Bible Survey Courses Begin in 2008

This summer we begin our three year cycle of Bible survey courses beginning with NT I: Gospels on June 7th (Instructor TBA) and OT I: Pentateuch on July 26th, which will be taught by Fr Ken Richards.

After each course, our students have filled out surveys commenting on aspects of the curriculum and instruction that were helpful, or not. Consistently over the past several Bible Survey courses, our students noted that they found the Kerygma series to be too superficial. As a result, our instructors were supplementing the Kerygma materials to such an extent that they were not really being used by the end of the third year. Therefore, beginning this year, we will no longer use the Kerygma curriculum. In order to simplify book purchasing, we are requiring the following four books for the entire three year program:

INSIDE THE BIBLE - An Introduction to Each Book of the Bible, by Kenneth Baker, Ignatius Press, 1998

OLD TESTAMENT THEOLOGY, by Paul House, InterVarsity Press (IVP), 1998

THE WRITINGS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT - An Interpretation, by Luke Timothy Johnson, Fortress Press, 1999 [Note: the most recent edition comes with a searchable CD Rom]

TYNDALE BIBLE DICTIONARY, Edited by Walter Ewell & Philip Comfort, Tyndale House Publishers, 2001

Note: Instructors may also require some additional reading in the way of supplemental articles.

A syllabus will be offered for each course. However, the readings will correspond to the following list of courses:

OT-I Introduction to OT and the Pentateuch
OT-II Historical Books
OT-III Wisdom Literature and Poetry
OT-IV Major Prophets
OT-V Minor Prophets and Deuterocanonical Writings

NT-I Introduction to NT and the Gospels
NT-II Acts of the Apostles
NT-III Pauline Epistles
NT-IV Pastoral Epistles and Hebrews
NT-V Catholic Epistles and Revelation

Bishop Iker's Sermon at the Chrism Mass

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

During the course of about eighteen years as a parish priest in the Diocese of Southwest Florida, I attended many ordinations, perhaps as many as four to six a year. And it was the custom in that diocese at the beginning of the service for the bishop to have a priest stand up and read to the congregation assembled the Preface to the Ordination Rites found on page 510 of the Prayer Book. (Don’t go looking for it now!) It was read as a way of stating before the service began what our church understood about what we were about to do in ordaining a deacon or a priest. It begins with these words, “The Holy Scriptures and the ancient Christian writers make it clear that from the apostle’s time, there have been different ministries within the Church. In particular, since the time of the New Testament, three distinct orders of ordained ministers have been characteristic of Christ’s holy Catholic Church.” And then it goes on to briefly summarize the essence of what a bishop is, what a priest is, and what a deacon is.

Part of the awesomeness of this service today is that all three orders are present here at one time and place to renew and reaffirm the sacred vows which each of us took when we were ordained. And I want to simply begin with the reminder that the first theme of what we do today is “continuity and fidelity.” Continuity and fidelity. We promise to continue the apostolic ministry of Word and Sacrament as we have received it from the New Testament Church. We promise to be faithful to the doctrine, discipline and worship of Christ as this Church has received them. The Preface then goes on to state, “It is also recognized and affirmed that the three-fold ministry is not the exclusive property of this portion of Christ’s holy Catholic Church.” In other words, at each ordination we were reminded that neither the Episcopal Church, nor indeed the world-wide Anglican Communion, owns in any sense, or possesses in any sense these three-fold orders of ministry. We have received them from the apostolic Tradition of the catholic Church. They are not ours. That is to say, we cannot add to, nor can we subtract from, the giveness of the Apostolic Succession. We can’t vote in conventions to alter what we have received by the ordinance of Christ and the apostles. It belongs to Him, not to us. We can only continue in fidelity to that which we have received and assure that we hand it on intact, unchanged, undiminished, unblemished, to those who shall succeed us. It is an awesome thing and a great privilege, my brothers and sisters, to do what you and I are doing today. There is nothing “ho-hum” about it. It is an exciting and challenging time to serve as a bishop, or priest, or deacon in God’s Church today. [the sermon continues]

...continued here

Completing Coursework

One of the great advantages to students of San Joaquin Schools for Ministry (SJSM) is the opportunity for students to participate in a formation program that is more flexible than one might experience in a residential seminary. This is especially true for those who are juggling between full time jobs, family and ministry.

However, I have recently become aware that there are some students who are taking advantage of this flexibility in a way that conflicts with our goals for academic formation. Specifically, it has come to my attention that some students have not completed assignments in certain courses. While there are various reasons why this might happen, it is important that students understand the ramifications of incomplete coursework.

The most common misunderstanding is regarding audited courses. Students enrolled through SJSM, who are also in formation for Holy Orders, MUST complete ALL assignments whether or not they are taking the class for credit or audit. Regardless of whether you are in formation for the diaconate or the priesthood, whether you are in an accredited or non-accredited formation program, all assignments must be completed according to the course syllabus. This is true for online coursework, also. [Note: All online coursework must be approved by the dean of SJSM, and/or the Commission on Ministry (COM) prior to taking the course. And, a process of academic accountability for auditing those courses must also be approved.]

Auditing is offered to those in diaconal formation in order to relieve the financial burden of the courses NOT to relieve the academic burden of completing the coursework. Those in formation for the priesthood may only audit with prior approval (usually due to financial considerations) and always with the understanding that the coursework must be satisfied.

Please be aware that prior to ordination the registrar and dean of SJSM are required to make a report and recommendation to the Commission on Ministry stating that all coursework has been completed. Be advised that no such final report and recommendation will be offered to COM for students with incomplete courses, including audited courses.

If you have any questions or concerns about this, please contact me.

Fr Van McCalister
Dean

Theory and Practice of the Diaconate

The Theory and Practice of the Diaconate will be offered on January 12, 2008 from 9AM – 5PM at the Diocesan conference room and the Chapel of the Holy Innocents. This course has a new syllabus and deals with different material than the class has in the past. Previously, Bishop Schofield taught the class and offered similar instruction during the ordinands' pre-ordination retreat. In order to provide wider exploration of diaconal ministry, SJSM is introducing a revised course. Bishop Schofield will still be offering his pre-ordination retreat, so that the diaconal students will have the advantage of both courses.

This course will be taught by Fr Van McCalister, Archdeacon Tom Magitti and Deacon Madeline Burton

Required texts
"Deacons and the Church" by John N Collins (Morehouse)
"Many Servants - An Introduction to Deacons" by Ormonde Plater (Crowley)
"Deacons in the Liturgy" by Ormonde Plater

Reading Assignments (prior to class)
Acts chs 6, 7 & 8
Acts 21.8
Philippians 1.1
1 Timothy
Titus
James 1:27
1 Peter 1:1 – 2:12
“Deacons and the Servant Myth” by Anthony Gooley (article posted on DioNet SJSM Conference)
"Holy Orders" - two articles from "The Apostles Doctrine and Fellowship" (posted on DioNet)
Lesser Feasts & Fasts – Vincent [1-22], Alcuin [5-22], Ephrem [6-18], Laurence [8-10], Francis [10-4], Stephen [12-26] (posted on DioNet)
BCP 396-399; 406-409; 537-555
Bishop’s Customary on Deacons (posted on DioNet)
"Deacons and the Church" by John N Collins
"Deacons in the Liturgy" by Ormonde Plater

Written Assignments (to be turned in on class date)
(1) Prepare three (or more) questions regarding diaconal ministry to be asked of deacons, in class.
(2) Write a two-page paper on the six deacons listed above. Compare and contrast their ministries. Which of these deacons most inspires you and why? Be prepared to present in class.

PRAXIS

Fr Rob Eaton submitted the "winning" name for the San Joaquin Schools for Ministry newsletter. His explanation follows:

How about the word "PRAXIS"?

That would be the Greek word used for the book we call Acts (of the Apostles), which we hope graduates will follow, and it is from Acts (Praxis) that we have derived one of the "baptismal vows", from Acts 2.

An excellent description (granted with an Eastern Orthodox perspective) can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praxis_(Orthodox)

A quote that uses the word itself and also refers specifically to ministry office would be Romans 12.4, and although an incomplete thought in the verse alone, the larger context shows that all Christians, both lay and ordained have a "function". So also SJSM is not limited to those on the ordination track. Acts 19:18 uses the word, too, but in this context shows that not all "practices" are good ones, thus the need for Christian education, training, and formation. The word is found in Colossians 3:10, which refers to the transformative nature of Christ which requires "true knowledge"; praxis is used to refer to the practices that differentiate the old man from the new man.

Thank you Fr Rob!

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY IN FRESNO

MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY IN FRESNO: Fr. Sam Vongsanit has an urgent need for someone to teach and encourage his young teens through post high school members at St. Martin of Tours in Fresno. These second generation Lao-Americans want to be taught in English, and thirst for basic knowledge of the Bible, the Christian faith, and the Church. Fr. Sam envisions that while he is ministering to his adult members on Sunday mornings, one or more others might join him by ministering to his teens and young adults for approx 2 hrs with Bible Study, prayer and some worship. He has more requests from this age group than he has time to respond. You can help change lives for Christ! Please contact Fr. Sam as soon as possible at 559-439-5011. Cell: 559-824-0903 or: vongsanit@juno.com

Church, Ministry & Sacraments

First Session—September 14-15
Second Session—October 12-13
Third Session—November 9-10

Instructor – Fr Dan Martins. The course traces the biblical and theological roots of the Church, the ministries of the Church, and the role of the sacraments. The course will consider issues of church identity, government, discipline, canon law, the history and theology of the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist, and the orders of ministry.

The class will be held in the California Room at MBBS. All students must be registered with MBBS and SJSM, prior to attending class.

The syllabus for this course is posted at http://www.sjoaquin.net/courses.htm

For more information, contact SJSM registrar, Kelsey Stewart: kelseykay@aol.com