March 19, 2009

Dear Alums,

From tractors and combines to the halls of government power; from labor union to university; from financial management to high school teaching; from counseling center to executive suite: in all corners of the marketplace, followers of Jesus seek to bring their faith to bear as they live out their calling in a diversity of vocations. Last month a friend took me to the Canadian International Farm Show in Toronto, Ontario, introducing me to a whole new world. Five convention halls were filled with some of the largest pieces of farming equipment I have ever seen: tractors, bale wrappers, manure spreaders, and combines costing up to $400,000 each. A fascinating glimpse into the high-tech, high-touch world of agriculture. And the busiest booth? The Fellowship of Christian Farmers. I am not sure why I was surprised, but I was not prepared for the line of visitors stopping by the FCF booth to pick up a walking stick and hear the gospel message. Nothing sophisticated; a simple presentation of the gospel. And the number of walking sticks I observed as I wandered through the halls supported the claim that thousands of farmers have found faith through the work of FCF. As one man said, “Farmers may be more open to the gospel because of their connection with the earth, their dependence upon weather and climate.” Farmers and faith.

Within 48 hours of the farm show I spent time with a Minister of Parliament bringing his faith to the halls of the Canadian government; a labor union executive seeking justice for working men and women; a high school teacher bringing a Christian worldview to her students and colleagues; a financial manager advising the investment, philanthropy and spiritual health of his clients; the chairman of a recognized university; a psychologist addressing the symptoms of post-traumatic stress; a corporate executive responsible for millions of dollars; and the pastor of a small church plant. Each case revealed faith engaging the marketplace; gospel communicated through word and/or action. Through explicit evangelism, regular preaching, thoughtful teaching, governing policy, labor-management relationships, clinical intervention or the planting of crops, faith embraces life, working its way into the marketplace. The next time I see a John Deere tractor, a Vermeer Chipper, or a Tube-Line bale wrapper I will remember that.

Walter C. Wright, Jr.
Executive Director
De Pree Leadership Center

ALUMNI/AE IN ACTION

Following God’s Call: On Mountaintop and in the Office
Don Dwyer (MAT ’77), a senior administrator for public transportation agency Metro in Los Angeles, saw his seminary experience as preparation for life--in all its settings. Read more at www.fuller.edu/page.aspx?id=6667.

COUNCIL CORNER

Church and the Marketplace: A View from Two Worlds
Dan Draney (PhD '96, MDiv '87) discusses seminary education as preparation for a range of vocations, including those in the business world. Read his reflection at www.fuller.edu/page.aspx?id=6670.

FULLER NEWS

Author Ronald C. White Speaks on Lincoln and Faith
White, author of best-seller A. Lincoln: A Biography, spoke about the "public face" of Abraham Lincoln's faith as revealed in his Second Inaugural Address. Read more at www.fuller.edu/news-and-events/news/rwhite-recap.aspx.

N.T. Wright Delivers Lecture on Virtue
Fuller's Doctor of Ministry Program sponsored a lecture by noted author and Anglican bishop N. T. Wright on "Learning the Language of Life, New Creation, and Christian Virtue." Read more at www.fuller.edu/news-and-events/news/wright-recap.aspx.

Integration Symposium Focused on Missionary Care
Kelly O'Donnell, psychologist with Member Care International, shared insights on ministering to the needs of mission and aid personnel in this two-day symposium. Read more at www.fuller.edu/news-and-events/news/integration-symposium-09.aspx.

Book Signing Gala Held for Three Fuller Faculty Authors
Professors Warren Brown, Joel Green, and Nancey Murphy together shared their latest works at a book signing celebration held just prior to the Integration Symposium. Read more at www.fuller.edu/news-and-events/news/febbook-signing.aspx.

Gaither and Hawn Challenged Worship Leaders
Acclaimed musicians Gloria Gaither and C. Michael Hawn spoke to a group of over 100 at the Brehm Center's "Forming Hearts, Creating Art" worship leadership conference. Read more at www.fuller.edu/news-and-events/news/worshipconf-recap.aspx.

City of Angels Film Festival Highlighted Independent Movie Gems
The 15th annual City of the Angeles Film Festival in Los Angeles saw sold-out screenings for the "inspiring, important, innovative" films it showcased. Read more at www.fuller.edu/news-and-events/news/caff-09.aspx.

Inaugural MAGL Consultation Held in Pasadena
Master of Arts in Global Leadership (MAGL) students and graduates from around the world gathered last week for an inaugural MAGL Consultation. Read more at www.fuller.edu/news-and-events/news/magl-consult.aspx.

New Fuller Focus Released
A new issue of Fuller Focus magazine has just been released, with an expanded online version that offers new features--video, added content, and links to resources of interest. Read the new online Fuller Focus at documents.fuller.edu/news/pubs/fullerfocus/2009_Winter/.

DMiss Program to Offer New Cohorts
The Doctor of Missiology program, now designed to allow leaders to study while continuing in their ministry context, will offer three new cohorts beginning fall 2009: In Contextual Missiology, Missional Ecclesiology, and Islamics. Read more at www.fuller.edu/dmiss.

UPCOMING EVENTS: CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

Brehm Center Labs
The Brehm Center is offering two "lab" courses Spring Quarter, open to all for a fee: A Finale Lab, offering instruction on the music notation software program, and a Vocal Masterclass. For details and to register, visit www.brehmcenter.com/education/non-degree-programs.

Ministry Enrichment Seminars
Spring Quarter Ministry Enrichment Seminars, open to all alumni/ae, will include Boundaries and Burnout: Building Your Ministry Without Breaking Your Back; Congregations as Emotional Systems: Implications for Pastors and their Families; and Legal Issues in Church Employment and Real Estate. For details, visit www.fuller.edu/current-students/resources/field-ed/ministry-enrichment-seminars.aspx.

UPCOMING EVENTS: PASADENA AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

"One City, One Story" Bilingual Book Discussion
Assistant Dean for Hispanic Church Studies Juan Martínez will lead discussion on The Hummingbird's Daughter, Pasadena's "One City, One Story" 2009 book selection, on Friday, April 3 in Payton 101, at 11:00 a.m. in English, and 2:00 p.m. in Spanish. Read more at www.fuller.edu/news-and-events/news/book-city.aspx.

Alexis Abernethy Inaugural Professorial Lecture
Professor of Psychology Alexis Abernethy will offer a professorial inaugural lecture Tuesday, April 14, at 10:00 a.m. in Travis Auditorium, on "Relational Conflict, Worship, and Transformation." A reception will follow the lecture. For details, call 626-584-5500.

Orange County Forum with Professors Powell and Clark
"Kids' Desperate Longings: What Every Parent, Grandparent, Leader, and Church Can Do" will be the topic of the first Orange County Forum, to be held in Newport Beach on Thursday, April 16, at 7:00 p.m., featuring Fuller professors Kara Powell and Chap Clark as speakers. Read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=6567.

Film Screening of The Ordinary Radicals
Fuller's Brehm Center, Arts Concerns Committee, and Reel Spirituality will cosponsor a screening of the film The Ordinary Radicals on Saturday, April 18, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Read more at www.brehmcenter.com/event/2009-04-18-screening-of-the-ordinary-radicals-/.

Preaching Symposium
The Lloyd John Ogilvie Institute of Preaching will offer an evening symposium on Monday, April 20, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., with author and Christianity Today senior editor Andy Crouch moderating discussion on preaching and culture. Mark Labberton will be introduced as the newly appointed occupant of the Lloyd John Ogilvie Chair in Preaching. Read more at www.brehmcenter.com/event/2009-04-20-preaching-summit-2009/.

"Man of La Mancha" Production
The Brehm Center will be putting on a lush production of the musical "Man of La Mancha," with full band, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 24 to 26, at locations in La Canada and Laguna Beach, California. Request your tickets now and read more at www.brehmcenter.com/article/man-of-la-mancha-2009/.

President’s Pastors’ Breakfast
President Richard J. Mouw will host a Pastors’ Breakfast on Thursday, May 7, from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m., with Professor of Family Studies Cameron Lee speaking on “The Challenges of Ministry: Stress in Pastors' Families,” followed by a tour of the new Hubbard Library at 10:00 a.m. Read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=6671.

Conference for Recent MDiv Graduates
"Now What? The First Years after Seminary: A Conference for Recent MDiv Graduates" will be held Thursday-Friday, May 7-8, in Payton 101. Seminars will include such topics as Conflict, Vocational Discernment, and Spiritual Life and Busyness. Through the generosity of a Lilly grant, cost is only $10. Read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=6569.

Save the Date: Dedication of the New Hubbard Library
Mark your calendar for a special dedication ceremony on Monday, May 18, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., for the new David Allan Hubbard Library at Fuller’s Pasadena campus. Details to come.

Additional Events
To see additional upcoming events for alumni/ae and the larger community, visit www.fuller.edu/about-fuller/news-events/calendars/default.aspx.

UPCOMING EVENTS: FULLER'S REGIONAL CAMPUSES

Fuller California Coast:

Theology Reading Group
A Theology Reading Group will meet Wednesday, March 25, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., to discuss the introduction of Jurgen Moltmann's classic Theology of Hope, pp. 15-36. Read it before you come! Read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=6509.

Conversations in Writing
This workshop, on Saturday, March 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., is offered for writers and those who want to write. Four authors--Emily Griesinger, Joe Nassise, Dennis Okholm, and Christine Spicer--will share about the love and heartbreak of writing, what motivates them as writers, and how new writers might get started. Read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=6463.

Fuller Northern California:

Fuller Sacramento Professors at St. Andrew's
Professors from Fuller Seminary Northern California-Sacramento will be part of upcoming events at St. Andrew's Church, in Antelope: on Saturday, March 21, at 4:00 p.m., Adjunct Professor Peter Rodgers will be installed as priest of the church, with Adjunct Professor Anthony Petrotta preaching; and on Thursday, March 26, at 5:00 p.m., Adjunct Professor Dale Liid will preach on "Knowing Jesus in Worship." For more information, contact cbaker@fuller.edu.

Northern California "Doing Church" Conference
Fuller Professor of Church Growth Eddie Gibbs will be one of the speakers at the Renewal Project's Ninth Annual "Doing Church" Conference, to be held Friday-Saturday, May 8-9, in Pleasant Hill, on "The Shaping of Things to Come: New Ministry Opportunities in Times of Crisis." Cosponsored by Fuller Seminary Northern California. Read more at www.renewalproject.org/DC9/home.html.

Fuller Northwest:

Northwest Ministry Conference
Fuller Northwest will have a booth at the Northwest Ministry Conference hosted by Overlake Christian Church on Friday-Saturday, March 27-28, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. The conference will offer 300 workshops, with more than 400 churches represented. Stop by the Fuller Northwest booth to say hello and get your free Fuller pen! Read more at www.ministryconference.org.

Movie and Discussion Night: The Decalogue
The Decalogue is Krzysztof Kieslowski's critically acclaimed, ten-part series originally made in 1988 for Polish television. Fuller Northwest is hosting a screening of Part One, with a post-screening discussion led by Dr. Jeff Keuss, on Sunday, April 26, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=6551.

Fuller Southwest:

Chuck Van Engen at Northminster Presbyterian
Charles (Chuck) Van Engen, the Arthur F. Glasser Professor of Biblical Theology of Mission, will speak at Northminster Presbyterian Church, in Tucson: on Saturday, March 21, at a church dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, March 22, at the 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. worship services. Read more at www.northminstertucson.org.

Eddie Gibbs at Community Church of Joy
Senior Professor of Church Growth Eddie Gibbs will be preaching at Community Church of Joy, in Glendale, on Saturday, April 25, at 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, April 26, at the 8:15, 9:35, and 11:15 a.m. services. Find details on the church at www.joyonline.org/.

Alumni/ae Gathering in Phoenix
Fuller Southwest Director Tom Parker will host a gathering for alumni/ae and friends, with President Richard J. Mouw and Associate Vice President for Alumni/ae and Church Relations Mary Given, on Saturday, May 2 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Read more at www.fuller.edu/event.aspx?id=6662.

BOOKS OF NOTE

Gwen Ingram, director of Field Education and Denominational Relations, offers the following reading recommendation:

Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World, is a book that is inspiring, hopeful, challenging, and utterly amazing--I couldn't put it down. Written by a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Tracy Kidder, it is a true story about Dr. Paul Farmer, a brilliant infectious disease specialist and Harvard professor, who has given his life to a tireless crusade against drug-resistant strains of TB. His desire to "cure the world" has taken him from Haiti to Peru, Cuba, and even to the prisons in Russia. This story reminds us that one person can make a difference. Annie Dillard says Paul Farmer is "a genuine hero alive in our times."

ALUMNI/AE PUBLICATIONS

Thanks and congratulations to the following alumni/ae whose books have been donated to our Alumni/ae Bookshelf:

John R. Lewis (MDiv '98),A House Esteemed: Building Esteem for God, for Ourselves, and for the Church. BookMasters Inc., 2002.

Sharon Mancha (MAT '06),The Power of Intimacy with Christ: Developing a Lifestyle of Intimate Relationship with Christ. Morris Publishing, 2008.

Terence J. Sandbek (MAT '79, PhDPsy '79),The Worry Free Life: Take Control of Your Thought Life by Weeding Out the Bad and Nurturing the Good. Green Valley Publishing, 2008.

BULLETIN BOARD

Elizabeth House Gala with President Mouw
President Richard J. Mouw will be keynote speaker at a Benefit Gala Dinner for Elizabeth House, a Pasadena shelter for pregnant women directed by Fuller alumna Debora Unruh, on Saturday, March 21, beginning at 6:00 p.m., at the University Club of Pasadena. For more information, call 626-577-4434, email wendym@elizabethhouse.net, or visit www.elizabethhouse.net.

Subscribe to Theology, News and Notes
Theology, News and Notes is published twice a year for alumni/ae and friends of Fuller Seminary. To read past issues of the magazine, visit documents.fuller.edu/news/pubs/tnn/2008_Fall/. If you do not currently receive the magazine and would like a free subscription, please send an e-mail with your current postal address to alum-alumni@dept.fuller.edu.

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Comments and ideas? E-mail us at enews@fuller.edu, call the Alumni/ae Office at 626-584-5498 or write Fuller Theological Seminary, Alumni/ae and Churches Relations Office, 135 North Oakland Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91182.