James W. Fowler was a theologian and Professor of Theology and Human Development in the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. This chapel was the second part of the Spring Lectures in March 1983 and titled “Covenant, Vocation, and Adult Development.” Chapel is opened in prayer and the Spring Lecture speaker, Dr. Fowler, is introduced (0:00-0:53). Dr. Fowler states that the focus of his lecture will be to respond to adult developmental theories and what it means to be human with the concepts of covenant and vocation (0:53-2:58). He discusses how faith in Christ frees humans to take on vocation and be in covenant with God. (2:58-11:00). He states that human vocation is to become partners in God’s creative, governing, and redemptive work (11:00-14:53). He notes that vocation and identity are closely linked and clarifies that vocation is the response of a person to the calling to partnership with God (14:53-23:25). Dr. Folwer contrasts vocation with destiny (23:25-29:38). He suggests that vocation in community is a better approach in life than pursual of destiny or self-actualization (29:38-35:23). Finally, he notes that vocation is dynamic (35:23-37:02). He concludes his lecture with thoughts on the relationship between pastoral care, specifically preaching and prayer, with vocation and covenant (37:02-52:57). Dr. Fowler is thanked for his lecture and time on campus (52:57-53:20).
Wade Armstrong was a trustee of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The service begins with organ music (00:00-04:05). The speaker gives a word of prayer (04:06-08:10). Wade Armstrong is introduced as the chapel speaker (08:11-10:54). Michael Hahn, director of music at the First Baptist Church in Decatur, GA, sings a song of worship (10:55-14:20). Armstrong begins his service by thanking the leadership of Southeastern for giving him the opportunity to preach, and he reads from 1 Corinthians 5 (14:21-17:30). Armstrong’s sermon is about the certainty of heaven, and he says the Christians can have a certainty through the work of the Spirit and the promise of judgment that they will all one day be in Christ’s presence (17:31-30:37). Armstrong ends the service with a word of prayer (30:38-30:50).
Donna M. Forrester was a chaplain at Southeastern. The service begins with organ music (00:00-04:47). The speaker gives a word of prayer (04:48-06:12). Donna M. Forrester is introduced as the chapel speaker, and the speaker delivers the Scripture readings from Matthew 22:34-40 and Romans 13:8-10 (06:13-08:42). The choir sings the anthem (08:43-13:27). Forrester shares many stories of how God has shaped her love for herself and for others, and she shows that believers are first loved by God so that they can love themselves and others (13:28-30:22). Forrester concludes her sermon with a word of prayer, and she leads the audience in a responsive reading from 1 Corinthians 13 (30:23-33:56). The service ends with a benediction (33:57-34:10).
DeLane Ryals was head of the Division of Church Extension of the Metropolitan New York Baptist Association. The service begins with organ music (00:00-00:40). The speaker leads in a responsive reading (00:41-02:32). The speaker gives a word of prayer (02:33-04:19). DeLane Ryals is introduced as the chapel speaker (04:20-05:52). The choir sings a song of worship (05:53-10:05). Ryals reads from 1 Kings 18:41-46, and his sermon is about how God uses prayer to provide new beginnings (10:06-23:20). Ryals ends the service with a word of prayer (23:21-23:44).
Audio quality is very poor. G. Thomas Halbrooks was Associate Professor of Church History. The service begins with Halbrooks giving directions to the audience for partaking of the Lord’s Supper (00:00-01:35). The choir sings a song of worship (01:36-03:49). A speaker leads in a responsive reading from 1 Corinthians 11:23-32, and he leads in a word of prayer (04:50-06:29). Halbrooks delivers a short sermon about symbolic events, and he says that the Lord’s Supper is a symbolic event that points to an internal reality (06:30-14:33).
At the time of this recording John Stanley was a Middler MDiv student at Southeastern. Isaiah 45:5-7 and 1 Corinthians 15:1-5 are read aloud (0:00-1:54). The choir leads in song (1:54-5:10). Mr. Stanley explains to his audience that there are tensions between God’s yes and no in life but that both are of great importance (5:10-7:58) He uses the concept of the cross and the resurrection as examples of the tension between God’s yes and no and how both are important in the gospel (7:58-24:46). Chapel is closed in prayer (24:47-25:18).
Edna Francis Dawkins was the Fletcher Visiting Professor of Missions. The service begins with a responsive reading, the speaker reads from Ephesians, and a word of prayer is given (00:00-03:36). E.F. Dawkins is introduced as the chapel speaker (03:37-08:30). The choir sings the anthem (08:31-11:35). Dawkins shares multiple stories about her experiences and the people she met on the mission field, and she asks the audience for prayers and to consider the potential opportunity to go to the field (11:36-37:06). The service ends with a word of prayer (37:07-38:16).
Ken Spivey leads in a Quaker worship service. Spivey reads from Psalm 46:10 and gives a prayer (0:00-1:39). He reads all of 1 Corinthians 13 (1:40-4:03). The recording ends with a benediction (4:04-4:34).
Dwight W. Cumbee was visiting Professor of Pastoral Care and Director of the Life Enrichment Center in Raleigh, NC. The service begins with organ music (00:00-02:00). The speaker gives an announcement about a funeral for a community member, and he gives a benediction (02:01-03:40). The speaker reads from John 15:1-17, and he gives a word of prayer (03:41-06:49). The choir sings a song of worship (06:50-09:30). Cumbee begins his sermon with two confessions about the quality of his speaking and his weakness for funny stories, and he gives a funny story about a letter to an insurance company (09:31-15:33). Cumbee’s sermon is on the subject of being a minister, and his first point is that a minister’s relationship with Christ determines how he or she grows (15:34-23:30). Cumbee’s second point is the minister is to be a lover, specifically a lover of God and a lover of others (23:31-28:40). Cumbee concludes his sermon with the final point which is the minister is to be authentic (28:41-30:22). Cumbee ends the service with a benediction (30:23-20:50).
John Wilson Fleming was a professor at Shaw Divinity School. Reading from Matthew 5:43-45 and 1 John 4:16-18 (0:00-1:50). Chapel is opened in prayer (1:50-3:15). Choir leads in song (3:15-6:35). Introduction of the speaker, Dr. Fleming (6:35-7:53). Dr. Fleming opens his message with prayer (7:53-8:22). Dr. Fleming introduces his message on the reflection of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and walking with hope and faith, actively in God’s work (8:22-16:00). He says that God is a God of history and still reigns over His universe which influences how we live and keeps us active in God’s work (16:00-24:25). A benediction is given to conclude the service (24:25-24:43).