schaeffer Institute Resident Scholar, as a guest speaker to help equip church members in understanding more about their culture in order to serve their neighbors. These days, All Saints gathers weekly at the end of their worship service around the three-point line in the gymnasium where they meet. They stand in a circle to receive the Lord’s Supper. It is there that the basics of what it means to be a Christian, to live as a church, and to embrace all who come their way, are tangibly felt. “We come from a lot of different backgrounds in this congregation, and Jesus breaks down the dividing wall,” Bill says. “It is encouraging to see people emphasize what they have in common in Christ instead of their differences. We need each other.” Bill also hopes to see more churches planted in the Austin area. There is a large
Austin as these artists contribute to the church’s congregational life. In addition to being the capital
Latino population to serve in their city, and more people
of Texas, Austin’s claim to fame is being the Live Music
are relocating there from all over the country. Along with
Capital of the World. “Living in Austin means that you get
the Southwest Church Planting Network, All Saints is
all the benefits and challenges of a creative and sometime
ready to receive them and help them sing a new song in
narcissistic culture,” Bill says. But he regularly communicates
a music city. ■
that the means of reaching out to their culture does not
www.covenantseminary.edu
21
Training Servants of the Triune God
INTERCESSOR the
As Covenant Seminary exists to train servants of the triune God to walk with God, to interpret and communicate God’s Word, and to lead God’s people, we recognize the importance of prayer to guide and continue the mission. While much of our training takes place in one geographic area as students relocate for study, the mission continues in the lifetime of ministry that the Lord grants as people move on from Covenant Seminary. Therefore, prayer for the Seminary and its mission reflects this local, national, and global scope. We are grateful for your prayers for Covenant Seminary. We hope that this prayer calendar, which can be prayed through during the winter months, will help focus your thoughts and prayers for the Seminary, its students, and alumni. As the color key indicates, the dark squares share campus concerns, the medium squares national concerns, and the white squares international concerns.
Begin to pray this week that the moments of your life may themselves become prayers. Whether they are in the joy of a birthday party, in the weariness that comes from labor, in the majesty of the setting sun or in the pain that comes with tears. Pray that each in its turn will cause you to lift your voice to him. –from Disciplines for the Inner Life by Bob Benson, Sr. and Michael W. Benson (Thomas Nelson, Inc.), 1989, p. 65.
WINTER 2005-06 Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Week 1
“…the twenty-four elders fell down before him who sits on the throne, and worshiped him who lives for ever and ever. They lay down their crowns before the throne…” (Rev. 4:10).
Pray for students as the Fall semester draws to a close and they take a brief break from studies. Pray that the Lord would use the things students have learned in their studies to plant His truth firmly in their hearts.
Remember all those who have been affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Pray for the relief efforts to be productive in meeting the many needs of individuals and families who are residents in the storm-torn areas.
Pray for the writing projects of the Covenant Seminary faculty. Pray that these projects would become a blessing to many far beyond the Seminary campus. Pray for Dr. Philip Douglass, Associate Professor of Practical Theology, as he works to complete a book on church personalities.
The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is November 13, 2005. Pray for Christians living in lands where they are risking their lives or wellbeing to live out their faith. Pray for Covenant Seminary alumni serving in such locations.
Praise God for the pastors and ministry leaders who came to campus for the Connect Conference. Thank the Lord for their service to congregations around the country. Pray that the conference time would continue to be a blessing to them and their congregations.
“Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them” (Ps.111:2).
Please pray for Covenant Seminary’s Center for Ministry Leadership as its staff ministers to pastors and seeks a deeper understanding of the pastoral experience. Pray that these efforts would facilitate pastors being rooted in grace for a lifetime of ministry.
Pray for Peter Dishman (M.Div.’05) as he begins a Reformed University Fellowship ministry to serve National Autonomous University of Mexico, the world’s largest university. Specifically, pray for fruit to come from the ministry’s Wednesday afternoon Bible study.
Pray for the Youth in Ministry Institute’s guest speaker, Walt Mueller, as he leads a seminar on Nov. 12, 2005, designed to help parents and anyone involved with youth understand today’s youth culture.
Pray for Covenant Seminary alumni and others who are serving as military chaplains in Iraq, including Jeffrey Dillard (M.Div.’92) and Thomas MacGregor (M.Div.’83). Pray for peace and for the progress of the Gospel in this country.
As Veterans’ Day is recognized during the month of November, give thanks for the men and women who have sacrificed to serve in the United States military. Pray for current Covenant Seminary students who are preparing to be military chaplains, including Jonathan Entrekin (M.Div.’06).
“Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).
Give thanks for Alex Martinez (M.A.T.S.’07), who has begun leading an international men’s group at Covenant Seminary. Pray for this cross-cultural fellowship to prepare these men to serve as leaders of the worldwide church.
Pray for a suitable location in the St. Louis community to hold regular meetings of Friday Nights@the Institute (Francis Schaeffer Institute). Pray that this ministry will continue to help seminarians gain discernment and serve as salt and light in society.
Pray for your local church. Pray for effective conflict resolution where needed. Pray that Covenant Seminary’s January course on “Peacemaking in Practice” will support peacemaking in congregations and other ministries.
Pray for Dr. Hans Bayer as he prepares and travels to teach on Christian discipleship in Germany in January. (See page 28 for more information.)
Thank the Lord for Luciano (M.Div.’02) and Luciene (M.A.T.S.’01) Pires, who serve college students and aid in theological education in Goiania, Brazil. Give thanks for the “next generation” of Brazilian students at Covenant Seminary, including Gustavo Formenti (M.Div.’08).
“We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him” (Matt. 2:2).
Pray for those countries which do not even know of Christmas. Ask God to send His people to carry His light into their darkness.
Pray for students who are beginning their seminary studies during the second semester of the 2005-06 school year. Pray for their transition to life in St. Louis and into the Seminary community. Pray that they would quickly find a supportive network of friendships and a church.
Pray for individuals and families around the nation and world who are seeking to discern whether God is calling them to Covenant Seminary. Ask God to raise up faithful messengers to a dark and needy world.
Ask God to clearly guide December graduates as they transition to new callings through which to bring glory to the Lord around the world.
Pray for Covenant Seminary alumni who are planting churches. Pray for protection and growth in depth and breadth of these new congregations.
✁
Monday
Week 2
Praise
International
Week 3
Sat/Sun
National
Week 4
Campus
M.Div. Master of Divinity; M.A. Master of Arts; M.A.C. Master of Arts in Counseling; G.C. Graduate Certificate; Th.M. Master of Theology; D.Min. Doctor of Ministry
www.covenantseminary.edu
23
Training Servants of the Triune God
HUMAN CLONING: A Monster in the Making?
As a child, I loved science-fiction movies. Perhaps my favorite picture was Hollywood’s rendition of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. However, Shelley’s story and Hollywood’s portrayal of Frankenstein are quite different. In the original story, Frankenstein is the scientist who
successful in cloning a sheep which they affectionately
creates a human-like creature. The creature wants to
named Dolly. However, nearly 30 years earlier, Wilmut’s
be treated as a member of the human race. He is lonely
cloning exploits were preceded by an American geneticist
because he is not accepted by other human beings, and
named Joshua Lederberg. Lederberg, a Nobel Laureate,
makes demands on his creator to create a mate for him
successfully cloned tadpoles. It was obvious from Lederberg’s
after “his likeness.” Ironically, Frankenstein, the scientist,
writings in The American Naturalist and The Washington Post
is initially “unable to overcome [his] repugnance” to grant
that he had motives which ultimately involved human
the creature’s wish. When the creature’s attempts to be
cloning. Lederberg favored using human cloning to fuel a
regarded as a human fail, he becomes enraged and wreaks
eugenics2 movement. According to Leon Kass, “[Lederberg]
havoc. He curses his creator and wishes he was never
suggested that cloning could help us overcome the unpre-
created. The creature loathes his deformity and his very
dictable variety that still rules human reproduction, and
existence. The creature becomes a monster!
allow us to benefit from perpetuating superior genetic
1
endowments.” 3 Lederberg saw human cloning as a way to
What are the intended and unintended consequences of human cloning...?
rid society of undesirables while perpetuating a superior race of people. We must recognize that Lederberg’s work, and more recently that of Wilmut, makes human cloning an imminent possibility.
Today, we must ask if a cloned human being would face
What Is Human Cloning?
the same dilemma. What are the intended and unintended
Simply put, human cloning is the process of “Xeroxing” an
consequences of human cloning if such a practice is
individual. Theoretically, clonists promise that the clone will
allowed to go uncensored? Would cloned persons be met
be genetically identical to another human being who serves
with indifference or disdain? Would they curse their creators?
as the somatic cell donor. The clone will have the same fin-
Undoubtedly, cloned persons would come with disabilities.
gerprint, same temperament, same dispositions, etc., as this
Is our society ready to care for them? Or would they become
cell donor. However, this idea of duplicating another indi-
another marginalized class?
vidual is still theoretical because it has not been proven. In
Human Cloning: A Real Possibility
order to understand hindrances to the possibility of human
In 1996, Englishman Ian Wilmut and his colleagues were
cloning, one must be acquainted with the cloning process.
COVENANT MAGAZINE
Winter 2005- 06
24
Human Cloning: A Monster in the Making?
What Is the Process for Cloning a Human Being?
LUKE BOBO (M.DIV.’03)
The process for cloning a human is conceptually quite
Assistant Dean for Training Ministries; Director, Francis A. Schaeffer Institute; and Executive Board Member, St. Louis Center for Bioethics and Culture
simple, involving five steps: 1) First, one needs an egg. Willing females are injected with a hormone to “superovulate”, thus producing a large quantity of eggs (20 to 30). A woman typically
inevitably will influence the
produces 15 to 20 eggs per cycle. From this ample
identity of the cloned person.
supply, eggs are harvested surgically.
Additionally, the cloned person’s
2) Operating from a Petri dish, a clinician carefully
environment – both the environment of the uterus and his
punctures an ovum, or unfertilized egg, and removes
or her social environment – will also play a role in the
its nucleus. The nucleus contains the hereditary mate-
cloned person’s identity. So the true identity of the cloned
rial, or genetic blueprint, that makes an individual
human will be an eclectic mix of the somatic cell donor’s
uniquely different from another individual. For
DNA, his or her environments, and the DNA of the woman
instance, the nucleus contains the coding for eye and
who donated the egg.
hair color, height, and any medical predispositions.
Why the Interest in Human Cloning?
3) Inserted in the place of the removed nucleus is genetic
There are at least three reasons for the growing interest
material of the person to be cloned or duplicated; that
in human cloning. The primary interest is strictly for
is, the human somatic cells. This genetic material might
scientific research. This explains why scientists are lobbying
be a skin, hair, or muscle cell, since all cells contain
for access to nearly 400,000 frozen embryos now in storage –
the same genetic footprint. This third step is known as
an unintended consequence of in vitro fertilization.
somatic cell nuclear transfer. Because the somatic cell
Some scientists claim that stem cells harvested from an
comes equipped with a full set of chromosomes, the
embryo offer the most promise for curing diseases such as
modified egg behaves as though it is fertilized. At this
Parkinson’s, cancer, diabetes, and others. Some scientists
stage, we arrive at a clonal zygote.
desire to clone a human embryo for the sole purpose of
4) This clonal zygote is subjected to an electrical shock
harvesting the stem cells and then coaxing these cells to
stimulus, which creates cell division. Cell division
become replacement healthy organs or cells for defective
creates one clonal embryo. At this juncture, two
ones in sick humans.
options are presented: the cloned embryo can be used
However, the research actually shows that adult stem
as a source of embryonic stem cells, or the cloned
cells offer the best promise for becoming virtually every kind
embryo can be used to produce what is hoped to be
of human cell. Thus, there is the potential to address the
a genetic twin of the somatic cell donor.
above diseases without the need for cloning or embryonic
5) Assuming a cloned baby is desired, the fifth step
stem cells. Using adult stem cells instead of embryonic stem
involves implantation of the cloned embryo in a
cells means that we prevent the harvesting of stem cells from
woman’s uterus, where it follows the normal human
a little person and then discarding him or her.
development process – becoming a blastocyst, a fetus,
Second, many seek the services of clonists to “recover a
and then, finally, a baby.
terrible loss or simply have a baby.” 4 For instance, one father
Is Human Cloning Possible?
who lives in Western Europe is seeking the services of clone
Whether or not it is possible to make an exact copy of a
specialists to recover a son lost to disease. This client was
human being is still unknown. Although the clone is
proactive in keeping tissue samples from his son’s body.
intended to be of only one person, the genetic materials
Another bereft father remarks, “My wife is 38 years old.
from two people are actually involved (the somatic cell
We had three children. Unfortunately, the two youngest
donor and the egg donor). The egg donor’s genetic material
children were killed in a house fire last year. They were
www.covenantseminary.edu
25
Training Servants of the Triune God
Human Cloning: A Monster in the Making?
3 and 5 years old. We approached [a clonist] about the
people always panic. Then everybody loves it.
possibility of cloning our lost children.” Additionally,
[Human] cloning will be the same.” 8 Those who
cloning is touted as an alternative for infertile couples
profess a belief in God, who hold to a Christian
who desperately want to have a baby.
worldview, cannot become apathetic and allow the
5
The third reason for a growing interest in cloning is
advance of the human cloning agenda without protest.
our innate obsession with imposing our wants and desires
For God, who intervened in this world, has called
on our children. We see this in a milder form when parents
His people to push back the effects of the fall. 2) Resist the consumerist tendency to commodify.
persuade their children to pursue sports, play musical instruments, or attend certain colleges in order to fulfill
Human cloning will offer made-to-order children,
the parent’s frustrated dreams about his or her life. Human
not begotten children. Our offspring will become
cloning will give parents the ultimate opportunity to work
commodities for our own manipulation and fancy.
their wants and desires on the very identity of their children.
Human cloning will depersonalize the procreation
Kass has labeled this “parental despotism.” Rather than
process. In our consumer-oriented society, a parent
leaving the future of our offspring in the hands of a loving
can have a child his or her way. Do we have enough
6
and purposeful God, human cloning will afford parents or
knowledge or prudence to make such decisions?
clone proponents the power to control the future of their
Gilbert Meilaender writes, “We are the people who
offspring. Human cloning will give parents the ability to be
will be using the advances in genetics and whose
like God. Remember that this was the very temptation Satan
wisdom and virtue must be trusted. What kind of people are we?.... We have entered a new era of eugenics.
offered Adam and Eve in the garden.
That science which attempts to improve the inherited
How can we promise that cloned human beings will be identical to their somatic cell donors?... Can we outdo God?
characteristics of the species and which had gone so suddenly out of fashion after World War II and the Nazi doctors now climbs steadily back toward respectability.” 9 Additionally, Christians must carefully consider the means and the ends of this branch of scientific research – namely, the manufacture or
What Is a Christian Response?
commodification of human embryos for the purpose of
1) Do not suppress wisdom. Kass describes that innate
using them as “raw material” or “spare parts” in hopes
gut feeling or “emotional expression of deep wisdom” 7
of curing diseases. Do the ends justify the means?
that judges something or someone as offensive or
3) Get educated. God has called His people to respect-
repugnant. Kass has called this response “the wisdom
fully and winsomely engage the world. As such,
of repugnance.” He argues that we must not suppress
we are called to educate ourselves about culture.
this inner voice of wisdom lest we spiral down to our
We must understand the language of the biotechnical
peril. Rather, we must heed the call of wisdom. The
community. Pastors and Christian educators are also
thought of someone tampering with God’s procreation
called to equip the flock not only by interpreting the
process should repulse us. We should recoil at the very
biotechnology culture, but also by enlightening the
prospect of the unlimited possibilities that human
flock on the worldview and behavior of this subcul-
cloning will create. Consider, for example: father-son
ture. Consider these questions that a Sunday School
twins and mother-daughter twins. Consider how a
class might discuss
cloned child is robbed of his or her individuality.
a) What are the benefits of cloning a human being?
However, I am afraid that, as a society, we will become
b) What are the intended and unintended
apathetic to such actions. Brian Alexander writes,
consequences of cloning a human being?
“When some new [medical] technique comes out,
COVENANT MAGAZINE
Winter 2005- 06
c) How can we promise that cloned human beings
26
Human Cloning: A Monster in the Making?
will be identical to their somatic cell donors?
very least, Christians should have dialogued about these
Identical twins, made through the natural repro-
“unintended consequences.” Likewise, we must be ready to
ductive process, are identical in appearance –
address both the intended and unintended consequences
but other elements of their lives can be quite
of human cloning. We cannot afford to repeat history. Consider this bone-chilling prediction from C.S. Lewis
different. Can we outdo God? d) A cloned baby will undoubtedly have known
about what will happen if we remain silent and passive
and unknown deformities – how will parents
about human cloning. He wrote “In reality…if any one
deal with this?
age really attains, by eugenics and scientific education, the power to make its descendents what it pleases, all men who
e) A cloned baby is not a genetic twin of the somatic cell donor. He or she will inherit genetic
live after are the patients of that power.”10 Will we as God’s
material from both the donor egg and the somat-
people be His representatives? Will we serve to preserve
ic cell donor. So whose child will he or she be?
the humanity of future generations? Will we suppress our
4) Be engaged world citizens. God calls His people
fright over such an endeavor as human cloning? Even Mary
to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Shelley (the mother of Frankenstein) said this about the
As salty Christians, our role is to push back the effects
monster she dreamed up: “…for supremely frightful would be
of the fall. As light-filled Christians, our role is to give
the effect of any human endeavor to mock the stupendous
guidance to those in darkness. Salty and light-filled
Creator of the world.” 11 ■
Christians are called to bring the truth to bear in all
Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, (New York, NY: Bantam Classics, 1984), 138. Eugenics is the study of improving genetic qualities through selective breeding. 3 Ibid, 17. 4 Brian Alexander, “(You) 2,” Wired Magazine Online, February 2001, http://wired-vig.wired.com/wired/archive/9.02/projectx.html; accessed on October 4, 2005. 5 Ibid. 6 Leon Kass, “Do What Americans Want: Stop Human Cloning Before it Starts?” St. Louis Post Dispatch, December 3, 2001, B7. 7 Leon Kass, “The Wisdom of Repugnance,” The New Republic, June 2, 1997, 20. 8 Brian Alexander, “(You)2.” 9 Gilbert Meilaender, “Designing Our Descendents,” First Things, no. 109 (January 2001): 26. 10 C.S. Lewis, Abolition of Man, (San Francisco, CA: Harper, 1944), 57. 11 “The Birth of Frankenstein,” National Library of Medicine website, February 13, 2002, www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/frankenstein/frank_birth.html; accessed on October 4, 2005. 1
areas of life. Yes, we have a citizenship in heaven, but
2
God calls us to be salt and light in this world – in the board room, laboratory, government, and in the use of medicine and science. As Christians who believe in a sovereign God, our call is not to retreat or “wave the white flag.” Rather, God calls us to take every thought captive to the Word, to arrest evil with the truth of the Gospel. What’s at Stake?
I grew up loving the Lone Ranger television episodes. I recall on numerous occasions that the Lone Ranger told Tonto, “Let’s head them off at the pass.” God is the God of infinite chances to “head evil off at the pass.” God is giving
In addition to the sources quoted in this article, other helpful material available on cloning and bioethics include: Bioethics: A Primer for Christians, 2nd ed., by Gilbert Meilaender (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2004). National Geographic, July 2005. Does God Need Our Help? Cloning, Assisted Suicide, and Other Challenges in Bioethics by John F. Kilner and C. Ben Mitchell (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, May 2003). The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity website: www.cbhd.org The St. Louis Center for Bioethics and Culture website: www.stlcbc.com.
His people another chance to “head biotechnology off at the pass.” Scripture tells us that God opens and closes the womb. God’s Word clearly reveals Him as the one who is sovereign over the affairs of mankind – including procreation. God’s Word also instructs us to care for orphans, widows, foreigners, and others who cannot defend themselves – such as unborn people.
Together, Covenant Theological Seminary and The St. Louis Center for
Today, we can look back at the unintended consequences
Bioethics and Culture are helping medical professionals and ministry
of in vitro fertilization – namely, what to do with these
leaders become better equipped to face current issues in bioethics.
400,000 little persons frozen as a result of this technology?
Call 1.800.264.8064 to learn about the Seminary’s bioethics courses as
Is in vitro fertilization a biotechnology we should have
well as the Graduate Certificate in Bioethics (30 credit units). All courses are scheduled in a block format to accommodate out-of-state students.
“headed off at the pass”? I believe so. I believe that, at the www.covenantseminary.edu
27
Training Servants of the Triune God
news
CAMPUS For a campus calendar, log on to www.covenantseminary.edu. By His Grace, For His Glory Capital Campaign in Early Stages The Fall 2005 Covenant Seminary Board of Trustees Meeting included a gathering to kick off the By His Grace, For His Glory Capital Campaign. This three-year initiative is designed to help meet Covenant Seminary’s ongoing needs for classroom space and administrative offices, as well as underwrite new faculty Chairs. More information about this campaign will be provided in upcoming editions of Covenant magazine. Please contact James McCormick, Campaign Director, for more information (1.800.903.4044).
of Annapolis, Md.; Jock McGregor, Director, L’Abri Fellowship, Rochester, Minn.; William Plott, Assistant Pastor/Young Business Leaders Director, North Cincinnati Community Church; Robert Smith, Associate Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School; David Garner, Mission to the World missionary to Bulgaria; Michael Frazier, U.S. Army Chaplain; William Romanowski, Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences, Calvin College; Jim Bland, Mission to North America Coordinator. To find out more about Covenant Seminary guest speakers, log on to: www.covenantseminary.edu/ calendar.
Faculty Itinerary Robert Peterson, Professor of Systematic Theology, in Collinsville, Ill., preaching weekly for Sunday worship at Hope Presbyterian Church; in Valley Forge, Pa., November 15-17, presenting a paper for the Evangelical Theological Society meeting. Jerram Barrs, Professor of Christian Studies and Contemporary Culture, in San Antonio, Texas, November 11-13, teaching for Redeemer Presbyterian Church; in Memphis, Tenn., Nov. 27, preaching for Independent Presbyterian Church; in Fresno, Calif., January 10, teaching on C.S. Lewis for Sierra View Presbyterian Church.
Meet Me at Covenant Seminary In addition to offering regular courses, each semester numerous guest speakers contribute to the ministry training and resourcing environment at Covenant Seminary. As a sampling of these opportunities for collaboration, the following is a list of individuals who served as guest lecturers in chapel, ministry lunches, or other forums, during the months of September and October: L. Roy Taylor, Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church in America; Danny Kwon, Youth Director, Yuong Sang Presbyterian Church, Horsham, Pa.; Fred Harrell, Pastor, City Church of San Francisco; Joe Novenson, Pastor of Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church, Lookout Mountain, Tenn.; Emily Freeman, recent M.A.E.M. graduate; Sara Mersfelder, congregational life staff person, City Presbyterian Church, Denver, Colo.; Jenny Woodruff, Director of Women’s Ministries, Evangelical Presbyterian Church
COVENANT MAGAZINE
Hans Bayer, Associate Professor of New Testament, in St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 1, preaching for Covenant Presbyterian Church; in Starnberger See, Germany, Jan. 22-24, teaching on discipleship for Wort des Lebens Lay Leaders Seminar.
Renovated community center
Community Space Gets Face-lift
David Calhoun, Professor of Church History, in Dyersburg, Tenn., Nov. 5-6, teaching for Reformation Conference at First Presbyterian Church.
One year ago, Covenant magazine reported that the large classroom space in the Founders wing of Edwards Hall had been converted to serve as a much-needed community center. As a continuation of this project, minor renovations were made to this space over the summer months. The renovations, which included a new coat of paint and café-style furniture, create an atmosphere where students can study, eat, meet, and gain wireless Internet access. A small coffee shop is now located next to the lounge.
Winter 2005- 06
Preparations Underway to Celebrate 50 Years Covenant Seminary is preparing to celebrate the past 50 years of training servants of the triune God! There is much for which to give thanks. A special celebration will accompany graduation for the class of 2006 (May 19, 2006). Additionally, preparations are
28
Philip D. Douglass, Associate Professor of Practical Theology, in India, Jan. 9-18, teaching on church planting. Richard Winter, Professor of Practical Theology, in Los Angeles, Calif., Nov. 9-11, giving chapel messages on perfectionism at Azusa Pacific University; in Minneapolis, Minn., Nov. 18, teaching on perfectionism for the MacLaurin Institute; in Minneapolis, Minn., Nov. 18, teaching on body image at the University of Minnesota; in Rochester, Minn., Nov. 19, lecturing for L’Abri Fellowship; in Northfield, Minn., Nov. 21, teaching on perfectionism for St. Olaf College; in Rochester, Minn., Nov. 21, teaching on perfectionism for Mayo Clinic. Sean Lucas, Assistant Professor of Church History, in St. Louis, Mo., preaching weekly for Sunday worship at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Jay A. Sklar, Assistant Professor of Old Testament, in Valley Forge, Pa., Nov. 15-17, presenting a paper for the Evangelical Theological Society annual meeting; in Philadelphia, Pa., Nov. 19-22, presenting a paper for the Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting.
being made to celebrate at the 2006 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America in Atlanta, Ga., (June 20 to 22, 2006). Watch your mail this Spring for more information and see page 13 to learn about the 50th Anniversary Scrapbook project.
Briefly Stated
Covenant magazine is published by Covenant Theological Seminary, the National Seminary of the Presbyterian Church in America. The purpose of Covenant Seminary is to train servants of the triune God to walk with God, to interpret and communicate God’s Word, and to lead God’s people. Volume 20, Number 4. ©2005 Executive Editor David Wicker
L ET T H E
C HURCH Remember
Managing Editor and Writer Eileen O’Gorman Copy Editors Jackie Fogas Rick Matt Betty Porter Circulation Paul Rawlins Photography Mary Jane Grooms Lacour-Niesen Visuals, Inc. Kelly Park Robert Middendorf Design and Production 501creative, inc. Covenant Theological Seminary 12330 Conway Road St. Louis, Missouri 63141 Tel: 314.434.4044 Fax: 314.434.4819 E-mail: covenantmagazine@covenantseminary.edu Visit Covenant Seminary on the Internet at www.covenantseminary.edu Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, ©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. PR05110-02
Theological liberalism begins with a desertion of the testimony – the faith once and for all delivered. But conservative theology can be equally misguided when, in its attempt to uphold the testimony, it deserts the reality of our testimonies – the faith as it has been personally applied to us. The power to offer grace to sinners in the world comes from the presence of this living memory – the memory that God has offered grace upon grace to us. – Dr. Zack Eswine, Assistant Professor of Homiletics
Covenant Theological Seminary 12330 Conway Road Saint Louis, Missouri 63141
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STUDENT PROFI LE
SERVING and Being SERVED Unexpected Blessings During Seminary Years Before Britton (M.Div.’07)
The Woods spent the
and Elizabeth Wood came
years preceding seminary
to Covenant Seminary,
studies as Reformed
they heard about the value
University Fellowship
the Seminary places on
interns for the University
community. But the Woods
of Tennessee, Knoxville,
were unaware of how a
serving with John Stone
community experience
(M.Div.’92). During this
would not only materialize
time, they developed a love
for them, but also become
for serving college students
a support network they
and gained experiences that
strongly needed.
have made seminary courses
During Britton’s first
much richer for Britton.
semester as a Master of
“Suddenly I am able to apply
Divinity student, they
doctrine and find meaning
discovered that they were
in some of our experiences.
expecting twin baby girls. When the twins were born in January
Pieces are coming together,” Britton says. “I can see how what I am
2005, the Woods’ desire to be part of a strong community became
studying works itself out in the church.”
a necessity.
As Britton and Elizabeth consider the road ahead, they desire to
During those early months and continuing today, the Woods
serve in college ministry following graduation. They are convinced
are receiving what they call the “intangibles” of pastoral ministry
that the early adult years are formative in people’s lives. “During
training. “There is a lot a person needs to be prepared for ministry
the college years, many students question the values and ideas they
that cannot be found in a book,” Britton says. “I sensed that I could
were raised with,” Elizabeth says. “This is a natural process because
gain some of those intangibles at Covenant Seminary, and that is
people need to make the beliefs they hold their own.” The Woods
what I have found.”
want to be there to walk through that time with students and offer
Specifically, the intangibles Britton and Elizabeth talk about are community and the accessibility of faculty. The Woods also explain
them the same grace in Christ they have received. The Woods left the university campus nearly two years ago
that this network of people does not stop with those who are on
with a desire to grow as servants in Christ’s Church. Shortly,
the Seminary campus regularly. “People in local churches are
it is likely that they will return to the same type of ministry,
aware of the Seminary, they care about the students and want to
now equipped in new ways to serve and be served by those whom
serve them,” Britton says. Additionally, the Woods experience the
the Lord puts in their community. ■
intangibles of seminary training in relationships with professors. “I have felt very free to talk to my professors and approach them with my questions,” Britton says. COVENANT MAGAZINE
Winter 2005- 06
www.covenantseminary.edu
Training Servants of the Triune God