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The troubles in the economy have not left the seminary untouched. Co-editor Nate Van Denend describes the financial situation of the seminary and the steps being taken to address it in the article "Seminary Reacts to $500,000 Budget Short Fall." It is not only the seminary that our troubled economy is impacting. Churches are also being forced to reconsider their priorities. This is a point brought out by David Salverda in "Debate," which is about an exchange between Prof. John Bolt and Peter VanderMeulen regarding the relationship between the institutional church and current social justice issues. In a time of financial crisis we learn what the church really cares about. John Burden suggests an herbal remedy to the stresses of these financial times in his letter to the editor. Burden also contributed a poem, "The Monologue of Calvin Seminary." In December and January, senior seminarians took their oral comprehensives and in "A Pedagogically Satisfying Experience," co-editor Nate Van Denend summarizes students’ reactions to this exercise. Finally, Amos Groenendyk’s chapel message on Mark 5 is included for those who missed what Amos had to say.
Briefly Noted
Friday, March 13th, was Dies Natalis. This year’s line up included Brian Seifert literally jumping though hoops, an application of the four page method to baseball, the quarter system lamenting its exile, a cameo appearance by a fit and ready-to-play-ping-pong Lyle Bierma, and one disappointed, celibate Tim Wood. Prof. Tuit was roasted a bit and his tenure at the seminary was honored by a standing ovation. Most comments were that this year was better than last.
Rev. Mark Stephenson, director of the CRC Office of Disability Concerns, spoke to the seminary community on March 12th. He brought with him a guest who is deaf. While she spoke through the interpreter, the seminary community was able to learn how to communicate with someone who uses interpretation to communicate. "Look at the person you are talking to, not the interpreter," Stephenson stated. This was a bit more difficult to do than it seems. The Office of Disability Concerns is a resource for churches as they seek to serve all members of the family of God.
Dr. Henry De Moor’s position of Vice President for Academic Affairs is being temporarily filled by Dr. David Rylaarsdam until the seminary hires someone to fill this position.
February marked the end of winter quarters at Calvin Seminary. It is true, this year marks the end of all quarters, but the end of the winter quarter is the most notable. No longer will a final exam on Friday be followed by a syllabus on Monday.
Seminary Reacts to $500,000 Budget Short Fall
Two perspectives on recent layoffs
You can’t bend math," stated Vice President for Administration Duane Kelderman in a recent interview with Kerux. In light of the current state of the economy and budget shortfalls in churches across the denomination, seminary revenues from ministry shares are projected to be down 15%. Ministry shares account for 43% or $3 million of the seminary’s $7 million annual budget. The shortfall is projected to be about $450,000. In addition, other revenue streams have slowed. All in all the projected shortfall for the 2009-10 fiscal year is about $500,000.
This Debate Is Important
The institutional church and social justice
On Monday, March 9th, I had the delightful opportunity to hear a lengthy and respectful impromptu debate between Prof. John Bolt and the CRC Office of Social Justice representative Peter VanderMeulen.
Herbal Remedies
A letter to the editor
Dear Editor,
I have a confession to make: I drink funky tea and it gives me funky dreams ... and I like it.
The Monologue of Calvin Seminary
A poem
A Pedagogically Satisfying Experience
On the benefits of oral comprehensives
During December and January, this year’s class of potential graduates endured Calvin Seminary’s rite of passage: oral comprehensive examinations. The format is simple: one student, three professors, one hour. Condensed into that hour are three or four years of preparation, learning and studying. The student must be prepared to field questions relating to anything covered in any of the courses that student had taken. In addition, the student must be prepared to answer on-the-spot practical questions that require being able to synthesize information and apply that information to a given situation.
Sermon: Mark 5:1-20
A chapel message
Something to remember: Jesus is the central character of the gospel. We read this gospel to find out about the Son of God. So we read with this question in front of us: Who ... is ... Jesus? And what sort of things does he do? And especially for Mark 5, what sort of places does he go?