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The Newsletter of Lexington Theological Seminary
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Fall 2016 | Vol 52, No. 3
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Practical Ministry Ministry sites connect students, congregations and theological education
Inside: Alumni news • 4 | Remembering Dr. Barr • 5 | In the footsteps of Paul • 7
2 FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK
M.Div. student Sara Nave Fisher leads children’s moment at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Hopkinsville, Ky.
THE BULLETIN
Affirmation of ‘A Proven Model’ When we’re on a journey, we look for signs that we are going in the right direction. We check road signs, an app on a phone, or even ask directions. At the Seminary, the signs we watch are numerous. While all of them are important, one critical marker among them is our continued accreditation by the Association of Theological Schools. I am pleased to share with you that this summer, the ATS Board of Commissioners voted to reaffirm the Seminary’s accreditation for 10 years. This includes approval of our degree programs, comprehensive distance education, and our low-residency model, “no longer considering the model as an experiment, but as a proven model,” as the commissioners noted in their report. The report follows the review of the Seminary’s self-study and the evaluation committee’s report of a comprehensive evaluation visit to LTS. During the 10-year accreditation period, we will continue to focus on maintaining and growing our academic programs, strengthening our finances and enhancing the Seminary’s governance practices. To that end, we have successfully applied to be among 20 schools selected for an exciting program offered by ATS: the Addressing Governance Issues and Advancing Practices Project. This project will include strategic and meaningful conversations with other institutions and targeted consultations with industry experts. We give thanks for our faculty, staff, students and family of alumni and friends whose work and support continue to be the driving force in the Seminary’s commitment to prepare pastors for effective ministry and further God’s work in a world that sorely needs this, perhaps more than ever. Thanks be to God for signs that we’re moving in the right direction. Your partner in ministry, Dr. Charisse L. Gillett, President
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hen Sara Nave Fisher gathers at the chancel with the children of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Hopkinsville, Ky., or when she explains a Bible story to a Sunday School class, sits down to a Sunday evening meal with youth, prays with a worried parent, or the hundreds of other ways she carries out her work as Family Minister, she is at once serving, studying, and putting her studies into practice. A licensed minister by the Christian Church in Kentucky, Fisher is a Master of Divinity student at Lexington Theological Seminary, where all M.Div. students are required to work in a congregation at least 10 hours per week. The requirement means that what students learn in their theological studies can be immediately applied to their work in the church. “The classes are very applicable to daily ministry,” Fisher said. “For example, the pastoral care class has been very beneficial. When you go to the hospital to visit someone in your congregation, you can remember what you just learned in your pastoral care class, and that’s been very helpful.” It has also helped her congregation, notes FCC Hopkinsville Senior Pastor Rev. Nathan C. Brown. “Sara has brought a renewed spirit, not only to the programs of which she is a part, but to the entire ministry of the congregation. Her questions cause us to think deeper about our practice of ministry. Her ideas
challenge us to go beyond ‘the way we have always done things.’ Her energy inspires us to try something new. We are deeply grateful for Sara’s ministry at FCC and can honestly say it has a significant, positive impact on our church and community each and every day.” Being in a congregational setting also provides students with a valuable support network. “I’m getting to use my gifts as fully as I can, “Fisher said. “My ministry site is very open to letting me explore various areas of the church and gain experience. They view themselves as a teaching congregation and are supportive of my education both on a philosophical and practical level. They know that I come from a tradition that did not allow me to serve because of my gender, and they are incredibly gracious and affirming to me.” “Being a student at LTS enhances the work in the student’s congregation basically in a traditional theory-to-practice model. They apply what they learn in their courses to their role,” said Dr. Barbara Blodgett, Donald and Lillian Nunnelly Assistant Professor in Pastoral Leadership, who oversees the congregational work requirement for M.Div. students. “But because the congregations supply opportunities and problems for students to learn from, congregational practice sometimes leads, in turn, to new theories about ministry.” At Loudon Ave. Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Roanoke, Va., the Rev. Dr. William L. Lee has nurtured this
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aspect of ministry education through students he has mentored as they served his congregation. 2016 M.Div. graduate Vernie Bolden works in the Loudon Ave. congregation.
herself as liturgist, preacher, and children’s moment leader. Keslinn is growing into herself as one who can offer herself as a guide and sacred witness for a community in worship,” he said.
“Ministers need the practical application. With LTS, you’re in ministry, constantly, while you’re taking the classes,” Lee said. “With Vernie, he could be taking a class, and then see it happen right before his eyes, because he can practice that which was just taught two days ago. You can’t do that in the old, traditional setting,” Lee said.
Foster Frimpong, pastor of Coheirs with Christ Missions in Lexington, Ky., found that being an M.Div. student at LTS not only transformed his ministry, but his congregation as well. The church recently became affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Bolden said he often would “immediately take what I learned back to my congregation. I could carry a lot of things from school to church, and that was wonderful. It allowed me to bring a new perspective, and I think that was helpful. I’m grateful for that opportunity.” To M.Div. student Keslinn Kohfeld-Stout, the congregational requirement is a vital component of being prepared to be a pastor. “The nature of the LTS program requires the coupling of practical ministry experience with the more academic experience,” she said. “Apart from a committed ministry site, it would be impossible to gain that practical aspect of the training. (We must be able to) connect with the people to whom we are called to minister.” Her congregation, First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Bakersfield, Calif., has been supportive and encouraging. “I am part of a community that is sincerely invested in my ongoing process of discernment, and I feel extremely blessed,” Kohfeld-Stout said. Having Kohfeld-Stout serving as a student minister has been valuable to the congregation, said Pastor David Stabenfeldt. “She has enriched our congregation by participating in a number of leadership and committee responsibilities over the past few years. She has been an integral part of the revitalized stewardship team. She has introduced a number of people to seminary-level theological engagement through courses which she has lead. Keslinn has offered pastoral care to a number of our members. Individuals have been cared for and hope restored through her listening and active engagement with these men, women and youth. On occasion, she has participated in worship by offering
“Initially I was challenged with articulating the vision of the church in our context, but I have been able to contextualize my teaching and preaching to meeting this generation, thereby helping the congregation to understand the call of our congregation,” Frimpong said. “LTS has provided me with the Biblical knowledge, Spiritual disposition, and the hands-on-practical skills for pastoral leadership, preaching and teaching of the word of God in our context, and missions and outreach to seeking the unreached children of God.” This model is important because “it provides a place for the student to gain hands-on-practical experience by putting all the theories learned in the seminary into practice,” Frimpong said. “It also helps students to examine and evaluate some of the outmoded church practices affecting the growth of the congregation.” “I believe having a Lexington Theological Seminary student as a pastor has benefited our congregation in so many ways,” said Selina Mensah, a member Vernie Bolden, a 2016 M.Div. graduate and student minister at Loudon Ave. Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Roanoke, Va.
and church treasurer of Coheirs with Christ Missions. “He is a caring person and as a man of God, a true spiritual leader,” Frimpong has led the church to grow in discipleship, evangelism, stewardship, and has provided pastoral care that meets the spiritual needs of his congregation. The combination of practical and academic aspects of preparing for effective ministry is the future of theological education as well as the church, Fisher believes. “LTS is innovative. That’s what excites me about LTS. It’s not just that they have a flexible program. It’s that they saw where the future would be decades from now, and they wanted to prepare clergy to minister to that church,” Fisher said.
God, giver of gifts for the body of Christ, we thank you for those in our generation who hear and answer your call to prepare for ministry in your Church. We thank you for institutions of learning that nurture their call and prepare them for service. Grant your Holy Spirit to this seminarian that s/he may grow in faith, be filled with courage, and increase in wisdom. Grant that we, too, may grow in faith as we learn to support his/her theological education and become a partner in his/her formation. – From the Liturgy of Commitment for congregations and LTS students
SEMINARY NEWS
ALUMNI NEWS
Alumni/ae notes
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THE BULLETIN
1983 Rev. Dr. Ben Bohren will celebrate 50 years in ministry in September. In partnership with Christian Church Foundation, the National Benevolent Association is creating the Rev. Dr. Ben Bohren NBA Leadership Fund, which will support the mission of the NBA with a priority for leadership development programs. 1987 Rev. Bob and Leila Dailey achieved 50 years of marriage July 2. They celebrated with family and friends in North Webster, Ind. 2004 Rev. Erin Wathen will be the keynote speaker for The Clergy Conference at Christmount October 3-5.
In Memoriam 6/13/16 through 8/16/16
Stephen C. Meisburg, Jr. ’66 June 26, 2016 Herbert W. Slade ’80’ July 4, 2016 William R. Barr ’61 July 29, 2016
An examined life: Steve Meisburg Former Disciples pastor and Tallahassee, Fla., mayor Steve Meisburg, who passed away in June, was featured in a 2013 column written by Disciples pastor Betsy Goehrig and published in the Tallahassee Democrat, reflecting on Meisburg’s philosophy of a well-examined life. An alum of LTS, Meisburg served as minister, musician, mental health director, and mayor and commissioner of Tallahassee. Meisburg was a charter member of Blessings, the Disciples church in Tallahassee planted by Goehrig, who is also a faith columnist for two newspapers in northern Florida. Read the blog version of the column at: http://tinyurl.com/MeisburgBlog.
Looking ahead If you’re going to General Assembly 2017, plan to connect with us at the LTS Alumni & Friends Lunch, Tuesday, July 11, 2017, or at the LTS Mission Update after session, Sunday, July 9, 2017.
2014 Rev. Kyle McDougall, Associate Pastor at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Bowling Green, Ky., makes an appearance in an article in the Bowling Green newspaper regarding women in traditionally male-dominated fields: http://tinyurl.com/mcdougallBG 2015 Floyd’s Knob (Ind.) Christian Church Pastor Pamela Pettyjohn was one of only two seminary students to receive the John and Maxine McCaw Scholarship Fund for Prophetic Living, Teaching and Preaching. The fund is held in trust at the Christian Church Foundation and administered by the College of Regional Ministers. Rev. Joseph Pusateri will preach the Friday morning worship service at the Regional Assembly of the Christian Church in Kentucky in September. He is Senior Pastor of Simpsonville (Ky.) Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Upcoming events
Do you have news to share? Email Rev. Julie Richardson at jrichardson@lextheo.edu.
CONTINUING EDUCATION Sept. 24 Webinar “Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: Breaking the Silence and Creating a Safe Space in Our Churches” Rev. Amy Gopp 1:30-3:30 p.m., $10 per log-in Oct. 8, 15, 22 Fall Lay School of Theology “Reading the Bible as it was Meant to be Read” Dr. Jerry Sumney, Professor of Biblical Studies 9 a.m. - Noon, $60 in person or online Oct. 29 Webinar “Bridging the Gap in the Intergenerational Church” Rev. Bill Tenny-Brittian 1:30-3:30 p.m., $10 per log-in More information: Dr. Bill Turner, (859) 280-1253 bturner@lextheo.edu
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Dr. Barr from an early issue of The Bulletin. Below, Dr. Barr in a meeting with Dr. Margie Ralph.
A Curious Journey Remembering Dr. Barr
This is the reprint of an article that was published in 1997 on the occasion of Dr. William R. Barr’s retirement from LTS after 33 years of teaching at the Seminary. Dr. Barr died July 29 in Melbourne, Florida. Dr. Barr said on the occasion of his retirement that his career was “a curious journey.” Raised on a dairy farm near Dover, Okla. (population 400), Dr. Barr had the opportunity to follow in his father’s footsteps and be a farmer. His interests, however, lay elsewhere, and the resulting journey took him far from his rural Oklahoma roots. As a youth, he was fascinated by aviation so he entered Oklahoma Agriculture and Mechanical College (which became Oklahoma State University) to study aeronautical engineering. Part of the engineering curriculum allowed him to take one humanities course. It was the course that changed his direction forever. He discovered philosophy and religion courses and fell in love with ideas. At the same time he became an active member of the Disciple Student Fellowship (DSF), and the formula was formed for his entering the ministry. His involvement in the Disciples Fellowship grew until he was national vice-president and then president. In the summer of 1956 between his junior and senior years, he represented the DSF at the Central Committee meeting of the World Christian Federation in Tutzing, Germany. During that summer he also participated in a work camp in East Kilbride, Scotland. When he returned to the U.S., he was invited to speak on his experience before Disciples of Christ youth groups. This too helped direct him toward ministry. The Fellowship advisors on campus challenged him and the
other students to read and understand famous theologians. The writings of H. Richard Niebuhr came to have a major influence on Dr. Barr, who describes himself as a rather liberal neo-orthodox theologian. Upon graduation he entered Lexington Theological Seminary with every intention of being a parish minister. However, some of his teachers suggested he had a talent for teaching and encouraged him to continue his education. He was accepted to Yale and earned a Master of Arts in 1963 and a Ph.D. in 1969. Dr. Barr joined the Seminary faculty in 1964 while working on his Ph.D. He had traveled a long road from Dover, Okla., and dairy cattle, wheat, corn, and hay fields. Dr. William Barr retired after 33 years of full-time teaching in July 31, 1997. “I have enjoyed teaching at Lexington Theological Seminary,” he said. “It has been full of different types of experiences. I have enjoyed the generations of students and faculty. I have learned much from both as we explored the theological landscape.” Notes may be sent to Donna Barr at: 2235 Chinaberry Circle SE, Palm Bay, FL 32909 Memorial gifts may be sent to Lexington Theological Seminary and First Christian Church Melbourne, Fla.
ALUMNI NEWS
SUPPORTING THE MISSION
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THE BULLETIN Dr. Wayne Bell Mr. and Mrs. Gervis Showalter
Appreciation Gifts
In memory of... Reverend Ed Adams Dr. James M. Wray Jr. Dr. William Barr Dr. and Mrs. Wayne H. Bell Dr. Jerry D. Elmore Rev. Sharon B. Fields Dr. and Mrs. John B. Hart Dr. and Mrs. James P. Johnson Rev. Dr. Bennett Poage Mr. and Mrs. Nathan S. Smith Rev. James H. Trader II Rev. Johnny W. Wray Rev. Walter L. Bingham, Jr. Mrs. Ethel M. Bingham Noel Vernon Blankenship Dr. and Mrs. William J. Nottingham Clayton H. Boyer Mr. and Mrs. Victor Singer Carlos D. Brown Dr. Charisse L. Gillett and Rev. Donald K. Gillett Cathy P. Brown Dr. Charisse L. Gillett and Rev. Donald K. Gillett Reverend R. Lanier Clance Dr. Pauline Rose Clance Charles E. Dietze Dr. and Mrs. William B. Dozier
David Clark, Sr. Dr. Charisse L. Gillett and Rev. Donald K. Gillett
Anthony L. Dunnavant Mr. and Mrs. L. Leon Durham Jr
Paul and Mary Crow Rev. Mildred F. Slack
Connie Elmore Dr. James M. Wray Jr.
Anna Hope Curwood Mr. and Mrs. R. Michael Bales Rev. and Mrs. Richard V. Ziglar
Newton “Fig” Fowler Mrs. Joy Flowers
Sharyn Dowd Rev. Anne Elizabeth Gregory
Dana Bly Horan Mrs. Anna Belle Horan
Jan Ehrmantraut Dr. Ronda S. Connaway
Geneva and Paul Jones Rev. Betsy Jones Steier Goehrig Mr. & Mrs. John Mains, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Ed L. Allen Rev. Marion McElveen Rev. Jan M. Ehrmantraut Richard Pope Dr. and Mrs. William B. Dozier
Ola Harrison Dr. Margaret J. Hickman Ms. Imogene Heaberlin Hacker Dr. William A. Curwood and Rev. Linda L. Curwood Michael Kinnamon Rev. Anne Elizabeth Gregory Rev. Jean Hawxhurst and Mr. Jerry Cappel Dr. William Paulsell Mark and Kim Blankenship
Mrs. Florence Reneau Rev. Betty Reneau
Dr. Sharrard Rev. and Mrs. Richard B. Hanna
Rev. John H. Weaver Mrs. John H. Weaver
Jerry Sumney Drs. William and Sally Paulsell
Dr. and Mrs. H.T. Wood Mr. Steve D. Wood
In honor of... Rev. Z. Allen Abbott Mrs. Don Staub
Would you like to show appreciation for someone’s life and ministry? Making a gift to the Ministerial Education Fund in someone’s memory or honor is a special way to pay tribute to that person’s life and ministry. To give, or for more information, call Mark Blankenship at (859) 280-1250 or email mblankenship@lextheo.edu.
First Hispanic Ministries cohort meets In partnership with Obra Hispana, LTS welcomed our first Certificate for Hispanic Ministries class at the Seminary in May. A total of 42 students studied and worshiped together May 23-27. Students came together from states including Alabama, Florida, Oregon, Georgia, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. From Interim National Pastor William Almodovar: “Thank you to all the regions and convencions, to our professors
Dr. Samuel Pagan, Prof. Liza Miranda, and program director Dr. Pablo Jimenez. Thanks to Rev. Vilson Hurtado, who promoted (the program), and met with pastors, regional ministers, and Lexington leaders and personnel. We want to recognize the efforts of our recently retired National Hispanic Pastor Dr. Huberto Pimentel, who initiated the conversations and was part of this process from the beginning.”
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FOOTSTEPS OF PAUL Sumney to accompany study group through Greece and Italy Join Dr. Jerry Sumney on this amazing journey tracing the footsteps of Paul in Greece and Italy. The group departs Jan. 25 and returns Feb. 8. The cost for the trip is $5,137 and includes airfare from Lexington, round-trip airport /hotel transfers, seven nights’ accommodation in Greece, six nights’ accommodation in Rome, hotel room taxes and service charges, all tips to guides, drivers, hotel staff and baggage handling, 13 breakfasts and 12 dinners, and coffee and tea with breakfast and dinner. Not included in the price:
• • • • • •
U.S. passport fee lunches room service international telephone calls, internet access or laundry baggage fees travel to Lexington
To see photos and reflections from the last LTS group journey in the footsteps of Paul, visit: http://lextheo.blogspot.com/ If interested, contact Dr. Jerry Sumney at jsumney@lextheo.edu.
LTS Library news and notes Library Director Dolores Yilibuw was an active participant in the annual ATLA Conference that was held in Long Beach, Calif., this year. She participated in a panel discussion on the topic of “Ideas for Serving Distance Learners and Alumni.” The four panel members shared what their library is doing to meet the information needs of their constituents and explore other viable services. Yilibuw also held a poster session, “A Most Efficient Method of Moving Your Collection to New Shelves,” in which she shared the logistical details of how LTS successfully
transferred 30,000 library books to new shelves in three days with the help of a dozen volunteers. Both events were well attended. The library is now developing a collection of Spanish language materials for use by our students. As part of this collection the library is now subscribed to “Apuntes: The Journal of Theological Reflections from a Hispanic-Latino Context.” Dr. Pablo Jimenez, director of the seminary’s Certificate in Hispanic Ministry Program, donated two of his books to the library.
SEMINARY NEWS
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Lexington Theological Seminary admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school administered programs.