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
Sermon text and title TBA
February 13
Ruby Heard-Bustamonte, pastor, Wayman Chapel AME Church, Valley Grande, 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, Greater Thankful Baptist Church, Anniston, Alabama
“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
Sermon text and title TBA
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
Sermon text and title TBA
April 16
Student preacher, TBA
Sermon text and title TBA
April 26: Commencement and Service of Consecration
Justin Hardin, vice president for academic affairs, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas
Sermon text and title TBA
All services take place at 11 a.m. in Andrew Gerow Hodges Chapel
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