Spring/Summer 2013 Impact by Sioux Falls Seminary

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spring/summer 2013

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pressing forward Presidential Search Update and Prayer Effort

search opens

The search for Sioux Falls Seminary’s next president is currently underway. At the end of June 2013, the Presidential Search Committee began seeking candidates and nominations for the position. Friends and alumni of Sioux Falls Seminary have been asked to consider their possible involvement in the process by joining the seminary community in prayer, nominating a potential candidate, or submitting an application. A presidential search document has been prepared and is available online at sfseminary.edu/ presidentialsearch.

thanks each person who has been praying regularly for the search committee and shares the following prayer requests to be presented to God with thanksgiving: •

Pray for members of the search committee as they begin to consider candidates and nominations;

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Pray for President Hagan and his wife, Barbara, as they transition from the presidency to whatever ministry service God has in store for them next.

In July, President Hagan began his last sabbatical leave with the seminary. A few months earlier than initially planned, the leave is providing him with necessary time for reflection and renewal before he explores other ministry opportunities. An Interim Oversight Team consisting of three local Board of Trustees members is working with the President’s Cabinet to lead the seminary in the immediate future.

Lang said, “In his word, our Lord encourages us to pray: ‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you’ (Matthew 7:7). Please join us in our call to prayer and share this information far and wide with as many people as the Lord lays upon your heart.”

prayer effort

next steps

We ask that you join us in prayer as we search for the future leader of Sioux Falls Seminary. Everyone is invited to pray earnestly about the choice of the seminary’s next president. Alumna Lenore Lang is leading the prayer effort for the seminary community. She Sioux Falls Seminary impact

impact

Reflections on Serving God

Faithful to the Task

In September, the search committee will begin the process of evaluating candidates and nominations. To receive future search briefings and other seminary news, sign up for e-mail updates on our website at www.sfseminary.edu/signup. Spring/Summer 13

impact Sioux Falls Seminary

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from the president faithful to the task: reflections on serving at sioux falls seminary faszer, donaldson awarded emeritus status honor projects pay tribute

alumni in action: reflections on being faithful to the task

alumni spotlight: roger e. olson

a bit of what’s new

alumni updates

Anita Van Veldhuizen and her family live in Tracy, MN, where Anita works as an in-home family counselor for a three-county area. Anita and Denny welcomed a son, Tyson, earlier this year.

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Andrew Paulsen is an Admissions Counselor with the Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy. There he is helping at-risk youth get their lives on track. Dave Stene was ordained on June 2, 2013, at First Baptist Church in Gillette, WY, where he has served as pastor since June 2012. Megan (Stahl) Miller and husband, Bryson, of Pukwana, SD, welcomed son, Jace William, to their family on June 15, 2013.

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Christina Bensen is the Director of bStill Integrative Wellness, where she teaches yoga and Christian spiritual direction. She and her family live in Woodland Park, CO.

Mark Gronseth was ordained as an elder at the Dakotas Annual Conference of the UMC on June 7, 2013. He is serving Breckenridge, MN, and Fairmount, ND, United Methodist Churches. He and wife, Colleen, are living in the parsonage in Breckenridge. Clay Lundberg was commissioned for the work of an elder at the Dakotas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church on June 7, 2013. He is the Associate Pastor of Brookings, SD, First United Methodist Church, where he serves in the areas of youth ministry, preaching, and worship leadership. Rob Salmonson was commissioned for the work of an elder at the Dakotas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church on June 7, 2013. He is serving as pastor of Flandreau and Egan, SD, United Methodist Churches. He and wife, Vicki, live in Flandreau.

submit updates online

sfseminary.edu/alumni

Sioux Falls Seminary impact

11 staying in touch alumni section 14 pressing forward

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Rev. Dr. Richard A. Ward died September 26, 2012. He earned his doctorate at the seminary. He was a pastor for 31 years at churches throughout South Dakota and also worked as an adjunct professor at several universities. He is survived by his wife, Lois; a son, Al (Joye) Ward; four grandchildren; and three sisters.

Left to right: Brittany, Jim, Caleb, Alyssa, and Julie.

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James Vollmer (52), his wife, Julie (48), and their children Alyssa (16) and Caleb (13) were killed in a one-vehicle crash on February 23, 2013. The family lived in Sioux Falls, where they were members of Trinity Baptist Church. Jim was a social worker for Avera Health. They are survived by daughter Brittany, who is a student at Northwestern College in Orange City, IA.

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10 sfs event calendar The impact is published by Sioux Falls Seminary two times per year for the benefit of the seminary community, friends, alumni, and supporters. Additional news and event information is distributed by e-mail throughout the year. To sign up for our electronic news list, please register at www.sfseminary.edu/signup.

in memoriam

Several Sioux Falls Seminary alumni were either commissioned or ordained at the Dakotas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church on June 7, 2013, in Bismarck, ND. Pictured (from left to right): Sara Nelson (‘10), Mark Gronseth (‘13), Thom Bowsher (‘10), Clay Lundberg (‘13), Rob Salmonson (‘13), and Gwen Mader (‘10).

Orin James Striegler of Kenosha, WI, passed away on July 24, 2013. His first career was as a salesman for Culligan Water System, but heart problems in 1990 prompted him to pursue his M.Div. and go into fulltime ministry. Jim served First Congregational Church in Humboldt, SD; Grace Church, Sioux Falls, SD; First Baptist Church, Minot, ND; and Immanuel Baptist Church, Kenosha, WI. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Kathy. 13

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alumni updates

Dr. G. Michael Hagan, President of Sioux Falls Seminary

at First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls for the past year.

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Several seminary graduates from the 1960’s gathered in May 2013 at the Retired Christian Workers Retreat in Sumas, WA, to celebrate their years in ministry. Pictured (left to right) in the top row are: Bill Neuman (‘63), Dick Paetzel (‘63), Milton Zeeb (‘60), Ken Schmuland (‘60), Ron Mayforth (‘63), LeRoy Kiemele (‘63), Don Decker (‘63), and Dave Priestley (‘62). Pictured in the bottom row (left to right) are: Gene Kern (‘66), Fred Penner (‘62), Wilf Weick (‘65), Al Harsch (‘61), Wally Kroguletz (‘63), and John Hisel (‘64).

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Elder at the 2013 Dakotas Annual Conference and began an appointment at Perham-Dent United Methodist Parish in Perham, MN.

Melissa Hiatt has been working as a Chaplain Resident at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Sioux Falls since September 2012 to meet the requirements in Clinical Pastoral Education for board certification as a chaplain.

Mike Goldade is serving as a co-part-time pastor at Napoleon Baptist Church in Napoleon, ND.

Steve Behrens is now serving Steele/Tuttle/Robinson United Methodist Churches in North Dakota.

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Tammy Buseman is the Director of Hospice of Mercy in Marion, IA, where she previously served as a chaplain.

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Susan O’Connell has retired from her ministry at Flandreau and Egan, SD, UMC.

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Gerald Bass served Wesley UMC in Grand Forks, ND, for the past 8 years. He transitioned to the status of Retired Full Sioux Falls Seminary impact

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Nola Conner and Scott Conner ‘08 are the parents of a baby girl, Emmy Grace, born on April 1, 2013.

‘08

Bob Duemig is serving at the Belle Fourche, SD, United Methodist Church.

‘09

David Penn, his wife, Allison, and their children, Natalie and Jonah, are moving to Boston, MA, where David has been accepted into a Ph.D. program in theology at Boston University. David has been serving as the Youth Coordinator

Thomas Bowsher was ordained as an elder at the 2013 Dakotas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church on June 7. He is serving Flame of Faith UMC in West Fargo, ND. Sarah (Hagan) Loane and husband, Rob, of Sioux Falls, SD, welcomed a son, Elliot Thomas, on March 9, 2013. Sarah is a coordinator for Gateway Teams, an organization that helps churches participate in short-term missions. Gwen Mader was ordained as an elder at the Dakotas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church on June 7, 2013. She is serving Dell Rapids UMC in Dell Rapids, SD. Sara Nelson was ordained as an elder at the Dakotas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church on June 7, 2013. She is the Associate Pastor at First UMC in Watertown, SD. Christina O’Hara is the new halftime Canon of Lifelong Formation at Calvary Episcopal Cathedral in Sioux Falls, SD. She also serves as the Children and Youth Ministry Coordinator at Church of the Good Shepherd in Sioux Falls, SD.

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Jenna Hoff has secured 100% funding for her position at Mental Health Grace Alliance in Waco, TX, and is now working full time. She and husband, Kyle, are looking forward to the arrival of their first baby in October.

from the

president 4:2). Trustworthiness found faithful” (1 Cor. be y the t tha rds wa of ste d president at Sioux “Moreover, it is required as a professor, academic vice president, an en you read e tim on a final sabbatical wh be l wil I . marks a steward. My ars ye 29 er s. ng to a close aft rd of my responsibilitie Falls Seminary is comi might be a faithful stewa I t tha en be s ha r ye this note. My pra h taught life and word wit ring my years here. I du s ng my thi of ul e erf us nd ca wo be rd me wo God asked me to do so rld and who love God’s serving all over the wo nsition time for theologiw tra no ult are fic o dif a wh gh nts ou de thr t stu en sid pre as d students, emphasis as dean an delivery systems, older excitement for it. I led w ne h ological wit ure fut a o ved int our site as a hub for the ing us of y ph so cal education. We mo ilo ph al —equipping d a new education t continues on mission tha try nis on core curriculum, an mi s thi for s ds and friend learning. We raised fun gdom of God. Kin the for servant leaders s and many difficult me moments of sadnes so me ca hs mp triu d an God walked with us. With the celebrations days, but joy came as the all fill t no did ss decisions. Happine und the globe. Jon, nds serve our Lord aro frie e es Th . ce rvi se in the , Bill, Ben—just to name Friendships developed rson, Gregg, Kelly, Mike Ge , mi Izu e, nc ed upon stories, La rd, Go rneys taken, stories pil jou nts Jeff, Daryl, Gretchen, ou rec me na g, but every a few. The list is too lon through lives that transform the world. rk wo d’s Go testimonies to my st was that no matter task, what I learned mo mpanion reminding me the to ul thf fai nd fou co While I attempted to be has been my constant faithful. 2 Corinthians the “surpassing power ed t ain tha ), rem 4:1 d r. Go Co s, (2 ort eff rcy me d’s Go of e recommendation (2 try becaus t “you” are our letter of that we have this minis tha d an ), 4:7 r. Co (2 ” t to us belongs to God and no ). Cor. 3:2 and press forward ). Let’s rejoice in that 3:5 r. Co (2 us ls tel ul God,” Pa “Our sufficiency is from thful One. fai the to ile sm to bring a

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Faithful to the Task

Thoughts on 29 years of teaching and leading

reflections

on serving at Sioux Falls Seminary

You’ve said you strived to be a faithful steward while at Sioux Falls Seminary. What are some of the things that helped you stay faithful to your responsibilities? Hagan: I found several consistent themes that

sustained me. The first was to spend quality time in prayer and Bible study. Even as president, I continued the practice. I often journaled what God was saying to me in those times. The second was the friendships from faculty, administration, and friends from outside the seminary who were unafraid to speak truth into my life. Third were the graduates who wrote, called, or e-mailed with reports on their lives and ministries, questions, issues, etc. They reminded me why we were working so hard. When any temptation to do less than keep on target would come up, these things sustained me.

Share some of the rewards from your time as a professor, a dean, and a president.

A Conversation with Outgoing President Dr. G. Michael Hagan Sioux Falls Seminary impact

Hagan: As a professor, the greatest rewards came through feedback, sometimes years later, on how a student had used something in class or from a lecture, discussion, or assignment to impact their ministry. These include sermons from the psalms class and perspectives gained in class used in a discussion at a Bible study. A lot of times, the feedback has been from my attitude that came out in the student’s life or verbiage, and they could trace it back to me.

Staying in Touch alumni updates, news, and prayer requests

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Daniel Kolke is sharing his collection of writings, sermons, articles, pictures, and more online through his blog: www.kolke.com/ stop_and_think. He has served as a pastor, teacher, and author and holds three post-graduate degrees in Biblical studies.

‘62

Allen Gerber completed his ministry as interim pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Parkersberg, IA, this spring and began an interim post at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Fargo, ND.

‘72

Irwin Kujat began serving as an interim pastor at Balgonie Baptist Church in Balgonie, SK, on March 1, 2013.

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Roger E. Olson was appointed to the new Foy Valentine Chair of Ethics at Baylor University in January 2013. He has taught theology and ethics there since 1999 and is the author of numerous books on theology and Christian ethics.

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Eriberto (Eddie) Soto is a Parish Associate at First Presbyterian Church USA of Gainesville, FL, working in the areas of pastoral care, missions, and theological education. He travels there four days each week from his home in Jacksonville, FL, an hour and a half away. Eddie and wife, Marcia, have a new grandson, Ayden Scott Nishimoto, born this spring. In July, Eddie traveled to Esteli, Nicaragua, on a mission trip.

‘83

Paul Keller is the interim Part-time Lead Pastor at Bethel Community Church in Missoula, MT.

‘84

Sunandkumar Samuel has retired from Beresford-Zion UMC after serving churches throughout South Dakota since 1984.

‘88

Karsten Gebauer has served in various churches for the past 25 years and is currently a pastor in Wuppertal, Germany.

‘87

Bruce Adams was inducted into the Dakotas UMC Annual Conference Youth Workers Hall of Fame in June 2013. Bruce’s long history of ministering to youth includes his service as Conference Coordinator of Youth Ministry at the time the Dakotas Conference was created. He is currently pastor of Mandan United Methodist Church in Mandan, ND.

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Gerald Stolp is newly retired. He and wife, Carolyn, are looking forward to spending more time with family and watching their grandchildren in all their activities. They live in Salem, SD. 11

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sfs event

calendar

the

September

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september reminder

Request Advent Booklets, Seminary Sunday Inserts In September, churches will receive request forms for Advent booklets and Seminary Sunday inserts. After publication, the pieces will also be available online for download.

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During your 12 years as president, there were a lot of changes for Sioux Falls Seminary. What is closest to your heart and why?

156th Academic Year Begins 8:00 a.m., SFS, 2100 S. Summit Avenue

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Fall Convocation Dr. Rhoda Carpenter, Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible, will deliver the address Reflections on a Key, Two Goats, and Life in Community, based on texts from Leviticus 16 and Hebrews. 11:30 a.m., Chapel of Reconciliation, Augustana College

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Dean’s Chapel and Community Meal Academic Vice President and Dean, Dr. Ron Sisk, will preach. New students will be introduced, and scholarship recipients will be recognized. Community meal to follow, $4/person. 11:30 a.m., SFS, Room 102/Lobby, 2100 S. Summit Avenue

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January Term 2014 January Term offers a unique opportunity for pastors, friends, and alumni interested in learning more about various subjects and disciplines. This month of short-term intensive courses provides ample opportunity for individuals to meet their continuing/lifelong education needs. Schedule forthcoming. SFS, 2100 S. Summit Avenue

Autumn Retreat Students and faculty are invited to “Come and Find Rest” at the 2013 Autumn Retreat. No daytime classes will be held on Thursday, September 19, to encourage attendance. 9:00 a.m. - Noon, Swan Lake Christian Camp, Viborg, SD

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February

Hagan: It is a biblical reality that God always prepared the people he called to specific ministries. That has not changed. Sioux Falls Seminary has a purpose in equipping God’s servants that continues today. As long as we remain on target, we have a bright future. We need to make sure how we approach the preparing task is pleasing to the Lord. Seminaries are not that old in the history of the church. We will survive when everything we do fulfills our responsibility of preparing people to make disciples for the Lord.

Spring 2014 Semester Begins 8:00 a.m., SFS, 2100 S. Summit Avenue

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Morning of Prayer Time to be announced, SFS, 2100 S. Summit Avenue

Information Coming Soon! 2014 Hiller Lectureship

You’ll want to join us for the 2014 Hiller Lectureship. Visit sfseminary.edu in the upcoming weeks for speaker and date announcements.

Sioux Falls Seminary impact

more online sfseminary.edu/events

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Open House for President Mike Hagan Join us in personally thanking President Mike Hagan for 29 years of service to Sioux Falls Seminary. Open to the public. 4-6:00 p.m., SFS, Lobby, 2100 S. Summit Avenue

Hagan: The students remain closest to my heart. It became increasingly more difficult to connect with them when I was not in the classroom, but many of my best memories as president go back to interactions with our students. Perhaps almost as close, and maybe closer in recent years, have been the friendships with donors, friends, and board members of the seminary. What would you like to say about the mission and future of Sioux Falls Seminary?

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As dean, I instituted the Master of Arts in Bible and Theology and have seen a number of students go on to do advanced degree work and teaching with the degree. The move toward contextual learning began to impact our curriculum and faculty then. A great reward as president came from embracing a larger view of the Kingdom of God by enlarging our welcome to a wider constituency.

Your service to Sioux Falls Seminary represents 29 years of your journey. What did God lay on your heart in regard to teaching and seminary education and how do you sense God’s movement in your life now?

Hagan: I was fulfilled as a professor as I found much joy going deeper and deeper into the text of the Bible— allowing it to become more impactful to me. However, I became convinced that the joy found in the deeper relationship with God grew out of the in-depth study and not in the academics itself. I changed my classes to be more meaningful to fulfilling the Great Commission and the Great Commandment from the perspective of the First Testament. Then as dean and president, I advocated a shift across the institution to focus on ministry, not academics. I used language that reflected my convictions— ministry preparation rather than theological education, for example. Hires came from ministry contexts, not merely academic ones. In addition, the greatest impact from my ministry time at the seminary came from mentoring. The classroom and the seminary provided the platform, but my life interacting with the life of another person had the greatest impact. How’s God moving in my life now? I’ve become open to not only teaching in an academic setting but also in the church context. I don’t know where that might lead, but many churches need to go deeper, and people need mentoring. I still want to make an investment in lives that will have an ongoing impact for God’s work.

Join us:

Open House Celebration in honor of Dr. Hagan’s 29 years of service

Friday, September 27, 2013 4-6:00 p.m. Sioux Falls Seminary Lobby Send letters of thanks to Dr. Hagan: SFS, 2100 S. Summit Ave., Attn: Carol Woltjer, Sioux Falls, SD 571 05. Letters should arrive no later than September 20, 2013.

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Faszer, Donaldson awarded

Emeritus status

Dr. Ted Faszer On Saturday, May 25, Professors Ted Faszer and Del Donaldson participated in their last commencement service as full-time faculty members. To their surprise, they were both awarded emeritus status for their service and dedication to Sioux Falls Seminary and its students. Although they concluded their formal teaching careers with the seminary on June 30, 2013, both have left a lasting impression on students, staff, and alumni. We reflect now on their combined 56 years of service as professors and look forward to their contributions in their new emeritus roles.

Professor of Christian education and church music emeritus 36 Years of Service Dr. Faszer ministered to countless individuals through his gift of music. He is perhaps best known for creating an advent tradition for many in and around Sioux Falls through his leadership of the Sioux Falls Seminary Community Choir in an annual performance of Handel’s Messiah. In his thirty-six years as a faculty member, he also developed Christian disciples for the church and for the ministries of Christ. Faszer taught in the areas of Christian Education and Church Music and, for a time, served as Director of Master’s Studies. For over three decades, Faszer was a tireless preacher and a consistent positive presence in the seminary’s corporate life. He practiced the Christian ministry of hospitality, both welcoming students and colleagues Sioux Falls Seminary impact

Dr. Del Donaldson into his home and spending countless hours with students in fellowship and prayer. Beyond the seminary, he served as a minister of music, Christian education and church music conference leader, and lecturer.

Dr. Del donaldson

Professor of marriage and family therapy emeritus 20 Years of Service

Dr. Ted Faszer

at the seminary

In his twenty years as a faculty member at Sioux Falls Seminary, Dr. Donaldson inspired generations of students to help guide others through the ups and downs of life by teaching the discipline and practice of marriage and family therapy. Both through his own counseling practice and, by extension, through the work of his many students now practicing counseling and therapy around the world, Donaldson helped many individuals and families live happier, more fulfilling lives. Outside the classroom, Donaldson served as Clinical Director of the seminary’s Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic and as Director of the seminary’s Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling programs. He is a Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, an Approved Supervisor in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and an ordained minister in the Christian Church— North American Christian Convention.

named seminary spaces dedicated in memory, thanks The seminary community recently gathered to dedicate two newly-named spaces. Although the two spaces were chosen and named for different reasons, both represent equally important aspects of the seminary’s mission to equip servant leaders. The Grace Prayer Room

Edgar Sturtz of Ellinwood, KS, chose to name the prayer room in memory of his wife, Grace. The Grace Prayer Room was dedicated as a place where students, staff, and guests can always be reminded of the sustaining power of God’s grace.

The Neil and Janis Hoogestraat Administrative Work Area

Neil and Janis Hoogestraat of Chancellor, SD, named the administrative work area out of gratitude and thanks to administrative professionals and all others who work diligently to advance the message of Christ. At the dedication, both spaces were blessed in prayer, and plaques recognizing the gifts were unveiled.

Hiller Fellows program is honoring ministry service The last two years, select Sioux Falls Seminary alumni and friends have been chosen as fellows for the seminary’s annual Hiller Lectureship. The new honor recognizes individuals who demonstrate leadership, thoughtful preaching, and pastoral care—all qualities of the late Rev. Dr. Herbert Hiller (pastor, mentor, and professor) for whom the lectureship is named. Fellows receive recognition during the event, the opportunity to learn from a renowned speaker, and reimbursement for travel expenses and boarding. If you or someone you know demonstrates excellence in ministry and pastoral care and are a pastor actively serving in ministry, please inquire about becoming a 2014 Hiller Fellow. For consideration, please e-mail Dr. Ron Sisk at rsisk@sfseminary.edu. Past recipients include: Dan Leffelaar; Jason Coplan; Paul Nather (2012) and David Lake; Gretchen Lord Anderson; Mike Delong; PJ Tangedahl; Stephen McCreedy; Vitali Bak (2013). 9

Spring/Summer 13

a bit of

what’s new honor projects Pay Tribute to service and passion Left to right: Nate Helling, Carol Woltjer, Jessica Berg, Susan Reese, and Dustin Brouwer.

Program notes: m.Div. to 84, spiritual direction, & more

seminary group attended acton university as fellows

The Master of Divinity program requirements have been reduced from 90 course hours to 84. Before arriving at the new requirements, seminary faculty reviewed the curriculum—looking for ways to enhance, yet streamline, the program’s course offerings and content. Advance standing of up to 14 credits will still be granted on a case-by-case basis for students with appropriate undergraduate courses.

Eight individuals from Sioux Falls Seminary along with three seminary friends attended the 2013 Acton University on June 18-21 in Grand Rapids, MI, as Kern Fellows. While there, the group had the opportunity to learn about how the integration of philosophy, Christian theology, and economics impacts their professional roles and the world around them. Seminary staff present at the conference were Jessica Berg, Dustin Brouwer, Nate Helling, Nathan Hitchcock, Jay Moon, Susan Reese, Philip Thompson, and Carol Woltjer.

New to the seminary this fall is a two-year Training in Spiritual Direction program offered at the master and certificate levels. Meeting Monday nights, September to May, over two consecutive years, students will receive specialized training in the spiritual disciplines. Curriculum changes and new courses for the counseling and marriage and family therapy degrees will better prepare students for licensure in the region. Enhancements are also being made to the new Faith, Business, and Money course which will be offered next in Spring 2014. For info, e-mail admissions@sfseminary.edu or call 800.440.6227. Sioux Falls Seminary impact 8

Sioux Falls Seminary is one of nine seminaries across the U.S. that has been selected by the Kern Foundation to explore issues of social ethics and economic understanding. Over the past year, the team has worked to create awareness of faith and economics through the creation of a new course Faith, Business, and Money and through webinars and luncheons for students, staff, and the community. Future hopes are to further integrate the topics of faith, work, and economics seminary wide through events, classes, and new opportunities.

To pay tribute to President Hagan, Ted Faszer, and Del Donaldson for their service to Sioux Falls Seminary, its students, and the community, special projects have been established in their honor.

President Mike Hagan

Project: Campus Debt Relief Throughout his presidency, Dr. Hagan was passionate about bringing seminary education to the individuals God was calling to serve. Technology, delivery methods, and a focus on using the campus as a hub for ministry all impacted the seminary’s new facility in 2009. To honor this identifiable accomplishment of his tenure as president, please join us by giving toward campus debt relief. When making your contribution, please note: Hagan Honor Project.

Dr. Ted Faszer

Project: ADA Door Openers A project close to the heart of Dr. Faszer is the installation of automatic ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) approved door openers at four of the entrances on the Sioux Falls Seminary campus. When making your contribution, please note: Faszer Honor Project.

Dr. del donaldson

Project: MFT Clinic Technology Upgrades Dr. Donaldson’s project is a number of technology upgrades that are needed to continue providing quality therapy for the individuals, couples, and families who come to the Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic for help and hope. When making your contribution, please note: Donaldson Honor Project.

To contribute to one or all of these special projects, complete the form at sfseminary.edu/contribute or send your gift to Sioux Falls Seminary, Attn: Leadership Foundation, 2100 S. Summit Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57105. Be sure to note the project(s) to which you are contributing.

Spring/Summer 13

alumni in action

alumni spotlight:

Roger E. Olson

Reflections on Being Faithful to the Task One of my favorite outdoor summertime activities is riding bicycle (last summer over 1500 miles). In the Dakotas, one of the challenges and blessings of riding a bicycle is the wind. While I cannot see the wind, I can certainly feel its power. Throughout scripture, wind is often used to describe the power and movement of God’s spirit in the world and the Church. Eugene Peterson (Christ Plays In Ten Thousand Places) points out that in Acts “the Holy Spirit is God’s way of being present and active among us in the same way that he was in Jesus.” The Pentecost event of Acts 2 began with the sound of a “violent wind” (vs. 2). “Tongues of fire” appeared and the believers began to speak (the Gospel?) in the native languages of people from many nations gathered in Jerusalem. While some accused the believers of drunkenness, Peter explained that this was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit of which the Prophet Joel had spoken: “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy . . . and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (vss. 17-19). By day’s end, some 3,000 people had believed and been added to the church. In the remainder of Acts, Luke describes some of the ways in which the wind of God’s spirit was unleashed in the first-century church. In the days following Pentecost, the believers spent time learning from the

Sioux Falls Seminary impact

apostles’ teaching, sharing fellowship, praying together, and praising God. On another day, a lame man was seen walking, dancing, and praising God in the temple after he was healed by Peter and John. Empowered by teachings of the resurrection, believers shared their possessions. Jail time for preaching led to rejoicing and opportunities for strengthened commitments to Christ. Stephen’s death led to severe persecution in Jerusalem and dispersed believers and the good news of Jesus to Judea, Samaria, and beyond. Soon, Philip found himself explaining scripture to and baptizing an Ethiopian eunuch. Saul, the persecutor-in-chief of the church, encountered Jesus in a flash of light near Damascus. Peter ate with Cornelius and the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles. The witness of Paul and Silas from a jail cell led to the conversion of a jailer in Philippi. Priscilla and Aquilla helped Apollus deal with some faulty theology. Over and over, Acts reminds us that, like the wind, the invisible spirit of God was at work in unique and powerful ways. Sioux Falls Seminary has approximately 1,100 living alumni. That group includes traditional church pastors, worship and youth pastors, administrative pastors, community development leaders, counselors, marriage and family therapists, rural pastors, inner-city pastors, foreign missionaries, seminary professors and administrators, para-church workers, camp directors, church planters, writers, photographers, and human rights activists. Others are active members in their local church without an official position or role. In May, I attended the North American Baptist Retired Christian Workers retreat in Sumas, WA. Over and over again, I

by: Rev. Randy Tschetter, D.Min.

Director of Church and Alumni Relations

was encouraged as I heard the stories of “retired” pastors and wives, missionaries, professors, and others who are not really retired but who continue to be led along by God’s spirit as they serve the church and community in new, innovative ways. Many years ago, I sensed God’s call to pastoral ministry. That call led me to ministry preparation at Sioux Falls Seminary and then to nearly thirty years of pastoral ministry in rural North Dakota. Although I am not currently the pastor of a local congregation, I often find myself in “pastoral” situations with colleagues, pastors, students, and friends of the seminary. I am privileged to preach and challenge people to respond to God’s call in churches across the United States and Canada. I strive to hone traditional ministry skills and have been given opportunities to develop new ones. The learning curve has been steep at times, but the wind of God’s spirit continues to lead me along. No two people are exactly alike. Roger E. Olson’s gifts of teaching and administration are unique only to him (see spotlight). Mike Hagan, who has served Sioux Falls Seminary as professor, dean, and president for nearly thirty years, has his own gifts and abilities. The same is true for every student and alum of Sioux Falls Seminary, and for everyone who reads this. Whenever we try to force God into our box or insist that God’s spirit must function only according to our preconceived ideas, we will likely find ourselves either frustrated or surprised. Ultimately, our task is to be faithful to God’s call as we are led along by the invisible, but formidable, wind of God’s spirit.

In January 2013, Dr. Roger E. Olson, 1978 Sioux Falls Seminary graduate, was awarded the newlyestablished Foy Valentine Endowed Professorship in Christian Ethics at the George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University, where he has taught theology and ethics since 1999. University officials and colleagues say Olson was the clear choice because of his academic interests, strong credentials, and desire to share gospel values. Olson is a self-described Christian theologian of the evangelical Baptist persuasion who has been influenced by pietism. He believes “theology is an exciting adventure and not a place to settle in and defend.” He describes some of his favorite theologians like Juergen Moltmann and Clark Pinnock as “pilgrim theologians” or “theological explorers.” “Christ was as much about showing how to live a godly life as he was about saving the world from sin,” said Olson. “The Sermon on the Mount was about ethics. I don’t think you can believe in Jesus and not believe in ethics.” Olson is a respected evangelical scholar, a prolific author, and a devoted husband and father. He is an expert in historical theology and a frequent preacher, teacher, and speaker for local churches and organizations. Sioux Falls Seminary joins his many friends, associates, and colleagues in offering our congratulations to Dr. Roger E. Olson. We pray for God’s blessing as he serves in this important and prestigious new position.

Olson’s blog: patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson 7

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alumni in action

alumni spotlight:

Roger E. Olson

Sioux Falls Seminary impact

by: Rev. Randy Tschetter, D.Min.

Director of Church and Alumni Relations

Olson’s blog: patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson 7

Spring/Summer 13

a bit of

what’s new honor projects Pay Tribute to service and passion Left to right: Nate Helling, Carol Woltjer, Jessica Berg, Susan Reese, and Dustin Brouwer.

Program notes: m.Div. to 84, spiritual direction, & more

seminary group attended acton university as fellows

To pay tribute to President Hagan, Ted Faszer, and Del Donaldson for their service to Sioux Falls Seminary, its students, and the community, special projects have been established in their honor.

President Mike Hagan

Dr. Ted Faszer

Dr. del donaldson

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Faszer, Donaldson awarded

Emeritus status

Dr. Del donaldson

Professor of marriage and family therapy emeritus 20 Years of Service

Dr. Ted Faszer

at the seminary

The Neil and Janis Hoogestraat Administrative Work Area

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save

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sfs event

calendar

the

September

date

september reminder

January

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During your 12 years as president, there were a lot of changes for Sioux Falls Seminary. What is closest to your heart and why?

156th Academic Year Begins 8:00 a.m., SFS, 2100 S. Summit Avenue

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February

Spring 2014 Semester Begins 8:00 a.m., SFS, 2100 S. Summit Avenue

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Morning of Prayer Time to be announced, SFS, 2100 S. Summit Avenue

Information Coming Soon! 2014 Hiller Lectureship

You’ll want to join us for the 2014 Hiller Lectureship. Visit sfseminary.edu in the upcoming weeks for speaker and date announcements.

Sioux Falls Seminary impact

more online sfseminary.edu/events

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Join us:

Open House Celebration in honor of Dr. Hagan’s 29 years of service

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Faithful to the Task

Thoughts on 29 years of teaching and leading

reflections

on serving at Sioux Falls Seminary

Share some of the rewards from your time as a professor, a dean, and a president.

A Conversation with Outgoing President Dr. G. Michael Hagan Sioux Falls Seminary impact

Staying in Touch alumni updates, news, and prayer requests

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Allen Gerber completed his ministry as interim pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Parkersberg, IA, this spring and began an interim post at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Fargo, ND.

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Irwin Kujat began serving as an interim pastor at Balgonie Baptist Church in Balgonie, SK, on March 1, 2013.

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Paul Keller is the interim Part-time Lead Pastor at Bethel Community Church in Missoula, MT.

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Sunandkumar Samuel has retired from Beresford-Zion UMC after serving churches throughout South Dakota since 1984.

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Karsten Gebauer has served in various churches for the past 25 years and is currently a pastor in Wuppertal, Germany.

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Gerald Stolp is newly retired. He and wife, Carolyn, are looking forward to spending more time with family and watching their grandchildren in all their activities. They live in Salem, SD. 11

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alumni updates

Dr. G. Michael Hagan, President of Sioux Falls Seminary

at First United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls for the past year.

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Elder at the 2013 Dakotas Annual Conference and began an appointment at Perham-Dent United Methodist Parish in Perham, MN.

Mike Goldade is serving as a co-part-time pastor at Napoleon Baptist Church in Napoleon, ND.

Steve Behrens is now serving Steele/Tuttle/Robinson United Methodist Churches in North Dakota.

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Tammy Buseman is the Director of Hospice of Mercy in Marion, IA, where she previously served as a chaplain.

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Susan O’Connell has retired from her ministry at Flandreau and Egan, SD, UMC.

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Gerald Bass served Wesley UMC in Grand Forks, ND, for the past 8 years. He transitioned to the status of Retired Full Sioux Falls Seminary impact

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Nola Conner and Scott Conner ‘08 are the parents of a baby girl, Emmy Grace, born on April 1, 2013.

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Bob Duemig is serving at the Belle Fourche, SD, United Methodist Church.

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from the president faithful to the task: reflections on serving at sioux falls seminary faszer, donaldson awarded emeritus status honor projects pay tribute

alumni in action: reflections on being faithful to the task

alumni spotlight: roger e. olson

a bit of what’s new

alumni updates

Anita Van Veldhuizen and her family live in Tracy, MN, where Anita works as an in-home family counselor for a three-county area. Anita and Denny welcomed a son, Tyson, earlier this year.

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Christina Bensen is the Director of bStill Integrative Wellness, where she teaches yoga and Christian spiritual direction. She and her family live in Woodland Park, CO.

submit updates online

sfseminary.edu/alumni

Sioux Falls Seminary impact

11 staying in touch alumni section 14 pressing forward

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Left to right: Brittany, Jim, Caleb, Alyssa, and Julie.

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in memoriam

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A North American Baptist Seminary

2100 S. Summit Ave.

Sioux Falls, SD 57105

Sioux Falls, SD I Omaha, NE I Anywhere Online 800.440.6227 or 605.336.6588 info@sfseminary.edu

spring/summer 2013

www.sfseminary.edu www.sfseminary.edu/omaha #SFSeminaryImpact

Sioux Falls Seminary

facebook.com/SiouxFallsSeminary

pressing forward Presidential Search Update and Prayer Effort

search opens

thanks each person who has been praying regularly for the search committee and shares the following prayer requests to be presented to God with thanksgiving: •

Pray for members of the search committee as they begin to consider candidates and nominations;

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Pray for President Hagan and his wife, Barbara, as they transition from the presidency to whatever ministry service God has in store for them next.

prayer effort

next steps

impact

Reflections on Serving God

Faithful to the Task