steadfast newsletter

Talbot School of Theology | Biola University | 13800 Biola Ave., La Mirada, CA 90639 | www.talbot.edu | [email protected]

In This Issue

4We are Talbot

2Meet

AS

3Restoration

Dance

The idea of community at Talbot is…unique. Where else can you find such an intense blend of people from so many different ethnicities, nationalities, theological perspectives, church backgrounds, etc? Some of us are local to the La Mirada area; some have moved across the country (or even across the world) to be here. Despite our differences, we all have one thing in common: a desire to learn and grow spiritually in an environment of academic discipleship that will ultimately prepare us for a lifetime of relevant, effective ministry in the Church. This common desire unites and forms us into what can only be defined as the Talbot Community.

Like I said before, this is a “unique” community. Part of its uniqueness lies in the fact that you, the student, are only here for a season of your life. In 3 to 5 years (or for some of us a little longer) we will be off into the “real world,” hopefully equipped to further the gospel of Christ wherever He calls us. But being part of the community is so much more than just attending classes and getting fancy letters tacked onto the end of your name. Your time in seminary shouldn’t just be a

box to check off before moving on to something bigger or better. If either of these perspectives (or anything similar) are yours, then I believe you are missing an aspect of the richness of this season of life into which you have entered.

The truth is that people grow in community. The Talbot Community is a vital part of your growth during this season of your life. Here you will find fellow students who are going through the same struggles as you: academic, cultural, financial, spiritual, etc. You will also find those who have survived these struggles because of God’s providential provision of things like money, academic mentoring, soul searching conversation and simply a shoulder to cry on. Through the shared experience of struggle lifetime bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood are created and developed.

The community here at Talbot really is something deeper than an institution or social society. We are a Family! A family of brothers and sisters from all different walks of life, united in their faith and hopeful about their usefulness to the God who created, saved, and called them. But this family isn’t limited to the 1,200 or so who are registered for classes. It includes Students, Faculty and Staff and all of the individual family units connected to them (spouses and children also!).

Faculty and Staff, we need you to

be involved! We desire your presence not just for the knowledge you impart to us in a classroom setting or for the administrative assistance you so conscientiously give, but also for the reality of the people you are. God has gifted and chosen you to be the mentors and navigators for us -- future pastors, teachers and leaders -- during this season of our lives. We want to spend time with you outside of the classroom, meet your spouses and children, and soak in who you are and what God is doing in your life. Without your involvement, the Talbot Family will never achieve the richness that I believe God has designed for it. So please, hear this message loud and clear: We want you to come to our events! And bring your families!

The AS team consists of 10 gifted and loving students who are committed to the vision of creating a place for the Talbot Family to get together for the purpose of celebration and commiseration during this season in our lives. But we can’t do it alone. We need all of you (Students, Faculty and Staff) to pray for us and support us with your gifts and skills. Please, encourage those around you to recognize the season that they are in and give themselves fully to it. Ask how you can help with the events or specific ministries that AS creates. Together we can truly experience the richness that God has provided as draw together as Talbot Family.

The Community Newsletter of Talbot School of Theology september 2010

THE STEADFASTeditor: Jamie witmer

We are Family

by Josh Carroll

6A Play

in One Act

7DevotionalDr. Boersma

8Calendar


the steadfast 2

Meet Your

Associated Students

Josh CarrollPresidentOn my summer vacation I ... shot the sheriff. But I did not shoot the deputy.

Tobiah AndersonSocial ChairOn my summer vacation I ... ran numerous stop signs in Mexico.

Melissa TanControllerOn my summer vacation I ... watched all four seasons of “Prison Break.”

John DavalosVice PresidentOn my summer vacation I ... went to the beach a lot!

Grace SangalangPublicity ChairOn my summer vacation I ... went "crowd swimming" at a heavy metal concert.

Jamie WitmerSteadfast EditorOn my summer vacation I ... helped my best friend move from Rhode Island to San Francisco (and we delighted in being in the same time zone again!).

Bill DavisInternational Student Ministry CoordinatorOn my summer vacation I ... went to Africa to teach New Testament survey and biblical interpretation to pastors and lay leaders.

Angela SongWomen’s Ministry CoordinatorOn my summer vacation I ... spent a LOT of time at IHOP. (Prayer not pancakes.)

David FeiserCommunity NetworkerOn my summer vacation I ... hung out with teenagers summer doing youth ministry.

Josh McKinneyEvents CoordinatorOn my summer vacation I ... was lazy.

Listen to the AS IS Podcast at:

TalbotAS.comand join the

"Talbot Community"

Facebook group


3september 2010

Fall is here and "Much Ado About Autumn" gave us a special opportunity to get a glimpse of something e x c i t i n g , something inspiring, something to stir one's soul. Amidst the apple bobbing and harvest festivities the women at Talbot gave an offering of praise to the Lord that was more than just a song. God has been planting the seeds for this harvest last semester, when the women of Talbot gathered together t o celebrate the Lord in a way they had never done before.Last spring, the women of Talbot gathered together to celebrate the Lord in a fresh way. They called this gathering a “Restoration Dance,” a time to gather together to worship the Lord with prayer, song, scripture, and dance. This experience, which was not simply a performance to watch or event to observe, was a service in which all were called to participate. One of the Talbot women who participated in this event was Angela Song, who recalled, “It was a beautiful time of freedom in the Spirit to express and worship and pray—a true picture of community where the sharing of gifts was expressed in leading others to worship.” The Spirit-led vision for the event came through Holly Robaina, who wanted to use her

dance abilities to bless the Lord. She shared her heart and desire with others whom the Lord brought to

her, people who had gifts in dance, song, prayer, and speaking the

Word. Shortly after her vision was confirmed by others, the inkling of

desire grew into fullness and the Lord used many women to make the Restoration Dance a possibility. Surprisingly, many who participated

in Restoration Dance had never before danced for the Lord, but came

with an honest heart to worship the Lord. I was also a participant, and I saw firsthand how women of varied age, race, and physique lifted their arms in praise and literally stepped out of their comfort zone to praise Jesus with their whole body and soul. In the process I observed that,

though most of us are accustomed to following when it comes to singing

in worship, with dance it seems a little different. In singing we can choose how low or loud we sing and no one sees us-- except maybe our neighbor in the pew. In dance, however, we actually stand up and move, we see and are seen. The rhythm of the Restoration Dance—prayer, Scripture reading, dance worship, and words of exhortation a n d encouragement—helped us

focus on the divine

Audience of our dancing. So, though the first few steps were taken gingerly and it felt a little

like a dance class, we pushed through our inhibitions and found freedom on the other side. It was

freedom to dance the

steps we had learned and then some…like learning a song and finding a sweet harmony to accompany it. We danced for our loving, compassionate, Most Holy God and it was like a breath of fresh wind sweeping through the soul. This year, the Women of Talbot extend an invitation to all in the Talbot Community to celebrate the Lord with a dance, to invite Him to restore. Restore to us a way to worship that uses all God has given us in our body and soul. Restore a way to express love and adoration with depth we may not have known was possible. Restore to Him an offering that we have withheld and dance like David did—for the Lord’s great glory! The next Restoration Dance, to be held this fall, will be more than an encore. It will be a chance

for you to

p a r t i c i p a t e and join in worship of the Lord of Glory. Look for the dates and times to be announced. Josh McKinney, one of the organizers of Much Ado, remarked about Restoration Dance, “It is a real ministry, a strengthening ministry—it’s about coming back to thankfulness, and offering ourselves as an offering of thanksgiving to God.” Maybe this is the time for you to step out and worship God in a new way. If so, I’ll see you there and look forward to worshipping God with you and also to what the Lord may have in store for us there together!

by Julie Maxham

Restoration DanceMore than an encore


4 the steadfast


5september 2010


the steadfast 6

Scene: The waiting room of a Doctor. There are chairs, a table and magazines. There is a door to enter the waiting room and the doctor’s Door, an imaginary door on the “fourth wall” of the stage.

At Rise: SHARON, a woman in her 60s is already seated. APRIL, a woman in her early 40s, wearing a Talbot shirt, enters. There is a pause.

APRIL: Excuse me, ma’am? Uh, where do I sign in? This is my first appointment with the Doctor.

SHARON: (still reading magazine) He knows you are here.

APRIL: How? I just walked in a minute ago?

SHARON: (bored) He knows (looking over at the Door).

APRIL: Did he see that I am a student at Talbot or something? (Sharon makes no comment and April stares a hole in the Door) hmmmmm.

(Long pause)

APRIL: Does he also know you’ve been waiting for--

SHARON: --a while.

(April notices Sharon’s magazine)

APRIL: Elvis on the cover. Is he still in the building? (Sharon is not amused). Sorry…it’s just that he’s been...you know…dead…for a while…now….

SHARON: You are a student of Talbot

and probably smarter, but I did know Elvis was dead. I just never got to read this particular article when he was alive and I’m tickled they still have this issue.

APRIL: I could have brought my textbook and done my homework. (pause) I have to make some phone calls. I should have brought my Blackberry. (standing up and talking to the Door) Helloooo. Anyone in there? I have an appointment.

SHARON: Don’t do that. You’ll be called when it’s time.

APRIL: Time? My appointment is now!

SHARON: Says who?

APRIL: I called to make this appointment.

SHARON: So did I. Where you given you a specific time?

APRIL: Well no, actually. I called, I heard that I was to come and that I would be welcomed.

SHARON: Then what is your hurry?

APRIL: What do you mean, what is my hurry? I’m a student at—

SHARON; --Talbot, yes I’ve heard.

APRIL: I have a sore that’s killing me and I want to be healed.

SHARON: So, wait until it’s time.

APRIL: It’s time! It’s time! I am in pain, and I am here. (Jumps up and shouts to the Door) It’s time right now!

SHARON: That can make it worse.

APRIL: Worse?! Than why bother coming here at all if I can’t get healed.

SHARON: Oh, if you were told you would be welcomed, then you are supposed to be here. You just have to wait.

APRIL: Aren’t you tired of waiting?

SHARON: Yes, but I put off this appointment because I dreaded the wait. Then recently I realized I probably could have been healed a long time ago had I just made the appointment and listened.

APRIL: (drops in a chair). Hmmmfff. (pauses) Hmmmm.

SHARON: Hmmmm…what?

APRIL: Well, now that you mention it, my sore isn’t all that painful. If I stop long enough to think about it, what really bothers me is who I am when I have the sore. I keep myself busy so I don’t think about how to heal the sore, and yet it is always on my mind.

SHARON: Is it like you want the sore to be there so your mind has something to worry about?

APRIL: (shocked, then disarmed, she jumps up) NO! That’s not right. This is not a worry wart sore. I am smarter than that. I am a T—

SHARON: --Talbot student. Yes, we know.

APRIL: I have a real sore with real symptoms. In fact it’s hurting right now!

SHARON: Well…sounds like you have a long wait to see the Doctor.

APRIL: Does the Doctor care that I am waiting---and in pain?

SHARON: Sometimes the wait is exactly what the Doctor ordered.

(CURTAIN)

by April Gentry

To TarryA play in one act


7september 2010

I have a confession to make. I have no training as an editor. Well, unless you count my brief stint

as co-editor of the Sierra Vista Middle School newspaper. And the occasional request for proofreading from my younger brother. That counts, right?

It’s funny how the Lord places us in positions that make us a little nervous, isn’t it? I am feeling that here, as I edit this newsletter.

I’m nervous because I want this to be more than just a newsletter. I want it to be a place where we as a community can rally around each other through the written word and delight in what God is doing in our lives and in our midst. He is surely in this place… I want us to help remind each other of that fact.

I’m nervous because I have to come up with something that will hold your attention, which is not easy in our fast-paced, give-me-the-update-in-less-than-100-characters world. To produce something that may never be consumed seems, at times, to be a fruitless effort.

But, I’m relieved that God is providing for me, and for this thing, in ways I could not have imagined. For example, when I called Julie Maxham to ask her

to write a piece about the Restoration Dance ministry, I had no idea that she was a participant in that event last year. She and I had never met, but God knew she was the right person to write

the piece and made our paths cross. And the Lord has given me an amazing gift in Tawny Burgess, who is an InDesign whiz and able to lay out complete newsletters in a single click… or something like that.

I’m relieved that the Talbot AS team is always ready to help. Just their presence reminds me that we, the Talbot Community, are in this—whatever the “this” is—together, by God’s grace.

I’m relieved that the Big God Story we are learning so much about in the classroom extends to our very lives and the God about whom we learn all day long is alive in our hearts. He is the true Author. We just need to pay attention to what He is writing.

Let me invite you to join in the conversation, to share your stories and more through the Steadfast. Be bold. Speak the truth. Build us up. Get your Barnabas on (see Acts 11:23 for more details).

Listening for your stories,Jamie

To share your stories with us, email them to [email protected].

Letter from the Editor

Confessions

Every once in awhile a passage of scripture catches my attention – more than usual. Such is the case with Psalm 135:15-18. “The idols of the nations are of silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear; indeed, there is no breath in their mouths. Those who make them are just like them, as are all who trust in them.” [HCSB]

Believe it or not, sometimes seminary professors have times when their walk with God seems somewhat lifeless. Well, at least this one does. These verses are God’s reminder (and warning) to me that the object of my worship really dictates the course and vitality of my life.

Included among the objects of my affection has been: my GPA, money, security, influence, recognition, success, ministry methods, even technology. And most likely there is a host of other things that have hidden just beneath the surface to rob me of joy and usefulness to His kingdom work.

God graciously reminds me often of the futility of focusing on such cheap substitutes. Worshiping anything other than Him leaves this servant without a voice, lacking in wisdom, slow to hear, and cold.

Join me in my commitment to lift up the true and living God. May we never become like the gods of this world, but rather reflect the character of our wonderful, amazing, and most precious heavenly Father.

Worshipping IdolsFaculty Devotional

by Micheal J. Boersma

Talbot Fun Fact: The Talbot population is made up of


the steadfast 8

Calendar of Talbot Events

Write for the Steadfast!Comments, questions,

or suggestions?E-mail the editor

[email protected]

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

31

In-n-Out luncheon12:00pm

Myers Patio

Donut Chapel10:10 a.m.

Myers Patio

Missions Meeting

12:00 p.m.Myers 108

Prayer on the Patio

9:30 a.m.Myers Patio

Prayer on the Patio


Prayer on the Patio


Prayer on the Patio


International Student Prayer

Fellowship4:30 p.m.

Biola Library*


Fellowship4:30 p.m.

Biola Library


Fellowship4:30 p.m.

Biola Library


Fellowship4:30 p.m.

Biola Library

Biola Library Conference Room*

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