Editor: Mark Edward Simpson, 4050 Lee Vance View, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Innovations of the Heart and Mind: From Main Street into the Future (Part II) by Daryl Eldridge
Movie Critic Musings by David Rahn
NAPCE Internet Update by Mark Simpson
The Value of NAPCE Membership by Dennis Williams
Youth Ministry Educators Forum
Daryl Eldridge, Vice President
As a child, I enjoyed vacationing at my grandparents every summer. They lived on the outskirts of a small Midwestern town. The town, like so many small towns in America, had a town square and a Main Street. This short strip of commerce was the center of community life. On Main Street was the Five and Dime, where grandmother bought us jacks and marbles. Down the street was the café where we enjoyed cold root beer served in frosted mugs. Across the street was the movie theater where a dollar was all you needed for an afternoon of entertainment. Nestled behind the bank was the church where we attended Vacation Bible School. The pharmacy, the bank, and the gasoline station–owned and operated by my uncle–all seemed to move at a slower pace than the city in which I lived. People spoke to one another by name and their lives appeared intertwined like the cords in our jump rope.
The stores have changed on Main Street since my childhood days. The Five and Dime is now a resale shop. The Chevrolet dealer has moved out on the highway. The theater is boarded up. While the faces and shops have changed, relationships are still a priority in that county seat town.
This year’s NAPCE meeting which convenes on the Main Street of the Radisson Grand Resort is a reminder of the importance of relationships in our personal and professional life. As the board reflected on what attracted our members to our conference, we concluded that it is not the speaker or the program that draws members back each year, but the relationships with colleagues. Our spiritual and mental growth as Christian educators is due in part to the relationships within this body. This year’s retreat setting will provide planned opportunities for our members to get to know one another. Even our plenary sessions are designed for lots of interaction.
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I would encourage you to sign up for the Saturday Night Special, Death by Staff Infection. This educational game was developed by Kevin Lawson to introduce students and church staff members to a variety of issues surrounding multiple-staff ministry. The game is designed for a limited number of players, so you will want to make sure you have signed up.* Calvin Miller and Benjamin Harlan will lead us in exploring the role of Christian educators as spiritual leaders. What role do Christian educators have in the spiritual formation of divinity students? How is our own spirituality reflected in our teaching? If Christianity is caught as well as taught, what is the hidden curriculum that impacts the lives of our students?
The conference includes more opportunities for fellowship and spiritual reflection. James Michael Lee suggests that the quality of the religious educator’s life is intimately bound up with the quality of that person’s teaching ministry. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to hone your teaching and professional skills through conference sessions such as improving platform skills, using the computer in presentations, writing grants, and creative teaching. Kevin Compton, a venture capitalist from San Jose, will open our imagination to the future of technology in education.
Calvin Miller in The Table of Wilderness writes, "The church fathers spoke of otium sanctum or ‘holy leisure.’ A relaxed contemplation of the indwelling Christ allows for an inner communion impossible to achieve while oppressed by busyness and care." NAPCE has been a "holy leisure" for me. It has provided a respite from the demands of teaching where I can charge my mental and spiritual batteries. I hope this year’s conference will be that for you. Remember to dress casual—we are in a wonderful retreat setting. Come join us as we journey from Main Street into the Future.
| *The Death by Staff Infection game is 90 minutes long and
will be played Saturday evening, October 18th, at 7:00 p.m. The game has a limited number
of players, so if you would like to join the game, please contact Kevin Lawson at Talbot
School of Theology, 13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada, CA 90639-0001. Right: The entrance to the Radisson Grand Resort Charlotte–the expansive lobby connects the resort rooms to Main Street, which is lined with gift and snack shops. |
 |
David Rahn, President
Even before Michael Medved graced our program in Denver last Fall, I've been intrigued with the role that movie critics play in society. How does one actually get such a job? And where does one's authority come from to offer the crucial "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" to a work of popular art? Are the critics who wield the greatest popular influence the BEST critics? If not, how are the best critics so acclaimed?
Forgive me if the connections to Christian education are too strained, but I am sometimes fearful that we teachers and mentors of ministry professionals might become self-referential as it relates to our own base of authority. It seems to me that we can slide toward obscurity and irrelevance if the only persons who recognize our "critical role" are also members of NAPCE. On the other hand, I don't think it healthy if our authority to speak constructive criticism to the Church's practice of ministry is purely a function of our popularity. I suspect we all know what sells on the ministry market, and we've probably all been embarrassed at one time or another that it sells so well!
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Like the field of Christian education, we are left with the challenge to strike a balance. I admire some of our NAPCE membership deeply for their insights on ministry. Others have taught me much about communicating those same insights. It seems to me that we must find our critical, necessary message in the untainted authority of Truth while actively pursuing a fair hearing (another kind of authority) in the Church by building bridges. Let's be sure that we support one another in this tough task. I want someone to notice when I offer a "thumbs up!"
Mark Simpson, Newsletter Editor
It’s a tangled web we weave–well, hopefully not. I’ve learned a great deal more about web page design since my first edition of the NAPCE Newsletter on line, and I hope you will see that reflected in this current issue on our web site. (Hopefully you also will have noticed that this hard copy now has a color logo!) Although my web page software claims to be WYSIWYG, what you see isn’t always what you get. Thus I have discovered through much trial and error that being granted access to upload and download files on your institution’s server is critical in managing web pages.
When I first designed the newsletter web pages, I envisioned a link between the NAPCE homepage at Biola and the newsletter pages at Southern–simple in theory–but it proved complex in practice. The web became tangled at the Biola site, where the web page designer did not have upload and download access and could not update our homepage without some difficulty. Thus most of the information on our homepage was inaccurate and/or several months out of date, and even the link to the newsletter site was proving to be problematic.
After consultation with our President David Rahn and with Michael Anthony (who initiated the arrangements for our first homepage at Biola), it was suggested that we untangle the web and move the NAPCE homepage to the same site as the NAPCE Newsletter. Moving the homepage to the newsletter site at the Southern Seminary site would make it easier to design a uniform look, but more importantly, this editor’s access rights to the web server at SBTS would allow the Board to update the homepage on demand.
The NAPCE Board especially wishes to thank Michael Anthony, Doug Boemler-Wareing, and Biola/Talbot for initiating, designing, and providing site service for the very first NAPCE homepage.
The NAPCE homepage has now been moved to join the NAPCE Newsletter at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary URL address below–please bookmark this change of address on your web browser.
NAPCE Homepage and Newsletter
http://www.sbts.edu/celead/pub/napce/index.html
Dennis Williams, Executive Administrator
The membership of the association reached 226 for the 1996-1997 year (October 1-September 30). This is the highest membership we have had in several years, and indicates the growing strength of the association.
Members receive the newsletter, the Christian Education Journal, and, from time to time, free books provided by publishers. For example, members received Calvin Miller’s book The Empowered Leader in July.
Many who receive this newsletter are not members, and we would like to invite them to join for the coming year. Membership is open to persons who teach Christian education in institutions of higher learning, persons who teach in related areas, persons who formerly taught Christian education in colleges or seminaries, and leaders of related Christian education organizations.
Full Membership is $40 per year, and Student Membership is $25 per year. To join NAPCE or renew your membership, make your check to NAPCE payable in U.S. funds, and mail it to Dennis Williams, 2825 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40280. Checks
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received between now and October 1st will be counted for the 1997-1998 membership year.
If you have any questions about NAPCE membership, feel free to contact Dr. Williams at (502) 897-4813, fax (502) 897-4004, or e-mail celead@sbts.edu.
NAPCE has been given a renewable grant of $5,000 each year by David C. Cook Church Ministries to award money for research projects related to the field of Christian education. All funded research will be published by David C. Cook in cooperation with the NAPCE Board on a biennial basis. The results will be made available to all NAPCE members and their schools biennially. Agreement to publication is a condition for funding.
The applicant should submit a current curriculum vitae and a proposal outline (1,000 word maximum) addressing the following questions:
The following principles will influence the review of proposals:
Research proposals should be sent to Dr. James Davies for consideration. Funding is on a first come basis. Send proposals to James Davies, Simpson College, 2211 Collegeview Drive, Redding, CA 96003, phone (916) 224-5600, fax (916) 224-5608.
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Les Blank Honored as Founding Dean Emeritus
After 15 years of service as the founding dean of the C. P. Haggard School of Theology, Les Blank is stepping out of the dean’s responsibilities to return to the classroom as Professor of Church Leadership and Practical Theology. Les is not retiring, but shifting his gift emphasis back to the classroom, which is his first love. Les stepped down June 30th, at which time the Board of Trustees honored him with the title "Founding Dean Emeritus." After a six-month study leave, he will return in January 1998 to assume his teaching responsibilities.
Accelerated Bible Survey Course Available
An accelerated, undergrad Bible survey course is now available, written by Dr. Steve Fortosis (Ed.D., Talbot School of Theology). The course is a participative, student-centered class which incorporates 24-28 hours of class time. Both student and instructor manuals are included. Discussion-based lectures give overviews of the entire Bible. The course also teaches basic hermeneutic skills and briefs students on using Bible reference tools. Small groups research biblical sections systematically and present their findings creatively to the class in half-hour segments.
It is possible for some modifications to be made to fit a school’s degree completion preferences. Course price is negotiable. For further information please contact Dr. Stephen Fortosis at 3523 Palladian, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 or at (954) 427-9921.
Request for Research Sources
NAPCE member Terry Price at Maranatha Baptist Bible College is seeking research leads for an Ed.D. dissertation involving the research question, "How do Christian Education departments in Bible colleges assess their effectiveness in preparing students for ministry?" If you are aware of any research that has been done or is being done in this area, please contact Terry at Maranatha Baptist Bible College, 745 W. Main Street, Watertown, WI 53094, phone (414) 261-9300, e-mail Tprice@mbbc.edu.
Call for Research Reports
Research reports from our colleagues are needed to help stimulate our thinking on topics that advance Christian education ministries. We will be sponsoring a Current Research session during the 1997 Annual Conference for the sharing of research findings.
Studies related to action, ethnographic, empirical-quantitative, qualitative, historiographic, and/or philosophical-theological research are all acceptable. Please submit a two-page maximum research topic proposal to Daryl Eldridge as soon as possible. Joint presentations with a colleague studying a similar topic are encouraged.
Help Promote the Annual Conference
Enclosed with this newsletter is a conference brochure. Please use it to register for the annual conference or, if you have already registered, please pass the brochure on and encourage one of your colleagues to attend. If necessary, feel free to duplicate the brochure–we would like to have a large attendance at this year’s conference.
Conference Tapes Remain Available
If you are interested in obtaining tapes of the plenary sessions of previous NAPCE conferences for yourself or your school library, please contact Dennis Williams at 2825 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40280. Each tape costs $4 payable in U.S. funds. Checks should be made payable to NAPCE.
Christian Education Journal Update
The Christian Education Journal is now being printed and mailed by Evangel Press in Nappannee, Indiana. Current subscribers should receive their copy in July. The next issue will be Fall '97. Because of the change to Trinity, the issues are in a new series, with the Spring issue being Vol.1, no. 1 (NS).
The first theme issue is being edited by Mark Young of Dallas Seminary on "Theological Education in Eastern Europe." Since the collapse of the Soviet Union there has been a great deal of activity from the West to strengthen theological education in the East. This
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fascicle will explore both the good and the bad of Western attempts to influence Eastern Europe through educational interventions.
Members of NAPCE and others interested in publishing articles in CEJ are invited to send manuscripts along with a disk to Perry G. Downs at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 2065 Half Day Road, Deerfield, IL 60015.
David C. Cook Article Service
David C. Cook Church Ministries makes available a free Christian Education Article Service. This service provides magazines with excerpts from significant writings across a variety of vocations in Christian education ministry. Please contact Lee Cook for additional information if you are responsible for a magazine or other publication: 4050 Lee Vance View, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, (800) 708-5550, x3983.
What’s News with You?
If you would like to update your mailing profile for the Newsletter and mailings from publishers, or share information about yourself or another Christian educator for publication in the Newsletter, please send your updated information, news item, name, and institution name to Mark Simpson. News information can also be sent via the Update Your NAPCE Profile option of the web edition of the Newsletter.
Conference Scholarships Available
Through the David C. Church Ministries Professional Growth and Development Grant, the NAPCE Board is able to provide some financial assistance to professors who must pay all or part of their expenses to the Annual Conference in October. Persons requesting assistance should be members of NAPCE for the current year. Canadian members may deduct $35 from their registration fee as long as the check is payable in U.S. dollars. Scholarship funds are limited—if you need assistance, contact Dennis Williams as soon as possible.
Special Airline Travel Rates with USAir
A contract has been signed with USAir, the largest carrier into Charlotte. They will give a discount off the best available fare. To secure this discount, you or your travel agent must call USAir’s Meeting and Convention Reservation Office at (800) 334 8644 (8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. EDT). Refer to Gold File number: 44140175. You may purchase your tickets from your own travel agent, but this gold file number must be referenced to receive the discount.
Airport Shuttle to/from the Resort
Queens Transportation will provide round-trip transportation from the airport for $16.00. In the baggage area dial 58 at the courtesy phone–they will give you instructions on where to meet them.
Room Reservations
Make your reservations directly with the Radisson Grand Resort, 9700 Regent Parkway, Fort Mill, SC 29715, phone (803) 548-7800. Indicate that you are with NAPCE to receive the rate of $65 (single, double, triple or quad). The discount cutoff date is September 20th–after this date reservations will be accepted on a space available basis only. Please make your reservations early to keep the special rate. Please note that there is a 48-hour cancellation policy on reservations with this hotel. If you must cancel, do so within this time frame or you will be charged one night’s room rental.
Need a Roommate?
If you would like us to find a roommate for you to share the cost of the hotel, call (502) 897-4813 or fax (502) 897-4004 and provide your name, phone and fax number, and e-mail address. You will either receive the name of someone to contact or, if no one is available, your name will be put on a list for the first available roommate. Obviously, requesting a roommate early is essential because it is difficult to find people at the last minute. It is assumed that you will be staying at the hotel all three nights.
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Youth Ministry Educators Forum
October 18-20, 1997
Radisson Grand Resort Charlotte—Fort Mill, South Carolina
The 4th Annual Youth Ministry Educators Forum will be held on October 18, 19 and 20 at the Radisson Grand Resort in Fort Mill, South Carolina (just outside Charlotte, NC) immediately following the NAPCE Conference. Youth ministry educators from across North America will gather to consider the defining aspects of our field of study. As always our fun and fellowship time will be extraordinary!
To receive a registration packet for the YME Forum, please contact Dr. Mark Cannister at Gordon College, 255 Grapevine Road, Wenham, MA 01984, phone (508) 927-2300, fax (508) 524-3704, or e-mail at cannister@faith.gordonc.edu. The registration deadline is September 20th.
Saturday, October 18th
5:00-6:00 p.m. Registration
6:30-7:30 p.m. Forum Banquet
7:30-9:00 p.m. Defining Our Discipline—Dr. Roland Martinson
Sunday, October 19th
8:30-9:15 a.m. Morning Worship with NAPCE
10:00-12:00 Noon Defining Our Theology—Dr. Kevin Lawson
12:00-1:30 p.m. Forum Lunch
1:30-4:30 p.m. Defining Our Mission—Dr. Chuck Rosemeyer
5:30 p.m. - ??? Dinner Excursion to Charlotte
Monday, October 20th
8:30-9:45 a.m. Professional Roundtables-Choose 1
* Surviving Academia—Dr. Mark Lamport
* Doing Research on Youth Ministry-Mr. Len Keagler
* Youth Ministry Education Certification—Dr. Steve Gerali
10:00-12:00 Noon Defining Our Future—Dr. Mark Senter
12:00-1:00 p.m. Cessation Lunch
The registration fee is $75.00 and should be submitted by September 20th. Please make checks payable to Gordon College. This fee includes the forum, materials, four meals, and transportation for the Sunday dinner excursion.
Lodging arrangements should be made directly with the Radisson Grand Resort in Fort Mill, South Carolina at (803) 548-7800. Indicate that you are with the YME Forum to receive the rate of $65.00/room (single, double, triple or quad). The cutoff date for reservations is September 20th. Thereafter rooms may not be available at this discount rate. If necessary, cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance.
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North American Professors of Christian Education Annual
Conference
October 16-18, 1997
Radisson Grand Resort Charlotte—Fort Mill, South Carolina
| Thursday, October 16th 1:00-5:00 p.m. Registration 6:30 p.m. Reception 7:00 p.m. Dinner 8:00-9:15 p.m. Plenary Session—Harlan & Miller Friday, October 17th Saturday, October 18th Sunday, October 19th |
 Main Street at the Resort
Typical Resort Accommodations |
