Seminary Announces New Leadership and Courses for Winter Term

 

Gustafson Appoints Holmes as Seminary Provost

Erskine Interim President Dr. Rob Gustafson has announced his appointment of Dr. Leslie Holmes to serve as Provost of Erskine Theological Seminary. Dr. Holmes currently serves as Erskine Seminary’s John H. Leith Professor of Pastoral Theology and Dean of the Institute for Reformed Worship. He is a minister member of Second Presbytery of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.

Dr. Holmes has pastored churches with memberships ranging from 60 to 4,300. He formerly served as pastor of the historic First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh, Pa. He has spoken, taught, and presented at preaching conferences on six continents. He is the author or contributing editor of 18 books and numerous articles in professional journals and other publications. His latest book, Leading the Way, was released last month.

“Dr. Holmes brings to this position not only the academic credentials and administrative experience essential to leading the Seminary but also the unanimous endorsement of the Seminary faculty,” the interim president said.

“His extensive background as a pastor and his love for Erskine Seminary as an agency of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church add important qualities to the task of leading the Seminary at this important time. I look forward to working with him in his new leadership role and appreciate his willingness to serve Erskine and the Seminary community.”

Dr. Holmes will begin his new role in January 2017. He and the interim president plan to work on next steps and strategies for the seminary and hope to have more details to share in the New Year.

 

ARP pastors invited to take intensive courses in January

Winter term courses on the Due West campus of Erskine Seminary require just a one-week commitment, and this can be quite convenient for busy pastors.

Whether already enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program or seeking Continuing Education Credit, sign up now for one of three Doctor of Ministry courses being offered during the month of January on the Due West campus of Erskine Theological Seminary:

Theological Foundations (DR 901)

            Class dates: Jan. 9-13

            Taught by Dr. R.J. Gore

 What in the world is going on out there? Generational change and the rise of the Millennials in the workplace have become regular topics of discussion as the Church faces an increasingly secular, even hostile society. This seminar examines the Biblical-theological foundations of ministry while looking closely at our rapidly changing postmodern, post-Christian world. The course culminates with a final Theology of Ministry paper, in which students describe their own theological perspective on ministry.

 Ministry in Context (DR 902)

            Class dates: Jan. 16-20

            Taught by Dr. Loyd Melton

 Have you lost your zeal for your ministry? Do you feel like you’re just going through the motions? Is your church at a kind of plateau? In this course, students examine the Biblical/theological foundations of the practice of ministry in fresh ways, learn how to examine congregational life and plan specific ministry projects that are workable and relevant, and discover simple ways of measuring effectiveness in ministry. This course can help you renew your zeal and passion and provide you with new tools and insights to carry out your ministry.

 Problem of Pain (DN 983)

            Class dates: Jan. 23-27

            Taught by Dr. R.J. Gore

In How Long, O Lord, D. A. Carson writes: “We do not give the subject of evil and suffering the thought it deserves until we ourselves are confronted with tragedy.” This course recognizes the universality of suffering and addresses the intellectual and pastoral problems it creates. If God is all-powerful and all-loving, where did sin come from, why does it exist, and why do “good people” suffer? Students explore these questions from Biblical, theological, and pastoral perspectives. The course concludes by looking at Jesus’ sufferings and the Cross as God’s response to the problem of pain.

For more information or registration, please contact Robin Broome, Enrollment Coordinator, at 864-379-6571 or broome@erskine.edu.