Editor: Mark Edward Simpson, 4050 Lee Vance View, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
In This Issue
Perspectives on Ourselves by Dave Rahn
Reflections on Conference ‘97 by Elaine Becker
Kenneth Gangel Honored with Distinguished Christian Educator Award by Jim Davies
NAPCE Financial Report by Dennis Williams
Book Reviews by Mark Lamport
NAPCE ‘98 Preview
News Briefs
NAPCE ‘97 in Pictures
Member Profile Card
Perspectives on Ourselves
Dave Rahn, President
What a wonderful conference we just participated in! Mega-kudos go to Dr. Daryl Eldridge for not only planning a good experience, but challenging us with a theme and direction that fell into that cutting edge category of innovative risk-taking. I’m sure there are standardized expectations in various other disciplines related to professional development; chances are that we might have pushed those in our recent South Carolina gathering. However, I believe that Daryl was right on target in identifying our own personal spiritual renewal as inextricably linked to our professorial performances. Such perspective-broadening is usually a bit discomforting, almost always healthy.
I’m still chewing over the data I picked up in the post-NAPCE conference of Youth Ministry Educators. About 30 of us who had attended NAPCE joined another 40 persons who teach in the Christian education related field of youth ministry. Well, actually, not everyone in attendance felt that youth ministry is (or should be) related to Christian education. In a remarkably frank exchange during one afternoon session, I think I heard a couple of perspectives on NAPCE that don’t coincide with my own experience. Rather than dismiss them out of hand, I thought I’d pass them on with a few comments.
Perspective #1–Christian education may still be widely thought of as church-based programming, targeted toward believers, methodologically-driven, and exemplified by Sunday School. For modern youth ministers, Sunday School often represents the sort of sacred-cow program that diverts considerable energy from what they would like to do if they were to reach their idealized vision of effectiveness. Much of what takes place in healthy youth ministries transcends the church’s adult-satisfying structures, extends toward evangelistic mission in nonformal settings, and is driven by universally true principles of ministry. I can understand some youth ministry profs’ hesitancy to align with professors of Christian education, given their view of what Christian education means.
On the other hand, their fear is totally inconsistent with my experience at NAPCE. I’ve found tremendous collegial support for my view of Christian education as a principled discipline that focuses on the task of helping persons enter into and grow in their life-transforming relationship with God. I am at a loss to understand how Christian education, thus defined, is not centrally relevant to any practical ministry…including youth ministry.
Listening to these few persons share their perspectives at the YME forum reminded me that, in spite of the immediate world I travel in where Christian education is borderline noble (!), some ministry practices taking place in church trenches offer an operational definition of CE that needs to be challenged and corrected. Chances are that the most influential opportunities to facilitate such reflection won’t take place in our conferences or classrooms; let’s keep our eyes and ears open while we move through the churches in our world.
 |
Bob Pazmiņo shares tips on the conference facilities
with Elizabeth Conde-Frazier during NAPCE registration. Click on the image to view full size. |
Perspective #2–Even among adult professionals, the "look" of us Christian educators can apparently be a put-off. One brave soul at our YME forum confessed that there was a stuffiness in our dress, our academically-inflated language and conference decor that said to him, "I don’t fit here." I was incredulous! (Unless that’s too elitist, in which case I was simply amazed.) I’ve been attending NAPCE conferences faithfully since 1987. There have been persons who wear clothes that I would not wear, and use words that test the limits of my own vocabulary, but I have been invigorated and challenged by these colleagues. Further, I am always appreciative of the Lord’s marvelous diversity of gifts when I get to know someone different from me. I’ve felt welcome and have met plenty of people with whom I could connect.
What an interesting perspective of NAPCE this represents! I know that there are those in our membership who think we ought to conduct ourselves with more propriety, become more professional than we have been. At the YME forum I heard a voice on the other side of the spectrum, exceeding my own Mr. Casual position on this issue. It reminds me that assimilation dynamics, even for a professional organization like NAPCE, need to be attended to. In Reaching a Generation for Christ, Mark Senter has observed that high school students will not be theologically mature until they are sociologically comfortable. Maybe there is still a bit of high school in all of us.
Please hear me well. The perspectives I picked up from a minority of participants at the Youth Ministry Educators forum are foreign to my experience at NAPCE, but I still think they’re still worth thinking about.
Reflections on Conference ‘97
Elaine Becker, Salvation Army
Innovations of the Heart and Mind: From Main Street into the Future was the theme which captured the attention of the 1997 participants in the annual NAPCE conference. The excited sounds of colleagues meeting and the energetic conversations of friends reuniting with friends filled the air as the Grand Ballroom came alive on Thursday, October 16th. From the outset of the meetings a sense of caring and encouragement was evident as participants readily shared how God had been working in their lives.
The plenary sessions were inspirational as Benjamin Harlan ministered in music and Calvin Miller opened the Word of God. Calvin read a modern parable in each of four plenary sessions from his new book An Owner’s Manual for the Unfinished Soul. The parables, both humorous and challenging in nature, called those present to take seriously the condition of their own heart and life. The challenge came to move deliberately into the presence of God and to give time to develop and guard inward spiritual beauty. From that source of inwardness, profession is made by the true Professor. Such a definition of professor goes much deeper than merely giving forth a message, but a true professor lives the truth in daily lifestyle.
 |
Calvin Miller challenges NAPCE members with modern parables during a
plenary session. Click on the image to view full size. |
Workshops were offered allowing those present to choose subjects which best fit their particular circumstance, interest and need. From Researching Children in Christian Educational Contexts to The Christian Educator’s Role in Spiritual Formation, each of the presenters stimulated thinking and engaged the participants in discussion.
Kevin Compton spoke of "Change" particularly related to the technological advances within a global society. He reported that, while it took 23 years for the first million telephones to be sold in the USA, and nine years for the first million color televisions to be sold, only two years were needed to sell the first million cellular phones–and only six months to add one million users to the Internet. Change at such a rapid pace and the wealth of information is affecting the way education is done and the need exists for educators to keep pace. Some sessions called participants to action, while others called for reflection and soul searching. Herein lies the challenge of our profession–to hold in balance the personal relationship with God and profess truth effectively in a rapidly changing context.
Kenneth Gangel Honored with Distinguished Christian Educator Award
Jim Davies, Simpson College
In October 18th during the annual conference, Dr. Kenneth O. Gangel was honored by the NAPCE membership as this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Christian Educator Award. Ken’s wife Betty was present for the award, as was his son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren who made a surprise appearance. The following excerpts are from the presentation:
In a career spanning 37 years, Ken Gangel’s two professional loves–classroom teaching and higher education administration–can easily be seen. He served 12 years in undergraduate teaching while jointly holding the varied positions of Christian service director, registrar, academic dean, and academic vice-president. He was professor and founding director of the School of Christian Education at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and served five years as president of Miami Christian College. Since 1982 he has been positioned at Dallas Theological Seminary, first as chairman of the Christian Education department, and more recently as Distinguished Professor of Christian Education and Vice-President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean.
 |
Ken and Betty Gangel Click on the image to view full size. |
Ken Gangel is one of the most prolific writers in the history of evangelical Christian education. He has authored, coauthored, or coedited over 43 books and bible studies, and more than 1,000 articles in journals and periodicals bear his name. His passion for the field of Christian education is clearly evident both in and beyond the classroom. He is a person who has become an inveterate encourager and articulate spokesman for our entire enterprise and a gracious leader. So today with respect, love, and deep gratitude for a faithful lifetime of exemplary service to the field of Christian education, we honor Dr. Kenneth O. Gangel with the Distinguished Christian Educator Award.
NAPCE Financial Report
Dennis Williams, Executive Administrator
The following financial report was received by the NAPCE Board.
Balance 6/30/96 $24,275.23
Deposits 7/01/96-6/30/97 $36,686.79
Disbursements $32,788.00
Balance 6/30/97 $28,248.02
We are grateful for this fine report and the diligence of Dennis Williams in maintaining our finances. All NAPCE Board Members have a detailed financial report–contact one of them if you have any questions.
Book Reviews
Mark Lamport, Huntington College
Each issue of the Newsletter will now feature two book reviews by our membership. These reviews will be posted in full, and will also be available online at the NAPCE home page.
The following two books were reviewed by Mark A. Lamport, Professor of Educational Ministries, Huntington College.
Atkinson, Harley. 1997. Ministry with Youth in Crisis. Birmingham, AL: Religious Education Press. 254 pages. ISBN: 0-89135-099-3.
The title may mislead a mere browser. It would appear to be a work about ministering to youth with severe trauma inflicted either as a consequence of some social or physical act or even by personal choice–and it is, to some extent. But the reader needs a fuller explanation of what the author means by "crisis" before the book can be properly pigeonholed.
Harley Atkinson, a Canadian, a former youth minister, a professor of educational ministries at Toccoa Falls College, Georgia writes about seven situational and developmental crises which, to varying degrees, relate to adolescents: self-identity, family life, social relationships, sexuality, suicide, substance abuse, and eating disorders.
The writing is lucid, replete with solid research documentation, and demonstrates familiarity with Christian and other authors on the topics discussed. Yet, I’m curious as to the (perhaps picayune) reasoning behind the use of the seemingly synonymous terms youth worker, youth minister, and youth religious educator. Are they randomly scattered by an editor to relate to a potentially diverse audience who may read the book? Perhaps. Yet, this many years into a developing field of academic inquiry, is not the usage of "youth minister" the most accurate term given the context of this book. (For example, youth "worker" implies a broader scope than a religious orientation.) Enough of this. If this is all this reviewer can unearth to banter about, you know it is a fine product.
This would make a nice textbook for the purposes of helping students understand the issues endemic to the stage of adolescence as well as the cultural influences which shape the experience. Finally, the book gives cogent clues for how those who care about youth can practically serve the needs of youth. Nice job.
Borgman, Dean. 1997. When Kumbaya Isn’t Enough: A Practical Theology for Youth Ministry. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers. 234 pages. ISBN: 1-56563-247-8.
Dean Borgman, a professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, has gathered together the experience of many years in the classroom as well as the wisdom that comes with age to write his definitive statement on youth ministry. This is a treatise which looks at various topics in the field through theological lenses: culture, human development, social relationships, media, humor, music, and sexuality. To the author’s credit, I wonder how many other youth ministry texts have chapters on exegesis and contextualization!
This substantive volume skillfully weaves Borgman’s knowledge of Scripture and theological discourse with an up-to-date wealth of commentary on pop culture. The bibliography is diverse. Each of the eleven chapters ends with a series of thought-provoking questions, which could easily be the basis for classroom discussion and/or writing assignments.
As someone who continues the struggle to find substantial texts in the field of youth ministry, I am pleased that this one will add another very viable option. I heartily recommend it.
NAPCE ‘98 Preview
Additional information on the 1998 conference will appear in the next issue of the NAPCE Newsletter. For now, here is a sneak preview of the conference theme and location:
Where: Clubhouse Inn Downtown - Nashville, TN
When: October 15th - 18th (Thursday - Sunday)
Theme: Living and Teaching in a Pluralistic World
D. A. Carson of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School is one of the scheduled plenary session speakers; additional speakers are also planned.
News Briefs
Steven Hostetter Appointed as President of Alaska Bible College
Mark Senter Teaches at Torch Trinity Graduate School of Theology in Seoul,
Korea
Mark Senter will be teaching on a one-year special assignment with Torch Trinity
Graduate School of Theology, a cooperative effort between Trinity International University
and the Korean Center for World Mission (Torch Mission Center). Mark will be teaching
along with three other faculty members from TIU, and will represent the university
interests as an officer of TIU. His wife Ruth will be tutoring students in developing
their writing skills. At the same time she will be doing some writing of her own,
including a venture into writing books for children.
In Memory of Lois LeBar
We were saddened to hear that Lois E. LeBar passed away in August at her home in
Florida. Lois’ career in Christian education spanned several decades. She formerly
served as Professor of Christian Education and Graduate Department Chair at Wheaton
College, and taught at Moody Bible Institute. She authored the books Education that Is
Christian, and Focus on People in Church Education, as well as several other texts and
articles. In recent years, NAPCE honored Lois with the Distinguished Christian Educator
Award. Though she is at home with our Lord, we know her life will continue to impact
generations to come through her writings and the lives she touched through her ministry
among us.
National Forum on Christian Higher Education to Meet in Indianapolis, Indiana
The first National Forum on Christian Higher Education will be held in
Indianapolis, April 2nd - 5th, 1998, at the Radisson Hotel, Keystone at the Crossing.
Workshops are scheduled for peer groups such as school presidents, trustees, chief
academic officers, faculty leaders, chief student development officers, chief financial
officers, and chief advancement officers. Spouses are welcome to attend. Guest speakers
will include: Parker Palmer, author and speaker; George M Gallup, Jr., pollster and
author; Richard Foster, author and president of Renouvare; and Phil Butler, InterDev.
Ron Habermas has suggested that this inaugural meeting of the coalition of schools is a great opportunity for NAPCE professors to ask their deans to send them as a "delegate" to speak on spiritual formation issues.
Hotel reservations can be made anytime through the National Radisson Plaza and Suites Hotel at (800) 333-3333 or at the hotel itself at (317) 846-2700. For further information, contact Denis Crum, Program Manager, at (202) 546-8713 or e-mail denise@cccu.org.
Call for Papers for the Christian Education Journal
The second issue of the refitted Christian Education Journal is expected to be
distributed to subscribers around Christmas. The Spring 1998 issue is already in progress
and will explore the theme "Theological Education in Eastern Europe." The editor
for that issue is Mark Young of Dallas Theological Seminary.
Linda Cannell has been appointed editor of the Fall 1998 issue, which will explore the theme "Teaching in Higher Education." Topics of reflection in this issue will include the relationship between teaching and learning, contributions of significant historical exemplars and contemporary teachers, and significant issues, trends, and directions in teaching. If you are interested in submitting an article for consideration, please contact Linda at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 2065 Half Day Road, Deerfield, IL 60015.
Thank You!
The membership of NAPCE expresses this word of appreciation to Dr. Daryl Eldridge
and the members of the NAPCE Board for coordinating our Charlotte Conference. Over 168
were in attendance. The membership also wishes to thank 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 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.
Member Directory on the NAPCE Home Page
We are working to list our NAPCE membership on our home page. Only members who
have given us permission to provide selected information (see Request for Updated Member
Profiles) will be listed.
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 at 2825 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40280 or e-mail
mrksmpsn@aol.com. News information can also be sent via the Update Your NAPCE Profile
option of the web edition of the Newsletter.
Request for Updated Member Profiles
During the recent conference, NAPCE members were asked to update their member profile for future mailings and to indicate personal preferences in the posting of the member information on the NAPCE home page. If you did not update your profile during the conference, or did not attend the conference, please complete the profile form on the back of this newsletter and send it to Dennis Williams, NAPCE Executive Administrator, 2825 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40280 or e-mail celead@sbts.edu.
NAPCE ‘97 in Pictures
Clockwise from upper left: Participants renewing old friendships; Perry Downs takes minutes for the NAPCE Board; Benjamin Harlan leads participants in worship during a plenary session; visiting with the publishers; plenary speaker Kevin Compton; the Gangel family makes a surprise appearance to honor Ken Gangel; informal discussions during a break; reflecting on discoveries following a conference workshop. Center: Conference notebook cover.
Click on the image to view full size.
MEMBER PROFILE CARD
Please provide and/or correct the data requested if you did not do so at the conference.