After a few songs, a prayer, and the reading of Amos 5:21-24 and Micah 6:8 (start-9:48), a student talks about the church being the salt and light to the world (9:49-11:45). The service concludes with a song (11:46-end).
After the reading of Luke 2:8-11 and a prayer (start-1:22), Harold Hunter Oliver, Special Instructor of New Testament, answers the question “What Should Christmas Mean?”
After the reading of Psalm 105:3-4 and prayer (start-2:12), Truman S. Smith, Instructor in Pastoral Care and Assistant Director of Field Work at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, preaches from John 9.
Mission testimonies of SEBTS students Mrs. Vivian Mobley, Mr. Harris Mobley, Mr. Jim Payne, and Dr. Lewis Smith. After an opening with prayer a hymn and announcements, Professor William Shinto (7:11-10:20) prays and reads Philippians 4:4-13,19-20. James G. Stertz (13:05-17:06) then introduces the four appointees to the Foreign Mission Board that are sharing their testimonies and call to missions. Mrs. Vivian Mobley (17:08-20:46), Mr. Harris Mobley (20:50-26:02), Mr. Jim Payne (26:05-28:32), and Dr. Lewis Smith (28:34-34:08) each share their personalized call to missions. After they share there is an invitational hymn and prayer (34:20-end) to conclude the service.
Dr. Emily Kilpatrick Lansdell, Professor of Missions, gave a lecture titled “Preparation for the Missionary Task in Today’s World.” Dr. Lansdell spoke on the importance of strategic missions in the midst of geo-political changes across the world. One of her major points was the importance of being prepared before going on the field. She discussed the importance of learning the language and culture of the place one serves in as well as having theological training.
Ben Sigel Johnson, Special Instructor in Music, facilitates this program which starts with a congregational hymn and prayer. The main program then starts off with the singing of Psalm 1 (7:30-12:40) and then the Ordination of Judas Maccabeus set to music by Handel (12:45-18-39). Then an invitational is given with the singing of Psalm 23 to a symphony written by Paul Crestin, one of Southeastern’s foremost composers (22:55-28:05). Mr. Johnson ends the program with a Spiritual and benediction (28:06-end).
After a few songs, the reading of Philippians 1:9-18, and a prayer, Dr. John Hall Buchanan, chairman of the survey committee that helped start Southeastern, is introduced (start-14:32). Dr. Buchanan encourages the class of 1959 from Philippians 1:9-11 (14:35-49:58). Dr. Stealey then concludes the service with a prayer.
After a prayer and introduction (start-3:35), Dr. Dotson McGinnis Nelson, Jr., pastor of First Baptist Church in Greenville, SC, encourages pastors to be marked by the nine characteristics of love found in 1 Corinthians 13.
Robert Cook Briggs was Professor of New Testament Interpretation. and After a prayer (start-1:50), Dr. Robert Cook Briggs, Professor of New Testament Interpretation, discusses the differences between having a personal faith and being religious.