Newsletter

Devotional	Trends
Illustrations	Recent & Readable
Program Updates	Links
News & Prayer Requests

October 2009

Welcome!

I am terribly sorry for the long delay between issues. So much has happened this past year. Thanks to all who prayed for me during my maternity leave. This issue embraces the world of technology with many sections leading you to different articles on the web. I hope you enjoy clicking away! :)

Encouragement

Kevin Crispell (DMIN 2009, Generalist) recently wrote the following in preparation for a special luncheon here on campus. It is specifically targeted toward those who haven’t finished your thesis-project yet or those who might be interested in the program. Read and enjoy:

D. Min. Thoughts

First of all, I want to thank Dr. Currie for giving me a second chance to complete my D. Min. next week… why? Because I was one of those dinosaurs called “generalists” who entered the very first D. Min. program established at GCTS in 1991.

I enjoyed all my residencies, did well in all my classes…and then proceeded to completely drop out of the program.

Years passed by…continuation fees astronomically mounted…and I reached a point of crisis two years ago.

For the first time in my professional, ministerial career, I actually had a great thesis topic – I had led my mainline denomination New England church through a rather remarkable series of changes which included a name change, a denomination change, a polity change, even, heavens forbid it, a bylaw change (and we all know how difficult THAT can be!!).

I thought if I wrote about that process, I might be able to help other pastors thinking about doing the same thing.

Well, I called Dr. Currie and we set up a meeting.

To my amazement, he was eager to help me finish what I had started so long ago. Dr. Currie really wanted to see me finish and I was actually stunned but tremendously inspired and encouraged to finish! He set me up with a thesis advisor, Dr. Ray Pendleton, who has since proved inestimable helping me arrange the story of my church’s transformation as well as providing me with Dr. Scott Gibson as a second reader. Not too shabby!!!

Bottom line: The D. Min. program gave me structure, encouragement, but most importantly, a DEADLINE to get things done which we all need in life! I am so very grateful and indebted to the D. Min. program here…they will work with you, for you, encourage you, inspire you, and (cough) “prod” you if you need prodding!!!

I would not hesitate for a second recommending the D. Min. program here at Gordon-Conwell to anyone who wishes to strive for a further standard of excellence in their professional career.

Devotional

Last fall, we had to say good bye to Dee Swilling, our admissions coordinator. However, she is now the pastor at a local church, First Baptist Church of Exeter, NH. She is also an alum of the program (DMIN, 2001). Read a recently published “devotional” she wrote here: http://www.newburyportnews.com/punews/local_story_212212113.html.

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Trends

From www.leadershipjournal.net, 10/31/2008:

Indigenous ministries, grassroots leadership, and financial generosity are all trends commonly part of international missions. But what do those same commitments look like when applied in traditional churches in the United States? Leadership asked three pastors who have led their congregations toward radical missional expressions to describe the convictions and commitments that transformed their churches.

Read about David Newman (Outreach & Discipleship, 2007) in this article: http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2008/fall/5.29.html

If you have identified a trend you would like to highlight for future issues, please e-mail berickso@gcts.edu and in the subject line, write trends. We are looking for students like you to tell us what is going on in your area of ministry - what seems to be a trend and how you are working with that trend.
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Illustrations

The CROSS

A young man was at the end of his rope, seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer

"Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a cross to bear."

The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room. Then, open that other door and pick out any cross you wish."

The man was filled with relief and said, "Thank you Lord," and he did as he was told.

Upon entering the other room, he saw many crosses; some so large the tops were not visible. Then, he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall.

"I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered. The Lord replied, "My son, that is the cross you just brought in."

When life's problems seem overwhelming, it helps to look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself far more fortunate than you imagined.

If you have an illustration or quote you would like to share as noteworthy, please submit to berickso@gcts.edu and in the subject line, write illustrations.
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Recent & Readable

Check out Chris Brauns’ (DMIN 2004, The Preacher & The Message) new book, Unpacking Forgiveness at CBD: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=349801&item_code=WW&netp_id=527551&event=ESRCN&view=covers

Chapin Garner (DMIN 2005, The Preacher & The Message) has two new books out. Find them here: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss__3_11?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=stephen+chapin+garner&sprefix=stephen+cha&sprefix=stephen+cha&sprefix=stephen+cha&sprefix=stephen+cha.

James Banks’ (DMIN 2007, Revival & Reform) newest book is due out in October. Check it out at Christian Book Distributors here: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=933514&item_code=WW&netp_id=615313&event=ESRCN&view=covers.

Arto Hamalainen’s (DMin 2007, Missions & Cross-Cultural Studies) thesis-project,“How to Start Missionary Work in New Sending Countries” has spread to different countries and languages. It has been translated and printed in Spanish, Arabic and Nepalese. Recently it was published in Portuguese in Brazil. What a global impact you all are having!

Check out these recently graduated thesis-project titles. Congratulations DMIN Class of 2009!

Aganski, Paul	Doing "Good" Work: Using Deming's System of Profound Knowledge to Explore How Cognitive Dissonance and Self-Justification Influence Our Work
Ammari, M. Juri	Toward an Urban Disciple Making Strategy: A Case Study of Multi-Ethnic, Multi-Socioeconomic, Multi-Generational Church in Urban America
Blank, Keith	Head, Heart, and Hands Discipling: The Historical Road to Lasting Revival
Bonura, Dean	A Biblical Approach to the Problem of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Combat Veterans
Carlton, William	Planning the Major Capital Campaign in the Local Mainline Church
Carter, Thomas	Between Pastors: Revitalizing the Small Congregation during the Interim Time
Clark, Jenny	Encouraging and Developing Christian Education in the Local Church: A Case Study at Mount Moriah Baptist Church, Brockton, MA
Cole, Alan	Toward a Framework for a Cultural Hermeneutic
Connell, Carla	Establishing the Role of Nurse Chaplain Through "A Listening Heart Ministries"
Cooper, Peter	Biblical Dialogue Preaching: How to Prepare and Deliver Expository Interactive Sermons
Cress, John	Is the Workman Truly Worthy of His Hire?: A Study in Contrast from a Biblical and Secular Perspective of Compensation Levels Between CEO's in For-Profit Businesses Versus CEO's of Non-Profit Organizations and Large Church Senior Pastors
Crispell, Kevin	The Long Haul: The Story of Successful Church Transformation in a New England Mainline Denominational Setting and What Your Church Can Learn from It
Crouch, Timothy	Leading Change on the Field: A Case Study of Management of Change Processes in the Ministry Strategy and Organizational Culture of a Mission
Cruell, Gregory	Moving towards Multiethnic Ministry through Transformational Leadership
DeCan, David	Wearing the Ring: Formal Church Membership for the 21st Century
Demosthene, Gide	Towards a Family-Structured Church System and Ministry: Developing Effective Redemptive Church Ministries for Broken and Dysfunctional Families
Edmondson, William	Global-Church Planting within the Mobile Academic and Immigrant Communities of the Boston Metropolitan Area
Forester, Randal	The Evangelical Pastor as Agent of Redemptive and Collaborative Change in a Mainline Church
Frazier, Jonathan	Preparing for Service: A Resource for Western Missionaries Working with Russian Pentecostals
Galloway, Bryan	The Impact of Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Twenty-First Century Preachers and Preaching
Glover, Dean	Assimilation into Hampton Falls First Baptist Church
Gonzalez-Fragoso, Jorge	El Origen e Impacto de Familias Disfuncionales en las Iglesias de Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
Gray, Virginia	Helping People Encounter the Living Lord Jesus Christ in the Postmodern Age
Hanlon, Bruce	Codependency and the Pastorate: An Analysis of How the Need to be Needed Undermines the Pastoral Calling
Harvey, Tom	Communicating Authorial Intent through Biblical Narrative to Children
Hicks, Geoffrey	Rebuilding a Music Ministry through a Gospel Choir at Tremont Temple Baptist Church
Kalish, Bruce	Prioritizing Faith, Love and Hope in a Local Church
Kemp, R. Edward	Teaching Preaching in a Compressed College Course
Kirchhofer, William	Fire Among the Stubble: Church Renewal in the Wesleyan Tradition
Krause, Michael	The End of the World as We Know It: Alternative Models of Church for the 21st Century
Larkin, James	How Can Young Urban Males (18-30) Become Leaders in Church and Community?
Lim, Joseph	A New Song for a Renewed Life: A Study of the Hymns/Worship Songs Contributing to Spiritual Revival in the Chinese Churches
Lindholm, Dawn	Seminary-Trained Women: Employed or Not Employed? This is the Question.
Litchfield, Joe	How to Be a Black Belt Preacher in a Corn Belt Congregation
Littauer, Allison	The Spirit of Reform: Augustine, Edwards and the Glory of God
Lomicka, Cricket	The Women in Ministry Debate from a Hermeneutical Standpoint
MacLeod, Brian	Decision-Making in the Crucible of Church Growth, Change, and Relocation
MacRobbie, Gregory	Preaching that Effectively Connects with Uninvolved Young Men
McDonald, Sherrie	Verbal, Spiritual and Physical Abuse in Christian Families
Mohan, Chadwick	Towards a Conceptual Framework for Church Leadership Formation in Urban South Asia: Special Reference to New Life Assemblies of God Church, Chennai, India
Moyer, Richard	How to Speak Effectively to Non-Christians: For Church and Workplace Leaders
Newby, Leonard	Perennial Pathways to Piety: Insights on Renewal From 2 Chronicles 7:14
Ng, Beng Aye	"Submission" in Traditional and Contemporary Chinese Culture Compared to the Apostle Paul's Understanding
Nicolaides, Kimon	"Clothed with Christ" A Prescription for Preachers on the Spirit's Role in Proclamation
Nielson, Merritt	God's Plan for Our Work: A Series of Topical Sermons Exploring How Daily Work Can Be Shaped to the Dimensions of Faith
Parson, Ronnie	A Cellular Communication Brief Counseling Approach to Marital Correlation and Familial Integration through Love Elucidation
Peterson, Bruce	Reconciling Steps: Counseling Separated Couples Toward Marital Reconciliation
Piva, Stefano	Preaching and Depression
Ramaiah, Thinagaran	Church-Based Leadership Development in South Gujarat: A Curriculum Proposal
Robinson, Jeffrey	Leading a Church through Change for Health and Growth
Sammons, Stephen	A Biblical Practical Theology on Being a Pastor
Schmidt, John	New Structures for Effectiveness in the Presbyterian Session
Shertzer, W. Lynn	Teaching Preaching to Bivocational Pastors in the Mennonite Church
Smith, Jeffrey	The Effectiveness of Transformational Leadership Training with Lay Leadership in a Local Church Setting
Smith, Phillip	The Church of God of Prophecy: A Historical Examination of Its Five General Overseers
Steff, Steve	An Analysis of Company Change: A Study of the Formation of Wolseley North America when Evaluated According to John Kottier's Eight-Step Process for Cultural Change and the Leadership Model in the Biblical Account of Nehemiah
Stoddard, Alan	Teaching Pastors to Reinforce Expository Preaching with Sermon Based Small Groups
Swanson, Vaun	The Outlook for Employment of Female Seminary Graduates
Sytsma, Bill	Addressing Controversial Issues in Black and White: What Suburban Preachers Can Learn from the Tradition of Black Preaching
Titus, Robert	An Eclectic Christian Approach to a Counseling Ministry of Healing and Wholeness
Todd, Gregory	Enhancing the Spiritual Foundation of Christian Chaplains Called to Minister to Marines in Combat
Valci, Roger	What is the Function of Unction?: Exploring the Role of the Holy Spirit in the Speaker and in the Audience During the Act of Preparation and Preaching
Volland, Woodleigh	Preaching that Engages and Instructs Male Listeners
Wall, Gary	The Denominational Executive and Congregational Conflict in Mennonite Brethren Churches
Whisman, Jeffrey	Discipleship in Postmodern Times
Williamson, Keegan	The Soul Care of Missionary Personnel in CAM International: A Manual for Developing and Leading a Soul Care Training Conference
Wilson, Rhett	Moving Forward: A Descriptive Study of the Factors that Make People Resilient from Spiritual Abuse in Southern Baptist Churches
Wright, Stephen	Coaching as Discipleship: Exploring the Values and Practices of Principle-Based Coaching in the Game of Football
Yeaton, Stephen	Training Church Leaders to Help Preachers Develop Effective Expository Sermons
Zook, Ronald	Blessed to Be a Blessing: Choosing Life as God's Beloved

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Program Updates

Miscellaneous

Take a moment to review the schedule of other upcoming cohorts. Let us know if you would like us to send information to anyone you know.

If you know of or will be speaking at or attending any conferences over the next few months that would attract potential DMin students, please let us know. We are looking for more venues to share the educational opportunities we have with others.

A new Semlink-style training program in Research Methodology for DMin students has been developed. It is constructed in a two-module format (4 one-hour units per module) that will give you a basic introduction to a variety of research tools that will assist you with your D.Min. studies and can be used more broadly in your ministry. For all new students, this is requirement and you will receive the disk at your first residency. For those students who are returning or who have finished residencies or who have already graduated, this training program is available at the cost of $50. Please contact me at berickson@gcts.edu if you are interested in purchasing this training program.

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Wouldn't it be nice if...

New Links

www.preachingpoints.com Preaching Points is a weekly podcast that provides brief reflections on preaching that points you to preaching excellence. Each Monday, you will be able to download and listen to fresh insights on preaching from our faculty at the Center for Preaching, as well as professors and friends of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. By subscribing through iTunes, you can automatically receive the latest podcast.

http://marshillaudio.org/ MARS HILL AUDIOis committed to assisting Christians who desire to move from thoughtless consumption of contemporary culture to a vantage point of thoughtful engagement. We believe that fulfilling the commands to love God and neighbor requires that we pay careful attention to the neighborhood: that is, every sphere of human life where God is either glorified or despised, where neighbors are either edified or undermined.

News & Prayer Requests

Updates

Read about Kyle Martin (Outreach & Discipleship, 2007) and one of his most recent revivals:
Kyle Martin on Mission to Revive City
http://www.goshennews.com/local/local_story_236232652.html/resources_printstory

Chris Lambert (The Preacher & The Message, 2008) maintains a blog. Check out his most recent post here: http://www.ekklesiadetroit.com/blog/.

Rob John (Pastoral Skills, 2009) pastors Old South Church in Newburyport, MA. His church has a unique problem. Read about it here: http://www.layman.org/News.aspx?article=26116 or here: http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/2009/july/33.34.html.

Effective July 1st, 2008, Richard Munn (DMIN 2004, Christian Leadership) commenced service as the Principal of the International College for Officers and Center for Spiritual Life Development and Secretary for International Ecumenical Relations for The Salvation Army, London, England.

Rob Rienow’s(DMIN 2004, Christian Leadership) ministry focus at Wheaton Bible Church and through Visionary Parenting www.visionaryparenting.com is to equip parents and grandparents to be the primary spiritual leaders for their kids, and to equip churches to build biblical family ministries. Check out his ministry!

David Go (DMIN 2005, The Preacher & The Message) has his ministry in the Philippines. Read about it here: http://www.freewebs.com/gracestrengtheningmission/.

John Daniels (DMIN 2007, Pastoral Skills) has begun Life Church in Starkville, MS. Read about it here: http://www.starkvilledailynews.com/content/view/161752/60/.

Dave Martin (DMIN 2007, The Preacher & The Message) is busy in Central and Eastern Europe. Read his latest update here: https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:5370.2082781404/rid:9a0a812c6423bdedc55918adee2c06ea.

Yvette Garcia (DMIN 2007, Revival & Reform)will be presenting her thesis-project research to the Association of Psychological Type International at their biennial conference in August.

Dave Nelson (DMIN 2007, Revival & Reform) and his wife maintain blogs. Check them out at: http://4yourjoy.blogspot.com and http://protevangelium.blogspot.com

Read about Coralotta Bates’ (DMin 2007, Urban Ministry) ministry here: http://www.enterprisenews.com/news/x1795263985/From-drug-addict-to-church-pulpit-Brockton-woman-becomes-first-woman-ordained-at-Mount-Moriah-in-Brockton

Alan Cole (DMIN 2009, Pastoral Skills) maintains his blog at: http://blog.destinationnorth.org/.

The next time you are discouraged or frustrated in your DMin work, watch this video made by one of our DMin students about the ministry of another of our DMin students: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGCoVKlJyC0&feature=related

The following is a press release from the University of Texas at Austin concerning the recipients of the Community Leadership Award. One of our D.Min. grads is an honoree. East Austin Activists and Organizations Receive Community Leadership Awards http://www.utexas.edu/news/2008/12/08/community_leadership/

The following is an article that appeared in the Boston Globe highlighting Dr. Arthurs' presentation at the recent preacher's conference. Preacher's Prescription: Mix It Up

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/09/20/preachers_prescription_mix_it_up/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Massachusetts+news

If you have any news or prayer requests you would like to share, please contact us at berickso@gcts.edu and in the subject line, write news.

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