YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE RTS CONVOCATIONS
Aug. 26 - RTS/Charlotte convocation, 11:00am in the chapel. Speaker: Dr. Mike Kruger, president of RTS/Charlotte (2nd from left) will speak on "Origen's List of New Testament Books." Please RSVP for lunch to twilliamson@rts.edu. Aug 27 - RTS/Orlando convocation, 11:00am in the Pamplin Chapel. Speaker: Chancellor Ligon Duncan (3rd from left). RSVP to ksutter@rts.edu for lunch. Sept. 9 - RTS/Washington DC's first chapel at noon on campus. Speaker: Dr. Scott Redd, president of RTS/Washington DC (far right). | August 5, 2014 | Issue #157 DATES TO REMEMBERAug. 25 - President's Forum with Dr. Don Sweeting and Dr. Kelly Kapic, professor of theological studies at Covenant College. The event is open to the public. RSVP for lunch to ksutter@rts.edu. Sept. 9 - Missions Conference with Ken Temple at RTS/Jackson at noon, then Sept. 10 at 11am. Sept. 10 - Starting date for Women's Bible Study on Wednesdays with President Mike Kruger at RTS Charlotte 9:30am - 10:45am. Sept. 12 - 13 - RTS course in Raleigh, NC begins. Oct. 2 - SAVE THE DATE - The inauguration of Dr. Ligon Duncan at FPC Jackson, Miss., at 7:30pm. Oct. 9-10 - Marriage and Family Therapy Counseling Conference at RTS/Jackson with Dr. Diane Langberg, Dr. Jim Hurley and Dr. Bill Richardson. | ||||
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NEW BOOK BY VAN DIXHOORN Dr. Chad Van Dixhoorn, associate professor of church history at RTS/Washington DC, has written Confessing the Faith:A Reader's Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, due late August.) The description notes, "This accessible, biblical, and thoughtful work digests years of study and teaching into bite-sized sections. Van Dixhoorn’s work is historical and practical in its focus. It deliberately presents readers with more than another survey of Reformed theology; it offers a guide to a particular text, considers its original proof-texts, and seeks to deepen our understanding of each paragraph of the Confession."LISTEN TO COMMENCEMENT ADDRESSES BY DR. DUNCANChancellor Ligon Duncan gave the commencement address to the RTS graduates and their friends and families at RTS/DC in late May from 1 Timothy. Listen here. Chancellor Duncan also gave the commencement address for RTS/Jackson from 1 Timothy. Listen here. RTS DISTANCE ED ANNOUNCES NEW RELEASES The RTS Distance Education Department has released “Educational Ministry of the Church” with lectures from Mr. John Muether and Dr. John Kwasny. This 2-credit-hour course is a survey of Christian education in the life and history of the church, with particular attention given to the philosophy, history, organization, curriculum, and training of teachers in the church. John Muether will serve as the online professor of record. The course lectures are available on iTunes U and on the newly improved RTS Mobile App. The RTS DE Department has also released "Christian Encounter with Islam." This course is an introduction to the history, culture, traditions, beliefs, and practices of Islam. Students will develop a deeper understanding of Islam in order to love Muslims as their neighbors and witness more effectively to them. This course is not available at this time for public viewing. PREORDER DR. GLADD'S NEW BOOK  You may now pre-order Hidden But Now Revealed: A Biblical Theology of Mystery (IVP Academic, due November 2014) by G. K. Beale, and RTS professor Benjamin L. Gladd here. The description says, "Exploring all the occurrences of the term mystery in the New Testament and the topics found in conjunction with them, this work unpacks how the New Testament writers understood the issue of continuity and discontinuity. This investigation of the notion of mystery sharpens our understanding of how the Old Testament relates to the New and explores topics such as kingdom, crucifixion, the relationship between Jews and Gentiles and more. As such, it is a model for attentive and faithful biblical theology intended for students, scholars, pastors and lay people who wish to seriously engage the Scriptures." Dr. Gladd is assistant professor of New Testament at RTS/Jackson.BAUGUS' BOOK REVIEWED Jason Helopoulos, assistant pastor of University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Mich., reviewed Dr. Bruce Baugus' China's Reforming Churches for The Gospel Coalition. Read the review here. DR. DUNCAN POSTS A FAVORITE HYMN AND ITS STORY ON LIGONDUNCAN.COM Georg Neumark's "If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee" was composed in 1641. Chancellor Duncan gives the backstory to the hymn here along with an explanation of each verse. WELCOME CHRIS VAUGHN!  There's a new face in the RTS Charlotte Admissions office. Chris Vaughn will replace Amanda Chancey, who is leaving to pursue a full-time position as a nanny. Chris is a homeschooling mom who has been the nursery coordinator at Uptown Church and assisted in various other roles. She also has her own business on the side where she helps organize and increase efficiency among households in Charlotte. She was previously a school administrator at Garr Christian School and more recently assisted GreyFriars Classical Academy in a number of areas where her organizational and planning skills have been noted by many. SWAIN AND BAUGUS TO JOIN REF21 TEAM Carl Trueman announced that Dr. Scott Swain of RTS/Orlando, and Dr. Bruce Baugus of RTS/Jackson, are two of four new contributors to the Reformation21.org team. Read more here. TGC WOMEN'S CONFERENCE 2014 VIDEOS In case you missed the conference, click here for a short video excerpt. A video for each speaker is also listed. The conference was held in Orlando, Fla. RTS AT NATIONAL GATHERING Stop by the RTS booth at the 2014 National Gathering in Dallas, Texas, Aug. 18-20. This gathering is made up of ECO and the Fellowship of Presbyterians. Kevin Collins, admissions director at RTS/Orlando will be there at the booth, along with Matt Stahl, admissions director at RTS/Houston. RTS BOARD MEMBER FEATURED FOR HIS HAM RADIO ABILITIES Hon. John Scott Redd, Sr., an RTS board member, father to RTS DC President Dr. Scott Redd, Jr., and a 40-year public service servant (launching two organizations critical to US national security: The US Navy's Fifth Fleet in the Middle East and the National Counterterrorism Center in Washington DC) is pictured here in this article from the Wall Street Journal displaying his ham radio skills and his contest success. STAFF PROFILE: JOYCE SISLER  Originally from the Appalachian Mountains region of western Maryland, Joyce is an administrative assistant to faculty at RTS/Orlando and coordinator of the Orlando Doctor of Ministry Program. She has worked at RTS for over 17 years and presently supports Reggie Kidd, Steve Childers, Mike Glodo, Bob Orner and visiting D.Min. professors. She has also had the privilege of serving Richard Pratt, Bruce Waltke, Frank James, Ronald Nash, Steve Brown, and others. She enjoys her association with current students and alumni. Her degree from Philadelphia Biblical University is in Bible, with minors in Christian Education and Missions. Before she came to RTS she served at World Team Mission and Key Biscayne Presbyterian Church in Miami for 15 years. After moving to Orlando she served at Ligonier Ministry for 3 1/2 years before coming to RTS. She and her sister, Janet, have been involved in many international ministries and have traveled in over 25 countries. They founded JS Resources, Inc. (JSR) which supports national workers who cannot raise funds in their nations and also assists with short-term workers who fill valuable needs overseas. In April, they made their tenth trip to Egypt to be with friends who faithfully live and serve in some of the most ‘challenging’ locations. | Michael Carey (D.Min '10) Mike is serving as pastor of Trinity Wellsprings Church in Satellite Beach, Fla. They were formerly known as Trinity Presbyterian Church, but they have moved from the PCUSA to the ECO and changed their name. Neil Carmichael (MAR '09)  Neil is the director of training and technology at PeacePoint. He has written His Peace for Your Life, a devotional that is "real-to-life and real-to-faith and offers enough quality content to satisfy spiritual appetites without overload," per the description. Also, Joni Eareckson Tada describes it as "Deep, biblical, and practical. I should also add 'personal,' given that Neil Carmichael shares these powerful truths from his heart. His Peace for Your Life is the perfect 31-day push into a sweeter, more profound fellowship with your Savior – I highly recommend it!” Matt Miller (MATS '04) Matt is serving as pastor of Greenville ARP Church in Greenville, SC. Dr. Mike Kruger, president of RTS/Charlotte posted a 'Where Are They Now?' blog, an interview with Matt recently. Click here to read the interview and watch the video of pictures from their church retreat. Kent Muhling (M.Div. '01) Kent and his wife Yuko will be back in the states for a few months at the end of August. They have been serving in Sendai, Japan with Asian Access through SIM. They recently held a movie talk in their home and served taco rice (an invention of necessity of American servicemen in Okinawa who could not find taco shells.) The film Oblivion, starring Tom Cruise and with Japanese subtitles, sparked a fruitful discussion of issues such as truth, loyalty, obedience, self-sacrifice and relating to authority. It was much more than they could talk about in one evening. Kent used Rom. 1:19-20 and John 8:31-32 as references during the time of discussion. Patrick Severson (M.Div. '08) Patrick is serving as pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Lisbon, NY. Wilson Shirley (M.Div. '10) Wilson Shirley was called to pastor Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Ala., in January. He and his wife Laura have four children. He previously served as pastor to students and families at Highland Presbyterian Church in Ridgeland, Miss., from 2004-2014. He has been keeping a regular blog on the church website here and you can find him on Twitter @wilsonashirley. Jason Tippetts (M.Div. '11)  Jason and his wife Kara planted Westside Church in Colorado Springs, Colo. His wife has been battling metastatic breast cancer since July of 2012. She keeps a blog here and has a book coming out in October titled The Hardest Peace. Kara said in her recent blog, "But this pain, this hard, this endless swallowing of pills has taught me to savor life in a way I never would have otherwise. I suppose that’s a grace all it’s own. The heights and the depths." Please keep Kara, Jason, and their four children in your prayers. Eric (last name withheld) (M.Div. '12) Eric and his wife are in language school in South Asia. He asks for prayer for their tutor, "S" who has become a friend. They long to see her heart opened to the gospel. They also ask for prayer for wisdom, boldness, energy to pursue people and ease in communication. Chuck (last name withheld) (M.Div. '04) Chuck is serving in the Caucasus Region and shared some six month praises for the year after a "rough and emotional spiritual roller coaster ride": they finally received work permits; they celebrated 17 years together; God provided a house; their son's infection was healed; Chuck successfully defended his thesis and graduated with a Master's in Linguistics; and he held two local seminars and a workshop. Please pray for their financial situation due to circumstances of this year. Have you moved? Send us updates for your address and ministry here. We love to keep up with our alumni and their ministries. We host many events at many of our campuses and you are always welcome to attend. So, keep us updated so we can keep you posted and provide you with resources and communications like these. | ||||
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RTS E-Newsletter iss. #157 August 5, 2014
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