Posted on Sunday, May 20th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Permalink
Friday night was a wonderful graduation. It was a fine time, but a sad time. I know that I must send my “babies” out into the world to practice the skills that I and the other professors at Knox seminary have taught them. I always wonder if I have forgotten some critical piece of advice, some particular incident that they should have known about. In the end I can only trust the Lord.
As I see them walk across the stage it is difficult for me not to have a tear in my eye as I remember the struggles of some of my favorites (they are all my favorites, they ones who work hard, the ones who have problems, the ones who don’t do well in classes and yet take it graciously while admitting that it was their own fault. They walk away into the night and I realize that I may never have the opportunity to suggest that they read a particular book before they make a life changing decision; never have the chance to sit down for a few minutes in my office and pray a prayer of encouragement when they are down and beaten up by the demands of the ministry; I may never have the opportunity to help them see the slings and arrows of the evil one for what they are.
It is at this point that I must believe in the wonderful gift of prayer. We Christians have a God who does two things that other gods, throughout all of history rarely did: our God speaks to us and our God listens to us. So it is with this in mind that I pray for the ‘07 graduates of Knox Seminary.
Our Gracious God and Father,
We come to you because we know that you are our rock upon whom we can depend when all else is unstable.
We come to you because we know that you are our fortress of protection when all other castles are falling.
We come to you because you are our Shepard when all other means of provision are empty.
We ask that you would protect these graduates from the criticism of those who would seek to tear down the work of the kingdom.
We ask that you would protect these graduates from the lies and rumors of those who would seek seek to destroy their ministry.
We ask that you would protect these graduates from the slings and arrows of the evil one who hates the gospel and those who preach it, teach it, and help carry it forth.
Our Wonderful Saviour
We ask that you would give these men and women a gentle spirit when dealing with those who do not agree with them.
We ask that you would give these graduates a kind heart in responding to criticism so that your heart may be seen through them.
We ask that you would give these graduates a broken heart for the broken hearted, a hurt for the hurting, a real sense of empathy with those who need you desperately.
Our Holy Spirit
Make our graduates more like you, humble, gracious, not desiring to always be at the front.
Make our men and women willing to serve the Father and Son in the same way that you are willing: with all of your being.
Make us all people of kindness yet truth; grace yet absolute truth; and always upholding the Word of the Lord.
Our Lord,
Help them to remember all of the things that I have taught them that were correct and to forget the things that were wrong. Let them forget me and remember you in all of their days.
And now may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ go with you in all that you do; may God’s love be with you always and in all ways.
Amen
Posted on Sunday, May 20th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
Permalink
This is a revision of the mother’s day sermon that I preached in a different context last year. See what you think. Last years is here on the site and is called “They’re Just Kids!”
Mother’sDay07.mp3
Posted on Thursday, May 17th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Permalink
Below is the syllabus for the doctor of ministry course that I will be teaching a part of this summer. Click on the links to get the books:
The Craft of Research, 2nd edition (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing)
A Rulebook for Arguments
How to Read a Book (A Touchstone Book)
The Elements of Style, Fourth Edition
A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, Seventh Edition: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing)
Syllabus for the Course DMin-825
Preparing for the Major Project/Dissertation
Dates of Course: July 9th-13th, 2007
Instructors: The principal instructors will be Drs. R. Fowler White, Professor of New Testament, Samuel Lamerson, Associate Professor of New Testament, E. Calvin Beisner, Associate Professor of Historical Theology and Social Ethics, and Ron Kilpatrick, Librarian.
Course Description: This course prepares the Doctor of Ministry student to research and write the final assignment of his course of study, the Major Project/Dissertation. It is designed to equip him to apply biblical and theological reflection to the needs of the church or ministry field, and to develop a practical application of these reflections to those needs. The course will teach such subjects as basic research methods, reading and note taking, how to make an argument, academic writing, style and form, and other subjects associated with producing a final document in keeping with the standards set by Knox Theological Seminary and the requirements of our accrediting agency, The Association of Theological Schools. It will include a laboratory section during which peer review of a short research project takes place so that the student will apply what is learned and receive immediate evaluation of his advanced skills.
Program Requisites: This course is required of all Doctor of Ministry students prior to the submission of their Major Project Proposal.
Course Objectives (a sampling):
Identify and discuss the primary components of the Major Project
Renew and build on library skills
Review and practice the basic elements of research
Develop and apply scholarly writing skills
Become proficient in writing papers in proper style and format
Build computer skills for the preparation and printing of the project
Required Texts:
Adler, Mortimer Jerome, and Charles Lincoln Van Doren. How to Read a Book, New York: Simon and Schuster, 1972.
Booth, Wayne, Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams. The Craft of Research, 2nd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003.
Strunk, William Jr. and E. B. White. The Elements of Style, 4th ed. New York: Longman, 1999.
Turabian, Kate. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 7th ed. Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press, 2007.
Weston, Anthony. A Rule Book for Arguments, 3rd ed. Indianapolis/Cambridge: Hackett Publishing Company, 2000.
Reading Assignments Due Before the Course:
Read the books listed above except for Turabian, which is purely a reference work. To receive credit for the reading, the student will attest in writing that he has fulfilled the assignment.
Pre-course Planning:
During the course students will research and write a brief paper on a theological subject of his own choosing. These papers will be reviewed and critiqued by fellow students with a professor facilitating the peer review. Most of us have favorite subjects about which we wish to know more . . . and you are encouraged to think about what you might enjoy researching for this assignment. Subjects will be suggested during the orientation session.
Post-course Assignment:
Every participant will prepare a complete Proposal for his major project. Even though some in the course may just be starting their DMin course work, this exercise will cement the learning gained in the course and give the student insight on what his Project may look like in the future. For those who are currently working on their Project this assignment is due 30 days after the close of the class. All others will have until December 9, 2007 to complete the assignment.
Grading:
The student’s grade will be based on the student’s level of interest and participation in the lectures and the peer group activities. All students are expected to be in class on time and to participate in discussions.
Reading 30%
Small Paper 15%
Participation 15%
Proposal 40%
Class Schedule:
A tentative schedule of the various elements of the course will be provided during the orientation session of the first day. The class will begin at 10:30 AM on Monday, July 9th, 2007. The class will begin at 8:30 AM all other days. Class will end at 12:30 PM on Friday, June 13th.
Please Address Questions by Phone or Email to:
Dr. R. Fowler White
Dr. Samuel Lamerson
Knox Theological Seminary
Phone: 954-771-0376 (Office)
E-mail: or
Posted on Friday, May 11th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Permalink
My dad once said to me that you never do anything knowingly, for the last time, without some feelings of sadness. At the time I questioned that. I thought that I would walk out of High School with nothing but glad feelings, but he was right, there was a bittersweetness there. At the end of my need for PE classes in college I realized that I would never again have to perform the “dreaded twelve minute run.” I should have been elated, but somehow I realized that I had let those moments go by without really capturing them. Days gone without even thinking about how grand life really is. These times in our lives when we do or see things for the last time remind us that we are mortal and that our days are numbered.
I suppose that is why the end of the school year, every year, brings me a little sense of melancholy. It is wonderful to see these students who have worked so hard graduate, move on to take a place in the world and minister; but it is also sad to see them, many of whom have become good friends, leave.
I went to Sunday School in the same building from the time I was an infant until I was twenty-four years old. There came a time when it was apparent that the day had arrived to tear the old building down (it had been called “the old building” for as long as I could remember).
One day, a few days before the demolition trucks were to arrive I spent a quiet afternoon just wandering around that old building thinking about the times that I had spent there. The wonderful times with family, the great times at church (this was before the books came out teaching us that church was terrible and making children go was near unto a hate crime), and the fun times at VBS (the non-fundamentalists will have to find a translator for that one). How often I remember ending some service as a child and the entire group singing the song “God be with you ‘till we meet again.” That song seemed stuck in my mind as a reminder of what that building was all about: the kindness of God and the timeliness of life. I had used the building for juggling practice (it had high ceilings), learning to ride a unicycle (wood floors are much kinder than concrete), and teaching Sunday School (how is that for a combination?). After I had been knocking around in the building for a few hours a friend of mine came over and said “What are you doing, kicking out some old memories?” I said that I was actually grabbing hold of a few, though I hadn’t realized exactly what I was doing.
I guess that is what we run through life doing, kicking out the memories that we don’t like and keeping the ones that we want forever. Then at some point, brain chemicals, time or death robs us of those memories and we move on. We eventually move on to a land were there is no need for memory because everything is always perfect and wonderful. We remember, after all, to relive a better, more wonderful time. There is coming a day and a city where there will be no end to semesters, no lives lost, no buildings torn down and no friends moving away. A city in which we will never need to sing “God Be With You Till We Meet Again.” Until then, . . .
Posted on Monday, May 7th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Permalink
Frank Beckwith, the author of many books that have been appreciated by myself and I am sure by many of you, decided not long ago that he needed to become a Roman Catholic. This is quite a shock. You can read about it in the link below. This will be one of the most significant events in evangelicalism this year.
Is it possible to be a Roman Catholic and an Evangelical? Let me know what you think and then (if I actually hear from a few of you) I will have a few thoughts.
http://rightreason.ektopos.com/archives/2007/05/my_return_to_th.html
Posted on Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Permalink
Facts & Trends research reveals the average length of time American Protestant adults have been attending the same church is 13.7 years. However, excluding the minority who cite a very long stay, a more accurate median is 6.6 years. 13% of churchgoers have been attending the current congregation for less than a year; 16% 1-2 years; 11% 3-4 years; 18% 5-9 years; 16% 10-19 years; and 26% 20 or more years. The most loyal congregants are Lutherans and Presbyterians at 12.5 and 10.6 years respectively. The least loyal are non-denominational and Pentecostal/Charismatic churches averaging 3.9 and 5 years. 30% of Protestant churchgoers typically attend church services or activities less than weekly; 29% weekly; and 41% more than once a week. Baptists and Pentecostals are the most frequent attenders. 66% of all churchgoers said they will definitely attend the same church in the near future; 25% will “probably” attend; 7% may or may not; and 1% are already planning to leave. 74% of those who attend weekly or more, definitely plan to attend in the same church, while 48% of those who attend less than once a week definitely plan to remain. Also, 72% of adults who have attended the same church for 4 or more years definitely plan to continue, while 62% of those who have attended for 1-3 years and 49% of those who have attended for less than a year say the same. Denominational loyalty is soft. Study participants were placed in a situation where they had to change churches. From that, 28% of all churchgoers would only consider attending a church of the same denomination; 41% would strongly prefer this but would be open to another; 14% show some preference to their current denomination but are open to others; 16% say it doesn’t matter; and 2% would prefer to switch.
The Christian Post 2/9/07
Subscribe in RSS reader