Birmingham Theological Seminary News

Summer 2012 Newsletter

BTS is a non-profit Alabama corporation and an independent, Reformed evangelical seminary.

Frank Barker, Jr.Chancellor and Chairman of the Board

Glenn WaddellPresident

(205) 776-5280 gwaddell@briarwood.org

Thad James, Jr.Vice President of Academic Affairs

(205) 776-5386 tjames@briarwood.org

Howard EyrichDirector of the Doctor of Ministry in

Biblical Counseling Program(205) 776-5344

heyrich@briarwood.org

Jim MaplesDirector of the Doctor of Ministry in

Pastoral Leadership Programpgpres@att.net

Brandon RobbinsDirector of Distance Education

(205) 776-5110brobbins@briarwood.org

Kendra KnowlesRegistrar

(205) 776-5354 kknowles@briarwood.org

Jackie Hamamatsu • Sallie LowmanAdministrative Assistants

(205) 776-5356 BTSAdmin@briarwood.org

2200 Briarwood Way • Birmingham, AL 35243Tel. (205) 776-5650 • Fax (205) 776-5241

www.birminghamseminary.org

A Look BackDr. Richard Trucks

I have had the privilege to teach at BTS since the Fall of 1983. During these years I have seen the seminary grow from the “toddler” stage to “mature adult” as an educational institution. It has been an exciting journey to have been a part of what the Lord has accomplished during this period of time.

Leadership in all institutions is very important and BTS has been blessed with five different men to lead the institution since I began teaching. Each seminary president had strengths

that added to the advancement of the seminary, and they had excellent assistance from men like Vice Dean John Patrick

and, later, Vice President Thad James. For the first two years I taught, Dean John McKinstry would ask me to teach a new subject each semester. I responded each time, “John, that takes a lot of preparation!” He would always reply, “I know Richard, but you can do it!” And by the grace of the Lord I was able to prepare the lectures.

Every seminary must have a strong staff and my experience with the BTS staff over the years has been excellent. The staff has been very understanding of the busy schedules of the pastors who are teaching at the seminary. I recall being in the seminary office one afternoon and the Registrar very kindly stated that it would be nice if the professors would submit their grades on time. I thought for just a moment and tentatively asked, “Have I submitted my grades?” The answer was, “Not yet.” I was two weeks late! I submitted my grades the next morning. I am so thankful for the dedication of all the BTS staff members that I have had the privilege of working with over the years.

Another blessing has been the fellowship with the students. I am so thankful for the students’ personal commitment to the Lord and their dedication to be trained for the purpose of serving Him. It has been exciting to see students grow spiritually as they study the Scriptures and apply them to their own lives. I appreciate the attitude of the students concerning the workload the professors place on them. I recall one year when I taught New Testament Theology and I was in the process of explaining the requirements for the next paper the class had to write. As I was giving an explanation, I noticed the “joy” was missing from their faces. I asked why the sadness in their eyes. Their response was, “This will be the twentieth paper we have written this semester!” I must admit that I was shocked at the number of papers they had written. Being the gracious professor that I am, I did not ask them to write another paper!

I am so thankful to the Lord for leading Dr. Frank Barker and Dr. Bill Hay to establish BTS. Through these two brothers’ obedience to the Lord, thousands of men and women have been equipped to serve the Lord throughout the world. It has been a blessing to see how the Lord has used this seminary, with its faculty and staff, to spread the gospel throughout the world.

Dr. Trucks teaching in the 80s.

The Lord has done great things for us…

Calendar

Third Millennium Certificate

BTS and Third Millennium Ministries have partnered to offer a free Certificate in Christian Ministry to non-U.S. residents. The program will launch in May. Please spread the word about this exciting opportunity For more information, visit bts.thirdmill.org

40th Anniversary Banquet

Celebrate 40 wonderful years by joining us at our 40th anniversary banquet on October 19 at 6:00 PM.More information to follow.

GraduationThe Graduation ceremony is on May 11th at 7:00 PM at the Briarwood Presbyterian Church Worship Center in Birmingham, followed by a reception. Rev. Larry Cockrell, BTS Professor, and Pastor of Household of Faith Church will be the commencement speaker. Come support our 2012 graduates!

Director of Distance Education

Our Distance Education (DE) program has been gaining popularity for some time now. It began with just a handful of students taking DE courses in 1994 and now has over 100 each year. It has become clear that we need a staff person to focus their full attention to the program and DE students. We would like to welcome Brandon Robbins as the new Director of Distance Education.

Brandon has a long history with BTS. Brandon initially earned a degree and worked

in commercial photography, but soon felt the call to go into ministry. He began as a student at BTS over 13 years ago, has taken over 120 credit hours during those years, and earned an M.A. in Apologetics.

Brandon last served as a staff apologist and Associate Director of Christian Studies for the Apologetics Resource Center (ARC). While at ARC, he worked with the production of the Apologetics Journal and developed teaching programs and curriculums. Over the last few years Brandon has served BTS as one of our adjunct faculty. He has taught courses in Apologetics, Logic, Old Testament History and Theology and is currently teaching a course on the Gospels and Acts.

As Director of Distance Education, Brandon will be responsible for the BTS/IIIM Certificate in Christian Ministry program and for improving and operating the existing BTS distance education program.

Brandon and his wife, Katrina, have been married for thirteen years. They have two girls, Parker (8) and Reese (5).

Comings and GoingsSallie Lowman will be leaving BTS to have more time for pressing family matters. We are sad to lose Sallie, but have appreciated her work and the opportunity to get to know her.

Rebekah Steelman will be our new afternoon administrative assistant. You may recognize Rebekah, as she has been doing office work since January. Rebekah is a graduate of the University of Alabama and is currently a graduate student at UA. Please welcome Rebekah when you see her.

BIRMINGHAM THEOLOGICAL SEMINARYSUMMER SEMESTER: June 4 – August 31, 2012

Registrations/Tuition due by June 8 to avoid late fees • Drop/Add period ends June 15

BIRMINGHAM CAMPUSBriarwood Presbyterian Church

COURSE PROFESSOR DAY/TIME ROOM

PT5673 Ministry of Teaching Dr. Richard Trucks Mon. 6:00-8:00AM W203 ST3655 Ethics Dr. Vic Minish Mon. 5:30-7:30PM W202 OT1623 Advanced Hebrew Mr. Bruce Horsley Mon. 5:30-7:30PM W203 ST3744 Contemporary Theology Dr. Vic Minish Mon. 7:30-9:30PM W202 BC7668 Crisis Counseling (1) (2) Dr. Luis Orteza Mon. 7:30-9:30PM W203 OT1021 Old Testament I* Dr. Frank Barker Tues. 4:00- 6:00PM W204 BC7509 Counseling Theory (1) (3) Dr. Howard Eyrich Tues. 5:30-8:30PM A209 ST3511 Survey of Systematic Theology Mr. Jay Haley Tues. 5:30-7:30PM W202 NT2525 New Testament Theology Dr. Jeff Robinson Tues. 7:30-9:30PM W202 OT1623 Advanced Hebrew Mr. Bill Stroup Wed. 6:00-8:00AM W202 OT1023 Old Testament III* Dr. Frank Barker Wed. 5:30-7:30PM W203 AP8725 Apologetic Methodology Mr. Brandon Robbins Thu. 5:30-7:30PM W202 DM9105 Personal Leadership Development (4) Rev. Thad James, Jr. Fri. 9:00AM-4:30PM W202 DM9121 Understanding the DMin Dissertation Project (5) Rev. Jim Maples Fri. 9:00AM-4:30PM W203

(1) BC7501 Introduction to Biblical Counseling is a prerequisite for BC7509 and BC7668(2) BC7668 Crisis Counseling will start a week later on June 11th(3) BC7509 will be conducted in a seminar format; meeting dates are June 5th, July 10th and August 7th (4) DM9105 will meet June 22nd, July 20th, and August 24th(5) DM9121 will meet June 15th, July 20th and August 24th

MONTGOMERYExtension Coordinator: Lydia Pickett • 334-284-5056 • montgomery@birminghamseminary.org

Young Meadows Presbyterian Church • 5780 Vaughn Rd. 36116

BC7509 Counseling Theory (6) Dr. Howard Eyrich Tues. 5:30-8:30PM

(6) BC7509 will be taught via Teleconferencing from the Birmingham campus; class will meet on June 5th, July 10th and August 7th. Please contact the Seminary Office for additional details

TUSCALOOSA Extension Coordinator: Charles Williams • 205-292-4620 • tuscaloosa@birminghamseminary.org

First African Baptist Church • 2621 Stillman Blvd. 35401

PT5637 Personal Evangelism Rev. Charles Williams Mon. 5:30-7:30PM ST3526 Systematic Theology I* Rev. Jim Richwine Mon. 5:30- 7:30PM BC7502 Counseling in the Local Church I Dr. William Scroggins Mon. 7:30- 9:30PM

* Old Testament I-III, New Testament I-II, and Systematic Theology I-VI do not need to be taken in any particular order

Courses will not be offered this summer in Demopolis, Dothan, or Huntsville.Extention campus students may consider taking a distance education course over the summer. For more information,

visit our website at www.birminghamseminary.org. You may also contact the office to discuss the possibility of a directed study.

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Summer 2012 June 4 -AUGust 31

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Celebrating 40 Years at BTS

An early BTS Board Meeting

Promoting the Seminary

Board Member, Aaron Fleming

John McKinstry, the first Dean at BTS Hard at work

Taking a break Class time