Touring Covenant Theological Seminary!

  Throughout the history of the Church, the methods of training and educating the pastors and leaders of the local church has changed and varied.  During the days of Christ, the Apostles had no classroom.  All of their training was done on the road during their travels throughout Judea.  In the medieval times, monasteries and academies were the primary institutions of theological training.  In Geneva, the Reformer John Calvin formed a precursor to the Protestant seminary in order to train men for the ministry and to prepare missionaries.  The famous colleges of Yale and Harvard were initially formed to prepare men to be ministers in local churches here in America.

With all of this history in mind, I consider it a privilege to tour the seminaries that were and are still engaged in the vital mission to educate and train up the next generation of elders and shepherds for the Reformed churches in America.

On January 18th, Pastor Serven took my fellow pastoral intern, Cody Winton, and I to have a look around his alma mater :)  It was a very enjoyable trip and it also gave me an inside perspective of what exactly goes on in a seminary.   

Here are some pictures of the trip!  Enjoy!

The view of the seminary library from the parking lot

One of my favorite places to be is in a book store!  Especially a seminary bookstore!

 At this bookstore, I was able to purchase several of the books that had been placed on the "Clearance" rack.   Probably the best deal I got was a new, hardcover, undamaged copy of Luther's writings on the Lord's Supper.  This book, in mint condition, only cost $9!  I also managed to find a mint condition copy of Francis Schaeffer's, "A Christian Manifesto".  All in all, I left the bookstore feeling very elated over my new purchases :)

My tour guide and my fellow intern

Student housing!

 I didn't know this at the time, but Covenant Seminary tries to make their student housing very accomodating to families.  There is even a play-structure on the seminary grounds for the children who live with their parents on campus can play on.  It looked a little out of place :)

The Goal of Covenant Theological Seminary

The title page of Pastor Serven's dissertation

Dr. Marcus J. Serven

The original seminary building, dating back to 1956

The library, also containing the PCA Historical Center

The sun was shining right in my eyes (hence my squinting expression :)

I'm very thankful for this opportunity to learn more about church history and the continuing legacy and story of how Christian men have prepared for the ministry!  Lord willing, I will have more chances to explore and tour other famous and significant seminaries in America over the next few years!

Vision Forum in 2012 and Beyond!

Every year, Vision Forum Ministries publishes a list of lessons learned and visions cast for the future.  I always immensely enjoy reading these annual publications!  It is encouraging to see how the Lord is using this ministry down in Texas to have an impact all across our nation and around the world!  Furthermore, the visions they cast for the coming year are always intriguing and exciting to read, even if you are merely a spectator on the sidelines :)

So here are some of the visions for the year 2013 that I am most excited about.

You can find the whole document at the Vision Forum Ministries website.

A 3-D Perspective on the Ministry of the Apostle Paul 

                'In the Footsteps of Paul’ Tour to New Testament Greece

In 2013, VFM will take families to the location of one of the greatest apologetic ministries in history—New Testament Greece. There we will walk in the footsteps of Paul the Apostle and chronicle his ministry, his message, and the unfolding story of New Testament Christianity during the Apostolic era. From Athens to Corinth, from Thessalonica to Ephesus, we will remember the antithesis between Jerusalem and Athens and the message that turned the world upside down. 

The Great Transition 

                  Leading Our Sons from Boyhood to Visionary Manhood

One of the most discussed issues in the homeschool movement, if not in the Christian community as a whole, is the need for helping our sons to gain maturity and transition into manhood. There is a real concern that in this age of ease and entertainment, many Christian young men remain confused, unprepared, and immature. In 2013, VFM will focus on addressing “The Great Transition”— Leading Our Sons from Boyhood to Visionary Manhood. Our efforts will include holding a conference at the end of March in San Antonio, Texas. Special messages will address this and other related issues, drawing from Scripture and the experience of proven, godly success stories.
 

Announcing the History of America Mega-Conference 

                          A Conference on God’s Providential Legacy

In 2005, VFM held the first History of the World Mega-Conference, covering more than 4,000 years of history. This July we will meet on the East Coast for our History of America Mega-Conference. Leading Christian historians will trace the providential history of America from its antecedents to its founding, from its rise to its recent decline. In VFM tradition, the conference will involve reenactments, lectures, music, and exciting opportunities to enjoy the Fourth of July in true historic an patriotic style, as well as visit the
150th anniversary reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg.

I hope you all get a chance to read through the whole list of "Lessons Learned & Visions Cast" on the website.  I think you will find it both encouraging and also challenging as you seek to lay out the vision God has put in your heart for the new year.  And remember to keep Vision Forum Ministries in your prayers during the year 2013!

Have a wonderful Christmas!