The guest speaker for the SEBTS Convocation on Women in Ministry was Letty M. Russell who was Professor of the Practice of Theology at Yale Divinity School (00:00-03:41). The title of Russell’s convocation speech is “Woman in Ministry: Problem or Possibility,” and she states that her attention will be focused on what has been called the “Strasbourg Shift” (03:42-12:05). Russell believes that men in the church view the creation order as a pyramid of domination with men above women in the hierarchy, and this domination has been masked by the label of maintaining orthodoxy even though both sexes have been called into one ministry and one baptism (12:06-19:51). She examines the abuse of the hierarchical structure of Reformed ecclesiology, and she offers other paradigms that celebrates diversity, humility, and inclusiveness and creates order through a synergetic spectrum (19:52-28:48). Russell states that ministry should be defined through servanthood, specifically the humble posture of Christ as the servant and liberator (28:49-37:56). Russell concludes her convocation speech by speaking on the pinnacle complex, and she says, “we must let Pharaoh go and embrace the rainbow” (37:57-47:15).
Joseph B. Bethea was the Raleigh District Superintendent of the United Methodist Church and a graduate of Gammon Theological Seminary. The service begins with organ music (0:00-3:49). Prayer concerns are shared with the congregation and there is a moment of prayer (3:50-5:07). Joseph Bethea is introduced as the chapel speaker (5:08-5:45). Bethea reads a passage of Scripture from Ephesians 3 (5:08-6:52). Bethea gives his thanks for Southeastern Seminary and has a moment of prayer (6:53-9:24). Bethea speaks of Paul’s emphasis for the believers in Ephesus to grow in maturity, expressing that believers in present day should follow the same advice (9:25-15:00). He suggests that to do this, Christians must live more like Christ, though the circumstances are different from when Jesus lived (15:01-17:25). He argues that Christians must practice religion without adulterating and turning it down (17:26-21:30). He argues that Christians should put their emphasis on love (21:31-27:18).
M. Mahan Siler was the pastor at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. The service begins with organ music (0:00-2:50). The choir sings a song of worship (2:51-4:57). M. Mahan Siler introduces himself as the chapel speaker and the topic of his presentations (4:58-7:58). Psalm 51 is presented through song (7:59-11:37). There is a moment of prayer (11:38-13:24). Siler reads Scripture from Mark 14 (13:25-14:58). Siler shares a personal anecdote to illustrate the importance of giving rather than receiving (14:59-19:38). Siler speaks about how giving can be a way to focus on other’s needs but that actively receiving is also important (19:39-20:33). Siler shares that he hopes by sharing personal things from his life that the congregation will examine their own life and see how God has worked in them to provide grace (20:34-34:00). A song of worship is sung by the choir (34:01-35:50). The service closes with a benediction and a charge (35:51-36:22).
George W. Braswell, Jr. was Professor of Missions and World Religion. The service begins with organ music (00:00-02:45). The speaker announces community concerns, and she gives a word of prayer (02:46-05:30). The choir sings the anthem (05:31-08:00). Braswell gives a report about the Southeastern summer mission trips and church planting endeavors in North America (08:01-10:59). The first student, Mickey, shares his experience serving a church plant in Daytona Beach, FL (11:00-15:17). Fred and Sherry, a married couple, share about their mission experience in Durham, NC through poetry (15:18-18:01). Bill Long, praxis director of the Home Mission Board, shares the need of students for the next summer mission trips, and he invites the audience to an interest meeting after the service (18:02-24:10). The service ends with a hymn and a word of prayer (24:11-26:18).
The Junior class of Southeastern Seminary conducts this chapel service. Prayer concerns are shared with the congregation and there is a moment of prayer (0:00-4:53). There is a responsive reading based on Genesis 1 (4:54-6:05). There is a Scripture reading from I Kings 10:1-10, 13 (6:06-8:06). The first speaker gives context for the Scripture that was read, providing information on where Sheba is located and how and why she traveled, which was to seek and gain wisdom (8:07-12:20). The second speaker speaks on her own blessings in having wisdom and seeking it (12:21-13:20). There is a Scripture reading from II Timothy 1:5-12 (13:21-14:57). The next speaker shares his own story and how it relates to the story of Timothy, because they are both God’s ambassadors (14:58-20:49). There is a responsive reading based on John 1 (20:48-22:01).
John I. Durham was Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament. The service opens with a word on the former librarian Edwin C. Osborne’s health, and the speaker reads from the Scriptures (00:00-01:27). John I. Durham reads from Genesis 22, and Matthew 9, and he gives a word of prayer (01:28-08:09). The choir sings a song of worship (08:10-12:14). Durham’s speaks about the call of God and the human response, and he argues that the call of God requires immediate obedience and the endpoint of the call is rarely seen (12:15-26:05). Durham ends the service with a benediction (26:06-26:19).
Archie Lee Nations was Professor of New Testament Interpretation. The service begins with a Scripture reading and a word of prayer (00:00-0:56). The choir sings a hymn (00:57-03:50). Nations delivers the Old Testament lesson from Psalm 72:1-4 and the New Testament lesson from Matthew 5:9 (03:51-05:37). Nations preaches on the theme of shalom in scripture, and he recognizes that current world conflicts and theological rigidness are an affront to the peace of God (05:38-27:03). The service ends with a word of prayer (27:03-27:11).
Glenn T. Miller was Professor of Church History at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. The service begins with a call to worship (0:00-0:35). There is a Scripture reading (0:36-2:04). Miller talks about the world’s view of Mary as an indistinct figure (2:05-2:50). He argues the Scriptural view of Mary is more profound, and he gives a summary of the birth of Jesus and other times when Mary is mentioned (2:51-12:29). Miller speaks of God’s promises being hidden in pain and suffering (12:30-14:33). The service concludes in a moment of prayer (14:34-15:38).
The service begins with a skit about Moses speaking to God at the burning bush (00:00-01:10). An international student gives a word of prayer (01:11-02:16). A speaker invites the audience into a litany of thanksgiving (02:17-03:36). Mark 8:27-38 is publicly read, and a student gives her commentary on the passage (03:37-09:26). A student gives his personal thought about taking up his cross (09:27-15:13). A speaker invites the audience into a litany of confession (15:14-18:08). The service ends with a benediction (18:09-18:49).
Claude Y. Stewart, Jr. was Associate Professor of Theology. Chapel is opened in prayer (0:00-0:17). Scripture is read from Colossians 2:8-15 and Romans 3:21-25 (0:17-2:40). The service is continued in prayer (2:40-3:45). Dr. Stewart discusses how Christ’s life has great impact on how Christian’s live their lives (3:45-7:21. He notes that two significant pieces of Christ’s life are seen in Colossians where He is victor and in Romans where He is sacrificial and again victor (7:21-8:20). Dr. Stewart notes Christ’s conflict with the power of Satan during His earthly ministry and the work of the cross proved that God had ultimately won over those powers. The life of Jesus and His death were both ultimate victory (8:20-17:37). Dr. Stewart then states that God’s work is costly because God’s work is redemptive work, as Romans demonstrates. (17:37-23:12). He states that Christ won the victory man could not win and made the sacrifice man could not make. Now believers must continue to fight against Satan and live sacrificial lives (23:12-24:02). Dr. Stewart closes in prayer (24:02-24:41).
Audio drops to a very low level at 6:18.
