Posts Tagged ‘School of Ministry and Theology’

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Itinerate preachers

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Theology students travel the world to tell the good news

Josh Dye
Public relations intern
Avondale College of Higher Education
Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

Ben Reynolds preaches in the village of Esani in Kisii, Kenya. More than 300 people in 10 countries have been baptised over the past 18 months because of the ministry of Avondale ministry and theology students. Credit: Lachlan Campbell.

“The projector is broken and the generator is out of fuel.”

This is Lachlan Campbell telling of the challenges he faced when presenting with three other ministry and theology students from Avondale College of Higher Education an evangelistic series in Kenya over the yearend.

Lachlan, along with Ben Reynolds, Jared Smith and Martin Thomson, also ministered in Dubai, India and Zambia. He did not have to go.

Trips such as Lachlan’s are initiated by motivated students wanting to share their faith, says Dr Murray House, senior lecturer in ministry and theology at Avondale. In the past 18 months, 11 students have travelled to 10 countries to spread Jesus’ love. “What they receive in return is the amazing discovery that God’s Word transforms lives,” says Murray.

The experience of sharing Jesus in different cultures has helped Lachlan appreciate the freedom with which we worship in Australia. “In Dubai, because it’s in a Muslim country [the United Arab Emirates], it’s illegal to publicly evangelise. People risk death when they become Christians—you have to baptise in secret.”

This is good for students, says Murray—it opens their eyes and deepens their passion for Jesus. “They come back on a spiritual high because they’ve watched God work miracles.”

Martin Thomson opens the Bible in Itumbi, Zambia. Credit: Lachlan Campbell.

In Kenya, India and Zambia, Lachlan witnessed the poverty many face. “Despite their struggles, the people I met seem more open to the gospel than we are in the West.” This openness has seen more than 300 people give their life to Jesus through baptism during all the trips by the students in the past 18 months.

It is not all about the numbers, though. “Rather than coming with an attitude of ‘we’re making the trip to get thousands of baptisms,’ it’s important to empower the local staff and elders so they can continue the work when we leave,” says Lachlan. “We emphasise it’s not ‘Mzungu magic,’ which means white man’s power, it’s God’s power.”

Lachlan sharpened his skills as a communicator during the seven-week trip. “When you speak through a translator, it’s important your message is clear and simple so the meaning isn’t lost.”

Murray agrees. “When the students are preaching every night for three weeks, their communication and presentation skills really improve and mature.”

Closer to home, the ministry and theology students are just as active. All engage in door knocking and work placements in local Seventh-day Adventist churches. After five years of evangelism in the Lake Haven and San Remo areas, a church is being planted there this year. Murray believes the Holy Spirit has been working on the areas. “San Remo is spiritually aware; it’s time to plant a church there.”

And his vision is for the ministry and theology students to play a part in the new church. “It’s exciting to see motivated young adults speaking easily about their faith and sharing it with others.”

 

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Undergrads think big

Friday, November 18, 2011

Students take lead in organising academic conference

Brenton Stacey/Sonja Larsen
Public relations officer/Public relations assistant
Avondale College of Higher Education
Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

Undergraduate students at Avondale College of Higher Education have for the first time organised their own academic conference.

Critical Issues in the 21st Century, November 11, featured the presentation of 20-minute papers from 15 students. Topics ranged from the impact of values education in Seventh-day Adventist schools to the ecology of sandy shores and Christianity, vampirism and mission.

Students presented papers under three themes: education; philosophy, literature and society; and religion and spirituality.

Education

Brooke Tually (Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching) used a Year 8 art exercise she introduced as a practice teacher to remind us of the difference between looking and seeing. “Seeing is a discipline,” she said. “It’s discernment.”

Conference committee chair Hannah Bennett (Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching (Honours)) based her paper on a study of the impact of her creative writing program on two underachieving gifted students. The students, whose self-esteem improved during the program, used forms of blogging to express their ideas. “One went from wanting to be a pizza chef to wanting to be a writer.”

While Hayley Blagden (Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching) noted the life of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, as representing values such as equality, freedom, and self-determination, she also described him as a “man of contradictions” who, despite ending slavery, did less for slaves than they did for themselves. Do we take iconic figures out of context and make them into something they are not? she asked.

Philosophy, literature and society

Secretary Jotham Kingston (Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary)) argued in “The kung-fu of conversation” speech whose aim is “not to cut down but cut free” is a superior martial art than physical combat.

Vice-chair Stephen Kilgour (Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching) used the example of three ancient civilisations to show the socio impact of climate change. In the first, he noted how the linking of rain to religion by citizens of the pre-Aztec Mexican city of Teotihuacan led during drought to political and social instability. In the second, he noted how despite sophisticated hydrological engineering a series of droughts in Venezuela caused the decline of the Mayan civilisation. In the third, he noted how rigid adherence to the laws and customs of their warmer homeland forced the Norse out of Greenland.

Religion and spirituality

Committee member Bethany Turner (Bachelor of Ministry and Theology (Honours)) examined the function of praise in the biblical book of Revelation. She even added a function—that of reassurance—to the three most commonly identified by other scholars. “The heavenly anthems that resound through its pages . . . tell us God deserves our worship . . . [and call us] to remember God is and always will be Ruler of all.”

Daniel Matteo (Bachelor of Theology/Bachelor of Ministry) identified similarities in the theology and practice of neo-pagans and Adventists. These included: adherence to a vegetarian diet; appreciation of corporate spirituality; belief in the ethic of responsibility; emphasis of the male and female characteristics of a deity; and an understanding of sexuality as sacred not sinful. The first step in communicating effectively with neo-pagans: “establish yourself as a credible spiritual seeker,” said Daniel. The subsequent steps: listen; understand; acknowledge their beliefs; examine your beliefs using a neo-pagan worldview; then non-combatively share the answers.

Remembrance Day

Delegates paused for Remembrance Day. “How do we as Christians respond to war?” asked Associate Professor Daniel Reynaud, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Theology. He spoke of his struggle with the worship associated with remembrance days. “Worship is unqualified,” he said, “but I can’t give war unqualified praise.” Daniel said he is more comfortable honouring those who fought under duress and respecting their commitment to fight for values. However, he reminded delegates of the message of Christianity: “I’m prepared to die but never to kill for what I believe.”

After the reading of the “Ode of Remembrance,” Jesse Dwyer (Bachelor of Business) played the last post.

Soapbox session

Organisers received only one response to the soapbox session, where students submit a written answer to the question, “What is the solution to Avondale’s biggest problem?” That student, international development studies major Ben Keri, argued by reducing energy consumption, Avondale could lower fees and attract more students.

Other students then joined the session. Ben Turner (Bachelor of Theology/Bachelor of Ministry) suggested Avondale employ more theology students to develop more spirituality on campus. Stephen noted a perceived lack of connectedness between staff members and students, suggesting Avondale create more opportunities for the two groups to relate on an equal basis. Hannah, who identified herself as a non-Adventist Christian, spoke of feeling excluded in some classes. Her solution to this problem: teach about other denominations.

Two staff members also spoke. Bev Christian, a lecturer in the School of Education, noted the lack of vibrancy in Forum. She suggested bringing back its spiritual emphasis, making it inclusive of all faiths and using it to communicate Avondale’s values. A lack of purpose “that defines our very sense of being” concerned Brad Watson, a lecturer in international poverty and development studies.

Benefits

At the close of the conference, vice-president (learning and teaching) Dr Jane Fernandez-Goldborough thanked the students on the conference’s committee. “You were leaders today.” Vice-president (administration and research) Dr Vivienne Watts encourages them and the others who presented papers to “think big.” “I hope [this conference] will serve as a catalyst for future actions you might consider taking to address the critical issues you have identified.”

The Undergraduate Conference, now in its second year, “is a sign of Avondale’s increasing maturity,” says president Dr Ray Roennfeldt. He notes Avondale’s vision to become a Christian private university and its mission to foster a Christian learning community founded on quality research-based higher education. “This conference is a symbol . . . all of us . . . are buying into that vision.”

 

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Prizewinning potential

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Avondale honours its top students

Brenton Stacey
Public relations officer
Avondale College of Higher Education
Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

Jared Benard, Kristen Hankins and 24 of their classmates are Avondale College of Higher Education’s top students after receiving academic prizes during Forum this past Wednesday (October 26).

Pr Pablo Lillo from Adventist Media Network presents the Journalism Prize to Sonja Larsen. Credit: Ben Turner.

Jared, president of the Avondale Students’ Association, and Kristen each received $1500 for winning Avondale’s most prestigious prize, the Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing Prize for Excellence.

Jared is the third consecutive management major to win the prize—after Hannah Rowe this past year and Charles Muirhead in 2009. He also won a second prize—sharing the Bachelor of Business Excellence Prize with Faye Saville ($500 each). His advice for those in earlier stages of their study: seek leadership roles because they help you discover what you enjoy doing. Jared will coordinate a new business course and teach physical education at Noosa Christian College next year.

Kristen, a Bachelor of Education (Primary) student, did not know the Prize for Excellence existed until receiving it. The recognition for personal initiative, leadership qualities and academic, social and spiritual balance is an “honour,” she says. Kristen thanks her lecturers for “helping me reach my goals”—they helped her complete a four-year course in three. Her advice: what appears irrelevant in class is relevant in the workplace—Kristen will teach Year 1 at Northpine Christian College next year.

Communication and international development studies major Sonja Larsen joined Jared as a multiple prizewinner. She received the Adventist Media Network Journalism Prize ($1000) and the W A Townend Christian Journalism Prize ($500), recognising in part her work as an editorial assistant for Connections.

A piano solo at the beginning of Forum confirmed Ben Milis as a worthy recipient of the Alan and Yvonne Thrift Perpetual Shield for Musical Excellence Prize ($1000). The performance of “We Shall Behold Him” impressed not only staff members and students but also one of the presenters, who concurred with president Dr Ray Roennfeldt in thanking Ben.

Bachelor of Ministry and Theology (Honours) student Abel Iorgulescu added the Clifford Anderson Prize ($1000), which he shared with James London, to the Arthur Ferch Prize for Hebrew Studies he received this past year. The prize recognises ministerial potential.

The Edna Ferris Heise Prize for female theology students recognises excellence in communication. The winner: the new faith columnist for Connections, Bethany Turner.

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching (Honours) student Rebekah Bamford won the first Australian Indigenous Student Teaching Prize ($1000).

Avondale will announce other prize recipients, including the third recipient of the Prize for Excellence, during the consecration service on the Sydney campus.

Academic Prizes

Faculty of Arts and Theology
School of Humanities and Creative Arts

Adventist Media Network Digital Media Prize
Adventist Media Network
Josh Bolst ($1000)

Adventist Media Network Journalism Prize
Adventist Media Network
Sonja Larsen ($1000)

Alan and Yvonne Thrift Perpetual Shield for Musical Excellence Prize
School of Humanities and Creative Arts, Avondale College of Higher Education
Ben Milis ($1000)

Bachelor of Arts Excellence Prize
Willobee Floor Service
Rhianon Bougaardt ($1000)

Huguenot History Prize
Dr Allen and Andrea Steele
Hayley Blagden ($1000)

W A Townend Christian Journalism Prize
Townend family
Sonja Larsen ($500)

School of Ministry and Theology

Arthur Ferch Prize for Hebrew Studies
Ferch-Johnson family
Martin Thomson ($1000)

Clifford Anderson Prize
Clifford Anderson bequest
Abel Iorgulescu and James London ($1000 each)

Edna Ferris Heise Prize for Excellence in Communication
Heise family
Bethany Turner ($1000)

Elwin Currow Prize for New Testament Apocalyptic
Dr Elwin Currow
Brendan Hayes ($100)

Graham Miller Memorial Prize for Excellence in Youth Ministry
Graham Miller Memorial Fund
Alina Coccetti ($1000)

Faculty of Business

Bachelor of Business Excellence Prize
Williams Premium Wholesale
Jared Benard and Faye Saville ($500 each)

Bachelor of Business (Accounting) Excellence Prize
Williamson and Chaseling
Carl Thompson ($500)

Faculty of Education and Science
School of Education

Australian Indigenous Student Teaching Prize
AusCoaching
Rebekah Bamford ($1000)

Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) Prize for Excellence
Adventist Education Department, Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific
Theresa Yeates ($1000)

Bachelor of Education (Primary) Prize for Excellence
Seventh-day Adventist Church in New Zealand and the Pacific islands
Kate Mahony ($1000)

Bachelor of Education (Secondary) Prize for Excellence
Seventh-day Adventist Church in Australia
Amy-Lyn Marks ($1000)

Diploma of Outdoor Recreation Leadership Prize
Adventure 195
Luke Metz ($500 Adventure 195 gift voucher)

Health and Physical Education Prize
Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation
Alese Bottrill (Certificate plus 12-month membership to Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation)

Primary Teacher’s Literacy Prize
School of Education, Avondale College of Higher Education
Michelle Pratt (Certificate plus 12-month membership to e:lit)

School of Science and Mathematics

Bachelor of Science Excellence Prize
School of Science and Mathematics, Avondale College of Higher Education
Keaton Humphries ($600)

Faculty of Nursing and Health

Academic Excellence Award*
Sydney Adventist Hospital
Ingrid Kruger ($250 plus gold medallion)

Clinical Excellence Award*
Sydney Adventist Hospital
Erin McDonald ($250 plus gold medallion)

Medical Nursing Award*
Sydney Adventist Hospital
Hartono Sutanto ($100)

Mental Health Nursing Excellence Award*
Sydney Adventist Hospital
Lucy Galeano ($100)

Prize for Consistent Effort and Accomplishment*
Faculty of Nursing and Health
David Wrennall ($100)

Surgical Nursing Award*
Sydney Adventist Hospital
Emily Walsh ($100)

Other

Avondale Alumni Association Community Service Prize
Avondale Alumni Association
Ketannah Hope (Lake Macquarie campus) and Shirley Fatnowna (Sydney campus*) ($500 each)

Overseas Volunteer Service Prize*
Anonymous
Matt Barbosa ($500)

Prize for Excellence

Prize for Excellence, Lake Macquarie campus
Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing
Jared Benard ($1500)

Prize for Excellence, Lake Macquarie campus
Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing
Kristen Hankins ($1500)

Prize for Excellence, Sydney campus*
Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing
Lisa Mason ($1500)

* Awarded during the consecration service on the Sydney campus over the graduation weekend

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Holistic spirituality

Thursday, September 8, 2011

What Christians can learn from Australian Aborigines

Eily Sim
Public relations editorial intern
Avondale College of Higher Education
Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

An Avondale academic will now help select papers for an international heritage conference after presenting one himself that explored links between Aboriginal and Christian spirituality.

Cross-cultured: Dr John Skrzypaszek’s paper argues that where Christian faith can create a spiritual vacuum, indigenous spirituality provides a natural bridge for healing and emotional stability. Credit: Aaron Bellette.

Dr John Skrzypaszek’s “Cross-cultural sharing of spirituality” argues “the development of the Aboriginal Christian spirituality may be enhanced by the qualities embedded in its indigenous roots.”

While recognising “Aboriginal and Christian worldviews are distinctly different,” John writes “at the point where [the] propositional creed-based structure of the Christian faith creates a spiritual vacuum, the indigenous spirituality provides a natural bridge for spiritual healing and emotional stability.”

Indigenous spirituality does this because it does not differentiate between the secular and the spiritual—John describes the indigenous consciousness as being “immersed in the totality of the spiritual journey.” This safeguards Aboriginal Christians “from the dangers of developing a creed-based identity defined only by conceptual terminologies” and enhances the development of Christian spirituality by “reviving vibrancy and awareness of God’s presence in every aspect of life’s journey.”

John presented his paper at the second International Conference on Intangible Heritage, held in Tomar, Portugal, July 3-6. Having stumbled upon Sharing Cultures 2011 through a website promotion, John decided writing a paper for it would not only impel him to do more research on heritage—John is director of the Ellen G White Seventh-day Adventist Research Centre and a lecturer in Adventist studies in the School of Ministry and Theology—but also to meet others in the field.

He says his invitation to serve as a member of the Scientific Committee for next year’s conference is “an honour but also a privilege and an opportunity to learn more.”

John coordinated ministry to indigenous Adventists for nearly three years while serving as the church’s Ministerial Association secretary in northern New South Wales. Visiting church members and settlements introduced him to indigenous life and customs, which gave John a personal connection with the paper and perspective.—with Brenton Stacey

John’s paper is published in Sharing Cultures 2011 (Green Lines Institute), available through Avondale Library.

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Bestseller ahora en español

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Academic’s book translated and republished

Nathan Brown
Book editor
Signs Publishing Company
Warburton, Victoria, Australia

An Avondale academic’s bestselling book about the Bible has now been published in Spanish.

Can We Still Believe the Bible? has now been translated and published as Todavia Podemos Creer en la Biblia?

Dr Bryan Ball’s Can We Still Believe the Bible? has now been translated and published as Todavia Podemos Creer en la Biblia? by Asociación Casa Editora Sudamericana, the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s publishing entity in Argentina.

Bryan, an honorary senior research fellow at Avondale College of Higher Education, revised Can We Still Believe the Bible? to coincide with this year’s 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Version. Signs Publishing Company, the church’s publishing entity in the South Pacific, reprinted the revised edition after twice reprinting the original.

Inspired by teenagers at a local Seventh-day Adventist church, Bryan first wrote Can We Still Believe the Bible? in 2007. It is available for $19.95 from Adventist Book Centres.

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