Events, Updates, and Publications
“Bat Tongs” and Other Humorous Reflections on Pastoral Ministry
A review by our Office Coordinator, Patricia Taylor
Our staff came across this gem by way of one of our alumni, Jeffrey Crawford. He sent us this book he wrote about all of the hilarity that has befallen him, his family, and his congregation over the course of his ministry. And, I was just as intrigued as you to know what “Bat Tongs” were. Indeed, they are exactly what I suspected they were–tongs used for picking up errant bats! Crawford’s tongue-in-cheek manner of delivering the very funniest moments of ministry was delightful as I read about some of his most interesting congregants and the everyday bizarre occurrences that befall a pastor.
These stories, as well as all the others in this short and light read brought a grin to my face and laughter to my day. But, they made me crack up in the way they are so relatable for anyone in the crazy vocation called ministry! In this line of work, we all need the relief a little levity can bring. We heartily recommend picking up this book. It will remind you of all those hilarious experiences you’ve had on the road with Jesus, too.
Counseling and Pastoral Care Clinic
The Department of Counseling and Pastoral Care (CPC) is piloting a new counseling and training clinic on the Asbury Theological Seminary Wilmore campus. Services are provided free of charge to Seminary students and families. The clinic is located in suite 411 of Stanger Hall and is open Tuesday thru Thursday from 5-8 p.m. in Fall 2018.
Advanced counseling students at Asbury Seminary will provide services in the clinic. They are trained to integrate psychology and theology in a thoughtful and practical approach to personal concerns. The clinic allows counseling students who are ready for field placements to take a final experiential step in their integrated training, while also providing the campus community the low or no cost opportunity to see a counselor, under the supervision of a licensed Christian mental health/career professional.
“It is our department’s opportunity to provide a ministry to the school,” Dr. Russell Hall, Director of Training for the Department of Counseling and Pastoral Care, said. “We’re not only about sending students into the world to help others. We want to practically and immediately impact the campus community, both in the students we are training and students’ mental health and career/calling needs in the larger community.”
To protect confidentiality on a small campus, students are not assigned a counselor they know. Counselors and clients will discuss ways to keep the sessions safe, and any interactions outside the clinic will be as anonymous as the client chooses. “This is a good opportunity for these students to practice the counseling ethics they have learned in class,” Hall said. “The clients define what safety looks like for them, and then it is up to the counselor to maintain those boundaries in accordance with professional standards, something that all professional counselors provide for their clients.”
Counseling students are trained in a variety of therapeutic interventions to meet these mental health needs:
- Depression and anxiety
- Career and Calling
- Grief and Loss
- Stress management
- Marriage and family relationships
- Spiritual issues in the context of mental health
The CPC Clinic will continue to work with the Office of Community Formation and the Office of Student Affairs to address the needs of students who are currently enrolled at the Seminary. Students coming to Community Formation in need of counseling services will be referred to the CPC Clinic first. Students in need of formal prayer ministry or spiritual direction will be referred to the Office of Community Formation. Students also have the choice to be referred to off-campus counselors.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, visit asbury.to/cpcclinic.
Asbury Seminary Partners with Messiah College to Offer Two New Master of Education Degree Tracks
Beginning Fall 2018, Asbury Theological Seminary collaborates with Messiah College to offer two new online Master of Education degree tracks in Christian Education and Intercultural Studies. Through the collaboration, Asbury Seminary students can now earn a graduate certificate in TESOL or Exceptional Children and Youth online from Messiah College.
“Being a part of a collaboration with Messiah College is a tremendous opportunity for our students,” Doug Matthews, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Asbury Seminary, said. “As with Messiah College, Asbury Seminary wants to find ways to help students achieve their academic and ministry goals while saving time and money.”
To participate in this program, students must apply and be admitted to Messiah College. Students in the program earn 12 core credits (delivered online) through Messiah College and receive a graduate certificate in TESOL or Exceptional Children and Youth that will enhance their theological education.
“We are excited to work with Asbury Seminary on these new programs,” Rob Pepper, Dean of Messiah College School of Graduate Studies, said. “By collaborating with Asbury Seminary, we are able to provide new opportunities for students seeking to serve and minister as educators in Christian schools, church ministries and in cross-cultural contexts.”
The TESOL Track provides individuals with skills and competencies needed to evaluate and design curriculum, as well as deliver and assess effective instruction in the classroom. This track is of particular interest to those who are desiring to serve in cross-cultural experiences around the globe. The certificate will show that the individual has received professional training in teaching English to non-native English learners.
The Exceptional Children and Youth Track provides those individuals with competencies needed to include, support, educate and advocate for children and youth with exceptionalities in a variety of contexts. This track trains individuals with a variety of backgrounds to possess skills and competencies required to support exceptional children and youth in every area of church and community life.
Asbury Seminary is a community called to prepare theologically educated, sanctified, Spirit-filled men and women to evangelize and to spread scriptural holiness throughout the world through the love of Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit and to the glory of God the Father. The seminary has locations in Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma and offers online programs as well. Learn more about Asbury Seminary’s graduate programs here.
Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls more than 3,300 undergraduate and graduate students. Established in 1909, the primary campus is located in Mechanicsburg, Pa., near the state capital of Harrisburg. Messiah College School of Graduate Studies includes eight master’s degrees, two doctoral degrees, and numerous graduate certificates and post-master’s certificates. Learn more about Messiah’s graduate programs here.
Hannah Whitall Smith Exhibit
The Archives and Special Collections of B.L. Fisher Library is excited to announce a new exhibit in our reading room on the Wilmore campus. This exhibit features letters from important women of the 19th century written to Hannah Whitall Smith, an important Holiness speaker of the 19th century and author of the Holiness best-seller, The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life. If you are unable to visit us for the physical exhibit, here are some other ways to experience the exhibit and learn more about Hannah Whitall Smith and her importance in the Holiness Movement.
To watch a video produced by the library about her life and five of the most important letters in the collection, check out: https://vimeo.com/273764014/f8b5893a35
For an online interactive version of the exhibit see: https://guides.asburyseminary.edu/hannahwhitallsmith
To read an online version of the exhibit or order a paper copy of the exhibit book, go to: https://place.asburyseminary.edu/academicbooks/25/
If you are interested in online versions of some of Hannah Whitall Smith’s writings, see the following:
The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life https://place.asburyseminary.edu/firstfruitsheritagematerial/146/
The God of All Comfort and the Secret of His Comforting https://place.asburyseminary.edu/firstfruitsheritagematerial/147/
The Unselfishness of God and How I discovered it https://place.asburyseminary.edu/firstfruitsheritagematerial/148/
Bible Readings on the Progressive Development of Truth and Experience in the Books of the Old Testament https://place.asburyseminary.edu/firstfruitsheritagematerial/149/
Evely Book Series
Bob Evely (M.Div. 1996) has just published a new 4 book series; an overview of the New Testament Scriptures, separated into what Evely contends is a logical division.
“The Visitation” consists of the four gospel accounts that document the Lord’s life and ministry upon the earth.
“The Waiting” (or “The Fellowship of Jewish Believers”) consists of the first part of Acts and the letters written by the Jewish apostles and leaders to the ecclesia which then consisted of believers among Israel. These believers are encouraged to persevere as they await the return of their king to reign upon the earth in the restored kingdom.
“The Pause” (or “The Fellowship of All Believers”) consists of the second portion of Acts and Paul’s letters; especially his later letters that announce “secrets” concealed by God in the past and now revealed. This is a temporary pause in God’s working with Israel as he turns to the Body of Christ; Jew and Gentile alike with no preference.
“The Return of the King” (Revelation) records the events leading up to the return of Christ to reign in the restored kingdom upon the earth.
Evely writes: “It is important to understand how the various parts of the Bible fit together. It is a mistake, leading to error and confusion, if one reaches into the Scriptures and simply applies any given passage to their present situation.
Evely’s first book, “At the End of the Ages; the Abolition of Hell” was published in 2002.
Bob and his wife Jill live in Wilmore, Kentucky. Their five children, all married, live within 25 minutes of Wilmore. The Evely’s have seven grandchildren.
Manistee Healing School
Manistee United Methodist Church in Manistee, MI is hosting their third Healing School on September 18-22. The Healing School is a four and a half day event which combines cognitive, spiritual, and experiential components in order for all participants to learn about healing and experience the Healing Christ themselves. The Healing School focuses primarily on inner healing. Sometimes called “healing of emotions,” or “healing of memories,” inner healing is a unique ministry which only Christ can do. The human facilitator is just that – the one who helps the person receiving prayer come into the presence of Christ for His divine touch. Inner healing involves one’s submission to the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides a person into a wounded emotion and healing occurs as one encounters Christ in the midst of their pain. While it is Christ who heals our emotions, not the facilitator, still there are paradigms of inner healing to learn. Facilitators need to discover appropriate tools for their tool belt and learn how to use them so they can work effectively with those seeking healing. Rev. Dr. Bobby Cabot serves as a Pastor in the United Methodist Church. She ministers healing to the whole person: body, mind and spirit. God called Dr. Cabot to the healing ministry over twenty years ago. She has conscientiously studied under the prominent healing theologians of our time, many of whom recommend her on this brochure. Dr. Cabot believes in the healing power of the risen Christ as revealed through the Holy Scriptures, church tradition, and her own experience of witnessing countless miracles explainable only by God’s divine love and grace. Because the healing and deliverance ministry has often been unbalanced, Dr. Cabot strives for a loving, low-key approach that nurtures and edifies. For more information, take a look at the brochure: manistee brochure 2018 – PDF To register, click here.
South Asian Friendship Center Annual Banquet
The South Asian Friendship Center’s annual banquet and fellowship dinner is less than one month away! Join the SAFC staff as we celebrate another year in ministry! Hear updates from our staff and stories about our move from the Bookstore to the Ministry House. To RSVP, please email our events coordinator at events@safcchicago.com
When: Saturday, September 29th, from 4-7PM
Where: College Church, 332 East Seminary Avenue, Wheaton, Illinois, 60187
Keynote Speaker: Skye Jethani
He is an author, speaker, consultant and ordained pastor. He also serves as the co-host of the popular Phil Vischer Podcast, a weekly show that blends astute cultural and theological insights with comical conversation. He has been a sought after consultant for groups facing challenges at the intersection of faith and culture like The Lausanne Movement, The White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and the Interfaith Youth Core.
Skye has authored five books including The Divine Commodity: Discovering a Faith Beyond Consumer Christianity, With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God, Futureville, Immeasurable: Reflections on the Soul of Ministry in the Age of Church, Inc., and What’s Wrong with Religion? Skye and his wife Amanda have three children: Zoe, Isaac, and Lucy and reside in Wheaton, Illinois.
Bits and Pieces: Changes
By Kaylea M. Hutson-Miller, MDiv 1998
Change is in the air. From students going back to school, to the start of fall activities, life is changing. For me, this season of life has some changes, as I start a new venture. This week, I stepped into the world of academia to become the adviser of The Chart at Missouri Southern State University. The Chart, the student newspaper at Missouri Southern, is near and dear to my heart. Twenty-eight (gasp) years ago this week, I walked onto the campus of Missouri Southern as a freshman. At that time, I was given two pieces of advice from a wise and trusted friend, Sid Robbins. Robbins directed me to a) go meet Roger Nichols and check out the Wesley Foundation, because it would give me a “church home” on campus, and b) go meet Chad Stebbins, the adviser of The Chart, since I wanted to be a journalist. I took his advice. I met both men during the first two weeks of school. Both would go on to make a profound impact on my life which continues even to this day. Nichols would build on the foundation of my youth, and encourage me to pursue a degree at Asbury Theological Seminary. Because of his nudge, I nurtured and developed a desire to write for the church. It was his encouragement, which led me to pursue a graduate degree. Going to Asbury not only gave me an educational foundation, but it also gave me a large “tribe” of friends around the world. It also helped me to discover my passion for working with children and youth, and allowed me to write for numerous faith-based publications. Stebbins eventually became both my professor and adviser. His mentorship not only nurtured my love of writing, it also gave me the tools I would use as a journalist – at The Chart, at various community newspapers, and even today, as I edit The Grove Sun and Delaware County Journal. From the moment I walked in the door of Hearns Hall (the office used to be in two rooms on the bottom floor of that building), and then later Webster Hall, I found a place I would call home. I began my career there as a staff writer. By Christmas of 1990, I was a page editor, and by the time I graduated in 1994, editor-in-chief.
Working at The Chart nurtured within me a passion for community journalism. I’ve often said “everyone has a story, you just have to ask the right question to find it.” To me, that’s the basis of this form of journalism. Telling the stories of people who make up the basic fiber of the community. It’s that love of storytelling – along with much prodding by Stebbins and Ward Bryant, a former professor turned department head – which led to me to accept the role as Chart adviser. It sounds crazy, to add another responsibility to my already full plate, but I did so after much prayer and consideration. I have a peace about the decision. A peace which only comes when one steps out in faith. My goal in this position is to help nurture a love of storytelling and photography within the next generation of journalists. I hope to encourage my students and give them the tools – much like Stebbins and Bryant gave me – to launch them into a future career. Oh, they may not choose to become a full-time journalist; but anything they learn about writing and deadlines can – and will – be a foundation for their future career. So once a week, I’ll venture to Joplin, to work with the students, and let’s face it, get my Starbucks and Chick-fil-a fix. Don’t worry, I’ll still be around. I’m not giving up my “day job.” I’ll still be the editor of both papers. Who knows, you may soon see some of my students writing within the pages of this paper. There’s already several “cross over” opportunities to explore. Life has a way of changing, even for those of us who hate change. But sometimes, we’re led to say yes – which ultimately leads to amazing things.
Thank you for the wonderful review of the Bat Tongs book. I am glad you enjoyed it! I had a lot of fun writing it. My second book, “Heart Winds: Finding the Way Home,” is being finished at this time. In it, I have a number of reflections about my time at ATS. It was a wonderful experience. I can’t wait until it is published, probably early next year.