“But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.” [Ezekiel 33:6]
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” [Ephesians 6:12]
Presbyterians Week Headlines
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New Christian Observer articles for October 2016 include:
-- How Should a Christian Vote on 8 November 2016? – by Christian Observer Managing Editor Bob Williams – Scriptural considerations for the upcoming election day;
-- The Shocking News: Righteousness the Key – by Christian Observer Contributing Editor David Brand – Christ’s righteousness juxtaposed with universal human moral bankruptcy;
-- Education and Patriotism - by Christian Observer Contributing Editor Dr. Joe Renfro – How the decline of patriotism parallels the decline of government schools;
Plus, links to ReVision devotionals on the Fellowship of Ailbe website by Christian Observer Contributing Editor T.M. Moore.
+ Christian Observer, Post Office Box 1371, Lexington, Virginia 24450, christianobserver@christianobserver.org
The Trustees of Erskine College and Theological Seminary met earlier this week to address several transitional issues facing the institution. Dr. Tom Hellams, who became acting chairman in August upon the resignation of the previous chair, presided over the meeting.
Erskine President Dr. Paul Kooistra, who retires at the end of October, briefly addressed the trustees to lead off the meeting. “As we prepare to leave Erskine, Sandi and I are thankful for some small things and some big things,” he said. Among “the small things” Kooistra listed were improved financial stability, reaffirmation of accreditation, and exceeding the Erskine Annual Fund goal twice thanks to increased giving from alumni and friends.
“Those really are small things in my mind,” he said. “The big things are much more important.” These he listed as the faculty and their level of interest in integrating their faith in their teaching, the spiritual growth and boldness of Christian students on campus, and stories of students who had come to faith in Christ during their time at Erskine. “These really are the most important things to me. Sandi and I have prayed every day for students to come to know Christ and will keep praying for them.”
Hellams expressed appreciation to Dr. Kooistra on behalf of the board. “Paul Kooistra has served Erskine well and we celebrate the victories he’s won. Beginning in the first few days of his tenure, his leadership in addressing significant accreditation challenges and in fund-raising are most commendable. Students have been encouraged, mentored, and introduced to Christ by Paul and Sandi. We are grateful for their tenure in Due West, and wish them only the best as they move into the next chapter of their lives.”
To fill the role of chairman for the remainder of the 2016-17 year, the board elected Sam James ’07 (Huntersville, North Carolina), who is serving his fourth year as a trustee.
Asked about his perspective on the meeting, James said, “This meeting presented many reasons to rejoice in the goodness of God. We had the opportunity to thank Dr. Kooistra for his faithful service to Erskine and the many victories that he had during his tenure. We approved a balanced budget for our current operating year and heard an overall positive report from the auditors.
“I am thankful for the sweet and gentle spirit that we saw on display at this board meeting today,” James said. “We thank God for the work that He is doing at Erskine College and Seminary. We trust that the future of Erskine is even brighter than any of us can imagine.”
The trustees approved revisions to the budget originally approved in May which were needed to address lower than anticipated retention in the college from spring to fall.
The presidential search committee, which was established in August, reported that the committee is diligently working on a candidate to act as interim president beginning Nov. 1. The board has set a date for a meeting later this month where that process will be finalized.
At the request of the Rev. Jamie Hunt, who chairs the board’s Seminary Committee, the trustees voted to postpone discussion of the report on college-seminary separation to the February meeting so the Seminary Committee could further examine the Ad Hoc Committee’s report.
+ Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 1 Cleveland Street Suite 110 , Greenville, South Carolina, 29601
+ Erskine College and Theological Seminary, 2 Washington Street, Due West, South Carolina 29639, 864-379-2131, Fax: 864-379-2167, jguyette@erskine.edu
The Trinity Foundation has posted an online-only special issue of The Trinity Review. Dr. Mark W. Karlberg has written his assessment of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church's Report on Republication in "Troubler of Israel: Report on Republication by the Orthodox Presbyterian Church Assessing the Teaching of Professor Meredith G. Kline."
+ The Trinity Foundation, Post Office Box 68, Unicoi, Tennessee 37692, 423-743-0199, Fax: 423-743-2005, tjtrinityfound@aol.com
+ The Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 607 North Easton Road 19090 , 215-830-0900, Fax: 215-830-0350
