At the time of this recording Tommy Tillery was a second year ADiv student at Southeastern. The title of this message was “Too Far, Too Long.” Chapel begins with a congregational reading (0:00-0:57). Introductions of the various leaders of the chapel service are given (0:57-3:07). Another speaker brings prayer requests for various students (3:07-4:40). Students lead in song (4:40-8:33). The audience is led in a prayer of confession (8:33-10:12). A student shares his personal testimony with a focus on finding one’s purpose (10:12-18:14). Students lead in the song “Consider the Lilies” (18:14-21:45). Tommy Tillery introduces his sermon focused on Genesis 3:1-5 and reads the passage to teach on temptation and sin (21:45-23:57). He discusses the destruction of sin, its damage to witness and ministry, and the importance of being obedient to Christ (23:57-41:18). Mr. Tillery closes in prayer (41:18-42:28).
Morris Ashcraft was the Professor of Theology and Dean of the Faculty at Southeastern Seminary. The service begins with organ music (0:00-3:22). There is a Scripture reading and a prayer of thanksgiving (3:23-6:55). The choir sings a song of worship (6:56-11:32). Ashcraft uses the story of a racecar driver to speak of humanity’s desire to win (11:33-15:51). He speaks of the difference between being a winner and being victorious, stating that the idea of winners in the Christian context is ridiculous (15:52-17:40). Ashcraft shares from the gospels the Christian view of winning that Jesus and the apostles taught and portrayed: that he who saves his life will lose it, and he who loses his life will save it (17:41-25:38). Ashcraft shares about how one must sometimes accept suffering to understand the victory (25:39-30:08). Ashcraft closes the service in a prayer of benediction (30:09-30:57).
Ben F. Philbeck was Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament. Chapel opens with the reading of a hymn and introduction of congregational song (0:00-1:19). Undecipherable music (1:19-5:55). Dr. Philbeck discusses the change that takes place for students when they begin seminary, but he encourages students in finding direction when things change (5:55-11:43). He uses the example of the Israelites and their exile to Babylon to illustrate similar responses believers might ask today during change and how God responds that there is a purpose to their current circumstances (11:43-17:01). He uses Isaiah 42 to show how the Lord responds that He placed His people where they are for specific ministry, for God’s power and care to be known, and so believers today are to live with the same understanding (17:01-25:38). Dr. Philbeck closes chapel in prayer (25:38-26:04).
Thomas R. McKibbens, Jr. was Associate Professor of Preaching. McKibbens sermonette begins with the acknowledgment of him replacing Dr. Browning Ware because his plane was fogged in (00:00-01:05). His sermonette is a series of responsive meditative prayers, and the first prayer is about seeking and knocking (01:06-04:34). His second prayer is a responsive prayer of intersession (04:35-10:12).
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).
