Winter 2000 Newsletter

Reflections on the 1999 NAPCE Annual Conference
Judy TenElshof, Vice President

On behalf of the NAPCE board, I want to thank all of you who attended and participated in our annual conference in San Diego–it was a wonderful blessing for all. Spirits were lifted, souls refreshed, minds challenged and wills activated as the Spirit of God moved in the hearts of all who attended.

Spiritually Uplifting
Those who came with thirsty hearts longing for a touch of God were uplifted in our morning and evening worship led by Warren Ediger. Thank you Warren! Communion with God was not replaced by activity for God.

Soul Refreshing
As we came together, we not only learned together, but we ate, cared, worked and played together in sunny San Diego. Thank you God for friends, fellowship and blue sea and sky!

Conference Notebook

Mind Challenging Our minds were challenged to be disciplined in Christ, enlightened by faith, and passionate for God by JP Moreland and Rick Dunn. Thank you JP and Rick! Will Activating Each of us returned home empowered to take the next step God has called us to in nurturing the souls of our students. This empowerment came through our Spiritual Formation Value Workshops, researchers and professional development workshop leaders. Thank you ALL! I praise God for all of you! See you in Toronto.

Donald Joy Honored with Distinguished Christian Educator Award
Tim Kidd, John Brown University

Recipients of the Distinguished Christian Educator Award are chosen annually by the NAPCE Board to honor professors who have made significant lifelong contributions to the advancement of Christian education ministries and the work of the organization. This year’s Distinguished Christian Educator Award was presented to Donald M. Joy during the 1999 annual conference. The award was presented by Tim Kidd of John Brown University, a former student of Don’s at Asbury Theological Seminary, and Cathy Stonehouse, one of Don’s colleagues at Asbury.

Don and Robbie Joy

Don is currently "retired" from Asbury Theological Seminary (ATS) where he served as Professor of Human Development, Christian Education, and Family Studies occupying the Ray and Mary Jo West Chair of Christian Education. During his 27 years of teaching at ATS, Don touched the lives of literally thousands of students. Don was often invited to serve as a guest professor in graduate and doctoral programs during January term. While enjoying the opportunity to teach students at Trinity during January intensive courses, Don once confessed that the warmer climate of southern California helped "persuade" him to accept subsequent teaching invitations to Biola/Talbot during the winter months. Former students from each of these schools, as well as Asbury and Wheaton, are currently active NAPCE members engaged in teaching Christian education. In his retirement, Don continues to have an impact upon students as he teaches courses "online" at Asbury. Married to Robbie Flynn Bowles in 1948, Don and Robbie have lived in Wilmore, Kentucky since Don accepted the position to teach at Asbury. They have two grown sons, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren (with number four due in February 2000).

Prior to moving to Wilmore, Don served as Executive Editor, Sunday School Publications, for the Free Methodist Church of North America for 15 years, and as pastor of Rockwall (Texas) Free Methodist Church for four years.

Don holds the Bachelor of Arts degree from Greenville College, Bachelor of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary, Master of Arts from Southern Methodist University, and the Doctor of Philosophy from Indiana University in curriculum development, with educational psychology and English linguistics.

As an outgrowth of his deep commitment to the family, Don has drawn upon his areas of expertise to provide a valuable Christian voice in support of family related issues. He has served as a consultant to the Department of Health and Human Resources Office of Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, and has been a frequent resource guest on the "Focus on the Family" radio talk show.

Don has authored sixteen books, including Empower Your Teens! A Guide for Parents, Ministers, and Other Mentors; Bonding: Relationships in the Image of God; Risk-Proofing Your Family; Celebrating the New Woman in the Family; Men Under Construction; and Moral Development Foundations: Judeo-Christian Alternatives to Piaget/Kohlberg. He has also written numerous chapters and articles in books, journals and published curriculum. In addition to NAPCE, he is a member of the Wesleyan Theological Society, the Religious Education Association, and the Association of Professors and Researchers of Religious Education, in which he served as president in 1983-84.

An innovative educator, Don is especially gifted in weaving the insights of social science theory with the practical applications of ministry under the rubric of biblical principles. While his students have great appreciation and respect for Don’s creative methods of instruction in the classroom, perhaps they value even more highly his commitment to Christian ministry, his sound wisdom and his genuine friendship experienced up close and personal outside the traditional classroom setting.

Memorable interactions between Don and his students have occurred in a variety of settings. Groups of students regularly joined Don in his office, with PB & J brown bag lunches in tow, to explore more deeply critical issues discussed in class. Since 1977, more than 250 Asbury Seminary students and thousands of teens have participated with Don in extended backpacking trips on the trails of the Red River Gorge. During these expeditions, students enrolled in "Discipleship Development Through Trail Camping" engaged in friendship evangelism with teen participants under Don’s guidance and leadership.

In recognition of these significant lifelong contributions to the advancement of Christian education ministries and the mission of NAPCE, the 1999 Distinguished Christian Educator Award was presented to Don Joy, with sincere love and deep gratitude.



NAPCE Membership and Financial Report
Dennis Williams, Exec. Administrator

The membership of the association has reached 230 for the 1999-2000 year (October 1-September 30). However, many who receive the newsletter have not renewed their membership. We invite you to do so for the coming year.

NAPCE members attending one of the keynote addresses

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. Checks should be made to NAPCE and payable in U.S. funds. Memberships received between now and March 1st will be counted for the 1999-2000 membership year. Please send your membership fee along with your name and title, address (indicate home or work), home phone, work phone, fax line, e-mail address and school/organization to:

Dennis E. Williams
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
2825 Lexington Road Louisville, KY 40280
Phone: (502) 897-4813 Fax: (502) 897-4004
E-mail: celead@sbts.edu 

Please indicate if we have permission to post your name, organization, work phone and e-mail address on our online directory (home address and home phone numbers are not posted on the NAPCE web site).

Financial Report
The following financial report was received by the NAPCE Board–detailed information is available from each board member.

Nominations to the Board
Nominations are now being taken to fill upcoming vacancies on the NAPCE Board. Nominations can be in the form of recommendations of persons you would like to see on the board, or in the form of volunteering to serve on the board.

Nominations will be taken up to October 1st. The NAPCE Board will then discuss the slate of nominees and contact the prospective board members to confirm interest in serving on the board. The slate of new officers will then be presented during the annual meeting luncheon on Friday, October 27th. Please send your list of nominees to:

Greg Carlson - NAPCE President
Grace University
1311 South Ninth Street Omaha, NE 68108
Phone: (402) 449-2842 Fax: (402) 341-9587
E-mail: carlsondrg@aol.com

Book Reviews
James Davies, Simpson College

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.

Fraser, Elouise Renich. 1998. Confessions of a beginning theologian. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. ISBN: 0830815198. Reviewed by Bob Whittet, Gordon College, Wenham, MA.

Dr. Elouise Renich Fraser is a professor of systematic theology at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. An accomplished theologian, Renich Fraser takes the reader in an honest heartfelt journey of faith in her life. She shares the many struggles, both personal and institutional, encountered over the years. She allows us to take a peak at the roadblocks she worked her way through and over on the way to her mature faith and love for the Bible. The development of one's personal theology is shaped by a variety of factors, and Renich Fraser shares these factors with the reader.

This book reminds veteran theologians of the issues they once wrestled with as they began their own studies in theology. At the same time it also points out that in theological circles, some of the toughest battles have been those fought by women seeking to enter the formerly closed world of formal theological study. Confessions of a Beginning Theologian opens the curtain to reveal some of the struggles encountered by women as told through the author's own struggle. For women, the difficulty is not always deciding the meaning of a specific text as much as struggling with institutional prejudices placed in their way.

The text would be helpful as a supplemental book in a course on beginning theology or a class which deals with issues faced by women in ministry.

Marsh, Clinton M. 1997. Evangelism is . . . Louisville, KY: Geneva Press. ISBN: 0664500137. Reviewed by Greg Carlson, Grace University, Omaha, NE.

Evangelism Is . . . contains some well-tested concepts for evangelism via the local church with a pleasing philosophical base of fresh ideas and proven principles. The author, Clinton M. Marsh, served as a pastor in an African-American Presbyterian Church (18 years) and 12 years in various roles as missionary and denominational staff member for evangelism. His purpose is to help persons understand the Why? Who? How? When? and sometimes Why not? of an evangelism team in the local church.

While some will struggle with the staid examples, and a bent toward more liberal viewpoints like theistic evolution and perhaps a nonliteral hell, Marsh almost accomplishes the task of updating some well-seasoned advice. The book may foster some good theological debate.

The book is prophetically polemic at times, and in this may be its greatest value. Chapters four and five on "Crossing Barriers" and "Faith in Action" are especially thought provoking. As a black Presbyterian minister, Marsh shares insights of dealing with barriers which seem imposing. Using John chapter four as the basis for his observations, the author presents some pastoral and practical advice in the area of evangelism. The book is most likely a companion text for evangelism or pastoral practice courses.

Kraus, C. Norman. 1998. An intrusive Gospel? Christian mission in the postmodern world. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. ISBN: 0830815465. Reviewed by Darwin K. Glassford, Montreat College, Montreat, NC.

What should the church's understanding of her missionary endeavors be in a postmodern context? It is this question C. Norman Kraus explores in a lucid and refreshing manner from an Anabaptist perspective.

He begins by exploring the challenges wrought by postmodernism and examining what the church can glean from it. Historically the Gospel message has been deeply shaped by western cultural standards, including the promise of upward mobility. Postmodernism reminds the church that all cultures are dynamic and relative to the biblical teaching on the Kingdom of God, and that the church must reconsider the nature of the Gospel message and how to consistently communicate it cross-culturally.

After providing the framework, he challenges the reader to think through the relationship between a mission’s presence and the message it proclaims. Intervention into a culture must be holistic, not merely the transference of a model or program from one culture to another. The intervention model he proposes is indirect and vicarious. It is indirect in the sense that we cannot go with preconstructed solutions to be imposed on the situation.

It is vicarious in the sense that we must become one with those whom we serve. He labels his position the transformational paradigm. The remainder of the book explores the implications of this paradigm for doing missions and development work in a culturally sensitive and spiritually nourishing manner.

An Intrusive Gospel? is an enlightening introduction to the challenges of mission work in a postmodern context. This book would be a suitable addition to any class that addresses working in a cross-cultural context and a necessary introduction for any student planning to work cross-culturally.

Carmody, Denise Lardner. 1996. Organizing a Christian mind: A theology of higher education. Valley Forge, PA: Trinity Press International. ISBN: 1563381656. Reviewed by Darwin K. Glassford, Montreat College, Montreat, NC.

Denise Lardner Carmody, writing in the Thomistic tradition, provides a marvelous vision for Christian liberal arts education. This vision seeks to give the theological enterprise its proper place both theoretically and practically in the curriculum.

In spite of her noteworthy effort, her Thomistic roots provide some incipient difficulties. She attempts to transcend the difficulties, dealing with them honestly and forthrightly. The most significant difficulty is her dualism. She bifurcates. For example, when discussing the physical nature, she claims that creationism–if viewed as "philosophy of science"–is alien to the natural scientist. She fails to recognize that philosophical assumptions guide, influence and inform the natural scientist's endeavors. Philosophical assumptions according to Ian Barbour, Thomas Kuhn, Francis Schaeffer and Phillip Johnson cannot be excised so neatly.

A liberal arts curriculum, according to Carmody, should be divided into four areas: human nature, physical nature, politics and divinity. One could take issue with her divisions, but her attempt to preserve a liberal arts curriculum and guard against its metamorphosis into a professional or vocational one is refreshing.

In spite of the book's shortcomings, it asks penetrating questions and provides searching answers that are worthy of examination. Her discussion of the nature of a liberal arts education is insightful. Organizing the Christian Mind is a worthy read punctuated with thoughtful and enjoyable insights.

Moran, Gabriel. 1997. Showing how: The act of teaching. Trinity Press International. ISBN: 1563381877. Reviewed by Robert Drovdahl, Professor of Christian Education, Seattle Pacific University.

In Showing How, Gabriel Moran seeks to liberate the act of teaching, and in so doing, bring a more positive image to contemporary education and educators. Since the 18th century, Moran argues the act of teaching has been held hostage to modern, rationalistic notions of education. Chief among the notions are: 1) teaching is telling that; 2) teachers are professionals who tell and explain; and 3) students are unwilling children compelled by law and social custom to hear explanations. The result is power-infected relationships that suggest something immoral about the educational enterprise.

Liberation comes from exploring the long history of education and the variety of forms and settings for teaching acts. Moran uses this analysis to advance his thesis that education is fundamentally showing how, rather than telling that. He makes his case in vintage Moran style: asking obvious questions which expose underlying assumptions; playfully exploring our use of language to describe teaching; and drawing on a wealth of historical and interdisciplinary material to argue his points. It requires patience and background to follow Moran, but the journey is rewarding.

Although Moran insists his agenda does not include a solution formula for teaching, he works from a transparent philosophical agenda. His postmodern orientation is clearly evident in the final chapter, where he offers thoughts on teaching morality morally. Echoes of Michel Foucault and Richard Rorty are identifiable in much of his thinking. For example, Moran concludes that the classroom is a place for conversation rather than a place for telling people the truth because the "classroom teacher has no business telling people what they should do, beyond stating the rules of civility in classroom behavior" (page 214). One is left wondering how and why rules of civility are exempted from the conversation.

The value of Showing How for Christian education rests on assessing modernity's influence on the field of Christian education. If an examination of education within modernism and postmodernism paradigms would benefit students, Moran provides a valuable critique of modernity’s impact on the educational process. It would remain for professors and students to critique Moran's postmodern design for education.

Zikmund, Barbara Brown, Adair T. Lummis, and Patricia Mei Yin Chang 1998. Clergy women: An uphill calling. Louisville, KY: John Knox Press. ISBN: 0664256732. Reviewed by Faye Chechowich, Taylor University, Upland, IN.

This volume provides a rich array of data that brings to light both the joys and challenges experienced by women in ministerial roles. Six examples of some of those findings that were of particular interest to me include: 1) women comprised 10% of the clergy in the fifteen denominations surveyed; 2) overall laity opinions of ordained women are positive; 3) clergy are increasingly seeking employment in non-parish ministries; 4) about half of female clergy are in assistant, associate or co-pastor roles while only 14% of male clergy function as assistants, associates or in co-pastorates; 5) age rather than gender is the best predictor of leadership style for both male and female clergy; and 6) maturity and age are positive assets for female clergy in most denominations.

The Center for Social and Religious Research at Hartford Seminary surveyed male and female clergy and laypersons in fifteen denominations across a wide range of theological perspectives. Excerpts from follow-up interviews illustrate the significance of the statistical data, and make this volume an engaging read. Because this work builds on a 1981 study, there are some helpful observations about trends during a period when there has been exponential growth in the numbers of women clergy in some denominations. Even though the data are interpreted with special focus on women's issues, the data describe the male clergy experience as well. In addition, perspectives about the clergy from both male and female laity are presented.

This book is a valuable resource for any woman contemplating the path of ordination. They will find the comparison of denominational policy and culture helpful. The book could be used as an illustrative, supplemental text in women's ministry courses.

NAPCE Online!
Mark Simpson, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

NAPCE.ORG
NAPCE has its own domain name on the Internet. You are invited to access the NAPCE web pages through the URL www.napce.org. This permanent URL should make locating the NAPCE web pages easier if/when a change in Internet Service Provider (ISP) is necessary.

Discussion Groups
NAPCE has its own online discussion groups thanks to the School of Christian Education and Leadership of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. All NAPCE members have guest access to these discussion groups and do not need to login or register to read and participate in the discussions. To access the discussions, please go to:

http://celead.sbts.edu/scripts/webclass.cgi

Discussion Group Protocol
Instructions for participating in and making the most of online discussions can be found in the **Please Read Before Posting** group. You are strongly encouraged to start here before reading or posting messages.

All discussion groups are moderated, which means that when you submit a message to be posted, it will not appear immediately. The discussion group host will first review the message for content, and then post the message–this prevents objectionable language and material from appearing in our discussions.

You do not need to register to participate in discussions. However, for a message to be posted, you will be required to give your full name and e-mail address at the beginning of your message. Failure to do so will result in the message not being posted by the host. We request that netspeak (abbreviated language common on the Internet) be avoided, and that emoticons (facial expressions from text :) like the smiley face) be limited.

Request for Discussion Group Topics and Hosts
Our online discussion groups can be as varied as the interests of the NAPCE membership, and run as long or short as necessary. If you have a suggestion for a discussion group topic or would like to host a group, please e-mail Mark Simpson at msimpson@sbts.edu.

Access Problems
Occasionally the web server will go down, but it is reset daily in the early hours of the morning. If you cannot access the discussion groups and have been able to do so previously, please be patient and try again later before contacting the sysop (Mark Simpson).

NAPCE News Discussion Group
One of the NAPCE discussion groups is a read-only news group. This news group allows members of the NAPCE Board to post messages immediately, without having to wait for a web page to be updated.

Update on Research Grants
James Davies, Simpson College

NAPCE, through the generosity of David C. Cook Church Ministries, has funds available to assist members with research projects related to the field of Christian education. David C. Cook Church Ministries has the option of publishing the research in cooperation with the NAPCE Board. 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). Details on the design of the proposal appeared in the previous issues of the NAPCE Newsletter and are available from Jim Davies at the address below, or can be found online at the NAPCE web site. Please send questions and/or research proposals to:

James Davies
Simpson College
2211 Collegeview Drive Redding, CA 96003
Phone: (530) 224-5600 x2149
Fax: (530) 224-2051
E-mail: jdavies@simpsonca.edu

Larry Burke Assumes Academic Dean Role
Larry Burke became the Academic Dean at Eugene Bible College on July 1, 1999. Dr. Burke has served the College for 26 years teaching Christian education courses and serving in several administrative positions.

Thank You!
The membership of NAPCE expresses this word of appreciation to Judy TenElshof and the members of the NAPCE Board for coordinating our San Diego Conference. More than 200 attended, making the 1999 conference one of our largest on the west coast. The membership also thanks the publishers for the resources and meals provided during the conference.

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 Dawn Boden for additional information if you are responsible for a magazine or other publication: 4050 Lee Vance View, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, phone (800) 708-5550, x3983, e-mail MinistryRelations@cookministries.org.

What’s News with You?
If you would like to update your mailing profile 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: 2825 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40280, or e-mail msimpson@sbts.edu.

Copyright © 2000. North American Professors of Christian Education. All rights reserved.