Louisville Seminary

Reported by Christian Boyd, Source: "The Mosaic of Louisville Seminary":

Vol 6, Num 2.

Peace to our sisters and brothers in the name of our Lord, Christ Jesus. The Spirit is moving on the campus of LPTS, effecting students, faculty, curriculum, and the community.

This fall, Allelon, a fellowship for students who may feel out of touch or alone in their evangelical theological convictions, is planning multiple programs and fellowship hours. Many of the fellowship's members attended the National Presbyterian Seminarian Conference in Austin, Texas in August and are excited about the upcoming year and sharing the student vision.

This year will be the first for the Lilly Endowment funded "Bible & Spiritual Formation Program". Seminary President, Dr. John Mulder, states "the Seminary's new Bible and Spiritual Formation Program focuses on what we believe is a crucial ingredient in the renewal of congregational life. That is, the recovery of the Bible as a personal resource for ministerial identity and practice and the nurture of spiritual growth and discipleship for pastors and their congregations. The Bible and Spiritual Formation Program addresses a hunger and need in individuals and congregations" (Spring/Summer 1999 "Mosaic").

The Program has produced several new resources at the Seminary: a Professor of Bible, a Director of Vocational Formation, three 3-year scholarships, Field Education, and Continuing Education. All the new resources have at their heart the Reformed emphasis of the Bible as an instrument through which God speaks to us and directs all disciples.

Ground has been broken and the building of the William R. and Ellen Laws Lodge is underway. The Laws Lodge will house attendees of the Seminary's degree seminars, numerous conferences and continuing education events. The Louisville Institute, as well as the Seminary's Center for Congregations and Family Ministries, and the new Bible and Spiritual Formation Program is looking forward to being able to provide a very affordable and convenient housing to their conference attendees. President Mulder sees the lodge as a practical tool in order to encourage more participants in conferences that will be teaching, emphasizing and encouraging the use of the Bible in our congregations. Ms. Emily Hudley, a major benefactor to the Seminary and the construction of the lodge says "The Lodge is something that the Seminary needs. We're trying to train young people to influence others for the Lord and this will help us do it"(Spring/ Summer 1999 "Mosaic").

Some of the upcoming conferences are: The Third Annual Faith, Families & Congregations Conference, November 11-13, 1999, featuring John Westeroff, Prathia Hall, and Katherine Paterson.

"Rooted and Refreshed in Christ: Some Principles and Practices of Reformed Spirituality", led by Dr. Tom Schwanda of Lutheran Theological Seminary, October 31-November 2, 1999. This event will guide participants in reclaiming the rich treasurers of Reformed spirituality.

And January 30-February 2, 2000, the Festival of Theology and Reunion 2000, where the Greenhoe Lecturer will be Presbyterian pastor, author and Professor of Spiritual Theology at Regent College, Vancouver, B.C., Dr. Eugene H. Peterson. If you are interested in any of these conferences, contact LPTS at 1-800-264-1839.