adc today: summer 2013 edition
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C45y
EquippingLeadersp
Commissioning& Convocation20137
Biblicalperspectiveson calls toministry
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SUMMER 2013
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Presidents Message
The Mysterious CallI ws he sry b his n h sd meOn May 31, my wife, Gail, and I attended the memorial
service for the Rev. Dr. Keith Hobson held at Grand
Bay Baptist Church, New Brunswick. We knew Keith
and his wife, Daisy, in their retirement years, and
knew of their demonstrated love and commitment to
Christ and His church. There were wonderful things
recounted about Keith, about his early years in England
and his pastoral leadership in Atlantic Canada before
becoming the Executive Minister of the Convention of
Atlantic Baptist Churches. I also recal led he was the
rst Chair of the Board for Acadia Divinity College.
But there was one story that involved a comment made
by Keiths aunt when he was only twelve that spoke
volumes to me. His aunt had been a missionary to
China and looked straight at him and said, You belongto Jesus. From that moment, Keith had a sense that
his life was not his own. He later experienced Gods
call upon him to offer his life in ministry and by his late
teens he was preaching regularly. His own inner sense
of call was afrmed not only by his aunt but also bymany others throughout his lifetime.
Why did this story stand out to me? Only a few days
earlier I had met with a student who shared how God
seemed to be calling him to serve Him. The student
had a particular view about what Gods call would look
like. Although there had been many afrmations byothers, there was a struggle as the student waited for
inner conrmation.
I have no doubt that there needs to be a combination
of a personal compulsion to follow the Lord and
the encouragement and blessing from the Body of
Christ. My question is why do we sometimes get
the impression that God has a cookie-cutter call to
ministry and it must look the same for everyone?
For many years I have served on the Conventions
Board of Ministerial Standards and Education that
meets with those who are preparing for ministry. I
always enjoy reading the life stories of these people,
their Christian experience as well as how their sense
of Gods call is developing. When we interview the
person we ask them to describe how the Lord is
directing their lives towards ministry. Before coming
to the Board an individual must rst receive a churchlicense to minister and, at the end of the process,
its not the Convention that ordains them, but a local
church. I have often heard it said (and I have said it
many times myself) The process towards ordination
begins and ends with the local church. And here is
where I think we sometimes can be guilty of using
a cookie-cutter approach when dealing with
mysterious call of God.
I expect that Gods call is unique in each persons
I also expect that there will be components of the
that could be the same since it is Gods Spirit
is at work. But perhaps we would do well to rem
ourselves of what God said to Moses from the burn
bush to remove his sandals since where he w
standing was holy ground. Or perhaps we need a s
that says, Caution - God at work here.
If a student comes to discuss their discernment proc
with me about Gods call on their life and everything t
say relates to what others are telling them, I wi ll ask th
to tell me about their personal experience with G
Perhaps a Scripture has been important or they h
an inner constraint to serve the Lord. At other times
individual may come and everything they say relate
their personal experience of what they believe Go
saying to them. In those cases, I ask them to tell
about how others have afrmed their call. Perhaps thave been invited to lead a group in their church or t
have been encouraged by a Pastor or church leader.
Perhaps their sense of Gods call started when an a
looked them straight in the eye and told them,
belong to Jesus. In some cultures, there is a lo
emphasis placed on the personal experience;
inner sense that the Spirit is at work. Sometimes involves dreams and even a vision. In other culture
is the Body of Christ that is discerning that the per
has gifts for ministry and others know Gods call o
persons life before they do.
Because we know that it is the Spirit who gives
gifts to be exercised in the Body of Christ, we n
to be watchful and encouraging towards those G
is calling to serve and lead. Lets not quickly dism
either the person who says they know they are ca
because they have been told by others or the per
who has that inner conviction of Gods call but has
yet had the afrmation that comes by testing thatin serving others.
Gods call is mysterious and wonderful. It seems
would be wise to pay attention to wise aunts
uncles, deacons and Sunday School teachers, yo
leaders and colleagues who bring their encouragem
to bear. And we would be wise to listen to the in
voice of the Spirit. Gods call is not one way or
other but both of these things.
We can start with the mystery of prayer about all of th
In LUkE 10:2, JESUS
TOLD hIS DISCIpLES,
ThE hARvEST IS
pLEnTIfUL, bUT
ThE wORkERS ARE
fEw. ASk ThE LORD
Of ThE hARvEST,
ThEREfORE,
TO SEnD OUT
wORkERS InTO hIS
hARvEST fIELD.
by
Rev. Dr. Hrry
Grdner 77
Harry Gardner is the
President, Dean of
Theology, and the
Abner J. Langley and
Harold L. Mitton
Professor of Church
Leadership.
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TheC
allwiTh
inTheCa
ll
45Y
earsofEquippingC
hristian
Leaders
by Dr. Rber
Wilsn
SUMME
Robert Wilson is
Thomas James
Memorial Profes
Practical Theolo
Church History a
Divinity College.
Acall to give leadership in the Church of Christ is
invariably accompanied by a call to prepare. When
Jesus was building his ministry team to establish the
church, He invited the disciples to come follow Him. After
three years of learning from the Master, He commissioned
them to go make disciples. For 45 years, Acadia Divinity
College has been helping women and men answer that
call and equipping them to offer their best to God.
Acadia University was founded by the Baptist
denomination in 1838 and the preparation for ministry
was carried on under various formats. After Acadia
University was reorganized in 1966 by the Nova Scotia
Government, the Baptists of Atlantic Canada began
to operate the School of Theology under the name
Acadia Divinity College (ADC), and on June 1, 1968, the
College was established by an act of the Nova Scotia
Legislature. Today, ADC exists as the ofcial seminary ofthe Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches, although
the student body represents over 20 denominations,
and continues as the Faculty of Theology of Acadia
University. The University continues to grant the degrees.
From the beginning, with Millard Cherry, the rst Principalof ADC, and the newly appointed Abner Langley as an
Associate Principal, the College was creative in delivering
quality ministerial education. Building a new faculty, they
brought together scholars and practical theologians to
offer what was then a typical Bachelor of Divinity (later
called a Master of Divinity). Very soon, however, new
emphases began with Charlie Taylor pioneering Clinical
Pastoral Education in Canada with opportunities for
students in prison ministry. Jerry Zemans love of and
work in Baptist History made the Acadia Archives thesecond most used in Canada and initiated an Atlantic
Baptist Heritage Series which now has 17 volumes. All of
the faculty were active in their local churches and in the
broader church ministries and that tradition continues.
Under the leadership of Harold Mitton and Andrew
MacRae, the College became national in scope as it
drew students from all across Canada. The Facult de
Thologie vanglique in Montral became afliatedand its students received Acadia degrees. At one time
the Executive Ministers of all the English-speaking
Conventions or Unions of the Canadian Baptist
Federation were ADC grads. Innovation continued with
the rst Chair in Evangelism in a Canadian seminary, ruraland urban church courses and conferences, and new
continuing education opportunities with the Simpson
Lectures added to the traditional Hayward Lectures.
As part of the growth, the College gained accreditation
by the Association of Theological Schools which opened
new doors of inuence and provided an academic andministry accountability which strengthened the offerings
of the College.
ADC student body of 1968/69 - Back Row, L-R, Wallace Jordan, Bob Childs, John Kaulback, Fred Crouse, Allan Jorgenson, David
Allen, Edward Colquhoun Second to Back, L-R, Glen Lidstone, Jim Tanner, Roger Prentice, Harold Price, Stewart McLearn, John
Boyd Third to Back, L-R, Jack Willett, Harry Waugh, Selwyn Hopkins, George Allaby, Dick Cofn Front Row, L-R, Pricilla Schoeld,
Mary Miles, Leanne Oickle, Audrey Manuel, Gerald Joe Fisher
continued on page 4
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The new millennium was greeted at ADC with a Lily
Grant that enabled the Acadia educational experience
to include various aspects of technology with the
introduction of laptop computers for each student and
the inclusion of a technology segment in each course.With wireless technology in the College it transformed
teaching and internal and external communication.
The new century also saw a major emphasis by
the faculty on scholarship. With the addition of
two Distinguished Professors, Craig Evans and Bill
Brackney, along with President Lee McDonald, a
new era of publishing and outreach into the Christian
academic and popular scholarship widened the impact
of the College. The Acadia Academic Series by Baker
took the materials around the world.
Two other innovations have transformed the work of
the College. The rst is the Doctor of Ministry Program.Begun and nurtured by Andrew MacRae, underBruce Fawcett it became the largest in Canada with
students from over 20 denominations. It has become
international with the relationship with the International
Baptist Theological Seminary of the European Baptist
Federation and allows ADC to have an impact in
many new areas. The second key innovation was the
curriculum revision under Harry Gardner. It not only
changed the program and broadened the offerings, but
it also changed the delivery system. This new delivery
system makes it possible for more students to study
while in ministry thereby avoiding uprooting families and
decreasing the debt load at graduation.
To make ADC the signicant educational institutiois has become, it has taken a visionary Board
Trustees, a dedicated faculty and staff, many of who
labour without a lot of recognition other than from the
appreciative students, and faithful donors who beliein the mission of the College.
When all this has been said, it is, in fact, the alumni
ADC who are the Colleges most signicant contributioas they give leadership to the Church around the wor
They have founded colleges in Nigeria and Hong Ko
and created development projects and agencies
many parts of the world like David Mensah in Ghan
They are key faculty members in Canadian an
American seminaries and Christian colleges as well as
other schools around the world. They are missionari
under Canadian Baptist Ministries and many oth
agencies. They provide denominational leadersh
around the world. They are military, hospital, and prisochaplains. They are involved in camping ministries, c
missions, and a multitude of other ministries.
Perhaps most important in the light of the mission
the College, we have a large number of women an
men serving in local churches, both large and sma
who provide pastoral care and proclaim the good new
of the Risen Christ every week to Gods people.
For 45 years it has been Acadia Divinity College
privilege to be involved with their call within a ca
When they answered Christs call to come follow Him
the College has helped equip them to go. n
The Call wiThin The Callcontinued from page 3
ADC fRIEnDS &ALUMnI SUppER
KC Irving Garden Roomhel us celerate 45 Years o Euiig Cristia Leaders
SatuRDaYauGuSt 10 at 4:45
REGISTER 1-902-585-2210 [email protected]
ADC TODAY4
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A
mong mAny ChristiAns
there is the strong
belief thAt those Aspiring
to ministries Among the
people the people of god
must experienCe suCh A
CAll of god.
when I came to Acadia Divinity College as a student in 1981, I came to
a place where the call of God was emphasized. I still remember sitting
in classes with Dr. Andrew MacRae as he talked about the importance
of a call to ministry. Some struggled with this notion because they had not
experienced anything spectacular. About six years earlier, shortly after I became
a Christian, I heard a voice, in the dead of the night, Become a minister! Among
many Christians there is the strong belief that those aspiring to ministries among
the people of God must experience such a call of God.
The call of God to ministry is often understood as a strong or overwhelmingcompulsion. Sometimes it is experienced as a literal call; among others it is
recognition of giftedness, arising out of the need to nd leadership from within the
congregation. What does the Bible have to say about this topic?
As the result of my own experience, the teaching I received at ADC, and my own
study of the Biblical text I will provide an overview of three kinds of calls in the
Bible, and I will also consider the scriptural mandate to exercise both personal
and corporate scrutiny of such calls.
BiBliCal models of Calls To minisTry
Inernl Clls
The internal call is the one that most of us think of when we think of a call: the
supernatural voice in the night, or vision; the tap on the shoulder. The call of
Moses is possibly the most famous, Exodus 3:4-10: God called to him out of the
bush, Moses, Moses! And he said, Here I am..... Then the Lord said, ... The cry
of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress
them. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out
of Egypt.
The nature of these calls seems to be aural, something heard with the ears. But
these are more likely internal calls: something produced by God for the individuals.
Consider 1 Samuel 16 where Yahweh and the prophet Samuel have a conversation
in the company of Jesse and his sons, and presumably other on-lookers. There is
no indication in the text that Jesse and the others hear this conversation. See also
Amos 7:15 and Ezekiel 8-11. A slightly different account is found in John 12:29, or
Pauls recollection of his call on the road to Damascus in Acts 22:9.
There is an important note that I believe I must add. In the Bible, the people who
received this kind of call did so in extraordinary circumstances. These people
are what I like to call Gods crisis managers. Are pastors, missionaries, and
by
Rev. Dr. Glenn Wden 86
Glenn Wooden is the Associate Professor of
Old Testament Studies at Acadia Divinity College
and ADC Librarian.
BiBlicalperspectives
on callsto
ministry
continued on page 10
SUMME
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Annual Fund uPDatE
T h E f R O n T L I n E O R T h E S U p p LY L I
Ihave a vivid memory of meeting one of my brothers
friends while I was serving as a Canadian Baptist
missionary. This man told me that his sister often
travelled to Haiti to do missionary work and he added,
I would never be able to do what she does. My
response to this comment was, Do you ever support
her? Yes, he replied, I always help her nancially.
I then afrmed him by saying that in order to go you
need to be sent and you need the support of others.God calls some of us to the front line and others to
the supply line.
Are you aware of your special divine calling? Both
callings being sent or helping to send - are vital to
building the Kingdom of God. It was the famous
missionary William Carey who asked his home team to
hold the ropes as he ventured to India and a lifetime
of service for Christ. Acadia Divinity College equips
men and women to serve in some of the challenging
and difcult areas of our world. They work daily on the
front lines of mission. At the same time Im very aware,as Director of Development, of the many loyal friends of
the college who give faithfully and sacricially to make
this equipping and education for mission possible.
One of our students at a recent Alumni banquet
reminded us all of the great value he placed on the
supply line. He said with passion, If it were not for
your support I would not be able to be at ADC. In
the nal chapter of his letter to the Romans, Paul,
the Apostle to the Gentiles, expressed his heartfelt
gratitude to the women and men who faithfully and
sacricially supported his missionary work. It is
powerful passage on the value of teamwork. Like o
ADC student, Paul is saying to the supply line, If
were not for your help the work would not be done.
We are excited to be a link in Gods chain of missio
to bring the world to Jesus, the way, the truth, an
the life. We are thrilled to welcome and equip wom
and men God has uniquely called to serve on the fro
line of ministry today and to facilitate the resources women and men God has uniquely called to serve o
the supply line. It is a year lled with great promise
we look forward to renewed partnership with our ma
ADC friends.
wAYS TO GIvE
G
iving is as easy as writing a cheque, dropping o
a cash gift, calling us with your credit card numb
or donating online at www.AcadiaDiv.ca/give.
A quick and easy way to make a regular month
donation to ADC is to complete the Pre-Authorize
Monthly Donation form. This form is available on o
website. The designated amount will be taken fro
your bank account or credit card on the 8 th day of eve
month. No hassles, no reminders, and no fuss.
To discuss any of these options, please conta
the Development Ofce at 902-585-2217 or em
[email protected]. We would be happy
discuss any number of options with you.n
by
Rev. Dr. Dvid W 99David Watt is the Director of Development of Acadia Divinity College.
I COMMEnD TO
YOU OUR SISTER
phOEbE, whO
IS A DEACOn
In ThE ChURCh
In CEnChREA.
wELCOME hER In
ThE LORD AS OnE
whO IS wORThY Of
hOnOUR AMOnG
GODS pEOpLE. hELp
hER In whATEvER
ShE nEEDS, fOR ShE
hAS bEEn hELpfUL
TO MAnY, AnD
ESpECIALLY TO ME.
(RomanS 16:1-2)
$100,000 $200,000 $300,000 $400,000
Our Annual
Goal is $41
$59,774as of
June 25, 2013
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COMMISSIOnInG&
COnvOCATIOn 2013
nA Faculty and graduates follo
Convocation 2013.
nb Students and Faculty gathe
after Commissioning Servic
on May 10.
nC Dr. Carol Anne Janzen, Dea
Students (R) presented Jan
Baker (Bachelor of Theolog
with the Special Service Aw
during Commissioning Sup
nD Leis from Hawaii were give
to all 2013 Commissioning
students as a gift from the
church of Jonathan Steepe
a Doctor of Ministry gradua
from Hawaii. In Hawaii, leis
are given at graduations as
symbol of aloha, a greeting
a blessing, and are a seles
expression of love. The leis
were hand made by an
89-year-old member of
Jonathans church.
SUMME
nb
nDnC
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COMM
ISSIOnInG&
COnvOCA
TIOn2013
ADC TODAY8
nE
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nE Rev. Dr. Pierre Allard (L), who was the specia
speaker during Commissioning Service, rece
an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Acadia
University during Convocation on May 12. H
seen here with Dr. Harry Gardner, President, A
nf Preparing for the Commissioning Service
are Deborah Stevens (Master of Divinity),
Lorraine Street (Master of Arts in Theology)
and Sarah Stevens (Master of Divinity).
nG Commissioning 2013 - left to right: Christoph
Barden, Graduate Diploma in Christian Studie
Mary Grace Hawkes, Master of Divinity, Mich
Shaw, Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies
Chakrita Saulina, Master of Divinity, and Pam
Estey, Diploma in Prison Ministry.
nh Master of Divinity graduate, Elaine Daigle, see
with ADC alumna Susan Mattinson (Class of
2011), at the Commissioning Supper.
nI Lining up for Commissioning Service are frien
Jim Smith (Bachelor of Theology) and ElkanaShekari (Master of Arts in Theology).
nJ Doctor of Ministry graduates of 2013, left to r
Mike McDonald, Rhonda Britton (who was al
the Baccalaureate Service speaker) and
Jane Beers. Absent: Jonathan Steeper.
nk The family of Adrian Gardner gathered togeth
recognize his commissioning. Adrian gradua
with a Master of Divinity degree.
nL On May 12, Acadia Divinity College graduates
the 2013 Convocation of Acadia University.
nM Ray Ivany, President, Acadia University, with
Pierre Allard, Honorary Doctor of Divinity, withLibby Burnham, Chancellor of Acadia Univers
and Judith, Pierres wife.
nn Master of Divinity graduate, Chakrita Saulina,
seen here with Dr. Craig Evans, was the recip
of Acadia Universitys Silver Medal in Theolog
She also received ADCs Presidents Award
presented during the Commissioning Supper
nG
nJ
nh
nk
SUMMEnn
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other kind of ministry leaders really to be thought of
as Gods crisis managers among his people? Were
there other kinds of calls in Scripture? There are at
least two.
Nrl Clls: Levies (apsles)
The second Biblical call comes through natural
gifting. A clear example is Luke 1:57. Now the time
came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son.
AND they all rejoiced and said: Another priest to work
in the temple of God!!!
John the Baptist was rst called to be a priest. His
was not a spectacular call to this high and holy
position in Israel. It was his from birth as the son of
a priest. As a calling to a ministry among the people
of God, it was actually quite commonplace. Every
Levitical and priestly child born a male and physically
uncompromised was called to holy service.
Under the rst covenant it was hereditary. But Priests
and Levites were the spiritual leaders and teachers
of Gods people, the pastors of the ock of God who
were charged with leading the people in worship,
teaching them the law, and acting as experts in the
law when there were matters of dispute or question.
Along with their sacricial roles, the Priests and
Levites were, in some ways, the same as pastor-
teachers under the new covenant.
It is important to note here that this mundane, natural
call is overwhelmingly the most common means of call
under the rst covenant. There are more examples of
the internal call highlighted in Scripture because so
much of the Old Testament literature is focused on the
crises of the people. But failure to place those calls
in the larger context leads to the impression that the
internal, prophetic call was the dominant one, when
it was only sporadic and at crisis times.
Where might we nd parallels to this mundane call?
Firstly, every Christian is gifted for some ministry. Itis something that comes with the new birth. That is a
parallel. However, there are also more mundane calls
to professional ministry. Many readers of this will know
of someone who has claimed that she/he had known
from their earliest recollection what they wanted to
do, for example to be a missionary or a pastor. Could
this not be an equivalent calling to that of the Priests
and Levites? It is similar at least in the sense that it
was from very early in life, and it did not involve a
spectacular point of calling by God.
Exernl clls
The nal model of calling is the one placed upo
someone by other members of a congregation
of the wider Church. Like David, such people mig
not be a rst choice when thinking about possib
candidates for ministry. But as people observe the
in ministry, their gifts become evident.
Look at what happens in Acts 13:1-3: Now in t
church at Antioch there were prophets and teacher
Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius
Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Hero
the ruler, and Saul. While they were worshiping t
Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart fme Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I hav
called them. Then after fasting and praying th
laid their hands on them and sent them off. He
we have a group whom the Spirit tells to appo
Barnabas and Saul [Paul] to a new missiona
endeavor. Other examples would be the selection
Aaron as High priest, through Moses; the call of Sa
and David as kings, through Samuel.
Whether through divine intervention, or seeing th
person in a ministry setting and realizing that th
are gifted for ministry, the unaware individual is called to their ministry by others.
Which call is the best? Rather than focus on just on
I think that we need to see them as complementa
and be open to each. The person who says that th
have heard a voice telling them to do somethin
should not be given a higher regard than othe
The person who is naturally gifted and who seems
have always known what they wanted to do shou
not be dismissed as having a less important ca
Remember, in the ministry for Gods people und
the rst covenant, the vast majority of those calledministry received their call on the day it was know
that they were a male, born to the tribe of Levi. An
nally, we should not shy away from deciding as
group that someone among us has shown gifts f
ministry and needs to consider that God has calle
them to that ministry, and then urging them to se
the Lords will on that matter. Each of these calls is
valid as the other, because God is behind each on
In ThE ADvICE GIvEn
TO LEADERS In ThE
bOOkS Of 1 TIMOThY
AnD TITUS, SCRUTInY
IS CALLED fOR:
If SOMEOnE DESIRES
TO bE OvERSEER, ThAT
pERSOn DESIRES A
nObLE wORk.
ThEREfORE, An
OvERSEER MUST bE
(AUThORS
TRanSlaTIon).
BiBlical perspectives on calls to ministrycontinued from page 5
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11/16SUMME
Persnl nd crpre scriny giedness
This then brings us to the second aspect of this
topic: the need for the scrutiny of those who claim
to be called. Before such public scrutiny is applied,
however, potential candidates for ministry positions
would do well to heed the words of Paul in Romans
12:3-8: For by the grace given to me [Pauls
apostleship; see v. 6] I say to everyone among you
not to think of yourself more highly than you ought
to think, but to think with sober judgment, each
according to the measure of faith that God has
assigned.
1 Timothy 3:1 refers to people aspiring to the ofce
of overseer or pastor. But there is a problem with
aspiring to the ofce of overseer. What if one feels
called for wrong reasons? The fact is that there are
many people who are not self-aware enough to
realize that what they perceive to be gifts are not.
The New Testament does not leave the decision of callto the individual. In the advice given to leaders in the
books of 1 Timothy and Titus, scrutiny is called for: If
someone desires to be overseer, that person desires
a noble work. Therefore, an overseer must be
(authors translation). The subsequent characteristics
are things that others must judge. Timothy is
instructed to exercise discretion in the selection of
those who aspire to the ofce of overseer. It was
clearly understood in the Early Church that not every
aspiring overseer was qualied, and if they failed
to live up to the personal, communal, and ministry
qualications, then their aspiration, although wellintended, must not to be afrmed.
Paul instructed the believers in Corinth: 1 Corinthians
14:29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the
others weigh what is said. . 32 And the spirits of
prophets are subject to the prophets
We are to exercise self-scrutiny and also submit to
the scrutiny of others. In the 1 Timothy passage there
are two aspects to the scrutiny that the individual
and the church body must exercise: candidates
for ministry must (1) have a good Christian
character (most of the qualications have to do with
characteristics that pertain to every Christian); and
(2) be gifted for the function manage/leader and
teaching.
So, Biblical calls are never merely personal. There
is throughout Scripture the notion that those who
claim to be called by God to a ministry must give
evidence of the godly character requsite to that
calling. If called as a prophet, then they must
demonstrate the ability to prophecy, and it must be
scrutinized by others. If called to pastoral ministry,
then they must be able to teach and lead the
people of God, and they must be veried by others
as having those requsite skills. The same would be
true of any other ministry.
Where d I g rm here? this is qesin sked by mny pepleexplring cll rm Gd. I givehe llwing dvice, in ddiin pryer nd Scripre sdy:
Be involved in ministry in your local church to
discover and conrm your gifts.
Assess your own abilities by using your gifts
as a layperson.
Assess your motivations.
Ask others to assess your abilities and
motivations. Tell people that you are seeking
to know if you have gifts for ministry; invite
them to observe you. Be truly open to
peoples comments on your ministry. If
people are openly positive, it is a good sign.
If people are reluctantly positive, they may
be just trying not to hurt your feelings.
Find out what it is like in professional
ministry. Talk to pastors, chaplains, pastoral
counselors about what they do; can you
honestly picture yourself doing that?
Be willing to go through the process of
recognition in your denomination.
Train at an accredited seminary or in some
other accredited training program. n
pAUL InSTRUCTED
ThE bELIEvERS
In CORInTh:
1 CoRInThIanS 14:2
LET TwO OR ThREE
pROphETS SpEAk,
AnD LET ThE OThERS
wEIGh whAT IS SAID
. 32 AnD ThE
SpIRITS Of pROphET
ARE SUbJECT TO ThE
pROphETS
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Re-Visioning Community Chaplaincy
CoNfERENCEby Rev. Dr. Crl anne Jnz
and Lrrine Carol Anne Janzen, Direct
Charles J. Taylor Centre for Chapla
Spiritual Care and Lorraine Street, Admi
for the Community Chaplaincy Con
w
ho ministers to people when they are released from
the articial environment of prison and try to nd theirway back into society again? A dedicated group of
individuals known as Community Chaplains carries out the
vital ministry of personal and spiritual care and practical
support for previously incarcerated people.
Over the weekend of May 30-June 2, 2013, ADCs Taylor
Centre for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care hosted over
seventy Community Chaplains from across Canada as
well as a chaplain from Rwanda. They gathered on the
Acadia campus to develop national connections, to explore
sustainable funding for this ministry, to share best practices,
and to enjoy mutual encouragement and support and to
experience warm Maritime hospitality!
ADC partnered with agencies such as Prison Fellowship Canada
Mennonite Central Committee, Friends of Dismas (Toronto), and
charitable foundations in order to hold the conference.
Community Chaplaincy was born in the Maritimes, around the
kitchen table of Judy and Pierre Allard, when Pierre was Chaplain
at Dorchester Institution and Regional Chaplain for the Atlantic
Region. From this humble beginning, a Canadian model developed
that is now recognised and emulated around the world. Community
Chaplains believe that every single person including one who ha
broken the law and been incarceratedis a beloved child of God
and they strive to demonstrate Gods love and forgiveness fo
each one. As one participant suggested, this ministry could we
be called second chance ministry. It calls to mind the gardeners
plea in Jesus Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, Sir, give it one more
chance. [Luke 13: 8, NLT] n
Standing L-R: Stephen Siemens, Mennonite Central Committee Canada; Eileen Henderson, Mennonite Central Committee Ontario; Judith Laus,
Prison Fellowship Canada; Shauna Mayer, Mennonite Central Committee Ontario; Tom OConnor, Consultant, Transforming Corrections, Oregon; Brian
McDonough, Diocese de Montreal; Kris Knutson, Do Likewise Society; Scott MacIsaac, Island Chaplaincy; Laurent Champagne, Diocese de Montreal; Pat
Wilson, Community Chaplain, Halifax; Hugh Kirkegaard, Regional Chaplain, Correctional Service of Canada. Seated L-R: Harry Nigh, Community Chaplain,
Toronto; Michael Walsh, Friends of Dismas; Carol Anne Janzen, Director, Taylor Centre, ADC. Absent: Lorraine Street, Conference Administrator, ADC.
hOLY LAnD TOURJoin Dr. Glenn Wooden and Dr. Anna Robbins as they
Journey and Discover Israel and Palestine
MaY 31JuNE 13, 2014Students may take one or two courses (1 Bible;
1 Theology) or a total o up to 6 credit hours
or the one tour.
Non-students are welcome to join the tour.
There is a pre-tour option going to Egypt and
the Sinai Peninsula.
For more inormat
online, fll in the bo
www.jcbs.org/fnd_
Tour = JC14
Date = 053114 W
ID# = 53507
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In June I had the wonderful
opportunity to be part of a
class on Restorative Justice,
taught by Rev. Dr. Pierre Allard,
former Chaplain General and
Assistant Commissioner ofthe Correctional Service of
Canada. Quite simply, it was
an exceptional week, full of
fascinating theory and real-life
experience with excellent guest
speakers including the Director
General of the Aboriginal Issues
Branch of the CSC, a former warden from Kingston
Penitentiary, the Atlantic Regional Chaplain of the
CSC, and the Executive Director of Prison Fellowship
Rwanda. Students also came from many different walks
and stages of life, which brought a richness to the
discussions.
What made the week truly special, though, was Pierres
passion and joy that overowed to all of us until we saw
offenders through his eyes and felt their stories with his
heart. This was far from a soft gushy course, however,
as Pierre called each one of us to a higher standard for
our lives and our contribution to society, whether we are
Christians or not. He inspired us to choose to believe
in peoples ability to change, and in the reality of Gods
unfathomable capacity to make us into new creations.
As the week progressed, I could tell that this course
was ministering to people in areas where they had
become brittle and parched. I sensed a growing feeling
of peace in people, a willingness to be vulnerable again,
a desire to trust more and open up. For me personally,
it was such a blessing to see and know that the spiritual
gifts of mercy and encouragement can truly change the
world, even when we are offering these ministries at the
very edges of society. Somehow the course pushed us
to look at life as idealists but work as realists, and be
willing to accept the inevitable tension.
It was a beautiful course, and one I will take with me
in my heart no matter where God may lead. It was
wonderful to be taught by a wise and humble Christian
leader as he looks back and reects on his long career,
while still living with such energy and vision and faith
that that those around him feel uplifted in his presence.
The many true stories about the deeply wounded side
of humankind cannot be easily or comfortably forgotten,
nor assimilated without response. We are challenged
to apply the principles of restorative justice wherever
we may be, to journey with others in their most difcult
moments, and to foster healing and reconciliation within
our communities. n
ThE DEGREE Of
CIvILIzATIOn In A
SOCIETY CAn bE
JUDGED bY
EnTERInG ITS
pRISOnS.
DOSTOEvSkY
SUMME
Vengeance Is the Most Seductive Drug We Have
a Crse Restrtie JsticemICah 6:8: no,
O pEOpLE, ThE
LORD hAS TOLD
YOU whAT IS GOO
AnD ThIS IS whA
hE REqUIRES Of
YOU: TO DO whAT
IS RIGhT, TO LOvE
MERCY, AnD TO
wALk hUMbLY
wITh YOUR GOD.
by
Smnh WesSamantha West is a Master of Divinity
student at Acadia Divinity College.
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PHotoS of INtERESt
Dr. Ron Sider shares a light moment with our Doctor of Ministry (DMin) students during their spring course in Wolfville. The DMin students, who gathered fro
across Canada and many corners of the world, also enjoyed courses with Drs. Larry Hurtado, Bill Webb, Scott Hafemann, Robert Johnston and Catherine Bars
and ADCs own, Bill Brackney.
In May 2013, two Acadia Divinity College students received the Praxis Scholarship
Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM) and travelled to Cuba with three other seminary
and two leaders. In the photo from left to right, Rev. Marlene Knowles, a Doctor o
student, Rev. Estela Hernandez of the William Carey Baptist Church in Havana, Cu
Mat Wilton, a student in the Master of Divinity program. Each year, ADC students ar
by CBM to apply for a Praxis Scholarship.
Simpson Lectures 2013. Dr. Stephen McMullin, the special speaker
during the Simpson Lectures, spoke on Christian Witness in an Age
of Change.
ADC TODAY4
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ADC RemembersKeith HobsonAcadia Divinity College and the wider
Christian community was saddened by the
recent passing of Rev. Dr. Keith R. Hobson.
The guiding principle of his life was that,
considering all that Jesus Christ had done
and given for him, he could not give any
less than his best for his Lord.
In 1949, Keith and Daisy left their homeland
of England and followed Gods call
to minister in the Canadian Maritimes
where he served as the senior minister of several churches.
He was elected the President of the Convention of Atlantic
Baptist Churches and in 1970 became Executive Minister of the
Convention, a position he held for 14 years. He was founding
Chair of the Board of Trustees of Acadia Divinity College, served
on the Board of Atlantic Baptist College (Crandall University)
and the Spencer Memorial (Seniors) Home. In his capacity as
Executive Minister, he led the Board of Ministerial Standards and
Education and held many other leadership positions. Following
his retirement from the Convention he served in a number ofpastoral ministries as well as was the Interim General Secretary
for the Canadian Baptist Federation.
God provided Keith with gifts of leadership, faith, teaching, and
wisdom. In addition to these spiritual gifts, he had incredible
physical stamina for the many demands of ministerial life and
calling. He was widely sought out as a counsellor whose wisdom
was greatly appreciated. His contribution to Gods Kingdom
spans several continents, but he was never more loved and
appreciated than in his adoptive home of Canada.
a SCRIpTuRE ThaT KEITh lIvEd by, maTThEw 22: 36-40
TEAChER, whICh IS ThE GREATEST COMMAnDMEnT In
ThE LAw? JESUS REpLIED: LOvE ThE LORD YOUR GOD
wITh ALL YOUR hEART AnD wITh ALL YOUR SOUL AnD
wITh ALL YOUR MInD. ThIS IS ThE fIRST AnD GREATEST
COMMAnDMEnT. AnD ThE SECOnD IS LIkE IT: LOvE
YOUR nEIGhbOUR AS YOURSELf. ALL ThE LAw AnD ThE
pROphETS hAnG On ThESE TwO COMMAnDMEnTS.
1946Cal Armstrong of
Torbrook Mines, NS passed away on
February 15, 2013. In 1951, he married
his wife, Jean, and began his ministry.
Youth ministry was a signicant focus
of Carrols work throughout his life.
Carrol also received recognition from
Acadia Divinity College for his work
with Rural Life Services. He will be
missed by many.
1971mly sHAW has completed
his interim ministry at Bayview District
of Baptist Churches, NS.
1980 Ja mAtWAWAnA completed
his ministry as Associate Pastor for
Visitation and Pastoral Care at FaithBaptist Church in Lower Sackville, NS.
1984rb niCkerson has
accepted a call to serve as Interim
Pastor of St. Andrews Baptist Church,
NB.
1993 Ba WALLACe has
completed his ministry at Zion United
Baptist Church, Yarmouth, NS.
1996Dald DUnn has completed
his ministry at Aenon and Western
Shore Baptist Churches, NS and has
accepted a call to serve at Norton
Baptist Church, NB.
1996 L LAngiLLe has
completed his ministry at Kingston
Baptist Church, NS.
2000 Jac ad Audy CArter have
completed their ministry at Barrington
Temple Baptist Church, NS and have
accepted a call to serve as Pastors of
Hillsburn Baptist Church, NS.
2004Adw morse has
completed his ministry as AssociatePastor of Hillsborough Baptist
Church, NB.
2004Ja HinsDALe has
accepted a call to serve at Kingsboro
Baptist Church, PEI.
2006 Va DeADDer has
completed her ministry at Mount
Denson United Baptist Church, NS.
2007ka DoUCette has
accepted a call to serve at Alton
Baptist Church, NS.
2008 Da miLLett has
completed his ministry at St. George
Baptist Church, NB and has accepted
a call to serve at New Life Baptist
Church, Hatchet Lake, NS.
2009Davd CUmBY has completed
his ministry at Bridgetown, Centrelea
and West Dalhousie Baptist
Churches, NS.
2011Lbby AmirAULt has
accepted a call to serve as Interim
Pastor of Melvern Square UnitedBaptist Church, NS.
2012Hal BABCoCk has completed
his ministry at Middle Southampton
Baptist Church, NB.
alumni News
SUMME
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At 44 years old I often get asked, How
did you know you were called to
ministry? Many wonder why I would
leave a successful career of 15 years, give it
all up, and go to seminary. Trying to describe
the call is sometimes like nding a needle
in a haystack; its not that simple. However,
Ive come to realize that there were stages in
the process.
The nudge of God: After I surrendered my
life to Jesus, I began serving wherever and
whenever I could. This desire continued as
I matured as a believer. Eventually people
around me, Christian and non-Christians,
began to make comments like, you should
be a pastor. These comments connected
with me in a signicant way and I began
asking God if that is what he wanted.
Wrestling with God: Once I realized
that God might be calling me to something
I wrestled with it for two years. It was a
difcult process that God used to teach me
patience and obedience.
The peace of God: One day during my
wrestling time with God, I came to realize a
deep fear of missing what God wanted. I
confessed this to God and instantly received
His peace.
The perfect timing of God: Following
Christ is often an exciting but challenging
journey. God requires all believers to walk
by faith and not by sight; I was no exception.
The day God asked me to leave my job, I did
so by faith. One year later I was enrolled at
Acadia Divinity College. n
Doug Duncan is a third year Bachelor of Theology
student. Along with serving as the ADC chapel
worship leader, Doug serves as the pastor of
Harmony Baptist Church in the Annapolis Valley.
A Students Call to Ministry
Doug Duncan1
If undeliverable please return to:
Acadia Divinity College
15 University Avenue
Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6
41228525