Spring 2001 Newsletter
In This Issue
Spiritual Journey & Our Communities of Faith
SHEMA!
Jim
Plueddemann Honored with Distinguished Christian Educator Award
Reflections
on the 2000 NAPCE Annual Conference
Research
& Writing Opportunities
NAPCE's
Newest Board Members
Book
Reviews
Spiritual Journey
& Our Communities of Faith
Mark H. Senter III, Vice President
One issue came painfully to the surface at the NAPCE conference
in Toronto. Our professional network has slipped out of touch with
the community we are becoming. But why is this any surprise? The
college and seminary programs in which NAPCE members teach, as well
as the church we serve, find themselves in a time of transition.
Whether by design or default, we are on a spiritual journey defined
to a great extent by the variety of faith communities from which
we come. NAPCE 2001 will respond to and draw from that pilgrimage.
Spiritual Journey and our Communities of Faith is the theme
for NAPCE 2001. Held at Sheraton Arlington Park near Chicago, October
25-27, 2001, the conference focuses on the richness of the spiritual
journey found in diverse expressions of the Body of Christ and explores
implications for personal and corporate growth.
Robert Mullholland, Author of Invitation to a Journey:
A Road Map for Spiritual Formation and Academic Dean of Asbury
Theological Seminary, will help give direction to our discussion.
He will draw from his current studies on the role of the faith community
in spiritual formation to help NAPCE gain a perspective on the spiritual
journey that the Church, our schools and NAPCE are traveling.
Joining Dr. Mullholland will be people from four distinctly different
church traditions of spiritual formation. Ruth Barton champions
the rapidly emerging spiritual formation emphasis at Willow Creek
Community Church. As a Korean-American, Peter Cha, ministered
both in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and as an ethnic church
planter before joining the faculty of Trinity Evangelical Divinity
School. Derek McNeil serves in an African-American church
on the west side of Chicago and teaches at Wheaton College. And
bringing to our discussion perspectives from the Hispanic American
Christian communities will be Marta Alvarado, who teaches
at Moody Bible Institute.
The conference provides a venue for NAPCE to dialog with people
who have served in, and reflected upon, their rich traditions of
corporate spiritual formation. Following a keynote address by Mullholland,
the four church leaders will reflect on the spiritual journey from
their perspectives. NAPCE members will then explore implications
of the journey in praxis groups.
On the basis of insights gathered in the praxis groups, the panel
of speakers will explore issues raised and attempt to discover fresh
perspectives on the shared passage of the Church into the twenty-first
century. Robert Mullholland will conclude the conference by providing
reflections on what conferees have said.
Research and professional development sessions will be woven into
the program. There is a need for senior faculty, especially those
who have recently completed study leaves or research projects, to
present academic papers. Proposals for any form of research in progress
should be sent to Kevin Lawson at kevin_lawson@peter.biola.edu.
Following the conference, an opportunity will be offered for a spiritual
formation experience at a retreat center in the Chicago area led
by Ruth Barton. There will be additional cost and the number is
limited.
If this conference sounds different that the description given at
NAPCE 2000, it is because the conference design has changed. NAPCE
is changing and the conference this coming October is an attempt
to respond to the journey on which we find ourselves.
S H E M A!
a forum for listening
Gary A. Parrett, Communications Director
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall
love the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul
and all your strength." (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)
Without question, listening is one of the fundamental obligations
of God's people. The text above is the famous 'shema' of Israel's
faith, so-called because of the first word in the Hebrew–the
imperative form of the verb 'to hear' or 'to listen.' The importance
of listening is continually reaffirmed throughout the Bible–from
the refrain of the Hebrew prophets, 'hear the word of the LORD,'
to the words of Jesus in the gospels, 'He who has ears, let Him
hear,' to James' exhortation that all should be 'quick to
listen, slow to speak, slow to anger,' to the ending of each
of the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3, 'Let
the one who has an ear hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'
God's will is clear: we who claim to be His must be a people of
open ears, minds and hearts.
As I begin to serve NAPCE as the new Director of Communications,
it is my deepest desire to do whatever I can to encourage our organization
to become, more faithfully, a community of listeners. I am therefore
proposing this new column, "Shema!" as one forum for our
listening to one another and, together, to our Lord. Whether or
not the idea has merit or staying power is, of course, to be determined
by all of us who are NAPCE.
Here is what I propose. As editor of the NAPCE Newsletter, I will
regularly set aside space for discussion of ideas and the sharing
of our hearts. Any topic is fair game. All NAPCE members are invited
to participate by sending in their questions for discussion, comments
for response, etc. In consultation with other Board members, I will
make any hard choices necessary about which offerings to choose
for publication and what portions of the entry to print (these editorial
responsibilities may be even more needful if space becomes an issue–I
certainly hope it does!). Once a discussion-starter is published,
then responses will be welcome and will be subject to the same ground
rules.
Hopefully, we will be able to move swiftly to an on-line version
of "Shema!" which will have much more potential for promoting
real conversation in our midst (stay tuned for news on this).
Three further ground-rules before we formally begin:
1 - All comments must be submitted to the Lordship of Christ before
being submitted to the Newsletter (see Matthew 12:36 and Ephesians
4:28-30 for clarity on this point).
2 - All comments must be 'signed.' That is, no anonymous comments
or responses will be printed.
3 - All comments should be accompanied by an address of some sort,
hopefully an e-mail address. Beyond what is published in the newsletter,
it is my hope that numerous mini-conversations can begin.
Finally, let me set before us all the example of the great listeners
whose stories are recorded in the Book of Acts: There are the leaders
of the church at Antioch, listening to God together in mutual submission
(Acts 13); there are the many participants at the Jerusalem Council
(Acts 15); the Bereans, in Acts 17, nobly listened to the word Paul
brought them; and there are my personal favorites–the three
who listened carefully to one another in Acts 18–the couple,
Priscilla and Aquila, and the dynamic young preacher, Apollos.
It is because of this biblical emphasis on listening that I put
this new column before you as a forum for listening rather than
as a forum for talking.
For now, I'll be awaiting your discussion-starters. Please forward
them to me at gparrett@gcts.edu.
James Plueddemann
Receives Distinguished Christian Educator Award
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Jim Plueddemann (l), receiving plaque from Ted Ward
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NAPCE's Distinguished Christian Educator Award was
presented to Dr. James Plueddemann during the October,
2000, gathering of NAPCE in Toronto. Dr. Plueddemann is the
General Director of SIM (Society for International Ministries).
SIM currently has about 1,800 missionaries in active service
in approximately 40 countries. As a result of the mission's
100+ years of evangelistic and disciple-making ministries,
more than 10 million believers worship in about 15,000 churches
related to SIM. Dr. Plueddemann seeks to encourage missionaries
and church leaders globally by stimulating faith-based vision,
ensuring accountability, and providing coordination among
the various country administrations.
Jim earned his B.A. and M.A. in Christian Education from Wheaton
College, and his Ph.D. in Curriculum Research in Education
from Michigan State University. From 1967 until 1980 he and
his wife Carol served in Nigeria as missionaries with SIM.
During that time he was director of the Christian Education
department for the Evangelical Churches of West Africa. He
also directed the Theological Education department and served
on the SIM General Council and the West African Council.
From 1980 to 1993 Plueddemann served on the faculty of Wheaton
College in Wheaton, Illinois. He traveled each summer in Africa,
Europe, and South America to assist teachers and administrators
of theological schools with curriculum design, creative teaching,
and spiritual formation. He is the author of more than forty
published articles and six books. He has an active and continuing
interest in cross-cultural Christian education, leadership
development, and theological education. Other areas of concern
are team relationships, realistic future-oriented mission
strategy, and especially prayer and revival.
Jim's wife Carol grew up in a missionary family in Quito,
Ecuador. She has written (or co-authored with Jim) a number
of books, and is the editor of the bi-monthly SIM family journal
entitled Intercom. Her special interests include small-group
Bible studies and ministries for children. Their two children,
Shari and Dan, were born in Nigeria. Jim and Carol recently
became the grandparents of two Ethiopian babies adopted by
Shari and her husband Shawn.
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Reflections on the
2000 NAPCE Annual Conference
Gary Parrett
The theme of the NAPCE 2000 Conference, organized by Mark Cannister,
was "Reaching the Nations Through Christian Education."
The theme was driven home to members in various, and sometimes surprising,
ways. Here is a brief look back on our time together. . .
Overcoming the theoretical divide
Through the plenary sessions, speaker Michael Wilkins encouraged
participants to do away with the flawed but common theoretical divide
that separates evangelism and Christian education. We were reminded
that the Great Commission is a call to make disciples of Jesus,
to help people become His followers. Such a command clearly embraces
both evangelism and teaching. Thus as Christian educators, we must
view ourselves as co-workers with evangelists and missionaries,
for we are all engaged in the same task–discipleship. The truly
"missionary" nature of Christian education was also driven
home to participants through various theme-related seminars.
Moving out of our comfort zones
NAPCE members present were also challenged to step outside of their
own comfort zones in a number of ways. Our times of praise, led
by special guest, Richard Allen Farmer, were spiritually refreshing
and often entertaining. Richard led the group in songs of various
styles that sometimes meant asking the group to step out of our
chairs and put our bodies in motion. His counsel to those uncomfortable
with this was gracious: "Get over it!" he said, "and
learn that people around the world are praising God in all sorts
of ways."
A good number of participants moved out of their comfort zones in
an even more significant and substantive way by participating in
a variety of "field trip options." These were group activities
designed to take advantage of the conference setting–the very
cosmopolitan city of Toronto–and involved members in a variety
of multicultural experiences. It proved a fitting conclusion to
the conference.
Recognizing our blind spots
NAPCE members will also remember the difficult and awkward moments
that were part of the official "business meeting." The
organization was challenged with the fact that its new slate of
five candidates to join the 10-member Board included, once again,
no persons of color, and no one from a Canadian school. In the hours
that followed, outgoing president Greg Carlson worked tirelessly
to make something positive emerge from this experience.
With the full support of the Board, including the newly elected
members, steps toward addressing this significant area of concern
were taken. The Board accepted the offer of resignation from one
newly elected member–Kevin Lawson–so that another NAPCE
member–Elizabeth Conde-Frazier–could be added to the Board.
Before the final plenary session, both Greg Carlson and Elizabeth
spoke to the membership in the spirit of healing and hope. This
experience, too, became an illustration of the challenge of our
theme, and the challenge that lies ahead of us.
"Christian
Educators of the 20th Century"
An Invitation to Write
Kevin Lawson
A web-based database on influential Christian education leaders
of the 20th century is beginning to be developed. Everyone on the
NAPCE mailing list should soon receive a packet describing the project
and inviting their participation. The goal of this database development
project is to enhance and facilitate research on people and writings
that have significantly shaped the conception and practice of Christian
education over the last 100 years. The database will eventually
provide materials on over 100 people, including: photographs, biographical
data, full bibliography of published works, a bibliography of writings
about them and their ideas, assessments of their contributions to
the field of Christian education, excerpts from their major works,
a recommended reading list, and information on archives or other
research resources for those desiring to do further study.
An editorial review board will oversee the project. Members include:
Kevin Lawson, Talbot School of Theology (project director); Warren
Benson, Southern Baptist Seminary and Talbot School of Theology;
Harold Burgess, Asbury Seminary; Ronnie Prevost, Logsdon School
of Theology; Robert Pazmiño, Andover Newton Theological Seminary;
Mari Gonlag, Central Wesleyan University; and Eileen Starr, Alaska
Bible College. D. Campbell Wyckoff, retired from Princeton Seminary,
is serving as Senior Advisor. As in the publication of professional
journals, all entries will undergo peer-review before acceptance
for publication on the web site. We expect the project to continue
over the next three years. The web site may be up and running within
a year with further entries added as they are completed. The project
should near fulfillment by 2003, the 100th anniversary of the founding
of the Religious Education Association.
If you are interested in contributing to this project, and have
not yet received a packet describing it more fully, please e-mail
Kevin Lawson with your address and he will see that you receive
the materials. If you would like additional copies of the packet
to share with interested graduate students, please e-mail Kevin
with the quantity needed (kevin_lawson@peter.biola.edu). We hope
that many NAPCE members will participate in the development of this
important reference tool for current and future generations of Christian
education leaders.
Research Presentations
Opportunities at the 2001 Conference
If you are interested in making a seminar presentation of your ongoing
or recently completed research in the field of Christian education
at the NAPCE conference in Chicago this October, 2001, please contact
Kevin Lawson (kevin_lawson@peter.biola.edu) with a paragraph description
of your work and who might benefit from your presentation (faculty
teaching and researching in what areas). Research presentations
related to the conference theme are encouraged, but this is not
necessary. Details on the presentation sessions can be obtained
from Kevin Lawson. If you have been conducting empirical, historical,
theological, or philosophical research related to the teaching and
practice of Christian education, please consider sharing with your
peers at the conference. It is a great way to "stir one another
up to good works."
Introducing NAPCE'S
Newest Board Members
Mark Cannister, President
How has your life has been over the past few months? For me it has
been a whirlwind: Wrapping up one semester just in time to celebrate
our Savior's birth and visit family and friends--which is of course
joyful and stressful all at the same time; ringing in the new year
by traveling and speaking at conferences and retreats; kicking off
a new semester; dealing with ministry crises, church issues and
the like. Sound familiar? And yet I can honestly tell you that for
me the absolute highlight of the past few months was the January
NAPCE board meeting in Chicago.
I know it sounds crazy. When I tell my friends here at Gordon College
that the highlight of my winter so far was a board meeting, they
look at my very strangely. If that's true, they say, then you either
have a unique board or you need to get a life! Well, maybe I do
need to get a life, but that does not discount the uniqueness of
our board. I have served on numerous boards over the years and there
is nothing that compares to the group of people who are serving
you on the board of NAPCE.
As we came together in Chicago it was the first time that this new
board had spent any significant time together. Half of us had been
on the Board together for two years and the other half began serving
for the first time. Our common experience of delayed and canceled
flights into Chicago on a snowy weekend made for some instant bonding
as we each shared our own airline war story while awaiting the arrival
of another colleague.
When we were finally able to gather together in the hotel board
room we shared with one another some more common experiences. We
learned of the journey that each of us had traveled in coming to
know and believe in Christ. We learned of the passions that the
lord has put on each one of our hearts. And we learned how each
one of us is, at the same time, uniquely gifted, talented and different,
and yet foundationally the same, as creations of God. I wish you
all could have been there. I wish we could take a whole conference
some time to go around the room sharing the stories of God's faithfulness
in the lives of the people who make up NAPCE. Ours is a unique group
of people who are committed to the common cause of Christian formation.
Your board is comprised of individuals who have been chosen for
such a time as this in our NAPCE history, and each member is committed
to working tirelessly on your behalf. I count it an honor and a
privilege to work alongside these people. Let me take this opportunity
to introduce you to the newest members of the board and describe
to you the responsibilities that each has committed to for the next
couple of years.
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Elizabeth
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Elizabeth Conde-Frazier is a wonderful storyteller
and loves to connect people. She will serve NAPCE as our networking
coordinator. Elizabeth is an assistant professor of religious
education at the Claremont School of Theology. She earned
a B.A at Brooklyn College, an M.Div. at Eastern Baptist Theological
Seminary and a Ph.D. at Boston College. Elizabeth was a bilingual
teacher in New York City for several years prior to attending
seminary while pastoring in Brooklyn, NY. After being ordained
with the American Baptist Churches, she continued her pastorate
in London, CT. Her call took a new turn in 1988 as she accepted
the position as director of Hispanic and Latin American Ministries
at the Andover Newton Theological School in Newton, MA. During
this time she also learned to cultivate her love of God with
all her mind as she obtained her degree at Boston College.
Elizabeth will be working hard at our next conference to help
us connect with one another so that we might become a stronger
family of Christian educators.
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Janice
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Janice Osborne has the spiritual gift of hospitality
and will be serving as our hospitality coordinator. She will
be organizing our resource packets for registration. Jan is
an assistant professor of Christian ministries at Asbury College.
She earned a BA at Trevecca University, an MA at Scarritt
College, and did further graduate studies at George Peabody
College of Vanderbilt University. Before joining the ranks
of the professorate Jan taught
elementary school for eleven years in Georgia and North Carolina,
and served as Christian Education and Youth Director for the
North Carolina Yearly Meeting of Friends. She grew up in a
wonderful family that worshiped in the tradition of the Society
of Friends, which is likely where she developed the gift of
hospitality. Jan has served churches in music ministry, Christian
education and youth ministry. Currently she is active in the
Wilmore Presbyterian Church, doing youth ministry, singing
in the choir and serving the Missions Committee. Look for
Jan as you arrive at the Chicago conference and you will be
sure to get a warm hug upon arrival!
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Gary
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Gary Parrett has a love for the written word and
will serve as our communications officer. Gary is an assistant
professor of Christian education and director of Christian
education programs at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
He studied at Multnomah School of the Bible and earned a B.A.
at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Seminary, an M.Div. at Regent
College, and an Ed.D. at Columbia University. He has also
taught at Gordon College and Faith Evangelical Lutheran Seminary.
He has served as a pastor in several Korean-American congregations,
most recently as interim pastor of Bethany Christian Fellowship
of Brookline, MA. Gary has developed curriculum materials
for teaching the faith to youth and adults. He has also composed
numerous praise songs and hymns that have been used widely
for worship in the Korean American Christian community. If
you have ideas for the NAPCE newsletter please contact Gary
(gparrett@gcts.edu).
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Hal
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Hal Pettegrew likes to look over Dennis Williams'
shoulder so he is serving as treasurer and promises to keep
Dennis from over-cooking the books. Hal is an associate professor
of Christian education and leadership at Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary. He earned a B.A. at Wheaton College,
an M.A. at Northern Illinois University, an M.R.E. and M.Div.
at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D.
at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Hal brings to his
students a wealth of practical church experience in leadership,
education, and administration. During a 22-year period of
time, he served as Minister of Youth and Education, Minister
of Education and Administration, and Minister of Singles and
Adult Education. He has served as a counselor with a prison
ministry and has ministered to developmentally disabled persons.
Hal will also be handling our placement service. So, contact
Hal if you have a position available, or if you are looking
for a new position, or if you want to know if your Dean has
made your position available!
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Roger
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Roger White is a technology guru and will be serving
as our webmaster. Roger is an associate professor in the School
of Theology at Azusa Pacific University. He earned a B.S.
at East Tennessee State University; an M.C.E. and M.Ed., at
Reformed Theological Seminary; and an Ed.D., at the University
of Tennessee Roger works with theological faculty on improving
instruction and infusing technology into the curriculum. His
main areas of research include distance education, instructional
design, and integration of faith and learning. Prior to his
work in the school of theology he worked in the School of
Education training teachers in technology and the Christian
foundations of education. He has also taught Bible History
at the junior and senior high school level in a public school
setting. During a recent sabbatical Roger assisted in the
design and development of the Virtual Campus at Reformed Theological
Seminary, that institution's distance education initiative.
Perhaps one day he will create a virtual NAPCE!
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Book Reviews
James Davies, Book Review Editor
Smiley, Kendra. 2000. Helping your kids make good choices.
Ann Arbor, MI: Servant Publications.
Reviewed by Susan Schriver, The Southern Baptist Theological
Seminary.
In a day and age when choices abound, it is imperative that children
be taught the skills involved in making good choices. Frequently,
adults are quick to deem a choice "good" or "bad,"
but most struggle with actually teaching the "how to's"
of making wise decisions. This book seeks to tackle these issues.
Smiley asserts that the ability to teach children how to make good
choices is a skill that is best taught gradually over the course
of a number of years. To assume that good choices will accompany
one's entrance into adulthood is a myth this author is quick to
dispel. The book provides the reader with practical steps for teaching
children wise decision-making skills.
The author recommends that the child first be helped with small
choices and then gradually led toward more significant issues. She
uses the term, MEGA, as an acronym for four principles parents can
use to help children: Model, Encourage, Guide and Allow.
Helping your kids make good choices is based upon a Scriptural
understanding of godly wisdom and it clearly lays out criteria for
determining the true value of any given choice or action. The premises
are clearly presented and a wide array of examples and biblical
illustrations are used to convey the points. The author builds a
strong theological framework that would be of practical benefit
to any parent or childcare provider seeking to train up a child
in the way he, or she, should go.Each issue of the NAPCE Newsletter
features book reviews by our membership. These new reviews, in addition
to reviews from previous newsletters, are available online at the
NAPCE web site.
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