PANORAMA Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Vol. XLVIII No. 1 Spring 2009 Life-Long Learning Learning for a Lifetime Convocation New Programs VISION STATEMENT Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Spring 2009 Vol. XLVIII No. 1 ISBN 8755-0954 PANORAMA On a dynamic and challenging global stage Panorama is published three times yearly by Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. It is intended to Pittsburgh Theological Seminary plays its part in address the timely issues related to the Seminary God’s redemption of the world through Jesus Christ and to inform alumnae/i and other friends of the By preparing leaders who proclaim with great joy activities and programs for the school. The Alumnae/i Notes also communicate information about God’s message of good news in both word and deed! alumnae/i news. Editor: The Rev. Lisa M. Dormire ’86 ([email protected]) Life-long learners who continue seeking wisdom and Assistant Editor: Melissa Logan ([email protected]) Designer: Lisa V. Hanington ([email protected]) modeling the faith knowing that the front line of ministry is not the church building but wherever the people live, work, For changes of address call 412-362-5610 ext. 0 or e-mail [email protected]. study and play “glorifying God and enjoying God forever”. For class notes, photo submission, or notice of births and deaths call 412-362-5610 ext. 2109 or e-mail [email protected]. For other editorial matters call 412-362-5610 ext. 2108 or e-mail [email protected]. Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is a graduate professional institution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Founded in 1794, the Seminary is located in Pittsburgh, Pa. and approximately 320 students are enrolled yearly in the degree programs. The Seminary prepares leaders who proclaim with great joy God’s message of good news in both word and To view the full mission and vision statements, deed. PTS is rooted in the Reformed history of visit www.pts.edu/aboutus. faithfulness to Scripture and commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Throughout this issue of Panorama you’ll President notice the arrow symbol at the end of various The Rev. William J. Carl III, Ph.D. articles. This symbol indicates that more Vice President for Academic Affairs information is available online regarding the and Dean of Faculty topic. Please visit the Seminary’s website at The Rev. Byron H. Jackson, Ph.D. www.pts.edu to learn more. Vice President for Finance and Administration Patrick Cunningham, CPA Vice President for Seminary Relations The Rev. Lisa M. Dormire ’86 Vice President for Student Services and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Dean of Students 616 North Highland Avenue The Rev. John Welch ’02 Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Vice President for Strategic Advancement Phone 412-362-5610 and Marketing Fax 412-363-3260 Thomas Pappalardo www.pts.edu PANORAMA Spring 2009 2 Table of Contents Mission Statement Letter from the President 1 Letter from the Editor 2 LIFE-LONG LEARNING 8 2 Learning for a Lifetime: Continuing Education at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary 6 Professor Audits Classes at PTS as Own Life-Long Learning 7 Foundation for Reformed Theology 8 Couple Frequents Life-Long Learning Events 9 Ancient Christian Faith Initiative 6 11 PTS EVENTS 12 PTS Convocation 16 Annual McClure Lectures Present the Challenges and Successes of Ministry Among Muslims 17 Be Part of the Leading Edge 10 1716 18 PTS Offers Two-Year Certificate Program in Spiritual Direction and Leadership 20 Seminary Introduces Certificate Program in World Christian Discipleship 21 PTS NEWS 21 Giving Makes a Difference 22 Faculty Staff/News 1812 20 28 Faculty Publications 30 UPCOMING PTS EVENTS 33 PTS ALUMNAE/I NOTES 39 Necrology Report LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Friends, n this issue of Panorama we turn our attention to the fourth of keep our brains active and keep those neurons bouncing. In fact, in my seven bullet points in the Seminary’s vision statement. At PTS, we church in Dallas, we had six years of beginning Greek classes for laity. I strive to prepare always advertised it as “Delay Alzheimer’s and Dementia—take Greek!” and lots of people of all ages came out of the woodwork from all over “Life-long learners who continue seeking wisdom and modeling the city to learn this ancient language. Ithe faith knowing that the front line of ministry is not the church building but wherever the people live, work, study, and play ‘glorifying At Pittsburgh Seminary we have more and more people taking God and enjoying God forever’.” Continuing Education courses in Bible, spirituality, theology, and church history. And many, including my wife, Jane, are actually auditing courses It has never been more important for pastors to be life-long learners. with the Seminary students. Now, she’s asking me questions about In order for our graduates to understand that the front line of ministry Luther, Calvin, Kierkegaard, and Schleiermacher and really enjoying it! is where God’s people live, work, study, and play, it is critical for them You can, too. to immerse themselves continually in the study of Bible, theology, spirituality, and worship, along with the realities of our contemporary We hope that the years spent in seminary at Pittsburgh leaves our culture. graduates hungry for more and eager to return to participate in the many programs and resources that are available. Every year nearly 2,000 Because our world is changing so rapidly, only a commitment to life- people come to campus or participate via satellite in a wide variety of long learning will prepare us for the new realities in which we live. opportunities. Whether you are clergy or laity, you will find programs Pastors in particular need to continue learning in order to apply the here that will both challenge and inspire. foundational lessons learned in seminary to the society’s ever-changing needs. Laity need to keep growing in their knowledge of Scripture and As we continue learning and growing together, we will know the joy of theology in order to fulfill their true calling—the purpose God has given “glorifying and enjoying God forever!” them for living. In Christ, Because the front line of ministry is where lay people live and work, our graduates see themselves as ‘pastor-theologians’ equipping the ‘saints’ for their ministry. In my lecturing on the brain at medical schools and medical conferences around the country, I always point out the need to The Rev. Dr. William J. Carl III President and Professor of Homiletics LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Life-Long Learning t has been at least two years since a PTS student told me, “You Pittsburgh Seminary graduates. Not long ago I shared a wonderful should join Facebook. More and more students are on there. It weekend with two of my dearest friends from college, after nearly 25 would be a good way to stay in touch.” Curious, I checked years of never hearing a word from one another! For me, Facebook has out the online social networking site, which at that time was made the world a little bigger and a little smaller all at the same time, primarily inhabited by college-age people. Thinking that I was a and I have learned much from my connections there. Ilittle old for such a thing, I spent my first year or so on Facebook lying low. If you are already using Facebook, we hope that you will use this tool to keep in touch with what is going on at Pittsburgh Theological Every couple of months I would check my high school and college Seminary. Become a fan by signing up for our fan page. While signed class listings to see who else had joined the “community.” In time, I in to Facebook, search “Pittsburgh Theological Seminary”. Click the started to witness an explosion of sorts as more and more mid-lifers “Pages” tab and be our friend! If you are a graduate, add PTS as one of like me joined the Facebook bandwagon. My observations prove your networks of affiliation by updating your profile. And for those who correct. Facebook itself has announced that the number of users over have ventured into the deep end of social networking sites, you can 35 doubles almost every 60 days. Its fastest growing demographic follow our tweets on Twitter at www.twitter.com. (Don’t know about is people over age 55. With 175 million users around the world, Twitter? Ask your favorite 20 year old!) Search for “pghseminary”. if Facebook was a country it would be the sixth largest one in the world. And it’s not done growing yet. Yes, to the chagrin of my teenage As with all things technology, Facebook is this week’s “hot idea” children, Facebook isn’t just for kids anymore. and by next week enthusiasm is sure to fade. We realize that. For now, however, it provides us with a wonderful (and free) tool to stay While some life-long learning is formal and organized, other life-long connected with people who care about PTS. Besides that, as old learning takes place when old friends get together to share life’s joys seminarians, we’ll be lagging behind the young folks a bit anyway. For and challenges, new ideas and old reflections, lessons learned along that, my kids will be grateful. the way. Thanks to Facebook, I have reconnected with old friends from many phases in my life: high school friends, college friends, fellow The Rev. Lisa M. Dormire ’86 Vice President for Seminary Relations PANORAMA 1 LEARNING FOR A LIFETIME: CONTINUING EDUCATION AT PIttsBURGH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY ontinuing Education at Pittsburgh Seminary covers a broad range of areas.