The Great Commission Magazine of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Spring 2017

SPRING 2017

Discover your mission.

Go change the world.

It’s more than a college. It’s a calling.

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Why We Teach and Preach the Infallible and Inerrant Word of God in an Expository Manner @DannyAkin

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

God’s people need a clear word, not an ANYONE WHO KNOWS anything about Southeastern Baptist Theological Sem- uncertain sound. If someone doubts inary knows we are a “Great Commis- the full truthfulness and sufficiency of the Bible, it would be best for them to sion Seminary.” We are driven by a passion to get the gospel to every tribe, leave the ministry. That is our counsel. tongue, people and nation on the earth.

We are passionate to get the gospel to 2. A commitment to help the church the unreached and underserved areas of North America. This is who we are. develop a biblical and Christian way of thinking and living.

This is what we do.

One goal of preaching in any historHowever, it would be equally correct to say of our school that, “South- ical context is to help and teach our people to think Christianly, to think eastern Baptist Theological Seminary is an Expository Preaching Seminary.” biblically. This challenge has never been greater. George Barna is correct, It is a seminary committed to teaching and preaching the Bible, the whole “Most Christians don’t act like Jesus because they don’t think like Jesus.”

Bible and nothing but the Bible, so Second Corinthians 10:5 is pivotal in help us God. Now, as we take on the weighty as- our thinking: “We destroy arguments signment to train up faithful and en- and every lofty opinion raised against gaging preachers of the Word of God, the knowledge of God and take every there are a number of important com- thought captive to obey Christ.” mitments and convictions that undergird and inform our approach. These 3. A commitment to biblical exposition commitments and convictions are as the foundational and normal manner non-negotiable. We will not waiver of preaching. from them one inch! Let me share with My friend Mark Dever says: “The you and hopefully encourage you as you see how we train up a new genera- first mark of a healthy church is expository preaching. It is not only the tion who will go into our churches and first mark; it is far and away the most preach the Word (2 Tim. 4:2). important of them all, because if you get this one right, all of the others should follow.”

1. A commitment to the Bible’s full and Expository preaching allows the complete inerrancy, infallibility and Scripture to determine both the subsufficiency. stance and the structure of the mesThis was the view Jesus had of the Bible (Matt. 5:17-18; Luke 24:25-27, sage. The biblical text drives and determines, shapes and forms sermon 44-47; John 10:35; 17:17) and this is what we seek to instill in our students. development as it relates to the expla-

nation of the biblical text. The text is king when it comes to preaching.

4. A commitment to show how the text points to Christ and to never fail to preach the gospel.

We do not treat the Bible like a Jewish rabbi or a self-help guide. We are heralds of King Jesus and His gospel!

All of Scripture, in some authentic way, points to Christ (Luke 24). We take this truth with the uttermost seriousness.

J. H. Jowett captured the essence of what we are after when we stand to proclaim the Word of God: “What we are after is not that folks shall say at the end of it all. ‘What an excellent sermon!’ That is a measured failure. You are there to have them say when it is over, ‘What a great God!’ It is something for men not to have been in your presence but in His.”

5. A commitment to model in our preaching how we hope and want our people to handle, study and teach the Bible.

We challenge our students to ask these questions: “Am I raising up Titus 2 and 2 Timothy 2 men and women in our community of faith?” “Am I showing my people week in and week out how to rightly handle the Word of Truth (2 Tim. 2:15)?” “If they do what I do in teaching the Bible, will that be a good thing?” This is the value and wisdom of faithful, biblical exposition.

You equip your people for when you are not around. You model for them how they should teach the Scriptures. Biblical exposition enables a pastor to be like a good parent who trains their children for adulthood.

6. A commitment to put in the hard work necessary in the study.

Good preaching is hard work. It is also worthwhile work. Our people come each week wanting to know what God thinks. They want to hear a word from the Lord. A faithful pastor will

not throw out table scraps or crumbs.

He will feed his people a well prepared feast! Before he preaches the sermon, he will prepare in the study.

it tends to be harsh. It will embolden one’s preaching if it tends to be timid.

Grace and truth is our goal. Our people need both.

7. A commitment to guard the heart and mind and never stop growing as a man of God who is being conformed more and more into the image of Christ (Rom 8:29; 1 John 3:1-3).

Robert Murray M’Cheyne says, “My people’s greatest need is my personal holiness.” A holy word needs to be delivered by a holy vessel. Conformity to the image of Christ is the goal we have for our people. It must also be the goal we have for ourselves.

9. A commitment to a basic and fundamental truth: what I say is more important than how I say it, but how I say it has never been more important!

It is probably a sin to preach the Bible poorly! Furthermore, apart from God’s Word we have no word! However, it is crucial that what we say, we say well! I agree with Charles Koller who says, “It is more important clumsily to have something to say than cleverly to say nothing.”

I also agree with Chuck Swindoll who warns us, “If you think the gathering of Biblical facts and standing up with a Bible in your hand will automatically equip you to communicate well, you are deeply mistaken, it will not. You must work at being interesting. Boredom is a gross violation, being

8. A commitment to cultivate a pastor’s heart and a love for people the way Jesus loves them.

Love for our people brings a beautiful balance to the preaching assignment. It will temper one’s preaching if

dull is a grave offence and irrelevance is a disgrace to the Gospel. Too often these three crimes go unpunished and we preachers are the criminals… preaching is not as simple as dumping a half-ton load of religious whine, and a hodgepodge of verbs, nouns and adjectives; but preparing the heart, sharpening the mind; delivering the goods with care; sensitivity, timing and clarity. It’s the difference between slopping hogs and feeding sheep…

[Therefore] study hard, pray like mad, think it through, tell the truth, then stand tall. But while you’re on your feet, don’t clothe the riches of Christ in rags.

Say it well.”

These are the commitments that guide Southeastern in how we teach preaching. These are convictions upon what we take our stand. We will not be moved, God being our Helper. The eternal destiny of precious souls hangs in the balance.

Daniel L. Akin, President

DA N N Y A K I N

The best way to teach biblical

DANNY AKIN President, Professor of Preaching and Theology, Ed Young, Sr. Chair of Expository Preaching

knowledge from the pulpit is through expository preaching.

PREACHERS TRAINING PREACHERS

preach sebts.edu/preaching

TONY MERIDA Associate Professor of Preaching, W.A. Criswell Chair of Preaching

DWAYNE MILIONI Assistant Professor of Preaching

JIM SHADDIX Associate Professor of Preaching, Johnny Hunt Chair of Biblical Preaching

Around Southeastern Pro-Life Week Left: Amber Lehman, senior director of development at the Human Coalition trains students for pro-life ministry and action.

Right: Panel discussion with Steven Wade, associate professor of pastoral theology; Amber Lehman; Trillia Newbell, director of community outreach at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission; and Dr. Bruce Ashford, provost and professor of theology and culture

Maria Estes and Ryan Thomas

Around Southeastern Concerts Left: Keith and Kristyn Getty Concert, October 21, 2016, Binkley Chapel Below: Shane and Shane Concert, January 28, 2017, Binkley Chapel

Maria Estes and Ryan Thomas

Around Southeastern Kicking off the Spring 2017 Semester Left: New Student Orientation Right: Faculty procession for spring Convocation

Maria Estes and Ryan Thomas

Around Southeastern On Mission In January 2017, a team of Southeastern faculty, staff, students, family and trustees traveled to Southeast Asia through the Center for Great Commission Studies.

Maria Estes and Amy Whitfield

VISIT us We would love for you to visit campus for a

PRE VIE W DAY or CAMPUS TOUR For more information about your visit and to arrange accommodations for a campus tour, please call

1.800.284.6317

or visit

iamgoing.org

We look forward to seeing you on campus!

The Great Commission Magazine of

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Spring 2017 Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest, NC Daniel Akin President Bruce Ashford Provost Ryan Hutchinson Executive Vice President for Operations Art Rainer Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Financial and Alumni Development Jonathan Six, Director Chris Allen - Denominational Relations &

Ministry Teams Coordinator

Michelle Ard - Administrative Assistant Jacob Ball - Alumni Network Coordinator Phil Bartuska - Administrative Assistant Drew Davis - Development Officer Cristie Dowda - Grant Writer Barbara Harvey - Administrative Assistant George Harvey - General Counsel &

Director of Planned Giving

Danielle Miller - Graphic Designer Robby Scholes - Development Officer Billy Vernon - Administrative Assistant Communications Amy Whitfield, Director Jenna Anderson - Graphic Designer Maria Estes - Photographer, Graphic Designer Harper McKay - News and Information Specialist Sam Morris - E-Marketing Specialist Jordan Parris - Administrative Assistant Ryan Thomas - Lead Graphic Designer

To inform us of address changes or if you would like to receive the magazine, please contact us at 919-761-2203 or e-mail alumni@sebts.edu.

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20).

Southeastern is an institution of higher learning and a Cooperative Program ministry of the Southern Baptist Convention. Support comes through the gifts of the Cooperative Program and the individual friends of the seminary who provide assistance through wills, estates and trusts.

The Great Commission Magazine of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (ISSN 2327-154X) is published by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary P.O. Box 1889 Wake Forest, NC 27588 www.sebts.edu

Contents Spring 2017 What’s Happening at Southeastern 12 Bay Leaf Brings Christmas Joy to Southeastern Students

Read and share online! sebts.edu/magazine

17

14 Southeastern’s New Class Model Provides the Best of Both Worlds 14 Southeastern Begins New Persian Leadership Program 14 Southeastern Welcomes New Director of Hispanic Leadership Development 15 SEBTS Kingdom Diversity Hosts First Black Church Conference 15 Scholars Honored During Fourth Annual Southeastern Theological Fellowship at ETS 16 In Memoriam: John Sailhamer and Michael Travers 17 GO Conference Encourages Pursuit of the Great Commission 20 Excerpt from “Greek for Life” by Benjamin L. Merkle and Robert L. Plummer

23

Featured Stories

25 The Importance of Preaching in Church Planting | Tony Merida 27 Helping Others Go: Mentorship in Preaching | Harper McKay 30 Revisiting Sermon Delivery | Wayne McDill 32 Preaching Programs at Southeastern 35 Southeastern Students Go Deeper with the Master of Theology | Harper McKay 36 Building up the Body by Equipping Women in Scholarship | Harper McKay

Profiles | See How We Are Going

39

39 Bill Curtis | Faculty 41 Ronnie Owen | Alumni 43 Abby & Anna Schaeffer | Student 44 Jimmy Marston | Ministry Partner

47 A Letter from the Director | Jonathan Six, Director of Financial and Alumni Development

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SOUTHEASTERN \

BAY LEAF BAPTIST BRINGS CHRISTMAS JOY TO SOUTHEASTERN STUDENTS Harper McKay

FOR THE 23 RD YEAR IN A ROW, Bay Leaf Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, helped Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary students bring Christmas presents home to their families. On November 12, Bay Leaf volunteers greeted students with cheers and applause as they eagerly entered the gymnasium to find presents for their children among tables stacked high with toys.

The Bay Leaf Toy Chest is an annual event where the church offers new toys to students for a fraction of the actual cost, enabling them to purchase Christmas presents that they might not have been able to otherwise.

It is Bay Leaf’s way of being a blessing to students who are preparing to serve the Lord through ministry.

“It’s just a great way for a church that’s in close proximity to a school to show the love of Christ to students, many of whom have left good jobs, have left careers and now perhaps work part-time,” said Marty Jacumin,

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senior pastor of Bay Leaf Baptist Church. “We live in an area that is not cheap. It’s just another way for us to be a blessing to people.”

Jacumin is a two-time graduate of SEBTS, with a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Philosophy from the school. He currently serves SEBTS as chairman of the Board of Trustees and as an adjunct professor.

“I love serving there any way I can, and I love the emphasis of the school,” said Jacumin. “That’s part of why we do the Toy Chest. We just feel like we have an opportunity to partner, in a small way, with people that just like us are called to take the gospel to the nations.”

The Bay Leaf Toy Chest is open to students from SEBTS and The College at Southeastern who take at least six credit hours per semester and to full time advanced degree students. Toys offered include gifts for preschool, elementary and youth ages and are priced at ten percent or less than re-

tail prices. Families can spend up to $7.00 per child or purchase a total of four items for each child. The event also includes more expensive raffle items that are sold at $10.00. In addition to this, families can purchase up to one bicycle for $10.00 while they last. The Toy Chest also includes lightly used items that are additional purchases for only 25 cents each.

Each year, the members of Bay Leaf Baptist Church donate money to the Toy Chest, and a committee purchases items to sell. Sarah Bryant who is the chair of the committee enjoys being able to help families in this way.

“We know what a big deal Christmas is for kids and parents,” she said. “It is a way for us to utilize our resources and gifts to help others.

Volunteers from Bay Leaf Baptist Church joyfully help assemble toys, set up the gymnasium for the event, provide coffee and breakfast and assist students as they shop. Jacumin said that volunteers across all genera-

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I T H A S OP E NE D DOOR S F OR US T O SH A R E T HE GOSP E L W I T H OUR L OS T FA MILY ME MBE R S A ND F R IE NDS .

T HE Y C A N ’ T BE L IE V E A C HUR C H T H AT DOE SN ’ T K NO W US W OUL D BE SO GI V ING T O US . tions turn out to help with the event each year.

Peggy Brooks, a member of Bay Leaf and Toy Chest volunteer, enjoys helping students who are studying for ministry. “We know they sacrifice so much to go to seminary and prepare for serving the Lord, and what’s better than that,” she said. “This is just one little way that we can give back to them.”

Lee James, another Bay Leaf member and Toy Chest volunteer, helps to assemble bicycles and assist students

in loading toys into their vehicles after shopping. “I think it’s a great way to help out the seminary students,” he said. “They’re making a lot of sacrifices in order to proclaim Christ, and I think it’s the best thing we can do to try to help them out as much as possible.”

Southeastern students were overwhelmed by the generosity of Bay Leaf and so thankful to be able to provide things for their children that they did not expect.

“We are so thankful for the Toy Chest because we would not be able to do Christmas without it,” said Jennifer McCracken who is pursuing a master’s degree in Christian education and biblical counseling. “Money is tight this time of year, and our daughter was so thrilled on Christmas morning last year when she saw all the toys we were able to get from the Toy Chest.”

Brad Holloway, who is pursuing a Master of Divinity in Christian Minis-

try, has been to the Toy Chest for the past three years. He and his wife have been able to use the example of the Toy Chest to share the message of Christ with others.

“It has opened doors for us to share the gospel with our lost family members and friends,” he said. “They can’t believe a church that doesn’t know us would be so giving to us.”

The Holloway family has also been able to teach their children from the example of Bay Leaf. “It has helped us provide good gifts to our kids that we would have otherwise not been able to give, and in so doing we always relate it to the gift God gave us in Christ,” he said.

The Bay Leaf Toy Chest provides toys for around 350 children from Southeastern families each year.

Since the Toy Chest began, Bay Leaf has donated all proceeds to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering to support international missions.

SPRING 2017 // SEBTS.EDU

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WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SOUTHEASTERN \

classes, providing them a full-time course load with flexibility.

David Jones, who serves SEBTS as professor of Christian ethics, associate dean for graduate program administration and director of the Master of Theology program, is one of the first professors to teach a course in this new model.

“I really enjoy the 3-9 model because I’m getting to do things I wouldn’t normally be able to do,” said Jones. “Usually in a traditional format class you have to get through the lectures. There isn’t really a lot of time for Q&A with the students.”

Southeastern’s New Class In the 3-9 model, however, Jones Model Provides the Best says that he knows the lectures are covered online so he feels more freedom in of Both Worlds the classroom. “We can really have an DURING THE fall 2016 semester, South- in-depth discussion about the textbook,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed it as a proeastern Baptist Theological Seminary fessor because it’s a little more freeing, (SEBTS) introduced a new class model and students even seem to sense and that combines the convenience of an have more of a freedom to ask quesonline course with the camaraderie and interaction gained in the classroom. tions and dialogue.”

Students who work full-time jobs ofThis new approach to learning, called ten have a hard time balancing work, the “3-9 Cohort,” is a cutting-edge way school and family life. This is one of the to help students make the most of their main reasons that Lesley Hildreth, a educations with f lexibility in their Master of Arts in Christian Studies stuschedules. dent, decided to take the 3-9 class.

The 3-9 model is a cross between a traditional campus course and a hybrid. “Working full-time at a pretty demanding job, it is sometimes difficult to be Students spend one hour each week in away from my desk to attend class,” she class and complete the remaining two said. “With the 3-9 class model, I can be hours of coursework online. in the classroom just once a week for 50 When bundled together, the classes minutes and spend the remainder of the allow students to come to campus only class time at home to watch lectures and once a week for a three-hour class block complete my assignments.” that includes three separate one-hour

Southeastern Welcomes New Director of Hispanic Leadership Development MIGUEL ECHEVARRIA has joined Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) as the new director of Hispanic leadership development and assistant professor of New Testament and Greek.

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Southeastern Begins New Persian Leadership Program SOUTHEASTERN Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) is creating a new program aimed at providing Persian church leaders with theological education in their own language. Through its Global Theological Initiatives, SEBTS plans to offer accredited theological training for Persian students at many levels.

Leading the program as the coordinator for Persian leadership development is Kambiz Saghaey, a Persian church leader and master’s student at SEBTS. Originally from the Middle East, Saghaey and his wife served in several churches and faced persecution for their faith. Now in the United States, the couple desires to continue to help the Persian church grow stronger and deeper.

Saghaey began taking SEBTS classes online while in the Middle East and continued later in Central Asia after fleeing persecution in his country. He dreamed of a program that would help more Persian church leaders receive sound theological training that would be readily accessible.

“For many years when I was pastoring I was praying for God to please bring

As part of the Global Theological Ini- his first language. He has previously served tiatives (GTI) team, Echevarria will fur- in higher education at the University of Mother develop partnerships in Latin bile in Alabama.

“I am anticipating exponential growth as America where SEBTS invests in the theological education of leaders and he reaches out to serve the Hispanic comwork to encourage more Hispanics in munity here in the U.S. as well as multiple America to pursue an education on cam- new international partners,” Ewart added.

“We are looking forward to moving crepus at SEBTS. “Dr. Echevarria possesses an incredi- atively and aggressively forward with the ble combination of academic and practi- highest levels of training specifically decal experience and knowledge that will signed for the Spanish speaking church enable us to move our Hispanic Leader- and believer.”

Echevarria holds a bachelor’s degree from ship Development Initiative to new heights and possibilities,” said John Ew- Bellarmine University, a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and a art, associate vice president of GTI. A Miami native born to Cuban parents, Ph.D. in New Testament from The Southern Echevarria grew up speaking Spanish as Baptist Theological Seminary.

/ WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SOUTHEASTERN

someone to SEBTS to make a program in Farsi. The English was very difficult for me,” he explained. “Many pastors came to my mind, but I didn’t know that God was going to answer my prayer with me.”

Saghaey’s role is to develop the initiative to train Farsi speakers who can then use the theological knowledge they gain to enrich Persian churches. With his first hand experience and knowledge of the Persian culture, Saghaey can provide Persian believers with programs that answer their needs.

“It has been very exciting to work alongside Kambiz,” said John Ewart, associate vice president for Global Theological Initiatives at SEBTS. “His experience and his relationships with those engaged in equipping Farsi-speaking church leaders will enable us to impact this significant language group.”

According to Saghaey and Ewart, this type of program aimed at Farsi speakers is very unique. “It is my understanding from very reliable sources that we will be the only seminary to develop accredited degree-level training for Farsi speakers,” said Ewart. “We are networking with others involved in training and contextually developing fully-accredited academic work in this historical initiative.”

Saghaey is excited about the possibilities that the program will bring for Persian churches. “I want to see Persians receive their degrees and teach others,” he said. “I believe Farsi-speakers can have a direct, very useful influence in many cultures around them. Education is a priority for this.”

Scholars Honored During Fourth Annual Southeastern Theological Fellowship at ETS DURING the 68th annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society in San Antonio, Southeastern recognized five evangelical scholars at its annual Southeastern Theological Fellowship dinner.

The honorees, representing five different colleges, universities and seminaries, received awards for their excellence in research, writing and displaying the characteristics of a Great Commission scholar in both the classroom and Christian scholarship. The following scholars

PASTORS, ministry leaders and students gathered on October 28, 2016, for the State of the Black Church Conference at Friendship Chapel Baptist Church in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

Kingdom Diversity at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) hosted the event that included break out sessions, panel discussions and sermons focused on the variety of theological and ecclesiological perspectives of the black church.

To open the conference, Walter Strickland, special advisor to the president for diversity and instructor of theology at SEBTS, gave a brief history of the black church and its differing forms today.

“Each of these developments in black Christianity is important. They all have distinct personalities and each of them can learn from one another,” he said.

Through breakout sessions, the conference addressed discipleship, preaching, church finances, college ministry, generational gaps and apologetics. Attendees also had the opportunity to

learn more about black liberation theology and the history of the black church.

Panelists included Thabiti Anyabwile, pastor of Anacostia River Church in Washington D.C.; Lisa Fields, founder of the Jude 3 Project; Jerome Gay, pastor of Vision Church in Raleigh, North Carolina; William “Duce” Branch, instructor of New Testament at The College at Southeastern; H.B. Charles, pastor of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida; Charlie Dates, pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois and Patrick Wooden, pastor of Upper Room Church of God in Christ in Raleigh.

To wrap up the conference, Charles delivered a sermon on Second Timothy chapter three, encouraging the audience to be faithful ministers of the word of God. “Faithfulness to the gospel in our generation requires that we contend for the sufficiency of scripture, not just the inerrancy,” he said.

In his final exhortation, Charles spurred listeners on to finish the task of preaching the word well. “You get no credit with God by how well you start,” he said. “The question is will you finish strong. God expects us to be faithful to the assignment he’s given us to the very end.”

The Kingdom Diversity Initiative at SEBTS is an effort to equip students from every corner of God’s kingdom to serve in every context of the kingdom, with a focus on increasing the number of minority students and women at SEBTS. For more about the initiative, visit sebts.edu/kd.

received awards: - Jason Duesing, provost and associate professor of historical theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri - Bob Stewart, professor of philosophy and theology, Greer-Heard chair of faith and culture and director of the Institute for Christian Apologetics at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, New Orleans, Louisiana - Ray Van Neste, professor of biblical studies and director of the R.C. Ryan Center for Biblical Studies at Union University, Jackson, Tennessee - Esther Meek, associate professor of philosophy at Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania - Scott Rae, dean of faculty and professor of Christian ethics, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, La Mirada, California The Southeastern Theological Fellowship

seeks to foster community between various colleges, universities and seminaries of several denominations. “We gather here in recognition of Christian community…so that we can be formed and nourished in our scholarly identities [and] in turn nourish our students and the people to whom we write,” said SEBTS Provost Bruce Ashford.

Ashford called the meeting a gathering of “evangelical scholars who are faithful to Christian scripture, who allow their faith to shape their learning, who nourish one another in their Christian scholarly identities, who spur one another to scholarly good works and whose interaction with one another is genuinely collegial, friendly and marked by grace and humility.”

SEBTS Kingdom Diversity Hosts First Black Church Conference

SPRING 2017 // SEBTS.EDU

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WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SOUTHEASTERN \

In Memoriam

peers and students.”

Tracy McKenzie, associate professor of biblical studies, worked closely with Sailhamer as a teaching assistant and Ph.D. student at SEBTS. In a tribute to Sailhamer, McKenzie wrote, “Much could be said of Sailhamer’s career in teaching and publishing…The numbers of his students who now serve in the academy—both inside and outside of evangelicalism—not to mention the pulpit, attest to his profound influence in the field through teaching and supervising Ph.D. students.”

The Library at Southeastern is home to Sailhamer’s personal library, a collection of rare volumes documenting the history of the Old Testament interpretation in post-Reformation Europe.

Through this special collection, students have and will continue to benefit from Sailhamer’s work for years to come.

The SEBTS community joins with the wider Christian community to remember this great man who contributed his life’s work to enhancing the world of Old Testament scholarship.

WELL-KNOWN PROFESSOR of Old Testament, John Sailhamer, died on Monday, January 9, after a long bout with Parkinson’s disease. During his career, Sailhamer served a number of institutions, including Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS), where he worked from 1999 -2006. Most recently, Sailhamer taught at Gateway Baptist Theological Seminary until he retired in 2010.

Sailhamer’s work at SEBTS was marked by service to students, as he spent much of his time advising Master of Theology and Doctor of Philosophy

(Ph.D.) students through the thesis and dissertation process. During this time he also served as the president of the Evangelical Theological Society in 2000 and wrote his last major publication “The Meaning of the Pentateuch.”

The SEBTS community remembers Sailhamer for his contributions to Old Testament scholarship and the greatness of his character.

“John Sailhamer was the quintessential Christian scholar. His thoughtful writings will continue to bless the Church for years to come,” said SEBTS President Danny Akin. “His ability in the classroom is truly legendary. I do not choose my words lightly. He was that good, and how we will miss him.”

“John Sailhamer was not only a great man but a profoundly good man. He was great in that he was the consummate research scholar and a master classroom instructor who received standing ovations at the end of his courses,” said Provost Bruce Ashford. “But more significantly he was a good man, a humble and loving servant of the Lord who was loved by his

THE COMMUNITY of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and The College at Southeastern joins with the wider Christian community in mourning the death of Michael Travers, who served Oklahoma Baptist University as associate provost, associate dean of the

College of Humanities and Social Sci- “He was the quintessential Christian ences, chair of the Division of Lan- gentleman and scholar who pursued excellence in everything that he did. I guage and Literature and professor of will miss him greatly, but I rejoice in English.

Travers was a vital part of Southeast- the hope that is ours in Christ that I will see him again.” Read the full OBU ern’s community where he served for tribute at http://iamgoi.ng/travers. several years as professor of English Provost Bruce Ashford said Travers and associate vice president for instiwas known as “an extraordinary tutional effectiveness. He received the classroom instructor, noted mentor of Excellence in Teaching Award from students, an impeccable and consciSoutheastern in 2013. entious administrator and the conIn a statement given to OBU as part of their tribute to Travers, Southeast- summate Christian gentleman.”

“We are grateful for the life he ern President Danny Akin reflected on lived, for his years of fruitful service the impact that Travers made on the and for the example he was to us. school and on him personally.

With his passing, Southern Baptists “Michael Travers was my colleague have lost one of our best men. We for many years at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. More than that, have lost, but the heavenly city has he is my brother and friend,” said Akin. gained,” Ashford said.

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/ WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SOUTHEASTERN

Tony Merida, Associate Professor of Preaching

GO CONFERENCE ENCOURAGES PURSUIT OF THE GREAT COMMISSION Harper McKay

Maria Estes

said, “Have you ever prayed that WHETHER you are an international missionary, a church planter, a busi- prayer? Might it be that when the demons see you coming they might ness professional or a teacher, your tremble because they see the hand of life should be spent fulfilling the Great Commission. This was a re- God on your life.”

Expositing the Great Commission sounding theme during the ninth annual GO Conference at Southeast- in Matthew 28:18-20, Merida said, ern Baptist Theological Seminary “These words are actually some of the most important words in all of (SEBTS).

Scripture. This last command is our On January 27-28, more than 550 first priority.” students and guests gathered to be Merida went on to encourage evchallenged to go into all the world and fulfill the Great Commission. eryone to take part in God’s mission.

Main speakers included Danny Akin, “Jesus can use the G.E.D. or the president of SEBTS, Tony Merida, Ph.D.,” he said. “The question is not, SEBTS associate professor of ‘Do you have the education?’ The question is, ‘Are you available?’ Is preaching and pastor for preaching your heart captivated by this King?” and vision at Imago Dei Church in Carter charged students to not Raleigh, North Carolina, and Matt Carter, pastor for preaching and vi- only see the need to take the gospel around the world and to lost neighsion at The Austin Stone Community bors but to be part of meeting that Church in Austin, Texas. need. He encouraged them to obey Akin started off the conference telling the story of martyred mis- the command of Christ in the Great sionary Jim Elliot. After sharing El- Commission through the power of the Holy Spirit. liot’s famous quote, “Oh that God “You have the power in you right would make us dangerous.” Akin

now to do powerful things with Christ for the kingdom of God,” Car ter said. “You are just as equipped and just as called.”

The GO Conference included breakout sessions addressing the topics of using passions and gifts for the gospel, sharing the gospel without fear, weaving the gospel into stories and dealing with the unexpected as a missionary.

Students also had the opportunity to hear from people involved in ministry in the U.S. and former international missionaries about ministry opportunities and what life is like as a cross-cultural missionary.

On Friday night, students had the opportunity to view the new “Insanity of God” movie followed by a Q&A session with Scott Hildreth, director of the Center for Great Commission Studies, and Chuck Lawless, dean of graduate studies at SEBTS. The conference wrapped up on Saturday night with a special concert by Shane and Shane.

More photos on the next page and at flickr.com/southeastern

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WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SOUTHEASTERN \

Matt Carter, Pastor for Preaching and Vision, The Austin Stone Community Church

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Join us for the 11th annual Southeastern Classic September 11, 2017 sebts.edu/seclassic

To become a sponsor, contact Robby Scholes, Special Gifts Officer, at rscholes@sebts.edu or 919.761.2354

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SOUTHEASTERN \

Greek for Life Benjamin L. Merkle, Robert L. Plummer Baker Academic, 2017

Available August 2017 Pre-order available now from

or

BENJAMIN MERKLE is a professor of regain their knowledge of Greek, New Testament and Greek at South- Merkle explained. “This book proeastern Baptist Theological Seminary vides resources and encouragement to (SEBTS). Merkle and co-author Rob- bring wandering sheep back into the ert Plummer, professor of New Testa- fold. Indeed, the final chapter, “How to ment interpretation at The Southern Get it Back,” offers practical ways to Baptist Seminary, are writing a new resurrect one’s Greek if it has been nework titled “Greek for Life” set to pub- glected for some time.”

Mitch Landress is the pastor of lish in August 2017.

For this edition of Southeastern Northside Baptist Church in WauchuMagazine, Merkle offered us a preview la, Florida, and a Doctor of Ministry of the new book that will be especially graduate from SEBTS. One of his conuseful for those who want to keep a cerns as a pastor is making sure to fresh knowledge of Greek in order to retain his knowledge of Greek. As he teach and explain the New Testament. read “Greek for Life,” Landress noted In explaining his new work, Merkle his excitement: “I’m loving this book. told us “The goal of ‘Greek for Life’ is Merkle and Plummer have rekindled simple: we want people to love the my love for the Greek New Testament.

Greek New Testament. We want them I’m all in for the long haul.”

What follows is an excerpt from to read, study and enjoy the Greek New Testament for the duration of “Chapter Eight: How to Get It Back.” their ministry. During our years of The full work comes out in August of teaching Greek, we have seen many this year. Pre-order your copy through students begin to use Greek effectively, Baker Publishing or Amazon today. only to see their skills slowly erode after graduation from college or seminary. This book is one of our efforts to Ask Why? Have you ever been part of a church arrest such linguistic apostasy before it takes place. So, if you are a pastor or organization where a leader clearly who took Greek in seminary but have and repeatedly articulated a vision of not been diligent to keep up your where the group was headed and why? When that sort of vision-casting Greek, this book is designed for you.”

The last chapter of the book can be is done well, you don’t even notice it. especially helpful for those looking to Going in any other direction doesn’t

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seem reasonable.

To regain your Greek, you need to reignite your vision for why the language is worth it. After you read this chapter, go back and read (or re-read) chapter 1, in which we articulate the reasons that Greek study is worth the struggle. Skim through this book and read the many quotes and devotional asides. Be infected with a burning passion to be as close as possible to the Spirit-inspired words of the apostles.

Don’t be content ministering as a “second-hander,” sharing others’ insights from the Scripture. Who wants to “kiss his bride through the veil” (of translation) when “kissing on the lips” (Hebrew, Greek) is so much better?

Shame and regret do not provide lasting motivation, so take those emotions to the Lord in prayer. Be assured that the Lord has taken away your shame. Spend time in God’s presence, basking in his full acceptance of you in Christ. Ask for empowerment to regain your Greek skills and employ the language for the edification of the church and the glory of God. “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans” (Prov 16:3 NIV).

Face the Facts Alongside regaining vision, it’s important to face the dual realities of

both your Greek skills and your schedule. Can you still read Greek words? Do you need to re-learn the alphabet or how to pronounce Greek?

Have you forgotten all your verb and noun endings or just the rarer forms?

Before you stand up and begin to ascend the Greek mountain, take an elevation reading.

Also, audit your time. Where are you really spending your time? And, realistically, where will you be able to insert Greek into an already busy schedule? Chapter two of this book contains much information on time management, especially with regard to taming the distractions of technology.

Be a Radical Time Miser After you assess where your time is going, it’s time to make changes. Just one or two strategic changes in the way you spend your time will give you the minutes you need to regain Greek.

A few possible ideas are listed below: • Remove time-wasting apps from your phone (for example, Facebook or Instagram). Looking back on your life, do you really want to say: “You know what characterized my life on a daily basis—a constant willingness to look at the latest distraction, shiny thing, or viral video that entered my field of vi-

sion.” I once heard someone say: “If I printed out all the stuff I read on the internet and bound it together as a book, I would never buy that book. It would be a terrible book. Why, then, do I waste my time looking at that stuff?”

• Embrace one “zero-telephone day” per week. It sounds radical, but experience what life was like for most Americans before 1997. Use the extra time you find to reconnect with Greek— and reconnect with people!

• Set specific limits for TV and movies—only on weekends, for example.

• Hang up a laminated list of Greek paradigms and vocabulary words in your shower or next to the bathroom mirror. Make a habit of reviewing Greek while showering, shaving, or brushing your teeth.

• Install a Greek flashcard app on your phone (e.g., Bible Vocab), or keep a Greek grammar in your car. When you are waiting to pick up your kids from school or for your wife to come out of a store, seize those five minutes to study Greek. Let Greek be your default thing to do when waiting in the car—rather than a mindless smartphone app.

There is time in your day that can be redeemed for Greek. Find those few moments and start to form the habit of using them well.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SOUTHEASTERN \

Danny Akin

Thabiti Anyabwile

Mark Dever

Leadership

H.B. Charles, Jr.

September 29-30, 2017 sebts.edu/9marks

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Jeramie Rinne

/ FEATURED STORIES

The Importance of Preaching in Church Planting – Tony Merida Helping Others Go: Mentorship in Preaching – Jim Shaddix Revisiting Sermon Delivery – Wayne McDill

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Dr. Jim Shaddix Professor of Preaching, W. A. Criswell Chair of Preaching

NOW WITH A STRONGER CORE

BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL, PRACTICAL Available on Campus or Fully Online Study with our World-Class Preaching Faculty Learn more at sebts.edu/mdiv

/ FEATURED STORIES

are many unique responsibilities for pastoral preaching. Allow me to simply highlight two of them, both pertaining to leadership, in the form of encouragements.

RECENTLY I was invited to attend a conference on church planting. The conference looked helpful. It had many wellknown speakers and numerous breakout seminars on all things church planting. But one topic was curiously absent—preaching. Should church planters not be concerned about this ministry? I believe they should.

If the church planter will see (1) the relationship between disciple-making and preaching in general, and (2) the importance of leading a newly formed congregation from the pulpit in particular, then he will see how vitally important it is to become a faithful and effective expositor.

Preaching as Macro Disciple-Making What we typically understand as “preaching,” a public sermon to a gathered congregation, is only one form of the ministry of the Word (cf., Acts 6:2; 8:4). There should never be a season in which the church planter is not thinking about how to make disciples by explaining and applying Scripture.

Early on in the church plant, the planter will be spreading the Word to individuals through evangelism, maybe leading a Bible study with a handful of people or equipping the core team.

We could call this micro disciple making (cf., Matt 28:18-20; Acts 18:26). Micro disciple-making is not radically different from expository preaching; it still requires the basic skills of interpreting, explaining and applying the text. So the planter should value the task of Word-driven disciple-making

and seek to do it well.

Later, as the number of disciples grows, the movement will have to become more structured and formal. The planter will need to think about matters like leadership development, biblical church membership/discipline and healthy systems for building up the body. The church will eventually gather for weekly corporate worship, sitting under the Word and practicing the ordinances of the church. In this season, the planter’s function will become more pastoral. His ministry of the Word will become what we could call macro disciple-making. It will involve expounding the Word to a large group of people in the context of biblical community (cf., 1 Tim 4:16). Micro ministry should not cease, but macro teaching will occupy a lot of his attention.

Aspiring church planters should be ready to do both types of Word-driven ministry within the various seasons of the church: micro disciple-making for the early phase of the mission and macro disciple-making in newly formed congregations. Some groups tend to magnify one type of ministry of the Word over the other, but we should simply see them both as being vitally important, indeed, central to the work of church planting and pastoring.

Preaching in a Newly Formed Congregation Once a new congregation is formed, the planter/pastor has an exciting and challenging task ahead of him.

Unlike micro disciple-making, there

First, expound the word for the believer and unbeliever in each sermon, for their good and for the good of creating an evangelistic culture in the church. In the words of Tim Keller, “edify as you evangelize, and evangelize as you edify.”1 Speak to the unbeliever every week in the introduction. Help them to know that the sermon is not just for insiders.

Then, have a few asides during the sermon to deal with possible objections they may have. Do this with truth and grace. At the conclusion, address them again. I have found that this type of preaching creates an evangelistic culture in the church. Once you start doing evangelistic exposition, unbelievers will start showing up because you are speaking to them, or more likely, because their friends will start bringing them because they know that you will speak to them. The last thing you want to do in a new church is give the impression to the unbeliever is that the exposition is only for insiders.

You do not have to give up biblical exposition to speak to outsiders. You simply need to be ready to address them. Assume biblical cluelessness.

Anticipate competing worldviews. Be clear. Show the grand narrative. Preach with both warmth and force.

Every sermon is about making disciples. That involves reaching people who are not disciples and maturing those that are. Speak to both types of people in the sermon, and remember that both need to see the Savior (cf., Col 1:28-29).

One way to improve your ability to speak to the unbeliever is by actually being around unbelievers during the week! You tend to preach to the people that you talk to all week. So, diversify your people context. Get involved in the community. Coach little league.

Tim Keller, Center Church (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012), 79.

1

Tony Merida

Associate Professor of Preaching, Johnny Hunt Chair of Biblical Preaching

@tonymerida

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FEATURED STORIES \

Get a gym membership. Walk your apply the text to individuals. Apply it neighborhood. Participate in city corporately also.

If you only do the fire hose method events. Frequent “third places” (places where people hang out). Get to know – preaching on the vision of the church the idols, worldviews, objections, fears once a year (or just periodically) – it and hopes of people around you. This will probably have limited effects. will make you a better preacher. Ser- Dripping vision allows people to hear mon preparation is not only about ex- it repeatedly, enabling them to get it egetical precision, it’s also about mis- and communicate it. If you’re trying sional living. All of life is sermon to create a culture that makes disciples, practices evangelistic hospitalipreparation. ty, integrates faith and work, does Second, practice the “drip method” of mercy and justice ministry, pursues application as you cast vision for the racial diversity or lives as a missional church’s ministries. This is true of ev- community, then let me encourage ery church, but especially a new con- you to consider making these types of gregation: we must cast vision from emphases part of your regular applithe pulpit. Leadership is about creat- cation of the text, as the text gives you ing culture. And new churches do not opportunity to do so.

Preaching and church planting work have a culture yet! You must create it.

How? Should we do a bunch of topical hand in hand, whether on the micro or sermons? Should we do a big “State of macro levels. As a church planter, it is the Church” address once a year? I vitally important for you to value faiththink the wisest approach is to drip ful exposition of God’s word in your the vision of the church in your exposi- ministry as you reach the lost and tion as you apply the text. Don’t just equip your church.

Join us in Phoenix for the

2017 SBC PASTOR’S CONFERENCE June 11-12, before the SBC Annual Meeting at the Phoenix Convention Center

Expository Messages through Phillipians by 12 pastors of average-sized SBC churches Including SEBTS students Jose Abella and John Onwuchekwa

Common Ground Testimonies featuring well-known pastors with encouraging insights for churches Including SEBTS alumni J.D. Greear and Johnny Hunt

Worship led by Keith and Kristyn Getty For more info, visit sbcpc.net 26 \ SEBTS.EDU \\ SPRING 2017

/ FEATURED STORIES

ONCE a colleague asked Jim Shaddix how it felt to have a former mentee become a more prominent pastor than him.

What some might think of as difficult, for the professor of preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, it’s his “favorite thing” about being a mentor.

“Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The works that I do, greater than these will you do.’ If Jesus celebrated that fact, surely that ought to be something that I celebrate,” he said.

Shaddix has been mentoring young ministers for about 23 years. He has guided students at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Gateway Seminary and now at Southeastern.

His aim wasn’t always to be a teacher, though. As a master’s student, Shaddix vowed to never do doctoral work or teach because he wanted to be a preacher.

His first experience in ministry at a church plant changed all of this for Shaddix. “God really broke my heart with the realization that we can do this thing that we do called ministry leadership for our entire lives in a way that people looking on from the outside would consider us to be successful but all the time be doing it in the f lesh, completely devoid of otherworldly power,” he said.

Harper McKay

This realization was scary for Shaddix and almost caused a crisis of faith. He became disillusioned from seeing many pastors going about their ministries without dependence on the power of God. Yet, God redeemed this in Shaddix’s life and turned it into a burden to talk about this danger with young ministers in training. This passion for spiritual dependency led him to get the training he needed to become a seminary professor and mentor.

The Nuts and Bolts of Mentorship Shaddix and his wife, Debra, spend a great deal of time walking through life with students, counseling them, praying with them and helping them prepare for ministry. Often mentoring relationships come out of Shaddix’s classroom as he sees the potential in students who want to be mentored (see infographic at the end of the article for tips on finding a mentee). Although mentoring can be time consuming, Shaddix does his best to be available to any student who wants to be mentored.

Most of Shaddix’s mentees have been students preparing to preach.

This allows him to draw off of his own ministry experience and calling. His wife also draws on her experience as a pastor’s wife as she comes alongside

WALKING INTO PROCLAIMING THE BIBLE CL ASS WITH DR. SHADDIX during my first semester at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary was intimidating to say the least. After walking through the syllabus with the class, Dr. Shaddix led us to consecrate the semester with prayer. He said, “Great preaching comes as a result of great prayer.” For the next 20 minutes, every student knelt by their seat and offered petitions to the Lord. That encounter left a lasting impression on me to this day.

What I took away from my time with Dr. Shaddix was his unwavering commitment to spiritempowered preaching, preaching that not only appeals to the mind, but also shapes the heart. As a result , my reliance as a preacher is unapologetically on the Word of God. Dr. Shaddix emulated what he expected from us as students each week through the expository sermons he delivered at Edgewater Baptist Church, which I had the privilege of attending as a new believer. His fingerprints are all over the messages I develop and deliver today. Only God knows the true impact that he’s made on my life.”

Robby Gallaty Senior Pastor, Long Hollow Baptist Church, Hendersonville, TN

I FIRST MET DR. SHADDIX when I was a junior in college. I had never sat under expository preaching until I heard Dr. Shaddix speak, and my reaction was like those on the Emmaus Road— my heart burned within me as I listened to the Scriptures expounded. I had been wrestling with my calling, and after hearing him that week and having several conversations with him, I knew that I wanted to spend my life explaining and applying the Bible for people.

I went to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary to study under Dr. Shaddix. I immersed myself in my studies, grew in my understanding of theology and ministry, made some life-long friends and learned about life and godliness by watching Dr. Shaddix’s (and Debra’s!) example. Not only has he been a professor and pastor to me, he’s also been like a father, a brother, a friend and now a colleague! The Lord has used him in my life in more ways than he will ever know.

Tony Merida Pastor, Imago Dei Church, Raleigh, NC Associate Professor of Preaching, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

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I AM INDEBTED TO DR. SHADDIX on so many levels. He taught me to love God’s Word, study God’s Word, trust God’s Word and then to preach it with love for it, trust in it and faithfulness to it. But Dr. Shaddix didn’t just teach these things to me; he modeled these things for me. He showed me what it looks like to love, study and trust God’s Word and to proclaim it with power accordingly.

Dr. Shaddix didn’t just teach and model these things in the context of a classroom; he did these things in the context of life. He invested his life in me, his family in my family. He didn’t just show me how to preach; he showed me how to live, how to lead and how to love a wife and children. He showed me how to pursue Christ personally and share Christ passionately. As a result, I can say without hesitation that I not only have a passion for preaching but on a larger level a passion for the Great Commission because of Jim Shaddix’s influence in my life.”

David Platt President, International Mission Board

the students’ wives to mentor and spend time with them.

In the seminary context, his mentorship is less formal with an emphasis of life-on-life discipleship.

“I have always felt like the biggest help in mentoring is when it’s more about life than curriculum,” Shaddix said. “For me the biggest help that I can offer is just coming alongside an individual and inviting them into our lives.”

For seminary students who already have a lot of studying on their plates, Shaddix’s approach is to help them become good stewards of the gospel. “The biggest burden in ministry leadership is the transference of the gospel,” he said. “I try to be very intentional about their understanding of the gospel and articulation of the gospel, all with a view toward them turning around and giving it to others.”

The Impact on Students Several of Shaddix’s current mentees reflect these values that he mod-

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els for them. For Clay Phillips, who is pursuing his Ph.D. in preaching, Shaddix has given him a passion to pour into others in his life.

“He has shown me the importance of passing the baton of faith to others,” said Philips. “I have often been intimidated to seek others to mentor… but I have since learned it is a vital aspect of our calling as Christians.”

Shaddix’s desire to instill in young ministers the dependence on the power of God has not gone unnoticed.

Gary Fike, a Master of Divinity student and teaching assistant for Shaddix, said that Shaddix has been a model of trust in God’s power.

“The primary lesson that Dr. Shaddix has taught me is what it means to live a Spirit-dependent and driven life,” Fike said. “I had never seen someone who devotes himself to come close to the Lord through prayer.”

Fike explained that he had been impressed with the power in Shaddix’s sermons, but he later learned the secret to his great preaching. “It is because Dr. Shaddix came to the Lord on his knees in weakness before he ever stood in Him in power,” he said.

Shaddix’s life-on-life approach was how Ronny Manneboina learned the basics of the Christian life. Raised in a Hindu family, Manneboina, was a new believer when he heard Shaddix preach for the first time at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, where Shaddix was on staff at the time.

Sensing God’s work in Manneboina’s life, Shaddix invited him into a mentoring relationship where he taught Manneboina how to read the Bible, pray and preach. As Shaddix transitioned to Southeastern, Manneboina felt the call to ministry and also came to Southeastern to pursue a theological education.

Manneboina said that Shaddix’s

mentorship both changed his life and helped him have stronger faith: “He always told me, ‘Ronny, this gospel is the most important thing in life. You can always give your life for this.’ He made an impact on me by being with me and constantly saying that this is worth it.”

Advice for Mentorships In his more than 20 years of mentoring, Shaddix has encountered blessings and challenges and learned several things along the way. He has walked alongside several young ministers who are now denominational leaders (see sidebar) or pastors of large churches and those who are faithfully serving in rural churches.

He offers some tips to those who desire a mentor: Be intentional. Let people know that you want a mentor. Don’t be afraid to ask someone.

Be available. Adjust your schedule to have time for mentorship.

Be flexible. Don’t set a level of expectation on your mentor. Be willing to fit into their lives in whatever way possible.

For those desiring to become a mentor, he offers this advice: Know your limits. No one can do everything. You can’t be intentional about mentoring and just add it to everything else you’re doing. It is a time investment.

Expect to learn. Shaddix said he’s never had a mentee whom he didn’t learn from. He has even had the opportunity to teach alongside some people he poured into. For him, that’s the greatest benefit.

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HOW TO FIND A MENTEE Interested in investing in someone else and helping them to grow in their walk with God? Use this guide from Dr. Shaddix as a lens to seek and find the person that God might want you to share your life and experiences with.

H – Hungry.

Are they interested in preaching the gospel? Do they have a heart for the Great Commission?

E – Engaged.

Are they already applying themselves in ministry in some way? Are they active in their local church?

A – Available.

This is a practical element. Is there room in their schedules? Are they willing to adjust and make themselves available?

R – Responsible.

Are they trustworthy in weighty matters? Do they display the ability to take things seriously?

T – Teachable.

Are they open to learning? Do they desire to have someone speak into their lives?

Daniel Akin: President, Professor of Preaching and Theology, Ed Young, Sr. Chair of Expository Preaching Jim Shaddix: Professor of Preaching, W. A. Criswell Chair of Preaching Tony Merida: Associate Professor of Preaching, Johnny Hunt Chair of Biblical Preaching

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FEATURED STORIES \

Preachers often long for that exciting moment when the audience seems to be fully engaged in the sermon—listening intently, understanding the concepts.

How often does this happen in our churches week by week?

According to Wayne McDill, emeritus professor of preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, many preachers today do not spend enough time preparing for the actual delivery of their sermons, banking instead on the content to drive the message into remembrance.

In an article for preaching.com titled “Low-tech preaching in a high-tech age” McDill offers insights for preachers to make the most of their sermons through non-media means.

Do you need to refresh your sermon delivery? Would you like to bet ter connect to your audience? What follows is an excerpt from McDill’s article, a section titled “Revisiting Sermon Delivery,” that can be a helpful tool for you as you think about how to deliver the Word of God to your people each week.

MANY CONTEMPORARY preachers have the attitude James Stalker ex-

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pressed about sermon delivery more than a hundred years ago: “When I was at college, we used rather to despise delivery. We were so confident in the power of ideas that we thought nothing of the manner of setting them up. Only have good stuff, we thought, and it will preach itself ... and many of us have since suffered for it. We know how many sermons are preached in the churches of the country every Sunday; but does anyone know how many are listened to?”

(Stalker, 1891, 119).

From the time they complete seminary preaching courses, very few preachers ever expose themselves again to a critique of their sermon delivery. They rather continue on in whatever delivery patterns they developed, for the most part assuming they are doing well. The consumers of sermons, however, are more likely to consider most preaching rather dull, and to be delighted when they hear an engaging and helpful sermon.

The effectiveness of a spoken message is largely in the manner of its presentation rather than in the material presented.

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T HE E F F EC T I V E NE S S OF A SP OK E N ME S S AGE IS L A R GE LY IN T HE M A NNE R OF I T S P R E SE N TAT ION R AT HE R T H A N IN T HE M AT E RI A L P R E SE N T E D. The audience is getting a number of messages from the preacher besides his words. Sixty-five percent of the message they are receiving comes by means other than the words he says.

That means only 35 percent of speech communication may be verbal. These other channels for communication are tone of voice, facial expressions, gestures, even the way he stands and how he is dressed (Ross, 1980, 68).

Mark Knapp does not exaggerate when he writes, “how something is said is frequently what is said” (Hesselgrave, 1991, 437). Though some of the perceived weaknesses of preaching today may be elsewhere, serious attention should be given to the issue of sermon delivery. It is an exhilarating experience for the preacher when his audience is fully connected with him and his message. They look at him intently. They hang on his every word. They are one with him in the communication process—fully engaged, attentive and alert.

But many preachers have a different experience every Sunday. Their audience is listless, bored, preoccupied with other matters and distracted. Delivering the sermon takes all the energy the preacher has, and he still seems to be getting nowhere. At first this inattention bothers a new preacher. After a while, however, he may come to accept it as normal.

Many preachers just trudge along, chalking up the boredom to spiritual

Wayne McDill

deadness in the church.

Effective delivery style for this generation can be called conversational.

This does not mean chatty or of little importance. It rather has to do with the communication emphasis of conversation. Conversational style is dialogical. It is a two-way flow of communication as the preacher pays as close attention to his audience as he hopes they will to him.

Conversational style employs the melody of normal speech. Preachers often change their voices when they enter the pulpit, adopting a speech pattern that is louder, higher in pitch, tends toward a monotone and generally sounds like a stereotypical preacher. In their classic sermon delivery textbook, Stevenson and Diehl devoted an entire chapter to this “ministerial tune” (Stevenson and Diehl, 1958, 49).

Conversational style, on the other hand, allows for variety in rate, pitch, volume, mood and language. Just as in a stimulating conversation, the preacher may whisper and shout, rush and pause, laugh and ponder, philosophize and confess; conversational preaching expresses this same variety. There is room for drama and description, pathos and persuasion, argument and anguish.

Conversational style is more personal. The preacher does not talk at the audience but with the audience.

There is a level of warmth and intimacy that cannot be achieved in other styles of preaching. The sermon is designed to be hearer-oriented. Conversational style is simply the preacher’s natural manner. This means that the preacher uses his normal way of talking in the pulpit, enlarging his expression as necessary for the public speaking situation.

Unfortunately, much of the impact

Emeritus Professor of Preaching

of effective delivery is lost with the use of some visual aids. Using a PowerPoint presentation with the sermon draws the attention of the audience to the screen and away from the preacher. The presentation is no longer basic oral communication, with its power to engage the audience. The primary channel of communication has become the written word.

McDill has over 40 years of ministry experience in lead and supporting pastor roles. He has also served on the denominational level in the areas of evangelism and church growth, and he has taught at both the college and seminary levels. McDill received his bachelor’s degree in speech education from East Texas Baptist College and earned both his master’s and doctoral degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

A teacher of preaching, communication, rhetoric, church planting and pastoral leadership, McDill worked with Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Ministry students at Southeastern. He has authored several books, including two textbooks on preaching: “The 12 Essential Skills for Great Preaching, Second Edition” and “The Moment of Truth: A Guide to Effective Sermon Delivery.”

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PREACHING PROGRAMS AT SOUTHEASTERN Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. One way we do this is by equipping and training pastors to send out into churches all over the country. Take a look at just a few of our graduates and where they are serving.

Dwayne Milioni

Lead Pastor, Open Door Church, Raleigh, NC Assistant Professor of Preaching at SEBTS Ph.D.

J.D. Greear

Pastor, The Summit Church, Raleigh, NC Visiting Professor of Evangelism / Missions at SEBTS M.Div. and Ph.D.

Scott Pace

Hughes Chair of Christian Ministry Chair of the Christian and Cross-Cultural Ministry Department Oklahoma Baptist University M.Div. and Ph.D.

Mark Howell

Senior Pastor, Hunters Glen Baptist Church, Plano, TX M.Div. and Ph.D.

Bill Curtis

Lead Pastor at Cornerstone Baptist Church, Darlington, SC Adjunct Professor at SEBTS M.Div. and Ph.D.

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/ FEATURED STORIES

John Bohannon

Co-Founder/Pastor, Water’s Edge Community Church, Clarksville, VA Adjunct Professor at SEBTS Board Chairman, The Selah Center M.Div. and Ph.D.

Johnny Hunt

Pastor of First Baptist Woodstock, Woodstock, GA M.Div.

“I love the emphasis on Bible exposition at SEBTS. One great joy in life is having the Johnny Hunt Chair of Biblical Preaching. I’m so honored to see a man such as Dr. Tony Merida teaching pastors along with other such great men of God. There is no better teaching of sacred scripture than through exposition of the text, and SEBTS leads the way.”

Interested in being equipped to preach in the local church?

Southeastern can help you get there.

HUNT SCHOLARS PROGRAM - Bachelor of Arts & Master of Divinity in 5 years MASTER OF DIVINITY in Preaching and Pastoral Ministry MASTER OF THEOLOGY in Applied Theology / Preaching DOCTOR OF MINISTRY in Expository Preaching DOCTOR OF MINISTRY in Pastoral Ministry DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in Applied Theology / Preaching DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in Preaching

For more information, visit sebts.edu

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C ENT ERS AT

SOU T HE A S T E RN

NEW WEBSITE AT SEBTS.EDU/CFC

NEW WEBSITE AT SEBTS.EDU/PASTORSCENTER

THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF SCHOLARSHIP MADE COMPLETELY FREE TO YOU. SOUTHEASTERNREVIEW.COM

NEW WEBSITE AT SEBTS.EDU/CGCS

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SOUTHEASTERN STUDENTS GO DEEPER WITH THE MASTER OF THEOLOGY THE MASTER OF THEOLOGY (Th.M) program at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) offers students the opportunity to dig deeper—into an area of interest, into ministry preparation. Students often wonder if they could or should continue their seminary educations after a Master of Divinity (M.Div), and Southeastern’s Th.M. gives them the next step.

The purpose of Southeastern’s Th.M. program is to provide students with the opportunity to conduct guided research at an advanced level. Some students complete a Th.M. in route to a doctoral degree while others choose the Th.M. to enhance their preparation for ministry in the local church, on the mission field or in other areas of service.

David W. Jones, director of the Th.M. program, associate dean for graduate program administration and professor of Christian ethics, said that the Th.M. offers the option of digging deeper into an area of theological scholarship after the broad education that an M.Div. offers.

“When students first get here, they think they have all the answers, but then they start to realize that there’s a bunch of other material they were not aware of,” said Jones.

Jones explained that many times students get to the end of their M.Div. degrees and realize they just started learning how to ask the right questions about subjects that interest them. “For that student who has found their particular area, the Th.M. offers the opportunity to take 24 additional hours in that area.

The student can become more of an expert,” he said.

A Bridge to Advanced Study After Jeremy Bell finished his M.Div. at SEBTS, he wanted to go deeper into ethics research and find out if he could handle a

Harper McKay

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).

“One of the beautiful things about the program is that it gives you that research emphasis,” said Bell. “I wanted to see if I could even do a Ph.D. program. [The Th.M.] is a perfect bridge to get there and a perfect stop sign.”

Besides the opportunity to complete advanced research, the Th.M. allows students to take up to 12 of their 24 hours in Ph.D. seminars at SEBTS. This opportunity allows students to see first hand if they can handle the rigors of Ph.D. study, and projects in their seminars often give them material to use in future dissertations.

Jones said that most Th.M. students make great doctoral students. The ability to research and take courses at a higher level gives the students a “quantum leap” into the requirements of a doctoral degree.

The Th.M. program gives students a baseline, according to Bell, who plans to pursue a Ph.D. after he graduates. “You are well equipped and prepared to manage the workload and rigor of the Ph.D. program,” he said.

Equipping for Ministry Another half of Th.M. students at SEBTS pursue the degree to be further equipped for their ministries. “One of the best things about the Th.M. program is that it has actually made me a better pastor and preacher,” said Bell who serves as associate pastor for students and families at Mt. Tabor Baptist Church in Anderson, South Carolina.

“I’ve been reading a lot of philosophy books [in the Th.M. program],” said Bell.

“It helps me understand where people are coming from—the views that actually may be in the flock that I shepherd.”

The Th.M. can help pastors, missionar-

ies, para-church organization leaders and more go deeper into theological scholarship that will inform the way they approach ministry.

Mentorship and Guidance One of the biggest draws for the Th.M. program is the opportunity to study under a SEBTS professor. Jones said that often students will complete a Th.M. because they want to sit under the teaching and mentorship of a professor whom they studied under in the M.Div. program.

Indeed, Bell has benefitted from the guidance of Jones as he completed his Th.M., served as a pastor and prepared for Ph.D. study. “Dr. Jones has been there every step of the way,” he said. “He was able to mentor and influence and lead me down the path of my writing, reading and classes.”

Bell says that the mentorship has been his favorite thing about the Th.M. program. “When I have issues going on, I can call him and ask for wisdom,” he said. “I wouldn’t have the relationship that I do with Dr. Jones without the Th.M. program.”

Jones enjoys working with the Th.M. students. “There is no greater joy for me as a director to see students blossoming in a particular area and becoming more knowledgeable, more equipped to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission in their area of interest,” he said.

Bell recommends the program for any student who wants to succeed both academically and in ministry. He called it a two-edged sword, saying that the Th.M. program has the “ability to prepare you for following on with education but also to prepare you in an area of your interest, to strengthen and equip you to do what God calls you to do.”

Learn more about the Master of Theology at sebts.edu/thm or contact admissions@sebts.edu

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FEATURED STORIES \

BUILDING UP T HE BOD Y B Y EQ UIP P ING IT ALL STARTED OVER COFFEE. Seminary students Amber Bowen and Bekah Stoneking had met before, but this was the first time they had come together as women in the academy. As they shared their experiences and ambitions, the two students greatly encouraged one another with what they call their “nerdy” conversations.

Soon a few more women came along with Bowen and Stoneking to have coffee, study together and share ideas.

The informal meetings provided something that these women had been missing.

“We found great benefit from having each other to converse with, to encourage, to collaborate with,” said Bowen and Stoneking. “It was encouraging to know that there were others in the same boat rowing alongside.”

It wasn’t long until an idea emerged.

Bowen and Stoneking wondered what it would be like if Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary had an avenue for women to meet together for collaboration and encouragement in their academic work. They wanted women on campus to have a gathering place for ideas, networking, learning and leadership development.

The result—Southeastern’s new Society for Women in Scholarship.

Serving the Minorities Women are a minority in the world of theological scholarship, and this is no exception at Southeastern. Engaging in scholarship and finding resources can often be challenging for women, which is something Southeastern is trying to improve.

“Women are our largest and most diverse minority group on campus, and we are constantly seeking ways to

36 \ SEBTS.EDU \\ SPRING 2017

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serve sub-groups within that demographic,” said Walter Strickland, special advisor to the president for diversity and instructor of theology.

Along with Denise O’Donoghue, director of women’s life and assistant professor of ministry to women, Strickland has been thinking through how Southeastern could support women scholars better. “[We] began talking about how Southeastern has not developed a place for women who are academically gifted to be encouraged in their pursuits and be sharpened in their gifting,” said Strickland. “While this is the job of the school as a whole, at times complementarian seminaries do not cultivate the unique voices of women as we ought.”

This is echoed in the individual aca-

WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISPLAY…A GLIMPSE OF THE GLORY TO COME, WHERE WE STAND TOGETHER AS THE BODY OF CHRIST, UNIQUELY DESIGNED, AND USE OUR GIFTS TO SERVE HIM AND STRENGTHEN ONE ANOTHER. demic journeys of Bowen and Stoneking. For Bowen, a Master of Arts in Philosophy of Religion student, there is the ever-present struggle to know how to use her gifts.

“Both Bekah and I have spent many years battling with our giftings due to the fact that they don’t easily fit the mold,” said Bowen. “We have gone back and forth from … ignoring the passions and talents the Lord has

given us while force-cultivating the ones he hasn’t [to] occasionally mustering up the curiosity and courage to see what it would look like to practice and grow our giftings.”

In the world of theological scholarship, Stoneking, a Doctor of Education student, said that the seminary community is a unique one to navigate for women. Because the professional and personal lives of students and professors often overlap from classroom instruction to mentorship to serving together in the local church, male students tend to have more access to a faculty that is majority male.

“When the time comes for a professor to need a substitute lecturer, research assistant or co-author, they’re naturally going to gravitate toward those students they know even deeper,” Stoneking said. “You notice the additional leg up it offers to the male students.”

That’s what makes the formation of the Society for Women in Scholarship so encouraging to many of its members. It provides a place to hash out ideas, ask questions and share their experiences in the academy.

Campus-wide support This new opportunity for women has received much support from Southeastern’s administration, faculty and student body. SEBTS Provost Bruce Ashford called the society “one of the most exciting developments” at the school in recent history.

“It is composed of a number of very sharp women who are committed not only to maintaining high standards of scholarship but to handing down the faith once for all delivered to the saints,” Ashford said.

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W OMEN IN SC HOL A RSHIP Strickland said that the society will help women use their gifts for the body of Christ. “I’m convinced that the fruit of the society will extend beyond the confines of the group by emboldening women to contribute more readily in classroom discussion, providing opportunities to publish written work and by sponsoring events for both genders to think deeply about the Christian faith,” he said.

The society has held a handful of meetings so far, and the response from students—both female and male—has been very positive.

“Our members are saying, ‘Thank you so much for this.’ It’s what they’ve been wanting,” said Adrianne Miles, assistant professor of English and linguistics, who serves on the society’s leadership team.

Bowen and Stoneking have been excited to see how women are responding to the direction the society is going. “Seeing them leave our meetings inspired by meeting other running mates and with a renewed awareness that Southeastern is a good place for them to be makes it all worth it to us,” they said.

Men have also shown interest in the society, wanting to know how they could partner with them to support their family members, classmates and students.

can have academic conversations with women and engage each other in scholarship,” said Miles.

Denise O’Donoghue of Women’s Life sees great things happening in the future of the society. “It is my hope that the society, among other things, will create a network of academicallyminded women that will be a useful resource now and for years to come,” she said.

Bowen and Stoneking have dreams for the society that extend beyond Southeastern’s campus. “I’d love to see Southeastern become a leader and a beacon for women from all over to come and get equipped to GO and serve in their unique and God-glorifying ways,” Bowen said.

“We’d love to see our churches robustly strengthened because of educated women who are ministering well and producing theologically rich content,” added Stoneking. “We have the opportunity to display…a glimpse of the glory to come, where we stand together as the body of Christ, uniquely designed, and use our gifts to serve Him and strengthen one another.”

Goals for growth The society has a vision to be a resource for good scholarship on campus. Along with their monthly meetings, they have plans to host events for the entire student body. “We want men to come to these events…and have that iron sharpening iron and start some dialogue to show that you

To learn more about the Society and how you can be involved, email thesociety@sebts.edu

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/ PROFILES

SEE HOW WE ARE GOING FACULTY

with Bill Curtis

Bill Curtis

Lead Pastor, Cornerstone Baptist Church, Darlington, SC, SEBTS Adjunct Faculty Member

by Chris Martin

the amazing changes at Southeastern. It was one of the best ministry decisions of my life.

WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON? This year I am publishing a critical biography based on my dissertation. The book is entitled, “Gypsy Smith: The Forgotten Evangelist.” I have a new devotional that will be published later this year entitled, “30 Days to the Parables: A Devotional Commentary.”

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF. I received my B.A. in Bible and English from Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1986, my M.A. in English from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1993 and my M.Div. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1996. I received my Ph.D. in Biblical Studies, with a concentration in Homiletics, from Southeastern Seminary in 2001. I have been teaching for many years. I have served as an adjunctive professor of homiletics and English at Southeastern for 18 years, where I currently teach homiletics in the Ph.D. program. I have been an associate professor of homiletics for Liberty Seminary since 2011.

Also, I have been involved in vocational church ministry since 1989.

HOW DID YOU COME TO SOUTHEASTERN? I was serving as an associate pastor at Eagles Landing First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, when I decided to go back to school and strengthen my ministry through biblical studies. Dr. Paige Patterson had just been hired as the president, and I wanted to be a part of

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN READING RECENTLY? It has been years since I’ve taken the time to read any C. S. Lewis. I am planning to read all of his works this year (excluding “The Chronicles of Narnia”).

WHEN YOU GET HOME FROM WORK, WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO DOING? Well, I find great joy in work, and since I’m now an empty nester, I usually have some type of project underway. I love to write and edit, so I always have a publication project going.

WHO ARE YOUR ROLE MODELS? I have had so many men influence my life and ministry, but a few men have poured knowledge into me that has been transformational. Dr. Paige Patterson taught me the value of courage. Dr. Danny Akin taught me the value of leadership. Rev. David Clay taught me how to navigate the challenges of pastoring a local church.

WHAT HAS GOD BEEN TEACHING YOU LATELY? Lately, I have been reflecting on the outcomes that are derived by being

clothed in the righteousness of Christ. It is quite miraculous to know that I am fully acceptable to God because I am a recipient of Christ’s righteousness, regardless of the fact that I still carry with me this body of death.

WHERE ARE SOME OF YOUR FORMER STUDENTS? I am blessed to have former students are who serving all over the U.S. and around the world. I’m grateful that I can stay connected to them through social media and observe all of the ways that God is using them to be on mission.

WHEN A STUDENT COMPLETES YOUR PROGRAM, WHAT DO YOU WANT HIM OR HER TO WALK AWAY WITH AT THE END? As a professor of Ph.D. students, I have several goals for my students. First, I want them to grow as thinkers. Second, I want them to grow as writers. It is one thing to interpret data; it is quite another to be able to communicate that data in print in ways that are both clear and concise.

Third, I want them to grow as future churchmen. Many of my students are either already pastors or they’re aspiring to be pastors.

WE ALWAYS SAY THAT EVERY CLASSROOM AT SEBTS IS A GREAT COMMISSION CLASSROOM. WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE FOR YOUR CLASS? The Apostle Paul said that preaching was at the core of the Great Commission (Rom 10:14). As a result, my subject area is foundational to it. I want my students to grow in every way as students and practitioners of preaching.

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PROFILES \

SEE HOW WE ARE GOING ALUMNI

with Ronnie Owen

Ronnie Owen

Pastor, Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Asheville, NC SEBTS Alumnus

by Chris Martin After all these years, I still have a vision in terms of evangelism, discipleship and ministry. The best may be yet ahead.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST INFLUENTIAL MOMENT AT SOUTHEASTERN?

TELL US ABOUT YOUR MINISTRY AND FAMILY. I grew up in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. I was the middle child in a family of nine children. I attended Mars Hill College and served Laurel Branch Church, Pensacola, North Carolina while there.

Then I moved to Raleigh where I attended Southeastern and served Mount Vernon Baptist Church. I have been pastor at Mount Carmel Baptist Church since October 1969 and am a professor of Old Testament (Minor Prophets) at Fruitland Baptist Bible College. My wife, Nancy, is communications secretary at Buncombe Baptist Association. Our daughters, their husbands and families live in Asheville and are active in church.

YOU HAVE BEEN AT THE SAME CHURCH FOR OVER 45 YEARS! HOW HAVE YOU MANAGED TO DO THAT? I’ve learned to receive and extend forgiveness. The people of the church have been very gracious to me. No church is without its challenges, obviously, but we have been blessed with good lay leadership. The deacons, staff and team leaders have all been very supportive.

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The Israel trip in 2015-2016 with Drs. Akin and Moseley was the most influential moment of my education at Southeastern.

We visited various historical Jewish and Christian sites in different regions of the land of Israel. This trip has made Scripture come alive to me. It has positively transformed my hermeneutics and homiletics. I can now unbiasedly interpret biblical texts related to the geography, botany, culture and people of Israel, as well as texts related to Jesus’ ministry itineraries and crucifixion narrative. The Israel I saw is not what the media makes it seem to be. It is a blessed land and a place that every student of the Bible should visit. I am grateful to Southeastern to making this trip affordable to me.

WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD TELL YOUR SEMINARY SELF NOW, AFTER 47 YEARS OF MINISTRY AT THE SAME CHURCH? I would say, “Seminary self: academics are very important, however, practical matters—relationships, mentoring and more—are also very essential. Dig in on the academics, but make sure you’re grabbing hold of tools for developing personal relationships, too.”

WHAT IS ONE MAJOR DIFFERENCE ABOUT BEING A PASTOR NOW THAN WHEN YOU STARTED? When I came to this church, even though I was only 26, there was a sense in which I was “honored” as the pastor of the church. There was a respect for the “calling” of being a pastor, even before one had the opportunity to demonstrate the sincerity of his call.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE PASTORS?

I would suggest two or three things.

First, prioritize your personal walk with the Lord. Second, if you’re married, don’t The greatest joy comes in seeing people neglect your family. Nancy and I have two come to know the Lord and see the disciple- daughters, and they still kid me about ship process occur in their lives. Seeing the “stopping by the church for a minute.” ripple effect of evangelism and discipleship Third, be guided by the Great Commisover generations of a family is a blessing. sion and the Great Commandment.

WHAT IS THE GREATEST JOY THAT YOU HAVE AS A PASTOR?

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE GREATEST CHALLENGES YOU FACE AS A PASTOR? I think one of the greatest challenges is successfully leading the church to reach Millennials. We have a church body that is eager to be flexible in order to reach young families, but it is a challenge for us and for many churches in our association.

WHAT HAS GOD BEEN TEACHING YOU LATELY? I’ve been overwhelmed by the greatness of God. I think it’s because of my absolute dependence on Him for reaching people, meeting needs in my life and more. Isaiah 40 has been helping me a whole lot. He spoke the universe into existence with ease and superintends it. Yet, He has concern for me.

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PROFILES \

Southeastern received $8.3 million last year because of Southern Baptist churches like yours committed to the spread of the Gospel to all nations, tribes and tongues.

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/ PROFILES

SEE HOW WE ARE GOING STUDENT

Anna & Abby Schaefer Southeastern Students

by Chris Martin

with Abby & Anna Schaeffer

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF. Anna: I got my undergraduate degree in English creative writing from Augusta University in Augusta, GA, which is where we’re from. I love ministry through storytelling, and I focus on writing fiction in particular. Volunteering in Baptist Collegiate Ministries in college grew my heart for ministry and led me to go to seminary. I came to Southeastern in the fall of 2015 and am working on a master’s degree in Ministry to Women.

Abby: I am junior at The College of Southeastern pursuing a degree in theology. Like Anna said, we’re from Georgia, and I love the South, pecan pie and sunshine. Showing hospitality is one of my great joys; I love getting to know people, learning their stories and making them feel valued. I recognize my life is a gift of God’s grace and seek to love people well as I follow Him. I am excited to be marrying Josh Puryear in June and begin a life of ministry serving Christ alongside him.

WHY SOUTHEASTERN? Anna: One of the big reasons was the location. It’s close to our family, and we

have a younger sister back home we love spending time with. It’s not hard to get home when we need to. Also, I loved the Ministry to Women program and Women’s Life on campus.

Abby: I concur with Anna. Josh and I were looking for seminaries that have a strong undergrad and seminary program, as he is studying in the seminary. We noticed a genuine spirit here on campus. It is not only about academics, but it’s about loving people wherever the Lord leads us.

WHAT ARE YOU STUDYING AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT FOCUS?

Liederbach. This class gave me a deeper sense of awe for how the gospel affects every single area of our lives. We got to see how Christ truly changes everything.

Dr. Liederbach challenged us to ask what will bring the highest glory to God in each situation we face.

Abby: Mine has to be when my professor gave us his introduction to our Advanced Theological Systems class. He said that we’re not just here to gain knowledge or sound smart, but because we believe the gospel changes lives and we want to communicate the truth of Scripture well for the sake of the church and the lost.

Anna: My heart is for discipling and HOW IS SOUTHEASTERN PREPARING YOU TO LIVE OUT THE mentoring women. I know what it’s like to GREAT COMMISSION IN YOUR LIFE grow up in the church with a checklist AND MINISTRY? kind of faith and completely miss what grace looks like. The Ministry to Women Anna: It is equipping me in so many program is allowing me to study counsel- ways. Southeastern is equipping me theoing, discipleship, writing and more. I am logically and practically to live out the being equipped to walk alongside women Great Commission in whatever ministry to help them live authentically as women field I pursue. I’m not just learning the made in God’s image. “big seminary words,” but I’m also learnAbby: The theology program is allow- ing how to share those truths with others. ing me to build a solid biblical foundation Whether I’m leading a small group or just that will help equip me to serve in what- talking with a friend, I’m being equipped ever ministry context the Lord leads me to live out the Great Commission. to. I have a heart for serving the local Abby: It has been equipping me to love church and a passion for encouraging be- people. Southeastern has a big push on lievers to dig deep into God’s Word and be global missions, but it has a big push on changed by the grace and gospel message local missions as well. How do I love peothey encounter. ple well? How do I support my brothers and sisters in Christ? How do I love others in my community? As Peter says in WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST John 6, Southeastern has showed me we INFLUENTIAL MOMENT AT have access to the words of eternal life SOUTHEASTERN? Anna: My “moment” is a class: Intro- and has prompted me to ask myself if I’m stewarding these words well. duction to Christian Ethics with Dr. Mark SPRING 2017 // SEBTS.EDU

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PROFILES \

SEE HOW WE ARE GOING

Jimmy Marston SEBTS Trustee Lynchburg, VA

body’s life. When you see that someone planted a seed before and you’ve just come along and watered it—that’s a really cool experience. It’s also humbling to see things that are not your doing, but the

MINISTRY PARTNER

with Jimmy Marston

HOW DID YOU COME TO KNOW CHRIST AND BEGIN GETTING INVOLVED IN DENOMINATIONAL SERVICE? I came to know Christ through a children’s camp when I was nine years old. I fell away from following the Lord in my teenage years, but I didn’t stop believing in Him. After getting married, I got back into church and began re-developing my relationship with the Lord.

I got involved with denominational work through my church, Highland Heights Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. I went on my first mission trip in 2003 with my church to Brazil.

YOU HAVE GONE ON A NUMBER OF SHORT-TERM MISSION TRIPS WITH SOUTHEASTERN STUDENTS. WHAT MADE YOU START GOING WITH THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE? When I was nominated to serve on the board of trustees, I was on the way home from the airport from a mission trip. Danny Akin called me to tell me I had been approved. He told me about the mission

44 \ SEBTS.EDU \\ SPRING 2017

by Chris Martin

Lord’s. On my most recent trip to South-

trips Southeastern takes, and I asked if I could go. He said I could, but that they had never had trustees go on the trips before.

Muslim context, had just stumbled across

HOW MANY TRIPS HAVE YOU GONE ON, AND WHERE HAVE THEY BEEN? DO ANY STAND OUT?

Bible he found.

east Asia, I got to know a man who, in this

I have been on seven mission trips with Southeastern so far. I’ve been to Taiwan, Mexico, Toronto, South Sudan, Japan, Southeast Asia and Scotland. I’ve enjoyed all of them, and all of them have had experiences that stand out. Getting to know the students is really valuable to me. Also, I have had the opportunity to get to know the professors on a personal level I would have never gotten had I just been a trustee.

ON A COUPLE OF RECENT TRIPS, YOU HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT WITH SOME SOUTHEASTERN GRADUATES ON THE FIELD. WHAT HAS THAT BEEN LIKE? It’s been great. I’ve been able to see how Southeastern graduates are doing and what their ministry is like. Every missionary does mission work in different ways, depending on the way the Lord has gifted them and what their contexts are. I’ve been on 40-50 mission trips total, and I’ve seen missionaries do missions in totally different ways. So, it’s been good to see how the Southeastern graduates are serving in their contexts.

WHAT IS THE GREATEST JOY THAT YOU HAVE AS YOU WORK TO IMPACT OTHERS FOR CHRIST THROUGH SHORT-TERM MISSIONS AND OTHER MINISTRY WORK? Obviously, seeing someone accept the Lord and seeing the Lord work in some-

a Bible the week before. He did not commit to Christ when I was with him, but he promised to read the book of John in the

WHAT HAS GOD BEEN TEACHING YOU LATELY IN YOUR WALK WITH CHRIST AND AS YOU SERVE ON SHORT-TERM MISSIONS TRIPS? That it’s not about me. I like to see results in what I do, whether personal or in ministry, but sometimes you see no results. It’s tempting to think, “Did I waste money going on this trip?” When I’m tempted to think that, I’m reminded that you don’t go on mission trips to see results—you go on mission trips to be a servant. I’ll never be a televangelist or a preacher or have the spotlight. The Lord has just called me to serve, not to be successful at every last thing I do, but to humble myself and serve him.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR CURRENT STUDENTS WHO MAY BE CONSIDERING HOW GOD MIGHT HAVE THEM DO GREAT COMMISSION WORK AND DIVE INTO THE MISSION FIELD? I would tell them to follow their passion as long as the Lord is their passion. I’ve heard a stat a number of times—I don’t know if it’s true—that 90% of people who go to seminary leave the ministry before they retire from it. Like I said, I don’t know if the statistic is true, but it reminds me that we aren’t all called to be Danny Akin or Billy Graham or people like them.

We’re called to be servants, and we can leave the “success” up to God.

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To become part of Southeastern’s mission to equip students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission through giving, visit sebts.edu/ses.

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THE PLACE FOR ALUMNI TO CONNECT ENCOURAGE DISCIPLE GROW Tell us how you’re going! Join today at sebts.edu/sen

@JonathanSix

A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

“WHERE IS THAT IN THE TEXT?” have the opportunity to hear stories The six words that I feared the most! from many of you who proclaim the I still remember the day that I stood before a group of my peers in Sermon “good news” each and every week. It is always an encouragement to see how Delivery while Dr. McDill sternly but graciously reminded me that no mat- God is transforming lives through the proclaimed Word. There is great comter how eloquently we speak or how fort in knowing that as the tides of illustrious our content our sermons culture ebb and flow, the Word of God must be text-driven. At the time, I was horrified, but today, I am thank- stands firm.

My prayer is that until Jesus reful. I am thankful that I received a turns, Southeastern will be a breedmemorable rebuke that called me to ing ground for Bible expositors who preach the Bible. Many of you might love God’s people and preach the have a similar story. We all remember Word faithfully. Be in prayer for our the horror stories! faculty as they raise up a generation Today, over 16,000 graduates of of faithful pastors and Bible teachers.

Southeastern are a legacy of a return I want to encourage you to financially to Biblical preaching. It was not long support the work of Southeastern in ago that Southeastern was better training pastors and missionaries known for theological liberalism than preaching the risen Christ to the ends biblical fidelity. In a world riddled with brokenness and a culture in- of the Earth. Oh, that we would be a generation of Christ-honoring stewcreasingly hostile towards the gospel we are training a generation of bibli- ards who give to see the Great Commission fulfilled. cally faithful preachers who stand on the authority of God’s word. I often

Jonathan Six,

Director of Financial and Alumni Development

SPRING 2017 // SEBTS.EDU

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Join us in Phoenix!

SEBTS Alumni & Friends Luncheon at the Southern Baptist Convention Wednesday, June 14, 2017 12:00 - 2:00pm Phoenix Convention Center, West Building, Room 301 D Purchase your tickets at iamgoi.ng/alumniphoenix Email mard@sebts.edu or call 919-761-2293 with any questions.