Morris Ashcraft was the Professor of Theology and the Dean of Faculty at Southeastern Seminary. The service begins with organ music (0:00-3:18). There is a Scripture reading and a moment of prayer (3:19-9:15). Ashcraft speaks about Jesus’ inclusivity in His ministry contrasted with the exclusivity of the Pharisees and other religious leaders, and what God expects from Christians (9:16-30:48). Ashcraft closes the service with a moment of prayer (30:49-30:55).
Each member of the panel is introduced (0:00:00-0:01:13). The United Methodist pastor, Bill, speaks on the polity of Methodist churches (0:01:14-0:07:03). Willard Brown, former pastor at Wake Forest Baptist Church in Wake Forest, NC, speaks on navigating authority in a Baptist church which is governed by the congregation (0:07:04-0:18:46). Marie Bean shares her story of calling to be in ministry and her struggle with social norms and human authorities (0:18:47-0:31:31). The speaker opens the floor for questions (0L31:32-0:32:21). The first question deals with the subject of authority in different denominations (0:32:22-0:37:28). The second question deals with the idea of calling to ministry, and the three panelist share how they came to be in ministry (0:37:29-0:59:02). The third question deals with the idea of a calling being affirmed or ratified by the church (0:59:03-1:05:10). The fourth question deals with the navigation of the taboo of women in ministry (1:05:11-1:10:47). The fifth question deals with voicing a call to ministry before a local church and the fears associated with it (1:11:48-1:24:44). The sixth question deals with the idea of a man telling a woman that she is not called to preach (1:24:45-1:27:12). The seventh question deals with gaining the approval of people when you are in a position of powerlessness (1:27:13-1:34:47). The eighth question deals with authority in the political arena (1:34:48-1:46:29). The final question deals with the authority when the congregation is paying your salary (1:46:30-1:50:10). The panel discussion ends with an announcement about an event happening in the evening (1:50:50:11-1:51:01).
James Wood was the Director of the J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies at Baylor University. The service begins with a word of prayer (0:00:00-0:01:55). James Wood is introduced as the Carver-Barnes Lecturer (0:01:56-0:03:47). Wood begins his lecture by stating his theme of the historical perspective of religion and politics in America (0:03:48-0:04:16). Wood describes the paradox of the American relationship between religion and politics, and he says that the nation’s people are deeply religious yet believe in the separation between church and state (0:04:17-0:15:13). Wood spends most of his lecture tracing the history of the relationship between religion and politics in America all way before the founding of the country to the rise of the religious right in the modern day (0:15:14-1:00:02). The service ends with the speaker dismissing the audience (1:00:03-1:00:34).
Claud Bowen was a pastor in Greensboro and a former trustee and the chairman of the Board of Trustees at Southeastern. Chapel opens in prayer (0:00-1:28). Dr. Lolley welcomes the audience and trustees. He introduces the Founder’s Day speaker, Dr. Claud Bowen (1:28-9:14). The choir leads in song (9:14-15:08). Dr. Bowen begins his message by discussing his various connections with the seminary (15:08-20:35). Dr. Bowen then shares some of the history of the founding of the school and his personal experience in the process (20:35-35:50). He then shares lessons he learned during that time including that God is raising up leaders in each generation, God’s revelation calls for sacrifice, and layperson’s roles are of great importance (35:50-45:28). A presentation is given (45:28-47:10). Chapel is closed in prayer (47:10-47:50).
Addie Davis was pastor of the Rich Patch Union Church in Covington, VA and the first woman ordained in the Southern Baptist Convention. The service begins with organ music (00:00-08:07). President Randall Lolley tells the students to stay after the service for an announcement, and a speaker gives a word of prayer (08:08-09:48). Addie Davis is introduced as the chapel speaker (09:49-10:26). The choir sings the anthem (10:27-13:25). Davis shares some things she has learned in years of ministry, and she encourages the audience to live out God’s calling and embody his love in the world (13:26-28:48). The service ends with organ music, and Lolley gives a word of praise to Addie Davis (28:49-30:43).
Max Gray Rogers was Professor of Old Testament. The service begins with two prayers (00:00-01:09). Rogers reads from Matthew 4:1-11, and he gives a few words of commentary on the passage (01:10-04:45). A man delivers a monologue as the devil (04:46-09:58). Rogers reads from James 1:12-15, and he gives a few words of commentary on the passage (09:59-11:33). The man comes back to deliver a monologue as the devil’s disciple (11:34-16:00). Rogers ends his sermon by stating that God will provide us strength and will not allow the devil to tempt us beyond our means (16:01-18:04). A man delivers a “black slave” prayer (18:05-23:03).
John William Eddins, Jr. was Professor of Theology. The service begins with a liturgical reading and a word of prayer (00:00-02:45). The speaker reads from 2 Corinthians 4:1-16 (02:46-05:04). A woman sings a song of worship (05:05-08:12). Eddins recalls a memory of his father praying “for Jesus’ sake,” and he gives a sermon about living a life that is Christ centered rather than man centered (08:13-22:11). Eddins ends the service with a benediction (22:12-22:46).
