Debra Griffis-Woodberry was the Minster of Education at Ridge Road Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. The service begins with the reading of the Greatest Commandment from Matthew 22 and a word of prayer (00:00-02:12). Bob Richardson introduces himself, and Debra Griffis-Woodberry is introduced as the chapel speaker (02:13-05:19). Griffis-Woodberry delivers the Scripture reading from Micah 6:6-8 and Mark 9:2-8 (05:20-07:50). The choir sings the anthem (07:51-14:03). Griffis-Woodberry seeks to answer the questions of whether Jesus Christ and the church are relevant in today’s world, and she observes that Christian tend to either use their identity as a protection or compartmentalize their lives away from the world (14:04-26:18). Griffis-Woodberry concludes her sermon with the story of the Mount of Transfiguration, and she says that Christians should not make the same mistake as Peter who sought to stay on the mountain (26:19-32:41). The service ends with a benediction (32:42-33:11).
Malcolm O. Tolbert was Professor of New Testament. The service begins with a word of prayer and the “Doxology” (00:00-01:31). A speaker reads from Psalm 1 and another speaker reads from Matthew 5:13-16 (01:32-04:10). A word of prayer is given (04:11-06:50). President Randall Lolley welcomes everyone to the service, and he introduces Malcolm O. Tolbert as the commencement speaker (06:51-08:37). Tolbert’s sermon centres on the passage of Matthew 5:13-16, and he encourages the graduates to be the salt and light of the earth (08:38-25:59). Lolley recognizes the friends and families of the graduates (26:00-27:01). The Associate of Divinity degrees are conferred (27:02-28:58). The Master of Religious Education degrees are conferred (28:59-30:59). The Master of Divinity degrees are conferred (31:00-44:07). The Master of Theology degrees are conferred (44:08-45:48). The Doctor of Ministry degrees are conferred (45:49-48:59). The service ends with a word of prayer and a benediction (49:00-50:34).
Robert Ernst Poerschke was the Professor of Christian Education. The service begins with organ music and with Scripture reading (0:00-8:42). Robert Ernst Poerschke is introduced as the chapel speaker (8:43-9:55). The choir sings a song of worship (9:56-12:36). Poerschke introduces his sermon with a summary of Scripture from Matthew 25:14-30 and a moment of prayer (12:37-16:53). Poerschke speaks about aging and about taking risks, relating it to the Christian lifestyle (16:54-20:28). Poerschke discusses the terms “liberal” and “conservative” regarding the understanding of the infinite number of truths to be discovered about God (20:29-37:57). Poerschke concludes his sermon by commissioning the audience to take risks and explore new truths that may be added to the Christian heritage (37:58-39:29).
John Edward Steely was Professor of Historical Theology. The service begins with organ music (00:00-07:33). The speaker gives a word of prayer (07:34-08:38). John Edward Steely is introduced as the Faculty Lecturer (08:39-16:14). Steely delivers a lecture on the topic of American civil religion, the recent attempts to enshrine protections and endorsements of the Christian religion, and how the Baptist distinctives create tension for the establishment of civil religion (16:15-48:16). The service ends with a word of prayer (48:17-48:54).
Delos Miles was the Professor of Evangelism. The service begins with organ music and a Scripture reading (0:00-7:21). Miles introduces his sermon by reading the texts for the sermon from Exodus 12:11 and I Peter 1:13 and a word of prayer (7:22-10:32). Miles provides ways that one may love God with his whole mind, the first being to gird up one’s mind (10:33-20:26). The second way is to be sober (20:27-25:13). The third way is to set one’s hope fully upon the grace that is coming at the second coming of Jesus Christ (25:14-29:23). Miles ends the service with a word of prayer (29:24-30:21).
Caron Brisson was the Registrar of Southeastern Seminary. The service begins with organ music (0:00-3:27). There is a Scripture reading from Psalm 148 (3:28-5:42). There is a moment of prayer (5:43-8:02). There is a liturgical reading (8:03-9:11). There is a moment of silence (9:12-10:27). The choir sings a song of worship (10:28-14:10). Brisson shares a portion of his testimony in which he came to know a woman named Ruth who lives in unfortunate circumstances to show the importance of not judging someone without knowing their situation (14:11-24:34). The service closes with a benediction (24:35-24:56).
Chevis F. Horne was Visiting Professor of Preaching. The service begins with a call to worship, a Scripture reading from Jeremiah 1:4-6, and a word of prayer (00:00-03:50). The choir sings a song of worship (03:51-07:20). Horne delivers a sermon about the Word of God, and he gives three observations: God’s word is above us, God’s word is personal, and unfortunately the prophetic voice in the Southern Baptist Convention is very weak (07:21-21:54). Horne ends the service with a word of prayer (21:55-22:45).
M. Mahan Siler was the pastor at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. The service begins with a song of worship (0:00-1:58). The congregation sings “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” (1:59-4:23). There is a moment of prayer (4:24-5:48). Siler expresses his gratitude for being able to speak (5:49-6:45). Siler reads Scripture from Mark 10 (6:46-9:34). Siler speaks about the ambition of James, John, and the other disciples and the confusion and betrayal they must have felt at Jesus’ death (9:35-13:57). He shares that he has heard of ministers having the same feeling (13:58-17:35). Slier explains how he personally felt the sense of betrayal from seminary and the church congregation when he was not met with the church he expected (17:36-18:59). He shares a quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer that helped him realize that visionary dreaming in the church can be dishonoring to God (19:00-22:23). Siler compares the grief of the disciples when they felt betrayed by Jesus to the excitement of hearing that Jesus did rise from the dead (22:24-25:43). He speaks about how present-day ministers knowing their weakness means they can learn to live with it (25:44-31:04). The choir sings a song of worship (31:05-33:54). Siler asks the congregation to sing with him “Create in Me a Clean Heart” to close the service (33:55-35:20).
