John W. Carlton was the Professor of Preaching at Southeastern Seminary. The service begins with organ music (0:00-5:10). There is a moment of prayer (5:11-6:14). The congregation is led in the unison prayer of confession (6:15-7:43). The choir sings songs of worship (7:44-16:47). Carlton speaks about the passing of time and the human desire for the enlargement of life (16:48-23:15). He speaks of the beautiful images of which the choir has sung, and the reminder brought by the songs that life is lived for God (23:16-25:43). The choir continues singing songs of worship (25:44-34:02). There is a blessing to close the service (34:03-34:29).
John R. Cheyne was the Director for the Program of Hunger Relief for the Foreign Mission Board. The service begins with a Scripture reading from James 2:14-18 and a word of prayer (00:00-06:55). The speaker gives a few announcements about World Hunger Week (06:56-10:54). John R. Cheyne is introduced as the chapel speaker (10:55-12:03). The choir sings the anthem (12:04-16:35). Cheyne reads from 1 John 3:1-3, and his sermon is a call to action to fight world hunger because of the love God has given to those he calls his children (16:36-30:25). Cheyne ends the service with a word of prayer (30:26-31:36).
Malcolm O. Tolbert was Professor of New Testament at Southeastern Seminary. The service begins with organ music (0:00-5:32). There is a responsive reading (5:33-7:44). An announcement is made that Ashcraft has lost his sister and there is a word of prayer (7:45-11:59). Tolbert shares a word, which he believes to be monumental and a “bright, gleaming jewel,” the word “grace” (12:00-14:47). Tolbert argues that one must believe in the grace of God to feel God’s love, not check squares and earn it through work (14:48-26:41). Tolbert closes the service in a moment of prayer (26:42-27:32).
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).
Clyde E. Fant was the professor of Preaching. The service begins with a word of prayer (0:00:00-0:1:00). There is a Scripture reading from I Corinthians 1 and a word of prayer (0:01:01-0:06:58). The audience is welcomed to the commencement ceremony (0:06:59-0:08:12) Mark Hollar makes a gift on behalf of the graduates to the school (0:08:13-0:09:28). President Lolley publicly thanks Fred Sandusky (0:09:29-0:13:19). Ashcraft announces the winners of the awards and prizes from the seminary (0:13:20-0:26:16). The choir sings a song of worship (0:26:17-0:29:49). Clyde E. Fant is introduced as the baccalaureate sermon speaker (0:29:50-0:31:50). Fant reminds the graduates that the Lord will remain with them (0:31:51-0:35:32). Fant speaks about the early years of Jesus’ full-time ministry and the temptation he faced (0:35:33-0:48:54). Fant speaks about how just as Jesus faced temptation and persecution, so will all Christians who live in a fallen world (0:48:55-0:58:53). Fant speaks about remaining faithful on what he calls the Galilean Journey because Jesus remained faithful (0:58:54-1:13:20). Fant closes the service in a moment of prayer, a song of worship is sung, and a Scriptural blessing is spoken over the graduates (1:13:21-1:19:44).
Judy Powell was the pastor at Antioch Baptist Church in Enfield, North Carolina. The service begins with organ music (0:00-4:34). Prayer concerns are shared with the congregation and there is a moment of prayer (4:35-7:58). Judy Powell is introduced as the chapel speaker (7:59-10:10). The choir sings an anthem (10:11-14:46). Powell shares about her experience of being a mother and grandmother (14:47-16:00). Powell reads from Joshua 3 (16:01-17:49). She has a moment of prayer (17:50-18:15). Powell speaks of the lifestyle and freedoms of America in contrast to the reality of poverty and lack of Christianity in the country (18:16-22:02). She shares, considering the passage from Joshua 3, how ministers and children of God should share the gospel with people to unite America again and bring spiritual awakening (22:03-38:02). There is a charge and a blessing to close the service (38:03-38:24).
James Griffith was Executive Director of the Georgia Baptist Convention. The service begins with a moment of prayer (0:00-0:57). The choir sings a song of worship (0:58-3:18). James Griffith is introduced as the chapel speaker (3:19-6:40). Griffith shares his appreciation for being able to come to Southeastern and shares a greeting on behalf of the Georgia Baptist Convention (6:41-9:04). He shares what the Georgia Baptist Convention does (9:05-12:29). Griffith speaks about giving God one’s best (12:30-13:07). He turns his attention to Luke 11 and speaks about guarding the light (13:08-31:52). Griffith closes the service in a moment of prayer (31:53-33:39).
Thomas H. Groome was associate professor of theology and religious education at Boston College. The service begins with organ music (0:00:00-0:03:24). The speaker gives a word of prayer (0:03:25-0:04:24). Thomas H. Groome is introduced as the Kendrick-Poerschke Lecturer (0:04:25-0:05:16). Groome begins his lecture by stating and explaining his theme of “the praxis approach to Christian education” (0:05:17-0:19:32). Groome gives five points for helping people to be effective Christian educators, and his uses many stories to show that educators should seek question that build relationships and ask the “why” questions (0:19:33-1:01:17). The service ends with an announcement and a benediction (1:01:18-1:02:20).
This chapel service is presented by the Student Counsel at Southeastern Seminary, Larry Harvis presiding. The service begins with organ music (0:00-3:06). There is a responsive reading (3:07-5:06). There is a moment of prayer (5:07-6:27). There is a Scripture reading from Philippians 2 and 3 (6:28-8:26). A student shares about being one with Christ and with other believers and shares portions of her personal testimony (8:27-19:57). A student presents a song regarding the church being the bride of Christ (19:58-23:50). The head of the Student Counsel begins his message by urging the students to serve in various ways (23:51-26:09). He speaks about grace through faith (26:10-27:47). He speaks about the difficulty of receiving grace and of giving grace (27:48-30:08). He describes what a community of grace would look like (30:09-32:40). The congregation is led in a litany of commitment (32:41-39:58). The service ends with a blessing (39:59-36:13).
Glenn T. Miller was Professor of Church History. The service begins with organ music (00:00-04:00). The speaker delivers the Scripture readings from Isaiah 53 and Romans 8 (04:01-09:41). The choir sings the anthem (09:42-12:32). Miller’s sermon is on the definition and character of Jesus Christ, and he argues that Christ must be understood primarily by his atonement on the cross (12:33-26:57). The choir leads in a song of worship (26:58-30:24). Miller ends the service with a benediction (30:25-30:55).
