Fanning Into Flame the Gift of God That Is in Us

Beeson Divinity School Chapel Series
Fall 2023

“St. Paul’s second letter to his mentee Timothy is a goldmine of pastoral theology. Looking forward to his imminent execution in Rome, Paul exhorted his younger charge and associate in ministry to persevere through suffering in the work of the gospel. “I am already being poured out as a drink offering,” he confessed by way of example, “and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (4:6-8).

We at Beeson Divinity School yearn for Christ’s appearing. And as we do, like Paul, we sacrifice our lives in the service of the gospel. This is true, of course, in our classrooms, offices and chapel. It is also true, however, in the labors of hundreds of our current and former students, faculty and staff in churches and other ministries all across the globe.

Like Paul’s training of Timothy, this year’s chapel series is focused on encouragement from older, wiser members of the larger Beeson family—from Beeson alumni—to present-day students. It will feature admonition from several parts of Scripture to fan into flame the gift of God that is in them with cross-shaped lives of devotion to the Lord. “Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,” Paul urged Timothy, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control…. Share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace…. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (1:6-13).

We look forward to welcoming alumni back to serve as role models, mentors and of faithfulness in ministry. Please pray that God will use their experience, wisdom, suffering and love to inspire current students to present themselves to God as fellow servants of the Lord with ‘no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth’ (2:15)."

- Dr. Douglas A. Sweeney, dean, Beeson Divinity School

The schedule is as follows:

August 22

Allen Ross, professor of divinity, Beeson Divinity School
“The Foundational Qualifications for Spiritual Service,” text from Genesis

August 29

Jonathan Bailes, director of education and cathedral theologian, Christ Church, Plano, Texas
“The Givenness of Ministry,” Ephesians 4:4-13

September 5

Chris Duncan, pastor, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Opelika, Alabama

“Soldiers, Athletes and Farmers,” 2 Timothy 2:1-7

September 12: Preview Day

David Eldridge, senior pastor, Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, Homewood, Alabama

“One Thing is Necessary,” Luke 10:38-42

September 19

Joel Busby, lead pastor, Grace Fellowship Church, Birmingham, Alabama

“You Give them Something to Eat!” Luke 9:1-17

September 26

Eric Parker, associate professor of theological studies, Highlands College, Birmingham, Alabama

“Tend Your Flame,” 2 Timothy 1:3-7

October 3: Go Global Missions Emphasis Week

AK Lama, Transforming Leaders in Asia, Assam and India

“The Blueprint for Biblical Missions,” Isaiah 61:1-4

October 10

Hayden Walker, Sherwood, Arkansas

“Only Embers,” 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

October 17

Jacob Simmons, pastor, Hope Community Church, Birmingham, Alabama

“The God Who Answers by Fire,” 1 Kings 18:20-40

October 24: Reformation Heritage Lectures

Carl Trueman, professor of biblical and religious studies, Grove City College, Grove City, Pennsylvania

Sermon title and text TBA

October 31: Alumni Conference

Daven Watkins, pastor, First Baptist Church, Pelham, Alabama

"In Jesus' Name," Luke 18:1-8

November 7

Kristofer Labenske, fall 2023 recipient of the James Earl Massey Student Preaching Award

"The Way in the Wilderness," Mark 1:1-15

November 14: Evangelical Theological Society Conference

Nic Seaborn, senior pastor, Shades Crest Baptist Church, Hoover, Alabama

"Carry On ‘Til the End,” Galatians 6:1-10

December 1: Commencement and Service of Consecration

Gerald Hiestand, senior pastor, Calvary Memorial Church, Oak Park, Illinois

Sermon text and title TBA

January 23

Josh Chatraw, Billy Graham Chair of Evangelism and Cultural Engagement, Beeson Divinity School

"The Mission of God in a 'Negative World,'" Jonah 1-2

January 30

Brian Cosby, senior pastor, Wayside Presbyterian Church, Signal Mountain, Tennessee

"Fanning into Flame Pastoral Doctrine and Piety,” 1 Timothy 4:6-16

February 6: Conger Preaching Lectures

Jeremy Treat, pastor for preaching and vision, Reality Church of Los Angeles, California

"Proclaiming Christ in a Pagan Society," Acts 17:16-34

February 13

Ruby Heard-Bustamonte, pastor, St. James A.M.E. Church in Goodwater, Alabama

“Still I Rise!” 2 Timothy 3:10-17

February 20

Jason Cook, senior pastor, Fellowship Baptist Church, Roswell, Georgia

“Stay in Your Lane,” 1 Samuel 13:1-15

February 27

Byron Jackson, pastor, Senior Pastor, Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church, Nashville, Tennessee

“Beginning with the End in Mind,” 2 Timothy 4:1-8

March 12

Philip Nation, Thomas Nelson Bibles, Nashville, Tennessee

“Hold Fast to These Good Words,” 2 Timothy 1:13-14

March 19: Biblical Studies Lectures

Susan Eastman, associate research professor emerita of New Testament, Duke Divinity School, Durham, North Carolina

"Leaky Buckets," Romans 5:12-21

March 26

Michael Novotny, rector, Christ the King Anglican Church, Hoover, Alabama

“Holy Contending,” Jude 1

April 2

Jonathan Haefs, senior pastor, Shades Valley Community Church, Homewood, Alabama

“A Left-Handed Savior?” Judges 3:12-30; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

April 9: World Christian Emphasis Week

Timothy Tennent, president, Asbury Theological Seminary

"Seizing the Momentum of the Great Commission," Matthew 28:18-20

April 16

Jesse Carr, James Earl Massey Student Preaching Award winner

Sermon text and title TBA

April 26: Commencement and Service of Consecration

Justin Hardin, vice president for academic affairs, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas

"Who Me?" Exodus 3:1-10

 

All services take place at 11 a.m. in Andrew Gerow Hodges Chapel

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