THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS welcomes you to
The INAUGURATION of
DR. SAMUEL L AMERSON as the fourth PR E S I D E N T of
KNOX THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY F R I DAY, N OV E M B E R 14, 2014 Installation Ceremony, 7:00 p.m. Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church Fort Lauderdale, Florida
DR. D. JAMES KENNEDY, FOUNDER The mission of Knox to “equip servant leaders for effective Reformed ministry that is Christ centered, gospel driven, and mission focused” flows directly from the life and ministry of Knox founder, the late Dr. D. James Kennedy.
“I believe God has raised up Knox Seminary to have both a national and an international impact which will reach and prepare servants of Christ to take the good news of the gospel to our desperately needy world.”
A renowned minister, author, and Christian leader, Dr. Kennedy is remembered for his commitment to evangelism and to taking the salt and light of the gospel into every area of life. He served as senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church for 47 years. The founder of Evangelism Explosion, the world’s most widely used evangelism training program, Dr. Kennedy was also a pioneer in the use of television and radio to bring the light of Christ into the lives of his listeners. The National Religious Broadcasters inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 2005. His desire to equip others to understand and apply the scriptures to all of life led him to found Knox Theological Seminary, a graduate school training Christians for lifelong ministry as pastors, teachers, and missionaries. Dr. Kennedy’s goal in founding the school, he said, “is that Knox Seminary will combine quality academics with a passionate commitment to the sovereignty of God, the inerrancy of His word, the Great Commission, and the Cultural Mandate. Knox graduates will stand for truth without compromise and have a zeal of evangelism.” The Seminary was named for John Knox, whose burden for the salvation of his countrymen prompted his famous, heartfelt prayer, “Lord, give me Scotland, or I die!” Dr. Kennedy hoped that Knox students, inspired by John Knox, would echo that famous prayer for their homelands --and the world.
History
WHO WE ARE Knox Theological Seminary is an evangelical, Reformed seminary founded in 1989 and accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the U.S. and Canada (ATS), the major accrediting association for theological schools. OUR MISSION To equip servant leaders for effective Reformed ministry that is Christ centered, gospel driven, and mission focused. OUR GOAL To prepare leaders of the 21st century, emphasizing the application of Scripture to all aspects of our culture and providing them with excellent academic instruction, guidance in each student’s personal spiritual growth, and hands-on ministry experience. KNOX BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mr. Clark Cochran, Chairman; Mr. William Ashcraft, Vice Chairman; Dr. Peter Alwinson; Dr. Thomas Hendrikse ; Dr. Steven Kitchens; Dr. Ronald Kovack; Mr. Donald Marks; Mr. Rob Matthews; Mr. Doyle Moore; Dr. Ann McClintock; Mr. Daniel Smith; Mr. Kendall Spencer Rev. Rob Pacienza; Rev. Tullian Tchividjian
“Dr. Sam Lamerson has long been recognized by students, alumni, faculty and Board members as the heart and soul of Knox. The entire Knox community can take great joy and confidence in Sam’s love for and commitment to Knox as the Seminary continues to carry out its mission in south Florida and around the world through Knox Online.” Mr. Clark Cochran Chairman of the Board Ruler Elder, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church
DR. SAMUEL L AMERSON Dr. Samuel Lamerson is all Knox: a graduate in the first class, friend and colleague of Knox’s founder, Dr. D. James Kennedy, Pastor at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Professor of New Testament, Dean, and now President. Dr. Lamerson was the Sunday morning preaching and teaching pastor at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church during the illness and after the passing of Dr. D. James Kennedy, from January 2007 until Easter of 2009. Prior to joining the Knox faculty, Dr. Lamerson taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Dr. Lamerson’s teaching philosophy can best be summed up in a quotation from William Butler Yeats; “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” He desires to light a fire in his students that will cause them to become life-long students of the Word of God. He uniquely combines academic research and teaching with over 30 years of pastoral experience, ranging from senior pastor to director of children’s ministries. President Professor of New Testament
Bob Jones University, BA Knox Theological Seminary, MDiv Magna Cum Laude Trinity International University, PhD (Theological Studies)
“I count it a great privilege to serve the Kingdom of God by serving Knox Seminary.”
Dr. Lamerson has contributed in a number of ways to New Testament scholarship. His book English Grammar to Ace New Testament Greek is widely used across the United States in New Testament Greek classes. He has also written articles for the Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible, The Lexham Bible Dictionary, and contributed a chapter to the book New Testament Studies. His published articles have appeared in Quodlibet Journal, Currents in Biblical Research, and American Theological Inquiry. He has written book reviews in the Journal of Biblical Literature, Trinity Journal, and The Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society. He has presented a number of papers at the annual meetings of the Evangelical Theological Society. Dr. Lamerson has been a guest scholar on television specials such as “Who is this Jesus?” and “The Stones Cry Out.” He has taught at seminaries in Kingston, Jamaica; Seoul, Korea; and Beijing, China. His areas of special interest include the parables of Jesus, forgiveness in Second-Temple Judaism, New Testament Greek, and the study of the historical Jesus. Outside of the classroom, Dr. Lamerson maintains an active preaching and teaching schedule in south Florida. When he’s not preaching or teaching, Dr. Lamerson enjoys sleight of hand and juggling. He is married to Cynthia and has two grown children, Charity and Josiah.
President
Fa c u l t y
KNOX RESIDENTIAL FACULTY Dr. Samuel Lamerson – Professor of New Testament, President Dr. Gerald Bray – Distinguished Professor of Historical Theology Dr. Bryan Chapell – Distinguished Professor of Preaching Dr. Michael Allen – D. James Kennedy Associate Professor of Systematic Theology; Dean of Faculty Dr. Jonathan Linebaugh – Associate Professor of New Testament; Dean of Students Dr. Scott Manor – Assistant Professor of Historical Theology; Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Tim Sansbury – Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Theology; Vice President of Administration Dr. Daniel A. Siedell – Associate Professor of Christianity and Culture (Guest Faculty) Mr. Steve Jeck – Lecturer of Christian and Classical Studies Rev. Tullian Tchividjian – Lecturer of Pastoral Theology Emeritus Faculty Dr. Bruce Waltke – Distinguished Professor of Old Testament Emeritus Dr. Warren Gage – Professor of Old Testament Emeritus Dr. Robert Reymond (deceased) – Professor of Systematic Theology Emeritus ADJUNCT FACULTY Dr. Leith Anderson; Dr. Jim Belcher; Dr. Steven W. Brown; Dr. Don Collett; Dr. William Edgar; Dr. Robert W. Evans; Dr. John Frame; Dr. Mark Gignilliat; Dr. Terry Gyger; Dr. Justin Holcomb; Dr. Ron Jenson; Dr. Henry Krabbendam; Dr. Michael Metzger; Dr. Ashley Null; Dr. Haddon Robinson; Dr. Paul Zahl; Rev. Chad Causey
DR. BRYAN CHAPELL, GUEST SPEAKER Distinguished Professor of Preaching Senior Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church Peoria, Illinois
Dr. Bryan Chapell is currently the Senior Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria, IL, and also serves as President Emeritus and an Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology at Covenant Theological Seminary where he served as President from 1994-2012. His teaching career began at Covenant Seminary in 1984 after ten years in pastoral ministry. Prior to becoming President at Covenant, he served for six years as Vice President of Academics and Dean of Faculty. After a long and distinguished career in academics, Dr. Chapell announced in January 2013 that he accepted a call to return to pastoral ministry. Recognized as a leading homiletics professor, Dr. Chapell’s responsibilities at Knox include teaching the introductory preaching courses to master’s-level students and also contributing to the biblical preaching and teaching track in the Doctor of Ministry program. He helps set the tone not only for how preaching is taught, but also for how Knox envisions Christian worship, holiness by grace, and the daily practice of the Christian life. Dr. Chapell has written a number of well-known books such as Christ-Centered Preaching, Christ-Centered Worship, Holiness by Grace, The Hardest Sermons You’ll Ever Have to Preach, and many more. Dr. Chapell and his wife, Kathy, have four children.
Order of Worship
PRELUDE Largo from “Xerxes” G. F. Handel Ein’ Fest Burg Johann Walther
Mr. Mark C. Jones, Organist
*CALL TO WORSHIP PROCESSIONAL HYMN * “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” A mighty fortress is our God, bulwark never failing; our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevaling. For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal. Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabaoth, his name, from age to age the same, and he must win the battle.
Special Guest Mr. Ryan Brasington, Knox Alumnus Director of Worship, Rio Vista Community Church Fort Lauderdale, FL And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us. The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure; one little word shall fell him. That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth; the Spirit and the gifts are ours, thru him who with us sideth. Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still; his kingdom is forever.
Rev. E. Todd Buchner, Knox Alumnus Senior Pastor, Reidville Presbyterian Church Greenville, SC
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
OPENING WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS HYMN OF INVOCATION * “Be Thou My Vision” Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art. Thou my best Thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Dr. Scott Manor Vice President of Academic Affairs Assistant Professor of Church History
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower: Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word; I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord; Thou my great Father, I Thy true son; Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one. Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight; Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise, Thou mine Inheritance, now and always: Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art. High King of Heaven, my victory won, May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
*Please stand if you are able.
SCRIPTURE READING AND PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION Dr. Michael Allen Ephesians 2:17-19 Dean of Faculty D. James Kennedy Associate Professor of Systematic Theology Dr. Bryan Chapell, Senior Pastor Grace Presybterian Church Peoria, IL
THE SERMON “An Expanding Embrace” THE VOWS OF INVESTITURE THE SIGN OF INVESTITURE
Mr. Clark Cochran Chairman of the Board
Dr. Ronald Kovack President Emeritus of Knox Seminary, 2009-2012
PRAYER FOR THE PRESIDENT Dr. Ann McClintock Retired Educator, Board Member CHARGE TO THE PRESIDENT
Dr. Ron Siegenthaler Retired Executive Pastor Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church
CHARGE TO THE KNOX COMMUNITY
Dr. Jonathan Linebaugh Dean of Students Associate Professor of New Testament Rev. Tommy Boland, Knox Alumnus Senior Pastor, Cross Community Church Deerfield Beach, FL
PASTORAL PRAYER
SCRIPTURE READING James 3: 1-5
Dr. Tim Sansbury Vice President of Administration Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Theology
INAUGURAL MESSAGE “The Most Dangerous Job in the World”
Dr. Samuel Lamerson President Professor of New Testament
*THE BENEDICTION
Dr. Samuel Lamerson President Professor of New Testament
Recessional Trumpet Tune in D The Postlude Festive Trumpet Tune
Mr. Mark C. Jones, Organist Mr. David German
Please join us in DeVos Chapel immediately following the ceremony for a reception.