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June 2006
volume 2, issue 1
Psalm 119:105 – Our Guiding Light
Walking in the darkness of night can prove to be a frightening and dangerous action. The only help you have is the little bit of light from the moon and stars. Imagine walking through the darkness without the help of the moon or stars. All you have is a small source of light that illuminates the path only a foot at best. These were the circumstances of the Psalmist.
Psalm 119:105 says, "The word of the Lord is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." This lamp and light relates to the light of a candle. When a candle burns in darkness there is only a small ray of light. The Psalmist equates the Word of the Lord to the tiny light given off by the lamp, which shines on the dark path. The Scriptures shine a light on the paths of our lives. God does not always reveal a great deal to us, but He shows us enough to help us remain on the path.
As you meditate on this verse, reflect upon your own life of how God’s Word is your guiding light in the darkness of this world. Trust in the power of the Holy Scripture, have faith in it’s guidance, live the Word out in all situations, and it will be your guiding light.
--Nick Foss, new Marketing, Admissions, and Recruiting Coordinator, Doctor of Ministry
Northview Bible Church is considering going from one Sunday School hour to Two Sunday School hours in order to double their space availability. What the senior pastor would really like is to find another church/pastor who has already worked through this issue. If you would like to get in touch with this pastor, please contact me.
If you have identified a trend you would like to highlight for future issues,
please e-mail berickso@gcts.edu and
in the subject line, write trends. We are looking for students like
you to tell us what is going on in your area of ministry - what seems to be
a trend and how you are working with that trend.
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A little humor:
A priest, a Pentecostal preacher, and a Rabbi all served as chaplains to the students of the University of Montana in Missoula.
They would get together two or three times a week for coffee and to talk shop.
One day, someone made the comment that preaching to people isn't really all that hard. A real challenge would be to preach to a bear.
One thing led to another and they decided to do an experiment. They would all go out into the woods, find a bear, preach to it, and attempt to convert it.
Seven days later, they're all together to discuss the experience.
Father Flannery, who has his arm in a sling, is on crutches, and has various bandages, goes first. "Well," he says, "I went into the woods to find me a bear. And when I found him I began to read to him from the Catechism. Well, that bear wanted nothing to do with me and began to
slap me around. So I quickly grabbed my holy water, sprinkled him and, Holy Mary Mother of God, he became as gentle a lamb. The bishop is coming
out next week to give him first communion and confirmation."
Reverend Billy Bob spoke next. He was in a wheelchair, with an arm and both legs in casts, and an IV drip. In his best fire and brimstone
oratory he claimed, " WELL brothers, you KNOW that we don't sprinkle! I went
out and I FOUND me a bear. And then I began to read to my bear from God's HOLY WORD! But that bear wanted nothing to do with me. So I took HOLD of him and we began to wrestle. We wrestled down one hill, UP another and DOWN another until we came to a creek. So I quick DUNKED him and
BAPTIZED his hairy soul. And just like you said, he became as gentle as a lamb. We spent the rest of the day praising Jesus."
They both looked down at the rabbi, who was lying in a hospital bed. He was in a body cast and traction with IV's and monitors running in and
out of him. He was in bad shape.
The rabbi looked up and said, "Looking back on it, circumcision may not have been the best way to start."
If you have an illustration or quote you would like to share as noteworthy,
please submit to berickso@gcts.edu and
in the subject line, write illustrations.
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Walt Mueller’s new book, Engaging The Soul of Youth Culture, is yet one more piece of evidence of his amazing gifts and passions for ministry to youth. Without question, Walt is one of the foremost experts in understanding youth cultures in North America, and he has been engaged in such work for many, many years. This book reveals some of the very rich fruit of this ongoing work. This project was enhanced, also, by Walt’s intense season of study in the Doctor of Ministry program at Gordon-Conwell. (Editorial note: In fact, the core of this book was Walt's Doctor of Ministry thesis-project.) Building upon Paul’s conversations on Mars Hill, Walt has built a model for both understanding and deeply engaging the real world in which young people live. The book combines socio-cultural insight, personal experience and solid biblical and theological reasoning. I believe the book is essential reading for youth workers, parents, and for anyone who has a heart for teens (which should, of course, include all of us). --Dr. Gary Parrett, mentor
We are sad this month to say farewell to Jennifer Drummond as she leaves the Doctor of Ministry office. Join us in praises to God as we welcome Nick Foss as our Coordinator for Admissions, Recruiting, and Marketing. Nick is a 2006 MDiv graduate of GCTS and also works with Advent Christian students at the Seminary and Gordon College. He and his wife, Rebecca, are expecting their first child in September.
Take a moment to review the schedule of other upcoming cohorts. Let us know if you would like us to send information to anyone you know.
Also, take a moment to see where we will be over
the next few months. Maybe you can join us!
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Featured here are links to websites that have proven to be a useful resource for ministry. Also featured here are subjects for research and good topics for thesis-projects. If you have anything that you would like to add to this section, please submit it to berickso@gcts.edu and in the subject line, write links.
Has your thesis-project been published? Dr. Currie's Byington scholar, John Pryor, is creating a list of all the students who have published their final DMin projects. If you have, or know someone who has, please contact John Pryor at the address below to let him know. Thanks! Please include Author, Title, Publisher, and year published. Send to: johnboston1225@comcast.net
During the Summer sessions, Logos Bible Software is offering their Academic Discount Program. Students can save 40%, while staff and faculty can save 50% on many Logos products.
Requirements for participation:
/library/onlinedata.php
www.ministrylist.com
PulpitTalk
www.thinkingthefaith.org
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In February of 2006, Carver Bible College received full accreditation from the Association of Biblical Higher Education. Carver Bible College is headed by Robert Crummie (The Preacher and The Message). This is a major milestone for Carver Bible College, and one of our students. Let us praise God for this accomplishment.
Check out what is happening with your colleagues around the world by clicking here.
If you have any news or prayer requests you would like to share, please contact us at berickso@gcts.edu and in the subject line, write news.
March 2005
August 2005
October 2005
February 2006
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