William Randall Lolley was the 3rd president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. The service begins with Lolley speaking about a broken table, and he gives a word of prayer (00:00-02:56). Lolley speaks about the four women sexually assaulted around Southeastern campus, he warns the students to be alert and act wisely, and he thanks Wake Forest Baptist Church for letting Southeastern use their sanctuary for chapel (02:57-06:44). A pastor of Wake Forest Baptist reads Genesis 18:9-15, and he gives a word of prayer (06:45-09:14). The pastor preaches a brief sermon comparing the story of Abraham and Sarah and the story of Jesus’ crucifixion, and he says that dark times in Scripture are always followed by deep hope and joy (09:15-19:42).
Robert Lee Richardson, Jr. was Associate Professor of Supervised Ministry. The service begins with a word of prayer (00:00-01:25). Richardson reads John 3:1-15 (01:26-04:17). He begins his sermon by speaking on his mid-life crisis and its relation to the story of Nicodemus (04:18-06:02). He walks through the story of Jesus meeting Nicodemus, and he looks upon the idea of transcendence in the new birth (06:03-13:29). Richardson gives a series of stories of his time as a professor to help the audience understand how he is dealing with the transcendence of God (14:30-24:09). He concludes his sermon by looking at the other two mentions of Nicodemus in the Gospel of John (24:10-25:33). Richardson ends the service with a prayer (25:34-25:59).
Phillip Rodgerson was the Director of the Missions Department at the Virginia Baptist General Board. Chapel opens with prayer (0:00-1:03). A welcome is given to the Directors of Missions present for a conference and the speaker, Phillip Rodgerson, is introduced (1:03-4:14). Phillip Rodgerson introduces his message and challenges the audience with Baptist distinctives in the current culture (4:14-9:02). He states that Baptists’ congregational government, professional training, gathering in community, and variety of programs strengthen them to reach the current society (9:02-13:40). He concludes by saying that Southern Baptists can lead with their strengths in the current society (13:40-15:54). The service closes in prayer (15:54-16:27).
G. Thomas Halbrooks was Professor of Church History. Glenn T. Miller was Professor of Church History. The service begins with a prayer of confession and a second general prayer (00:00-01:59). Halbrooks delivers the Scripture reading from Matthew 13:24-30 (02:00-03:18). Halbrooks examines the history of the interpretation of the parable of the wheat and the tares, and he argues that the parable calls the church to patience, tolerance, and leaving the job of judgment to God (03:19-22:50). The service ends with a benediction (22:51-23:09).
Donald E. Cook was Professor of New Testament. The service begins with organ music (00:00-05:50). Donald Cook gives a liturgical reading and a word of prayer (05:51-08:21). The choir sings a song of worship (08:22-10:20). Cook’s sermon is a series of poetry about community, the person of Christ, and experiencing God and his creation (10:21-32:20). Cook ends the service with a word of prayer (32:21-33:16).
Luke B. Smith was Professor of Supervised Ministry. The service begins with a word of prayer (0:00:00-0:02:08). President Randall Lolley thanks the Wake County School Board for letting Southeastern use Wake Forest-Rolesville High School stadium (0:02:09-0:05:10). The speaker reads from Genesis 1 and Isaiah 45 (0:05:11-0:08:25). Another speaker reads from John 13 and 1 Corinthians 13 (0:08:26-0:11:48). A graduating student sings a song of worship (0:11:49-0:14:46). Lolley recognizes the family and friends of the graduates (0:14:47-0:15:53). The Associate of Divinity degrees are conferred (0:15:54-0:21:41). The Master of Religious Education degrees are conferred (0:21:42-0:24:32). The Master of Divinity degrees are conferred (0:24:33-0:52:36). The Master of Theology degrees are conferred (0:52:37-0:55:56). The Doctor of Ministry degrees are conferred (0:55:57-0:58:46). Lolley introduces Luke B. Smith as the commencement speaker (05:58:47-0:59:11). Smith’s sermon is about boundaries and parameters in ministry, and he encourages the graduates to plant one foot in the reality of the world to minister effectively for Christ (0:59:12-1:24:42). The service ends with a word of prayer (1:24:43-1:25:50).
Sister Evelyn Mattern from the Raleigh Catholic Diocese. The service begins with reading from Scripture (0:00-0:45). Prayer is led by Russ Potter, president of the Associate Class (0:52-2:16). Scripture is read from Matthew 5:43-6:4 and Mark 12:28-31 (2:23-5:15). The choir leads in a song of worship (5:25-8:15). The speaker discusses the phrase “for the love of God,” its common uses, and what it means to love God (8:23-9:25). She explores what it meant to love God across different times and cultures (9:26-10:13). She then concludes that loving God is done in covenant and obedience (10:15-14:47). She discusses how Jesus’ use of Abba to address God adds deeper understanding of loving God (14:49-17:24). The speaker challenges the audience to love God without seeking attention from others or personal gain (17:25-23:02). She then tells a story of a bishop helping a family to illustrate giving without acknowledgement from others (23:05-28:03). The speaker concludes by emphasizing loving and serving God and with a closing prayer (28:05-29:45). The service finishes with a closing song (29:46-31:06).
