Rev. Dr. David Haxton Carswell Read was the senior pastor of Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, served as a chaplain during World War II, and was a National Radio Pulpit preacher. The service begins in prayer (0:00-1:15). David H. C. Read is introduced as the Adams Lecturer (1:16-4:19). Read speaks on the call to preach and the community involved (4:20-7:52). Read speaks on the pastor being a representative of the community and should preach according to the needs of the congregation, necessitating that the pastor be involved in the community (7:53-23:28). Read speaks about worship of God as the primary reason for church services (23:29-35:35). Read concludes the service by speaking about what he calls the high doctrine of preaching, of church, and of worship (35:26-45:22). The service ends in prayer (45:23-46:22).
George Sheridan was from the Interfaith Witness department of the Home Mission Board. The service opens with organ music (00:00-03:14). The speaker reads from Luke 4:14-19, and he gives a word of prayer (03:15-06:35). George Sheridan is introduced as the chapel speaker (06:36-09:05). The choir sings a song of worship (09:06-10:51). Sheridan begins his sermon by reading from Matthew 25:31-46 (10:52-13:48). He believes that this passage should be taken literally, and list three prominent Christians of the 20th century who did take this passage literally: Toyohiko Kagawa, Albert Schweitzer, and Mother Teresa of Calcutta (13:49-20:04). Sheridan then emphasizes the word “see” in Matthew 25:31-46, and he shares a few stories about God being present among the oppressed (20:05-29:06). Sheridan closes the service with a word of prayer (29:07-29:39).
Porter W. Routh was the Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention. The service begins with a Scripture reading and a word of prayer (00:00-01:39). Porter W. Routh is introduced as the chapel speaker (01:40-04:12). The choir sings a song of worship (04:13-08:50). Routh begins his sermon by reading from Galatians 6:7-10 and speaks about the reality of turning 70 (08:51-14:57). Routh gives three pieces of advice take as one ages, and the first is to take responsibility (14:58-17:26). The second piece of advice Routh gives is to be aware of surroundings and a part of community (17:27-20:13). The third piece of advice Routh gives is continue to choose to grow (20:14-28:36). Routh ends the service with a word of prayer (28:37-28:59).
Kenneth Hemphill was pastor of the First Baptist Church of Norfolk, VA. The service begins with a word of prayer (00:00-01:08). Kenneth Hemphill is introduced as the chapel speaker (01:09-02:54). Hemphill begins his sermon by reading 2 Corinthians 5:11-21, and he share his personal testimony of being an ambassador for Christ (02:55-08:27). Hemphill’s first two points are the controlling force and continuing focus of ministry, and he centers on Christ as the main drive for life transformation (08:28-18:17). Hemphill’s final point is the commanding ministry of reconciliation, and he states that Christians are the instruments for God to move forward his reconciling power (18:18-28:38). Hemphill ends the service with a word of prayer (28:39-30:18).
Jerry Wallace was Provost of Campbell University. The service begins with organ music and a song of worship (00:00-04:57). President Randall Lolley reads a Psalm, and he gives a word of prayer (04:58-06:36). Jerry Wallace is introduced as the chapel speaker (06:37-09:30). The choir sings the anthem (09:31-12:50). Wallace delivers a sermon on John 1:29-42, and he speaks about spending a day with Jesus and how he transforms lives by his presence (12:51-32:27). Wallace ends the service with a word of prayer (32:28-33:28).
James Brad Chance, III was Visiting Instructor of New Testament. Chance begins his sermon by reading Philippians 3:8-11, and he leads the audience in a word of prayer (00:00-03:58). In the first part of Chance’s sermon, he asks the question of where we can find union with Christ in Baptist life, and he argues that it is not found in our ecclesiastical powers (03:59-13:39). In the second part of Chance’s sermon, he argues that union with Christ is found in conforming to the image of Christ through suffering (13:40-23:37).
Reuel L. Howe was a professor of pastoral theology and founder of the Institute for Advanced Pastoral Studies in Bloomfield Hills, MI. The service begins with President Randall Lolley giving a word of prayer (00:00-01:19). Reuel L. Howe is introduced as the Spring Conference speaker (01:20-03:12). Howe’s lecture is entitled “Survival Approaches to Ministry,” and he begins his lecture by thanking Southeastern for their cordiality during his visit (03:13-04:05). Howe first speaks about ministry burnout and how the Spirit’s energy is needed to transform lives (04:06-14:44). He then says that to resist burnout and other destructive forces in ministry is a healthy examination of oneself and healthy expectations for the future and for relationships, and he list expectations to examine carefully (14:45-24:11). Howe speaks about the importance of communication in ministry, and he says that minister’s must be great listeners and one’s who strive for reconciliation (24:12-29:38). Howe concludes his lecture by speaking about love, and he highlights the importance of unity, inclusion, and ecumenicism in the modern church (29:39-36:20).
Thomas Jackson was the pastor of McLean Baptist Church in McLean, VA. The service opens with a word of prayer (0:00:00-0:00:41). The speaker makes an announcement welcoming everyone to Commencement and addresses changes that will be made to the order of the service (0:00:42-0:02:14). John H. Clifford, a trustee from Maryland, announces the recipient of the Citation for Excellence in Christian Ministry Award, Wesley M. Ensor, pastor of Pilot Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC (0:02:15-0:07:52). Wesley Ensor gives a small speech of gratitude (0:07:53-0:10:12). The speaker reads from Mark 10:32-45 and gives a word of prayer (0:10:12-0:15:50). A class gift is given to Dr. Randall Lolley (0:15:51-0:17:27). Awards are given to graduating students (0:17:28-0:27:15). Thomas Jackson is introduced at the Commencement speaker (0:27:16-0:28:06). The choir leads in a song of worship (0:28:07-0:30:32). Jackson encourages the graduates to minister in the manor of a servant and keep a spirit of humility rather than a spirit of self-aggrandisement (0:30:33-1:05:54). The service ends with a prayer and benediction (1:05:55-1:07:24).
William Randall Lolley was the third President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. This chapel convocation marked the thirtieth academic year of Southeastern. The service begins with prayer, welcome, and scripture readings (0:00-4:54). After which, there is a reading of news headlines from the year Southeastern was founded (4:55-10:31). This is followed by a recognition of new professors (10:32-14:59). President Lolley is introduced, and verses from Habakkuk 1-3 are read (15:00-20:26). There is then a period of singing (20:27-25:12). Lolley begins his sermon on Habakkuk themed “living by faith.” He begins with an introduction on the importance and context of the book (25:13-33:10). Lolley then explains two lessons Habakkuk learned, perspective on the world, and insight into the self-defeating aspect of evil (33:11-45:07). He concludes by explaining the implications of living by faith (45:08-48:09). A closing prayer is then offered (48:10-48:56).
Foy Valentine was the Executive Director of the Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention and was a graduate from Southwestern Seminary. The service begins with a Scripture reading from Micah 6:8 and a prayer (0:00-1:01). Foy Valentine is introduced as the chapel speaker (1:02-3:15). Valentine reads from Matthew 22 (3:16-4:18). Valentine speaks about the moral imperative required for Christian faith in every aspect of life (4:19-8:42). He shares that this life is not all there is, and he speaks about how some people attempt to become more holy (8:43-11:01). He explains the moral ground of the gospel is God’s revelation of His holiness (11:02-14:57). He suggests the seminary education is about having a grasp on God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (14:58-21:01). Valentine shares that he believes salvation is not propositional, but experiential (21:02-25:47). Valentine closes the service in a word of prayer (25:48-27:04).
