SPRING2015
GETTING THE GOSPEL OUT Missions, Foreign & Domestic
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AUTHENTIC, STRATEGIC, AND CONFESSIONAL CHURCH PLANTING
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REFLECTIONS OF A CHURCH PLANTER
by R. Scott Clark
by J.V. Fesko
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER
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rior to his ascension Jesus commissioned his Church to make disciples throughout the world (Matt. 28:1820), and the Book of Acts shows that God began fulfilling this commission through the planting of churches and the ordinary means of grace (Acts 2:1-41). Westminster Seminary California (WSC) remains steadfast in its mission to prepare pastors and leaders “for Christ, His Gospel, and His Church,” those who will faithfully preach Christ and teach the whole counsel of God in local churches all over the world. In an age when truth is subjective for many and Christianity has lost its focus on Christ and the Gospel, the WSC community remains united in our commitment to Christ’s truth as recorded in Scripture and expressed in the Reformed confessions of faith. In this issue of UPDATE, we reflect particularly on church planting. Dr. R. Scott Clark makes a modest proposal to be authentic, strategic, and confessional when we undertake Christ’s commission to plant churches (p. 4). Dr. J. V. Fesko focuses on the three scriptural truths necessary for church planting, based on the many years he spent planting and watering, trusting that God would give growth to Geneva Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Woodstock, GA (p. 8). We hear the story of the Gospel getting to two Romanians, their travel and time spent at WSC, and their desire to return to Romania to preach the Gospel and establish a Reformed church in their home country (p. 10). And finally, alumnus Rev. Adriel Sanchez (MATS, 2012 and MABS, 2013) shares news of a new church plant in North Dr. W. Robert Godfrey Park, San Diego (p. 19). The high calling of WSC is to educate pastors and leaders for the Church so that our children, grandchildren, and the lost will be saved through the hearing of the Gospel preached with clarity, boldness, and faithfulness. Through graduate theological study in the Reformed tradition, we provide students with the tools for a lifetime of studying and proclaiming God’s Word. Whether the mission work is in the U.S. or a distant land, the Church is best served by those who know and love the Word of God and are committed to preaching the Gospel wherever the Lord may call them. May I suggest that there is no greater cause than the preparation of those who are called to fulfill the Great Commission? The proper preparation of faithful teachers to expound the Gospel is foundational to missions, works of mercy, and Christian schools. Thank you for your continued support and prayers as WSC strives to serve Christ’s Church through the training of her servants. Cordially in Christ,
W. Robert Godfrey, Ph.D. President and Professor of Church History
AND HOW SHALL THEY BELIEVE IN HIM WHOM THEY HAVE NOT HEARD? AND HOW SHALL THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER? ROMANS 10:14 2 UPDATE | SPRING2015
SPRING2015 UPDATE | SPRING2015 PRESIDENT W. Robert Godfrey EDITOR Nick Davis DESIGNER Megan York
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PRINTER Precision UPDATE magazine is a publication of Westminster Seminary California. For address changes, duplicate mailings, or additional magazine requests, please write or call. Westminster Seminary California 1725 Bear Valley Parkway Escondido, CA 92027 PHONE (888) 480-8474 FAX (760) 480-0252 EMAIL development@wscal.edu WEBSITE www.wscal.edu PERMISSIONS: UPDATE grants permission for any original article to be photocopied and distributed, permitted that the wording is not altered in any way, no fee is charged beyond the cost of reproduction, and no more than 500 copies are made. Any exceptions to the above must be explicitly approved by Westminster Seminary California. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: This article originally appeared in UPDATE, a publication of Westminster Seminary California (WSC) and is reprinted with permission. For more information about WSC, visit www. wscal.edu or call (888) 480-8474.
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MISSION: The purpose of UPDATE is to showcase Westminster Seminary California’s distinctively Christ-centered, graduate education through the work of its faculty, students and alumni who are serving as pastors, teachers, missionaries, and leaders worldwide in light of our overarching mission “to glorify God through graduate theological study. . . for those who will serve in the Christian community and the larger society.” Since 1979, Westminster Seminary California has offered a distinctly Reformed and rigorous education in order to glorify Christ, promote His Gospel, and serve His Church. The strength of our degree programs lies in our faculty’s unified commitment to the inerrant Scriptures and the Reformed confessions. Westminster Seminary California is the only accredited seminary in the Western United States serving confessionally Reformed churches. 2014-2015 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Rev. Andrew A. Cammenga Rev. LeRoy Christoffels Mr. Lyle Faber Rev. Dr. David W. Hall Rev. Sung Yun Han Mr. Milton D. Hodges Rev. Terry L. Johnson Mr. Craig A. Knot Mr. James W. Onnink Dr. James D. Paauw Mr. Ronald W. Prins Mr. Pete Sara Dr. Scott A. Swanson Mr. Roger A. Swets Rev. Dale A. Van Dyke Rev. Derrick J. Vander Meulen Rev. Brian D. Vos ©2015 Westminster Seminary California All rights reserved.
INFOCUS 4. Authentic, Strategic, and Confessional Church Planting 8. Reflections of a Church Planter
ONMISSION 18. Did You Know? 19. Prepared to Plant: WSC’s Impact on Alumnus Adriel Sanchez 20. Alumni News & Class Notes 22. Anatomy of a Complex Estate Gift
ONCAMPUS 10. Getting the Gospel to Romanians 13. Alumni Winter Refresher 2015 Recap 14. Annual Conference 2015 Recap 16. 2015 Spring Enrollment Update
INPERSON & INPRINT 23. Ben Sasse Becomes Senator in Nebraska 24. Faculty Speaking & Writing 26. Up Close with Derrick Vander Meulen
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INFOCUS
AUTHENTIC, STRATEGIC, AND CONFESSIONAL CHURCH PLANTING BY R. SCOTT CLARK
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everal years ago I spent an evening with an enthusiastic group of young people at a pastor’s house. Over dinner we discussed the challenges of planting Reformed churches. We agreed that whatever we do—we need to be authentic, strategic, and confessional.
redemption and renewal by God’s favor merited for us by Christ. We are confessedly Reformed and Presbyterian and we are not ashamed of that theology, piety, and practice. This is what I mean by authentic.
Authentic
The second adjective that occurred in our kitchen-table discussions was strategic. I realize this is a buzzword, and by it I do not intend to invoke everything that everyone means by it. It means that we must consider carefully how to fulfill well the mission Christ gave to his church, i.e., how to reach the lost and to make disciples of covenant children and of those reached, how to administer the keys of the kingdom (the preaching of the gospel and the use of church discipline) in the visible, institutional church, which Christ himself instituted. Being strategic means we must have a godly and wise plan for advancing the kingdom in our area through the planting of churches, and that plan should involve the education of pastors, elders, and laity. Sometimes Presbyterian and Reformed churches have been passive, waiting for people to come to us. One reason why this has sometimes been is that some of our congregations were once part of larger, older denominations with agencies and budgets and professionals who took care of things. There is a second, more deeply rooted problem though. Ministers, elders, deacons and laity alike must become convinced that the visible church is the principal divine institution for advancing the kingdom of God on the earth. Another reason why churches may sometimes be lackadaisical about church planting is that the visible church is regarded as but one instrument among many for advancing the kingdom. The problem with this paradigm is that, as valuable as other entities may be, Jesus did not institute any other agency on which we rely to exercise the keys of the kingdom. We ought to be diligent to see to it that our children receive a Christian education. If we do not, we will reap the whirlwind. Nevertheless, our Lord gave the keys of the kingdom to the visible, institutional church. Our Lord said,
In my childhood I received two types of Christmas gifts. Once, much to the dismay of my parents, my grandparents gave me a wonderfully noisy replica machine gun. I was king of the hill for a week—until the toy mysteriously disappeared. Another Christmas I received not the genuine slot-cars that the other boys got but an off-brand version. It was not authentic. It was disappointing. I did not hide my disappointment well. Being authentic is not just a buzzword. It is truly essential. When we receive a telephone call from someone we do not know, the first thing we want to know is “What do they want?” Where once we opened our doors readily to strangers, today most of us screen our calls, install secure locks on our doors, and hope that no one will hack our computers or mobile devices. We all live in a culture of suspicion. This really means that people are on the lookout for phonies and imitation goods. So when visitors join us on Sunday, they are expecting the real thing. Our churches, therefore, must be or become places where, when people visit, they find people who are not trying to get something from them or trying to manipulate them. They must be places evidently devoted to glorifying God and loving their neighbors. To be authentic is to be genuine, the real thing, to be honest about who we are and what we are about. Genuine Reformed and Presbyterian congregations are about preaching the law and the gospel; the bad news and the good news. We are forming gracious, loving communities of believers and seekers, but where love is understood in a sense that may be unfamiliar to some. Part of our identity is a strong affirmation that Christ is Lord of all and that those who profess his name seek, moved by the superabundance of his grace (Rom 5:20), in union with Christ, in light of the gospel of justification and salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Eph 2:8–10), seek to die daily to sin and self and to live to Christ. By his grace, we seek to be conformed to God’s holy law—not in order to be accepted by God but because we have been accepted for Christ’s sake alone. We are a gathering of sinners professing and believing
Strategic
“SOMETIMES PRESBYTERIAN AND REFORMED CHURCHES HAVE BEEN PASSIVE, WAITING FOR PEOPLE TO COME TO US.”
"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matt 16:18–20; ESV)
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Our Lord spoke to Peter as the representative of the church, and it was to the disciples, again as representatives of the visible church, that he gave the Great Commission, to make disciples, to preach the gospel, and to administer the sacraments (Matt 28:18–20). Family, government, schools, and other spheres are important and represent areas of service under Christ’s lordship, but no other institution is commissioned to preach the gospel in an official way. No other agency may administer the sacraments or church discipline. Certainly churches may support private agencies. WSC is one of those. We prepare pastors (and other leaders in the Christian community) on behalf of the church, and we do so in the closest possible cooperation with churches. The faculty does this as ministers and elders in the church. Nevertheless, support for private agencies ought not to eclipse the primary goal of advancing the kingdom of God through the planting of churches. The second aspect embedded in the adjective strategic is that we must become convinced that congregations do not exist chiefly for the comfort of those who presently attend. Yes, growth through having covenant children and nurture of the same is a beautiful thing and a great blessing from the Lord, but what about those who are born outside of covenant families? Not having been raised in the church I am perhaps more sensitive to the plight of those who are utterly outside the visible church. Who will reach them? Jesus gave to the visible church the mission of reaching the lost, baptizing the adult converts (and their children), and teaching the faith to and exercising discipline over those who are converted. In other words, one of the chief missions of the institutional church is to reach out to those who are not presently in our services, who do not yet confess Christ. How do we go about it? First we must plan for the long term. When we’re reaching out to folks with little or no Christian background, it will take years to reach them and to teach them. We need ten- and twenty-year plans. For one thing, it is going to take time for the minister and members of the core group to meet new people. To do all this, we need leaven. This is where the laity in our existing congregations comes into play. A church plant also needs families, singles, and couples. Newcomers (visitors, guests) must find a group
that is expecting them, that is praying for them, that is ready to love them. Most Americans do not want to walk into an empty room, and they do not want to walk into a room that is already full of people who know each other and who have already formed cliques. Both settings are uninviting. The new converts are not going to be a stable core group. It is going to take years to train them. They are going to bring with them all the baggage they have and they will have to learn to think and live like Christians. That takes time. We have, in many of our congregations a resource that is more precious than money and even more valuable for church planting: mature, experienced, godly, and gracious singles, couples, and families whom we could train and send on a mission, even if only across town, to help plant churches. This is asking a lot of the older, established churches. Some might be reluctant to undertake such a project. I understand that reluctance — who wants to say good-bye to friends we see every Lord’s Day? — but I cannot agree with it. Yes, not everyone in the congregation is up to being part of such a mission, but some of our people are up to it. They are ready for it and they may not even realize it. Our elders and pastors need to identify those in our congregations as part of the church planting strategy and we need to be prepared to ask them to make the sacrifice to leaving behind their family and friends on Sundays, at least for a time, for the sake of getting the gospel out!
“WE NEED TO BE PREPARED TO ASK THEM TO MAKE THE SACRIFICE TO LEAVING BEHIND THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS ON SUNDAYS, AT LEAST FOR A TIME, FOR THE SAKE OF GETTING THE GOSPEL OUT! ”
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Confessional
To be strategic means to fulfill the mission intentionally and not haphazardly. In so doing, however, we must follow some charter, some understanding of the Word. That understanding is the confession of the churches. Another way to think about what it means to be confessional in fulfilling the mission is to ask (after we’ve determined to be authentic and strategic): to what sort of theology, piety, and practice are we inviting people? We have come full circle. For Reformed and Presbyterian congregations to be authentic is for them to be confessional. If we pretend to be other than what we confess, then we are, by definition, being inauthentic, dishonest. We confess a robust understanding of God, man, sin, salvation, and the Christian life. We also confess a highly
developed view of the visible church, sacraments, and ministry. Sometimes we are tempted to plant churches on the assumption that our confession, our agreed understanding of Scripture, the Christian faith, and Christian practice is theoretical, but there are not as many visions for the church as there are pastors. At bot-
“OUR GLORIOUS LORD HAS GIVEN US A MISSION AND A POWERFUL MESSAGE TO WHICH HE HAS ATTACHED GREAT PROMISES.” tom, wherever we minister, there is really only one vision for a Reformed congregation: that which Christ gave us, to reach the lost and to disciple those reached according to Scripture as we confess it. This means that we are committed to nurturing covenant families, to preaching the gospel, to showing the love of Christ to the congregation by meeting practical needs. Our ministers are just that, ministers—servants of the Word. They are not apostles. They aren’t Paul’s, but Timothy’s. They do not have apostolic gifts and power but they do
preach, visit the sick, administer the sacraments, and officiate at weddings and funerals. A dear old friend described ordinary, Reformed pastoral ministry with the verbs: “hatch, match, and dispatch.” There is more to it than that but that is true enough. Reformed ministry is not flashy. When we are at our best, we are doing the same things in roughly the same way as we have always done them. In a radically democratic culture that constantly chases after the Next Big Thing and which defines worship as the experience of ecstasy, Presbyterian and Reformed congregations are at a disadvantage. The good news, however, is that Christ is risen (Matt 28:6) and he is Lord (Acts 10:36). He rules the nations with a rod of iron (Ps 2:9). Under our Lord’s sovereign providence whole empires have risen and fallen, but the church of Christ remains. Our glorious Lord has given us a mission and a powerful message to which he has attached great promises, namely the promise to use the proclamation of that message to raise the dead to life and to put the living to death. That is our mission: to announce, to minister, to pray, to catechize, to prepare God’s people to live well in his world, according to his Word. Christ has a kingdom, and he has established his church as his embassy and his ministers and elders as his servants to advance that kingdom. The Spirit works powerfully through the Word to accomplish his purposes and we can expect him to be faithful to his promise, “behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the earth.” Amen.
OFFICE HOURS R. Scott Clark invites you to join the faculty in their offices for a discussion of issues that are important to you and the church. To listen, visit: wscal.edu/resource-center/office-hours
Come on in. The office door is open. Call us at 760-480-8477. Leave a message and we may use it in a broadcast. Write us at: officehours@wscal.edu
Dr. R. Scott Clark is Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Westminster Seminary California (WSC). He is an ordained minister in the United Reformed Churches of North America (URCNA), and has served congregations in both Missouri and California. Dr. Clark and his wife, Barbara, have two children. wscal.edu
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REFLECTIONS OF A CHURCH PLANTER by J.V. Fesko
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hen seminarians graduate and begin to seek pastoral calls, I suspect that many do not give prayerful consideration to being church planters. Most probably envision serving as pastors in established congregations, and this is certainly a noble and good thing. Churches need good pastors. But Christ has commanded the church to evangelize the nations, which means that if the church is faithful, then she must plant new churches. The church should seek to spread the gospel far and wide, which requires new churches where they formerly did not exist. So why don’t more seminarians give careful consideration to church planting? I suspect the answer lies in gravitating towards what you know. Most people come from established congregations—those churches that have buildings, a good-sized membership, perhaps a small church staff, and church officers. Naturally, they envision serving in a similar context. Moreover, I think the thought of planting a church scares people—you have none of the comforts and resources of an established congregation. To be honest, I shared
many of these concerns and fears. Growing up, I was never part of a church plant—I was always a member of a well-established congregation. Nevertheless, as I gave thought to becoming a church planter three scriptural truths convinced me that I need not let my fears get the best of me: the foundational nature of the word of God, the importance of evangelism, and shepherding the flock. First, church plants must be built upon the same foundation as established congregations—upon the word of God. I can remember the presbytery’s home missions committee asking me, “What church planting principles will you employ in getting this work off the ground?” I responded, “I can’t say that I know much about church planting principles, but I do promise you that I will do my best faithfully to preach and teach the word of God.” A building is only as strong as its foundation—if you have a weak foundation, then whatever rests upon it will likely eventually collapse. If you try to build a church on marketing, demographics, advertising, and free espressos, people will quickly realize there is little substance to your church. Sure, you might
“BUT CHRIST HAS COMMANDED THE CHURCH TO EVANGELIZE THE NATIONS, WHICH MEANS THAT IF THE CHURCH IS FAITHFUL, THEN SHE MUST PLANT NEW CHURCHES.”
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attract a lot of people, but will you actually feed the sheep? Only a steady diet of the word of God can serve as a good foundation for planting a church. Second, church plant or established congregation, all of God’s people should participate in sharing the gospel of Christ. Church plants should never be about reshuffling the membership of local churches. All too often people hear of a new church and decide to try it out—they treat it like a free trial membership to a new local gym. Instead, if we take seriously the Great Commission, then we should desire to see unbelievers come to a saving knowledge of Christ. This means that the Gospel must flow from the pulpit each and every Lord’s Day, but it also entails other practical activities. Members of the mission work should be willing to invite people to church. The prospect of evangelizing someone can be intimidating, but if you encourage people to extend a simple invitation to church, this can be a much easier entry-point to telling others about Christ. In my mission work we created double-sided business cards that had the church’s information on one side and a simple map to our meeting location on the other. This business card enabled church members to hand it to prospective visitors and invite them to church. All churches and mission works should be engaged in this type of activity—it shouldn’t be unique to church planting. Third, regardless if you’re in an established congregation or mission work, as the pastor you need to shepherd Christ’s sheep. But the church planter has a big advantage. Church plants are usually smaller than established congregations, which means you can spend more quality time with the people in your church plant. All too often seminarians get wrapped up in studying, reading great books, and crafting their sermons. Don’t get me wrong, study and sermon preparation are vital and necessary aspects of the pastorate, but they should never be at the expense of shepherding the flock. As the
The congregation at Dr. Fesko’s going away party in Woodstock, GA
pastor you have to ensure that your sheep are spiritually healthy and attending to the means of grace. Do they have spiritual problems? Are they suffering? Do they need counsel? Do they need someone to weep or rejoice with them? As the pastor of a church plant, I was able to attend funerals, weddings, births, and address the regular challenges of life for the people in the plant. And unlike a large church, I knew each and every person by name and my wife and I were able to host them all in our home for various church events and functions. Church planting or not, the foundational nature of the word of God, the importance of evangelism, and shepherding the flock, are necessary and foundational tasks for all pastors. Perhaps when viewed from this perspective, seminarians might not look at church planting with trepidation. Yes, there are some practical challenges that come with church planting (meeting places, logistics, training church officers, etc.), but the core pastoral tasks are the same. Don’t let the fear of practical matters keep you from seeking a call as a church planter. If you’re called to preach the gospel, then do so whether you’re in an established congregation or even a church plant.
“STUDY AND SERMON PREPARATION ARE VITAL AND NECESSARY ASPECTS OF THE PASTORATE, BUT THEY SHOULD NEVER BE AT THE EXPENSE OF SHEPHERDING THE FLOCK.”
Dr. J. V. Fesko is Professor of Systematic Theology and Historical Theology, and Academic Dean at Westminster Seminary California (WSC). He is a minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and served as a church planter and pastor for more than 10 years. Dr. Fesko and his wife, Anneke, have three children.
ONCAMPUS
GETTING THE GOSPEL TO ROMANIANS
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s Reformed Christians, we link arms with the apostle's chain of logic: the effectual calling of God's elect all over the world is only possible through hearing the preached word, therefore ministers must be sent. "How are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" (Romans 10:14-15).
FROM CONSTANTINOPLE TO GENEVA Mihai was born in Romania to a nominal Eastern Orthodox family. As he was growing up, his grandparents took him to the Eastern Orthodox liturgies and to prayer meetings organized by a pietistic movement which sought religious renewal within the Eastern Orthodox Church. While attending those meetings, Mihai was introduced to the teaching of the Scriptures for the first time. Later in life when his parents became Evangelicals, Mihai went along with them to their new church. In high school, he started reading every Christian book that he could get his hands on at the local Christian bookstore. At first, his reading list was
quite diverse (from Thomas à Kempis to John Calvin and Charles Finney), but over time he came to the conviction that the Reformation recovered the biblical teaching that was obscured by medievals like à Kempis and distorted by Evangelicals like Finney. After meeting believers of some Dutch Reformed churches in the Netherlands and Hungarian Reformed Churches in Transylvania, Mihai was gradually convinced of the biblical truthfulness of the Reformed Confessions. At the same time, Mihai was disappointed that there was no Romanian Reformed church in his hometown, nor a Romanian Reformed denomination in his country. After Mihai graduated college with a degree in business management, he married his wife Lidia and they moved to Bucharest (the capital of Romania) where they attended a mainline Lutheran church. In Bucharest, they met with a small group of believers that were interested in the teaching of the Reformation. They started a mid-week Bible study, but without having a Romanian Reformed denomination to turn to, they contacted the United Reformed Churches of North America
“OF THE POPULATION, 1% IS ATHEIST, 1% IDENTIFY WITH OTHER RELIGIONS, ABOUT 1% ARE EVANGELICALS, AND ROUGHLY 97% ARE EASTERN ORTHODOX."
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(URCNA) missionary serving in Milan, Italy. This missionary, Rev. Andrea Ferrari, offered to catechize them, and in July of 2012 the core group of Bucharest became members of Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia in Milan. To Southern Californian ears, having to commute to church may not seem like a very big deal. Many Americans are used to commuting some distance to the nearest church (sometimes up to an hour away) so that they can hear faithful preaching of the word and receive the sacraments. Some Americans are even willing to drive past their local churches to attend a church in another area for various reasons. However, for Mihai, Lidia, and the core group in Bucharest, Milan is the closest confessional Reformed church to them. To put this into perspective, a family living in Escondido, CA, would have to drive all the way to Seattle, WA, each week just to hear the gospel preached to them. That’s an average of nearly 20 hours in the car, one-way! Or for the members of Chisea Riformata Filadelfia living in Bucharest, Romania, this tangibly means frequent—and over time, expensive—flights back and forth from Bucharest to Milan in order to receive the means of grace each Lord’s Day and enjoy fellowship with other believers who confess the Reformed faith.
ing to quiet their conscience and offer them a religious experience. Mihai believes that the theology and piety of the Reformation is the best corrective to the distorted doctrine and practice that is so pervasive today in much of Romanian Christianity. While many Romanians celebrate the history of Christianity in their country and perceive Evangelicalism as an import of innovative American religion, Mihai hopes to bring to his home country a modern recovery of the doctrine and practice of the Reformation. In order to fulfill this task, Mihai uses his time at WSC to study the Reformed faith so that he might be able to plant a confessional Reformed church in Bucharest and communicate to his fellow Romanians the saving truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. THE ROMANIAN STORY Why does Romanian Christianity look so desolate and despairing? There are three main factors for the current state of Christianity in Romania. First, the Eastern Orthodox Church has made all efforts to suppress the Reformation among the Romanians since the 16th century. Second, in the 20th century, Romania was under four decades of Communist dictatorship that promoted both atheism and skepticism. Third, after the fall of the Communist regime, secularization spread even more through the effects of globalization and integration of the country in the European Union. The Reformation work among the Romanians was started in the 16th century by Hungarian Reformed missionaries who ministered to Romanians, planted churches, and even established a seminary for the training of Romanian ministers. After the initial success of the mission, however, Romanians who became part of the Reformed churches faced increased opposition from those who remained Eastern Orthodox. Reformed Romanians were shunned by their families and friends and considered guilty of national treason. In this way, the Reformation among Romanians stalled and faded during the next couple of centuries. During the 19th century, the ethnic conflicts between Romanians and Hungarians increased to their highest point and the last Romanian Reformed church closed its doors. The great influence of the Eastern Orthodox Church in Romanian society lasted until Communists came to power after WWII. Forcing the Romanian king to resign, Communists removed the monarchy and with it the formal tie between the state and church. While initially
“MIHAI USES HIS TIME AT WSC TO STUDY THE REFORMED FAITH SO THAT HE MIGHT BE ABLE TO PLANT A CONFESSIONAL REFORMED CHURCH IN BUCHAREST.”
PREPARING FOR THE MISSION The consistory advised that Mihai attend Westminster Seminary California (WSC) so that he might return to Bucharest well equipped to serve as an ordained church planter. Mihai hopes to return to Bucharest, which is the sixth largest city in the European Union. Of the 2 million people that live there, the majority are Eastern Orthodox. Of this population, 1% is Atheist, 1% identify with other religions, about 1% are Evangelicals, and roughly 97% are Eastern Orthodox. There are about 300 Christian congregations in Bucharest, all small to medium in size. An estimate shows that if every congregation were full on Sunday, only 5% of the population would be attending church. This indicates that most people are not attending church and are “nominal” Christians. However, most are religious to some degree, as they observe at least some rituals and holy days of the Eastern Orthodox Church. It is common for people who do not attend regular worship services to enter in the church during the week, light a candle, kiss an icon, say a prayer, and substitute the communal aspect of Christian worship to this individualistic piety—help-
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BY THE NUMBERS WSC graduates are currently glorifying Christ, preaching His Gospel, and serving His church in
MORE THAN
COUNTRIES throughout the world.
“EUROPE IS NO LONGER THE HOME OF THE REFORMATION, BUT A SPIRITUAL WILDERNESS AND DESOLATE WASTELAND— A MISSION FIELD IN DIRE NEED.” promising religious freedom, they required submission of religious leaders to the Romanian Communist Party, and persecuted any Christian minister that did not submit. In the four decades of communist dictatorship in Romania (1947-1989), schools promoted atheism and skepticism, together with the rest of the Communist doctrines. Russian Atheist books were translated into Romanian and taught to schoolchildren. After Communism fell in the 1989, religious freedoms were restored in Romania and the country started a lengthy process of integration in the European Union. Romanian society was slowly westernized, and the religious outlook became more diverse. Dozens of religious movements sprung up in this newfound freedom, generating both chaos and confusion to the average Romanian—who tend to categorize any religious group that is not part of either the Eastern Orthodox or the Roman Catholic churches as a religious “cult.” TOWARD A CONFESSIONAL ROMANIAN REFORMED CHURCH It’s in this context that the small Reformed group of Bucharest is waiting for Mihai’s return in 2016, eager to
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have a Reformed church in their own city. They visit the URCNA church plant in Milan a few times each year, and hope that more Romanians in Bucharest will be able to rejoice in the comfort and nurture of the Reformed ministry of Word and Sacrament-hearing the true Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ from week to week. Much like the rest of 21st century Europe, Romania is a difficult mission field, and the process of planting a confessional Reformed church in Bucharest is expected to be slow and lengthy. The need for Reformation in Romania is just one example of the desolate state of Christianity in a post-Christian Europe. Just as Mihai and the small group of Bucharest need the prayer of their Reformed brothers and sisters in North America, there are many other European countries with very little Reformed witness. Europe is no longer the home of the Reformation, but a spiritual wilderness and desolate wasteland—a mission field in dire need. WSC hopes to see more and more missionaries like Mihai gathered from Europe, properly trained, and sent back into their respective homelands to get the gospel out.
ALUMNI WINTER REFRESHER 2015 RECAP January 6 - 30, 2015
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uring the month of January, Westminster Seminary California (WSC) welcomed back 25 alumni to its campus for further academic study. What brought these graduates back to their alma mater? FREE one-week elective courses during the Winter Term, of course! WSC’s Alumni Winter Refresher offers alumni opportunities to refresh and reconnect every year in January.
REFRESH The most popular class this past winter term was without question, The Theology of Martin Luther, taught by Dr. W. Robert Godfrey. As if that weren’t enough reason to come out for a retreat in sunny Southern California, the following FREE courses were also taught and were attended by various alumni: -Introduction to Pastoral Counseling (Rev. Alfred Poirier) -The History of American Presbyterianism (Dr. Marcus McArthur) -An Ecology of Preaching in the Electronic Age (Rev. Dr. Gregory Reynolds) -Witness to Muslims (Rev. Bill Nikides)
and had plenty of time to reconnect with old friends, form new friendships, and spend some time catching up with WSC faculty. Some alumni were even surprised that two new businesses have sprung up near the seminary in the downtown Escondido area, Kettle Coffee & Tea (founded by a WSC graduate, Tricia Howerzyl) and Plan 9 Alehouse (co-owned by a WSC graduate, Chad Brewer). These town hot spots became frequent gathering places for ongoing conversation—taking what was learned inside the classroom to the outside world. THERE'S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR! For more information about WSC’s Alumni Winter Refresher, feel free to call (888.480.8474 x135) or email (alumni@wscal.edu). See you next January!
The courses offered during WSC’s Alumni Winter Refresher are not the only classes offered for alumni to audit for free. WSC alumni may also audit any course offered during any academic term from any degree program! For example, an alumnus who received a Master of Divinity degree may audit courses offered within the Master of Arts in Historical Theology program. WSC is committed to its students, and its graduates. RECONNECT In addition to being refreshed by courses offered, many alumni also attended this year’s Annual Conference
Dr. Godfrey lecturing on The Theology of Martin Luther
wscal.edu
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2015 RECAP
Christ Our Wisdom: Between Life and the Law of God
F
or over 30 years and counting, Westminster Seminary California (WSC) has been training ministers of the gospel to preach “Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). On January 16-17, 2015, WSC welcomed nearly 300 alumni, trustees, prospective students, and friends to its campus for the Annual Conference 2015. This year’s conference, “Christ Our Wisdom: Between Life and the Law of God,” explored the intersection between the principles of God’s law and the various circumstances we encounter in our day-to-day lives. The chapel was full, the live video stream on the WSC website was streaming, and remote attendees sat in coffee shops, homes, farms, grocery outlets, and shopping malls across the world to eagerly follow Twitter (#WSCConf) and Facebook updates from the conference. WSC faculty members addressed this theme of wisdom and Christian living in six plenary sessions. Dr. Joshua Van Ee kicked off the conference with “Why Do We Need Wisdom,” offering a definition of what wisdom is by tracing it lexically throughout the Old Testament, and looking closely at how the book of Proverbs entices us to pursue Lady Wisdom.
In “The Wisdom of God or of the World?” Dr. Dennis Johnson demonstrated that there is an overlap of God’s wisdom and human wisdom. God’s wisdom is displayed in the created order and providence, while human wisdom is obtained by perceiving patterns in creation and providence. For example, God granted Solomon and other Ancient Near Eastern sages’ wisdom (1 Kings 4:2931; 10:1-10; Matthew 12:42). Even though the unregenerate can grasp wisdom, these two wisdoms collide as they near the cross—where this overlap makes the starkest contrast. Dr. Bryan Estelle addressed how each of the Wisdom books (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job) deal with the Old Testament principle of “retribution.” Dr. Estelle also showed the profound ramifications this portion of Holy Scripture has on our understanding of suffering in the Christian life, and in trying to interpret the unsolvable mystery of God’s providence. Dr. Michael Horton explored the role wisdom has in forming our theology, which is the highest wisdom. He traced the wisdom of this age as “seeing,” from ancient philosophers like Aristotle and Plato through the enlightenment thinkers, up to advertisement and marketing
From The Conference:
"THE CULTURE BOMBARDS US WITH ITS CATECHISM: “YOU ARE YOUR OWN.” “ONLY YOU CAN CHOOSE WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR BODY.” “DON’T LET ANYONE GET IN YOUR SPACE.” IT IS LIKE A SPLASH OF COLD WATER ON OUR FACE TO HEAR GOD TELL US, “YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN, FOR YOU WERE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE." — MICHAEL HORTON 14 UPDATE | SPRING2015
today, and he contrasted this approach to knowledge with “hearing”—the response of a covenant servant before a covenant Lord. Dr. David VanDrunen explained that often there are no proof texts in the Bible to answer life’s biggest questions, or even the ordinary decisions on a given day. We need wisdom to answer many questions that confront us during the Christian life. God’s law is not simply a series of discrete rules to follow; rather, each individual rule serves as one part to a comprehensive call to obey God and neighbor. Dr. W. Robert Godfrey concluded the plenary sessions by drawing every heart Dr. Godfrey and Dr. Horton during the Q&A Session and mind to behold the glory of God in Jesus Christ. He explained, “The essence of wisdom is to recognize the Son.” He also noted that the Psalter gives the Christian WSC campus. Faculty speakers will examine what the freedom to be fully honest with God, and that He is willScriptures, our Reformed confessions, and church hising to listen to the frustrations of our groaning hearts as tory teach about the Holy Spirit. We hope you will join we long for heaven. us next year for more study of God’s holy, inspired, and After the last plenary session, the conference speakinerrant Word. ers fielded questions that were submitted via Twitter or from the live audience, and the most entertaining portion of the conference ensued. To one question, Dr. Horton If you missed the conference this year, you can watch responded, “Wisdom is what you need for making decior listen to these lectures, or any previous conference sions when the choice isn’t between right and wrong, lectures free on our website at: but better or worse.” Dr. Godfrey offered the following WWW.WSCAL.EDU/RESOURCE-CENTER/CATEGORY/ wisdom for raising children: “Don’t give up.” CHRIST-OUR-WISDOM/ The Annual Conference 2016, “We Believe in the Holy Spirit,” will be held January 15-16, 2016, on the
SUPPORT WSC THROUGH ONLINE PURCHASES Do you love Westminster Seminary California (WSC)? Do you ever shop on Amazon? There is now an opportunity to make donations to the seminary just by going about your regular purchases. Shop on Amazon Smile and choose Westminster Seminary California as your charity. It works like Amazon and there is no additional cost to you, with the added benefit of Amazon giving some of the proceeds directly to WSC. It’s a quick, anonymous, and simple way to support WSC. As you know, every gift is important and goes toward educating men and women to serve Christ, His Gospel, and His Church.
WWW.SMILE.AMAZON.COM
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2015 SPRING ENROLLMENT UPDATE
O
n Monday, February 9, 2015, the Westminster Seminary California (WSC) community welcomed an incoming spring class of 8 new students (5 Master of Divinity, 2 Master of Arts, and 1 Visiting/Non-Matriculating student) during New Student Orientation. This is an event designed to acclimate new students to academic policies and student life. The orientation included presentations from the Academic Dean, Westminster Student Association (WSA) President, Dean of Students and the Enrollment department. The morning event concluded with a lunch for the new students, faculty, and enrollment staff. The eight new students came from four states and two foreign countries, also representing diverse backgrounds and denominational affiliation. WSC’s total enrollment at the start of the spring semester stands at 152 students (106 Master of Divinity, 43 Master of Arts, and 3 Visiting). We currently have 27 international students from 6 different continents. By all accounts, this year marks the largest and most diverse number of international students we have had at WSC at one time. We are excited about the potential impact
Dr. Johnson during his "Counseling from the Cross" video
Dr. Julius Kim speaking to at the New Student Orientation
that these students will have around the world upon completion of their studies at WSC—particularly with reaching the nations with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are anticipating over 40 graduates at our commencement ceremony on May 30, 2015. Please pray for these students as they complete their last few months of theological education in preparation for preaching and teaching God’s word in local churches around the globe. The Enrollment department continues to promote the seminary through various forms of social media, including Facebook and Twitter. These outlets allow us to maintain contact with prospective students and other constituents by making faculty content more accessible (blog posts, podcasts, and faculty publications, etc.). Over the next few months we will be producing a series of brief (3-5 minute) promotional videos featuring WSC faculty and students. The goal in the production of these videos is to provide a unique picture of the WSC student experience and our theological distinctives. The videos will be available at wscal.edu/resource-center/ westminster-answers, and shared on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, iTunes U and Vimeo.
SEMINARY FOR A DAY AT WSC Seminary for a Day is a unique opportunity for prospective students to experience WSC firsthand. Join us for one of our upcoming Seminary for a Day events!
WSC
SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 JANUARY 15 & MARCH 3, 2016 Lodging and travel reimbursement are available. For more info, visit wscal.edu/visit, email admissions@wscal.edu, or call (888) 480-8474.
16 UPDATE | SPRING2015
RECENT WSC STAFF CHANGES
T
he staff at Westminster Seminary California (WSC) has undergone some exciting changes over the last two years. In the summer of 2013, three WSC alumni joined the staff. Dr Marcus McArthur (MA, 2004) began serving as Vice President for Administration, Anna Smith (MA, 2013) as Admissions Coordinator and Dean of Women’s Students, and Daniel Marriott (MA, 2011) as Registrar. The following summer, Matthew Mullininx (MA, 2014) joined the Advancement team as Development Assistant. In late 2013, Brenda Jung (MA, 2005) left her position as Director of Publications to devote more time to homeschool her children. This January, Young-Mi Cha resigned as Director of Website and Internal Design to pursue full-time foreign missions work with her husband, Damon (M.Div., 2006). They moved their family to Japan in February to begin this important work for God’s Kingdom. Both Brenda and YoungMi served WSC with excellence for
Young-Mi and Damon Cha with their daughters
several years. The administration combined these vacancies into a new position called Director of Communications and Internal Design. Megan York began serving in this position in January. Her husband, Dan, is a current WSC student. These new staff members are committed to serving WSC’s students and faculty in order to glorify Christ, promote His Gospel, and serve His Church.
NEW WSC STAFF MEMBERS McArthur Danny Marriott + Marcus + Vice President for Administration Registrar → Started in August, 2013
→ Started in August, 2013
Smith + Anna Admissions Coordinator &
Mullininx + Matt Development Assistant
York + Megan Director of Communications &
Davis + Nick UPDATE Editor
Dean of Women's Students → Started in August, 2013
Internal Design → Started in January, 2015
→ Started in June, 2014
Heidelberg Catechism Question 54
“I BELIEVE THAT THE SON OF GOD, THROUGH HIS SPIRIT AND WORD, OUT OF THE ENTIRE HUMAN RACE, FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD TO ITS END, GATHERS, PROTECTS, AND PRESERVES FOR HIMSELF A COMMUNITY CHOSEN FOR ETERNAL LIFE AND UNITED IN TRUE FAITH. AND OF THIS COMMUNITY I AM AND ALWAYS WILL BE A LIVING MEMBER.” 1 1
The Heidelberg Catechism, in “Doctrinal Standards of the Christian Reformed Church,” The Psalter Hymnal (Grand Rapids: CRC Publications, 1976), 26.
→ Started in November, 2014
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DID YOU KNOW?
Some of our most recent graduates are already serving Christ’s church by planting churches, and are diligently laboring to GET THE GOSPEL OUT!
URCNA CHURCH PLANT
CINCINNATI, OHIO
→ Rev. Zac Wyse (M.Div. 2013) → westsidereformed.org
PCA CHURCH PLANT
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA → Rev. W. Ross Hodges (M.Div. 2013) → christchurchcharleston.org
PCA CHURCH PLANT
NORTH PARK, SAN DIEGO
→ Rev. Adriel Sanchez (MATS, 2012 and MABS, 2013) → northparkpreschurch.strikingly.com
OPC CHURCH PLANT MORGAN HILL, CA
→ Rev. Tony Garbarino (M.Div. 2013) → providencepresbyterianchurch.org
OPC CHURCH PLANT ANAHEIM HILLS, CA
→ Rev. Chris Hartshorn (M.Div. 2014) → anaheimhillspc.com
18 UPDATE | SPRING2015
ONMISSION
PREPARED TO PLANT:
WSC’s Impact On Alumnus Adriel Sanchez
H to plant.
ow has an education at Westminster Seminary California (WSC) impacted a church planter? Adriel shares with us how WSC prepared him
PREPARING I never imagined I’d be planting a church 30 miles south of the seminary only two years after graduation. The beginning of my education felt something like drowning. Having no background in confessional Reformed theology, everything was new. I was learning how to navigate my school and family obligations, and trying to memorize Hebrew vocabulary while simultaneously learning new theological paradigms. The waters were deep! Yet, I look back on that time and wonder if my paddling through seminary (sometimes gasping for air) was what helped prepare me to be a church planter.
stand that Christianity was not just another form of moral therapeutic deism, we would need to take the initiative and go to them with the Gospel of Christ. PLANTING My family moved to North Park in order to pursue our hope of planting there. We received a great amount of support from our sending church, and began having coregroup meetings in North Park on a weekly basis. At that point I began to find so many of the things I had learned in seminary helpful in terms of practical ministry. Thinking through the church as a body formed by the Gospel, a creatura verbi, allowed me to rest in the power of the Gospel to transform lives, instead of some sort of gimmick or personality trait. Planting in an urban area where people can often be hostile to the message of Christianity requires the stability of Word and Sacrament ministry. The type of ministry I found myself learning about and embracing as a student at Westminster. What I embraced as a student, I have now begun to impart as a minister in North Park. After a year of core-group meetings, we launched our first worship service in August 2014. As we labor here, I often need to be reminded of the truths I was taught as a young seminarian. These days, it seems I have only found myself in deeper waters than the ones traversed during seminary. I am confident, however, that the paddling I did at WSC has helped me to swim in the end. Please pray that God would grant those we meet a holy curiosity and a hunger for Scripture. Pray also that God would continue to multiply Reformed churches in our neighborhoods that will be eager to engage in the work that desperately needs to be done. The fields are white, but the laborers are few!
“WHAT I EMBRACED AS A STUDENT, I HAVE NOW BEGUN TO IMPART AS A MINISTER IN NORTH PARK.”
PLANNING I was ordained in the PCA shortly after graduation, and a church in San Diego brought me on staff as Assistant Pastor. Having grown up in San Diego, I wanted to see more churches planted in the city, especially in the urban areas that are easily overlooked. The church at which I served willingly sacrificed families for me to gather a core group of members interested in starting a mission church, and we identified North Park as our target location. North Park has large amounts of people living in close proximity (around 14,000 people per square mile). Neighborhoods like this are extremely pluralistic, and most of the residents here will not typically find themselves wandering into a church. I became convinced that if we were going to help people under-
Rev. Adriel Sanchez is the church planting Pastor of North Park Presbyterian Church (North Park, San Diego). He is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and received a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Westminster Seminary California (WSC) in 2012 and a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from WSC in 2013. Adriel and his wife, Ysabel, have two young children and live in North Park. wscal.edu
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WSC ALUMNUS FROM THE PHILIPPINES TO CALIFORNIA
W
estminster Seminary California (WSC) alumnus, Rev. Nollie Malabuyo (M. Div., 2005), served as a fulltime missionary-pastor in the Philippines from 2008-2014. During this time, Rev. Malabuyo planted Pasig Covenant Reformed Church in Pasig City, Metro Manila in 2008, and Trinity Covenant Reformed Church in Imus, Cavite in 2011. In 2014, he was approved by his overseeing consistory and classis (Trinity United Reformed Church in Walnut Creek, CA and the Pacific Northwest Classis) to retire. For Rev. Malabuyo, “retirement” has not been full of leisure, relaxation, and endless rounds of golf. Instead, his time has been spent serving as an interim pastor at Big Springs Community Church (BSCC) in Montague, CA
Rev. Nollie Malabuyo (center, kneeling in gray) at a Joint Camping Trip with Pasig Covenant Reformed Church and Trinity Covenant Reformed Church, January 2015
(a URCNA mission church), managing BSCC’s devotional radio program in Yreka, CA, preparing 1-2 weekly sermons and 2-3 liturgies for the two Philippine churches from which he retired, and still overseeing the ministry there, from 7,000 miles across the Pacific. Rev. Malabuyo has been a faithful theologian and pastor of the cross, and a church planter devoted to both foreign and domestic missions. He and his wife, Evelyn, have temporarily returned to the Philippine mission, where he conducts the ministry of Word and Sacrament until
another missionary pastor is called to shepherd the flock of God in Metro Manila and Imus, Cavite. Please pray that the Lord of the harvest would send out laborers to this region in the world, and that the Malabuyos would be sustained in their service to the Philippine churches. Rev. and Mrs. Malabuyo have four children and four grandchildren, all in California. Find out more about the churches Rev. Nollie Malaboyu planted at www. pasigcovenant.org and www.twoagespilgrims.com/trinitycovrc.
ALUMNI CLASS NOTES 1985
David Crenshaw (also class of 1986) retired as pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church (PCA; Robertsdale, AL) in September.
1987
Jeff Stull has been a Minister of Counseling and the Executive Director at Access Christian Counseling, Inc. (Cumming, GA) for over 10 years.
law for religious workers.
1996
Todd Bordow planted and is currently pastoring the Orthodox Presbyterian Church of Rio Rancho (NM). He received his D.Min. from Reformed Theological Seminary (Orlando, FL) in 2014.
1989
Charles Lee Irons’ dissertation, The Righteousness of God: A Lexical Examination of the Covenant-Faithfulness Interpretation, was recently published by Mohr Siebeck.
1993
Paul Lee is currently practicing medicine as a gastroenterologist/hepatologist. He founded the Digestive Disease Consultants of Orange County in 2008, which now has a clinic in Huntington Beach and another in Irvine, CA.
Jim Newheiser (also class of 1993) recently published four books — Opening Up 2 Samuel, Help! I Want to Change, Help! Someone I Love Has Been Abused, and Parenting Is More Than a Formula. Todd Wagenmaker accepted a call to serve as minister of Covenant Presbyterian Church (OPC; Fort Worth, TX) and continues practicing immigration
20 UPDATE | SPRING2015
1999
John Sawtelle completed a Master of Arts in Rhetorical Theory and Criticism
at California State University Fullerton this past fall.
2000
Brian Borgman celebrated the 20th anniversary of Grace Community Church (Minden, NV), which he planted in 1994. Sam Choi continues as a bi-vocational church planter at Center Church (Acts 29; Irvine, CA) and is now both an insurance and financial services agent. Danny Hyde celebrated 15 years as pastor of the Oceanside United Reformed Church (URCNA; Oceanside, CA).
2002
Manuel K. Banda and his wife welcomed their third child, Kumbukani Herman, in October.
2003
David Barcelo’s church, Iglesia Evangelica de la Gracia (Barcelona, Spain), inaugurated its first church building in
January. Since being planted in 2005, the church has grown to 140 in regular Sunday attendance.
Stephen Roberts and his wife were blessed with their second child, Tabitha Eden, in February.
Tom Wenger planted Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA; Crofton, MD) in January 2014, and the church particularized this past January.
Keith Thompson and his wife praise God for their third child, Elinor Rae, in August, 2013. Keith was called as the pastor of Grace Reformed Baptist Church (Camp Hill, PA) in November.
2004
Marcus McArthur and his wife welcomed their third child, Maisy Nicea, in September.
2007
Stephen Fix and his wife were blessed with the birth of their fourth child, MacPherson Pau, in February 2014. Stephen currently teaches at Catholic University of America (Washington, D.C.) and as a guest lecturer at Reformed Theological Seminary (Washington, D.C. and Atlanta campuses). Nathan Hogan was called as the senior pastor of Lake Murray Community Church (Evangelical Free Church of America; La Mesa, CA) in June. Adam Myer and his wife praise God for their eleventh child, Benjamin Isaac, in March 2014. Adam is currently deployed to Senegal, West Africa, as a chaplain with the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division. Robert Weaver is now pastor of Morson Community Bible Fellowship, an Ojibwa church on Lake of the Woods (Ontario, Canada). Clay Werner and his family began church planting efforts in Athens, GA in January with the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).
2008
Rich Cunningham and his wife welcomed their third child, Penelope Faith, in July.
2009
Austin Britton and his wife welcomed their third child, Micaiah Jude, in September. Austin continues to pastor at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church (La Mirada, CA). Brian Cochran and his wife were blessed with their fourth child, Caleb Klarin, last May. Brian also celebrated five years in pastoral ministry at Redeemer Reformation Church (URCNA, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada). Matthew Chiangi received a call to pastor NKST Church Adekaa (Gboko, Nigeria). He is pursuing a Ph.D. in Old Testament studies at the University of Calabar (Calabar, Nigeria) and continues to teach at Reformed Theological Seminary (Mkar, Nigeria).
Casey Carmichael in January. Nick Brennan is working on his PhD in New Testament studies at the University of Otago, New Zealand. Jeff Choi was ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) in December and was engaged to Christine Paik in October. Ben Rochester planted Pilgrim Presbyterian Church (PCA; El Cajon, CA), which particularized in August. Ben also received several awards for outstanding community service from the U.S. Senate and Congress, and from the city of El Cajon. He and his wife were blessed with their third child, Thomas Torrance, in January. Seung Kim was ordained as a minister in the Korean American Presbyterian Church (KAPC) in November and continues to serve at Korean Hope Church of San Diego (CA). Chris Stevens is now a pastoral intern at Covenant Reformed Church of Toronto (URC; Canada).
2013
2010
Shane Bennett and his wife praise God for their second son, Isaiah Joel, in March 2014.
2011
Rob Novak was ordained as an Assistant Pastor at New Life Presbyterian Church (PCA; Escondido, CA) in October 2013, and is hoping to plant a church in Hillcrest.
Chris Chelpka and his wife adopted their foster son, Benjamin, in November and now have five children. Zachary Purvis received his D.Phil. in Theology and Religion from the University of Oxford in September 2014. His dissertation is entitled, “Theology and University: Friedrich Schleiermacher, Karl Hagenbach, and the Project of Theological Encyclopaedia in Nineteenth-Century Germany."
2012
Amy Alexander became engaged to
2014
Allan Bledsoe was ordained and installed as Assistant Pastor at First Presbyterian Church (PCA; Prattville, AL) in October. Nick Davis and his wife welcomed their second son, Maddox James, in November.
ALUMNI WINTER REFRESHER 2016 WSC Alumni — Get away and refresh at the Alumni Winter Refresher this January! Audit for FREE most one-week Winter Term courses. Attend the Annual Conference, too!
For more information, visit wscal.edu/awr wscal.edu
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ANATOMY OF A COMPLEX ESTATE GIFT by Dawn G. Doorn, CFRE, Vice President for Advancement
T
he seminary received a call in early 2012 with news that it was a partial beneficiary to a house in the Virgin Islands. Our first reaction, as always, was one of “thanksgiving” for this family who included a legacy gift in their estate for the work of Westminster Seminary California (WSC). But then our imaginations began to envision a house out of the pages of Architectural Digest. We could imagine a large white house with a pink tiled-roof, on acres of lush lawn dotted with palm trees that opened to a view of white sands and azure waters. Then reality set in and we began our homework for receiving this gift. There were many questions to be asked and many details to be gathered. WSC knew the donors when they lived in the Los Angeles area, but had not heard from them for several years. This couple had supported the seminary from its beginning in the 1980s. They moved from California in the 1990s, living out their last years in their retirement home on the beautiful island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. They planned ahead, having made provision in their estate plans in 1991 that upon their deaths the property in St. Croix would be given to three Christian charities, including Westminster Seminary California. Their son, a California resident, was the Trustee of his parent’s estate and held the deed to the St. Croix property. WSC was the first of the three charities to be notified by the Trustee in February 2012 of the estate gift. Thus began a dialogue and process that would continue for two years. The gift of property was in fact a modest house with an attached apartment on nearly 4 acres of land a few blocks from the ocean—in what had been a thriving city prior to the major industry moving from the island. WSC contacted the appropriate individuals at the other charities and discussed some of the “unknowns” we would need to consider in accepting this gift. The many factors before us were not insurmountable, but the looming question seemed to have several components. How do three organizations in three different states, governed by three different Boards of Directors agree on a site visit, agree on the value of island property, have the property legally deeded to all three organizations, and also agree to perhaps sell the property and divide the proceeds? In addition, when accepting a piece of real estate, charities are encouraged to do an environmental review to identify any environmental concerns with the property. The logistics for this situation seemed unusually complicated, so we sought legal advice and counsel from the Barnabas Foundation.
22 UPDATE | SPRING2015
WSC has been a member organization with the Barnabas Foundation for decades, and the professionals at Barnabas Foundation were able to offer good advice. In this case, their suggested protocols would simplify the handling of this estate, represent the three charities equally, and honor the intended wishes of the donors. The other two beneficiary organizations and the Trustee were pleased to consider the advice from Barnabas Foundation and, thus, a simple agreement was signed by all parties in 2013 to enable the professionals at Barnabas to handle the numerous components of selling this valuable asset. Over the next year, Barnabas Foundation worked with the executor/trustee of the estate, made a site visit/ appraisal of the property with a local real estate agent, and determined the next steps for managing the project. The house itself would need some repairs and the trees and landscaping required some cleanup. The repairs and maintenance were completed, and the property was ready for the real estate market by the end of 2013. Offers would come and go, but eventually in 2014 a signed offer would be completed, and each charity would recognize a 5-figure gift. The Barnabas Foundation was able to handle this complex scenario with ease because their professionals have the expertise to handle a wide variety of estates that may include real estate, commodities, farm equipment, and other assets. It is not unusual that friends with a history of giving to the seminary might also include the seminary in their estate plans. Our regret is that we did not have the profound privilege to thank these donors for their generous gift while they were with us on earth. They have advanced the work of the Gospel through their generosity and assuredly “laid up treasures in heaven.” For over 35 years, Barnabas Foundation has helped Christians like you meet family financial needs while supporting the causes that are close to their hearts. Confidential estate planning expertise is available to you at no charge - thanks to the 200 Christian member organizations of Barnabas Foundation. For more information or to arrange an appointment, please contact Barnabas Foundation at 1-888-448-3040 or www.barnabasfoundation.com.
INPERSON & INPRINT
BEN SASSE BECOMES SENATOR IN NEBRASKA
F
ormer Westminster Seminary California (WSC) Trustee, Benjamin Sasse, Ph.D., is now U.S. Senator from the state of Nebraska. The WSC community would like to congratulate Ben and his family on this new vocation. Ben has worked as a consultant to Fortune 500 companies and served numerous roles in the federal government during the Bush administration. He was U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Most recently, Ben served as president of Midland College in Fremont, Nebraska. Ben began his career with the Boston Consulting Group and has advised a wide variety of organizations at moments of strategic crisis – working with airlines, utilities, manufacturers, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the government of Iraq, and a number of nonprofit and educational institutions. A Fremont, Nebraska native, he was educated at Harvard, Oxford, and St. John’s before receiving his Ph.D. from Yale, where his dissertation on domestic politics during the Cold War won the Theron Rockwell Field Prize for best dissertation and the George Washington Egleston Prize in history. He has also served on the faculty of the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, teaching public policy.
"HIS CONSULTING EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE, COMBINED WITH HIS COMMITMENT TO CHRIST, WERE EXACTLY WHAT WE NEEDED"
T R O D U C I N G I N •
Westminster Seminary California on
iTUNES U
Ben’s support of Westminster Seminary California has only increased over the past decade. When WSC Vice President Keith Vander Pol died in 2000, after nearly 17 years of service to the seminary, Ben stepped in and worked closely with the staff and Board of Trustees to help them through the time of transition and installation of new administrative staff. “Ben played an invaluable role at a very important time. His consulting experience and expertise, combined with his commitment to Christ, were exactly what we needed,” said WSC Chairman of the Board Ron Prins. Upon his election to the Senate, Ben resigned from the WSC Board in accordance with federal law. Ben and his wife, Melissa, have two children.
You can now listen to hundreds of hours of WSC lectures free through iTunes U! Access full courses by Robert B. Strimple, Edmund P. Clowney, and J. I. Packer, every WSC Annual Conference, convocations, den Dulk Lectures, Dr. Godfrey’s President’s Chapels, and much more through your computer or mobile device. Simply download iTunes on your computer (www.itunes. com) or the iTunes U app on your mobile device. Search for “Westminster Seminary California” or follow the link below on your computer.
WWW.WSCAL.EDU/ITUNES-U wscal.edu
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FACULTY SPEAKING DR. VANDRUNEN TEACHING IN SOUTH AFRICA Dr. David VanDrunen was in South Africa from August 12-26, 2014. He lectured at four institutions of higher education: North-West University in Potchefstroom, Stellenbosch University, the University of the Western Cape, and George Whitefield College (the latter three are in Cape Town or nearby). Dr. VanDrunen also preached four times and lectured for a conference at the Reformed Church Southern Suburbs (a church plant of the Reformed Churches of South Africa). The pastor of this congregation is Rev. Dr. Simon Jooste (WSC M.Div., ‘09), who was instrumental in organizing Dr. VanDrunen’s trip around Cape Town. Dr. VanDrunen has reported to UPDATE that it was a great trip offering much opportunity to interact with professors and students from bachelor’s through doctoral levels, and also to contribute in a small way to the excellent but difficult church-planting work of one of our distinguished alumni.
UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS June
23-26 — Dr. Dennis E. Johnson speaks during the Enrichment Week at the Rafiki Foundation (Eustis, FL).
July
13-17 — Dr. Dennis E. Johnson teaches a Doctor of Ministry Course on Preaching at the Ligonier Academy of Biblical and Theological Studies: D.Min. program at Ligonier (Sanford, FL). 7/30-8/1 — Dr. W. Robert Godfrey and Dr. Michael S. Horton speak at the White Horse Inn Weekend 2015 at Providence Christian College (Pasadena, CA).
September
24-25 — Dr. David VanDrunen speaks on the Reformation Solas at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, KY).
October
23 — Dr. Michael S. Horton speaks at the Christ Reformed Church 20th Anniversary event at Christ Reformed Church (Anaheim, CA).
FACULTY WRITING W. Robert Godfrey
“Reformed Pastor, President, Professor” in Tabletalk (March 2014). “Semper Reformanda in its Historical Context” in Tabletalk (November 2014). Dr. David VanDrunen lecturing at George Whitefield College in Cape Town, South Africa
Photo taken by Simon Jooste
24 UPDATE | SPRING2015
James Lund
“The Library-Bookstore Revisited” (Rowman & Littlefield, May 2015).
BOOKS Walking with Jesus Through His Word: Discovering Christ in All the Scriptures by Dennis E. Johnson In Walking with Jesus Through His Word, Dennis Johnson takes readers of the Bible on a “journey” of discovery through the Old and New Testaments, pointing out the network of “trails” (themes) that link biblical texts and times to Jesus the Christ, the fulfiller of God’s promises and redeemer of God’s people. In
Israel’s history, God placed events, individuals, institutions, and offices that foreshadowed Christ, his saving work, and his church. There were prophets, priests, kings, sages, judges, sanctuaries, feasts, victories, and defeats. All of these “landmarks” pointed the way to Jesus, who reveals the Father, reconciles us by his sacrifice, and rules us by his Word and Spirit. Walking with Jesus Through His Word will be released June 2015.
HONORARIUM & MEMORIAL GIFTS
Gifts Received From September 16, 2014 Through February 9, 2015
In Honor Of... Rev. Dr. R. Scott Clark
Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Wolfe
Mrs. Dawn G. Doorn Ms. Ellen Ward
Current Faculty
Dr. and Mrs. William J. Montgomery
Mr. Al Kuperus
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher J. Kuperus
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Lazzareschi Dr. and Mrs. William B. Lide
Mr. Clyde Lems
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher J. Kuperus
Mrs. Alice Strimple
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Van Egmond Dr. and Dr. David VanDrunen
In Memory Of... Mr. Bob Barnette
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Korthuis
Mr. Gordon Bedlington
Andrew J. Bierling
Ms. Grace Mullen
Mrs. Margie Boertje
Mrs. John (Valerie) Murray
Rev. H. Dexter Clark
Mr. Larry Strengholt
Mr. John P. Clelland, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. Paul T. Strimple Sr.
Mrs. Krynie Doelman
Ms. Marion Vander Wall
Mrs. Sharon M. Vos
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Veenendaal Mr. and Mrs. Henry Doorn II Mr. and Mrs. John P. Clelland Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Dick Dykstra Mr. and Mrs. Andy Van Die
Ms. Marietta Dragt
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Veenendaal
Ms. Autumn L. Elgersma
Dr. and Dr. David VanDrunen Dr. and Mrs. Robert B. Strimple Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Korthuis Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Porter
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Korthuis
Mr. Gerrit Vanderbyl
Dr. and Dr. David VanDrunen
Mr. Alfred Vos
Rev. and Mrs. Michael J. Schout
Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Vos Mrs. Sharon M. Vos
Mr. Darwin Houtsma
Joel Brian Vos
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Veenendaal
Mr. Melvin Kleinhuizen Mr. and Mrs. Craig Groen
Mr. Rod Kamme
Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Vos Mrs. Sharon M. Vos
Mr. Pete Winters
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Doorn II
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Korthuis
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Korthuis wscal.edu
25
UP CLOSE
with Derrick Vander Meulen
Rev. Derrick Vander Meulen was born and raised in California. He obtained a B.A. in English at Calvin College in Michigan (1985), and then moved back to California to earn an M.Div. at Westminster Seminary California (1990). After graduating, Derrick moved right back to Michigan to pastor a church from 1991-1996, and then served as a church planter in Michigan from 1996-2009. After ministering in Michigan for 13 years, in 2009 he was called to plant a church on the island of Kauai, HI. Derrick also serves as a Trustee on the WSC board.
How did you become a church planter? Before I entered seminary my desire was either to enter the foreign mission field or be involved in church planting. But God’s plan was otherwise. After graduation I was called to a rural church in West Michigan that had been in existence for nearly 100 years. Then several years later I was called to be the first pastor of a new, small church that had been recently planted in West Michigan. After 13 years at that church I received and accepted the call as church planter/pastor of Grace Church of Kauai (URCNA).
Could you share some of the challenges of planting a church on the island of Kauai? There are 70,000 residents on Kauai. Asians make up the highest percentage of any race on Hawaii at 40%. As a result, eastern religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism have a strong presence here. While it is true that there are also many Christian churches, the overwhelming majority have Pentecostal/Charismatic leanings. These factors, as well as other historical realities, make it challenging to plant a Reformed church. Although Hawaii is a U.S. state, planting a church on Kauai is much more like foreign mission work.
Looking back, how has the training you received at WSC shaped your ministry over the years? WSC gave me the biblical, theological, and confessional foundations that are essential to ministry – whether in an established church, a church plant, or the foreign mission field. But I also recall the many exhortations from professors that these, while essential, are not everything, and the faithful pastor must also be a lover of God and His Church, be wise and godly in character, and be an example to the flock. Though I fall short, this faithful training I received at WSC has, by the grace of God, shaped my life and ministry.
26 UPDATE | SPRING2015
FACULTY BOOKS AVAILABLE NOW NEW!
Walking with Jesus Through His Word
Discovering Christ in All the Scriptures by Dennis E. Johnson (P&R, 2015)
Songs of a Suffering King
The Grand Christ Hymn of Psalms 1-8 by J. V. Fesko (Reformation Heritage Books, 2014)
An Unexpected Journey Discovering Reformed Christianity
by W. Robert Godfrey (P & R Publishing, April 1, 2004)
NEW!
Ordinary
Sustainable Faith in a Radical, Restless World by Michael S. Horton (Zondervan, 2014)
Pilgrim Theology
Core Doctrines for Christian Disciples by Michael S. Horton (Zondervan, 2012)
Living in God’s Two Kingdoms
A Biblical Vision for Christianity and Culture by David M. VanDrunen (Crossway Books, 2010)
Calvin On The Christian Life
Divine Covenants And Moral Order
Glorifying and Enjoying God Forever
A Bibical Theology of Natural Law
by Michael S. Horton (Crossway Books, 2014)
by David M. VanDrunen (Eerdmans, 2014)
John Calvin
Pilgrim and Pastor by W. Robert Godfrey (Crossway Books, 2014)
Natural Law and the Two Kingdoms
A Study in the Development of Reformed Social Thought by David M. VanDrunen (Eerdmans, 2010)
Word, Water, and Spirit A Reformed Perspective on Baptism by J. V. Fesko (Reformation Heritage Books, February 10, 2013)
Recovering the Reformed Confession Our Theology, Piety, and Practice by R. Scott Clark (P&R, 2008)
The Theology of the Westminster Seminary California Westminster Standards Historical Context and Theological Insights by J. V. Fesko (Crossway Books, 2014)
Where Wisdom Is Found Christ in Ecclesiastes
By J. V. Fesko (Reformation Heritage Books, July 1, 2010)
Him We Proclaim
Preaching Christ from All the Scriptures by Dennis E. Johnson (P&R, 2007)
A New Old School by W. Robert Godfrey and D. G. Hart (Westminster Seminary California, 2012)
Salvation through Judgment and Mercy The Gospel According to Jonah By Bryan D. Estelle (P&R, 2005)
A New Testament Greek Primer (3rd Edition) by S. M. Baugh (P&R, 2012)
Visit our campus Bookstore — now located in the library! wscal.edu/bookstore wscal edu 27
1725 BEAR VALLEY PARKWAY, ESCONDIDO, CA 92027 WWW.WSCAL.EDU
W E S T M I N S T E R S E M I N A RY C A L I F O R N I A
Annual Conference 2016
THE DOCTRINE OF
THE HOLY SPIRIT JANUARY 15 - 16, 2016
PLEASE PLAN TO JOIN US! Check wscal.edu for more information in September 2015
28 UPDATE | SPRING2015
The WSC faculty will address what the Scriptures, our Reformed Confessions, and church history teach us about the Holy Spirit and His important role in preaching and in the sacraments.
FEATURED SPEAKERS: W. Robert Godfrey, Michael S. Horton, Dennis E. Johnson, Bryan D. Estelle, Julius J. Kim, Ryan Glomsrud