Robert G. and Nellie B. den Dulk Lectures on Pastoral Ministry
Is the Local Church Too Small a Thing for You? T H E I M PA C T A N D C H A L L E N G E S O F D E D I C AT E D S E R V I C E T O O N E C O N G R E G AT I O N
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early 30 years ago, Westminster Seminary California established the Robert G. and Nellie B. den Dulk Lectures on Pastoral Ministry in honor of Dr. den Dulk and his wife. The den Dulks were instrumental in the founding and development of the seminary. The annual lecture series brings an experienced pastor to campus each year to address WSC students and guests in order to encourage them and share the wisdom he has acquired throughout his ministerial career. The seminary established the lectures in appreciation for the den Dulks’ years of service to WSC and in recognition of their passion for the preparation of pastors to preach the Word of God faithfully and to serve their congregations well. This spring, the seminary was blessed to welcome Rev. Ted Hamilton as the 2022 den Dulk Lectures' speaker. Rev. Hamilton earned his bachelor's and law degrees from Stanford University before prac-
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ticing corporate and tax law for 14 years. Despite a successful career as a lawyer in which he worked his way to Partner at O’Melveny & Myers, Rev. Hamilton sensed a call to pastoral ministry, enrolling at WSC in 1997. He has served as Senior Pastor at New Life Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Escondido since 2001. Over the years, Rev. Hamilton has pastored many WSC faculty, students, and staff; mentored WSC pastoral interns; and serves as Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology and at-large board member of WSC. His son, Jim, graduated from the seminary in 2012. Rev. Hamilton’s lectures centered on the theme, “Is the Local Church Too Small a Thing for You?” He examined the impact and challenges of dedicated service to one congregation based on his experience serving the same congregation for more than two decades. Cultural values and the pride of our hearts influence our attitudes toward ministry and our actions in ministry.
God’s Word provides the corrective paradigm that shapes how we should see ourselves and how we should pastor, lead, and live with God’s people. In his lectures, Rev. Hamilton reflected on how this biblical paradigm of humility helps pastors focus on serving their flock rather than themselves. Audio and video recordings of the 2022 den Dulk Lectures are available to view on the Westminster Seminary California website and YouTube page.
“The ultimate display of God's glory is not after the shame of the cross, it's in the shame of the cross.” R E V. T E D H A M I LT O N
UPDATE | SPRING2022
