M.Div. student Michael Junkroski talks candidly about the online program at Lexington Theological Seminary, his fellow students and what it means to his congregation and ministry.

Dr. Weis was installed Sunday, Jan. 22, as the 17th Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Lexington Theological Seminary.

John W. McGarvey
Bill Paulsell
p. 59 – 64

J. W. McGarvey as Preacher
Wes Allen
p. 65-66

A Selection of Sermon Outlines from John W. McGarvey
Jerry Sumney and Wes Allen
p. 67 – 117

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“We must embrace a new narrative for LTS as we integrate and cultivate what we do in the classroom with our realities in the church…as we take God’s word and begin to shepherd God’s people,” Gillett said during her inaugural address. “We must, at every level, embrace the promise of all we have.” Gillett spoke of the transformational power of education and the Seminary’s bold choice to completely restructure its approach to theological education and shaping students for ministry.

The Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and delegates from church organizations, a host of congregations, other academic institutions, as well as former LTS presidents and current students, trustees, officers, faculty and staff participated in the service at Central Christian Church Sunday afternoon. On Saturday, Gillett was held in prayer at a service with her home congregation, East Second Street Christian Church in Lexington, where her husband, the Rev. Dr. Donald Gillett II, is senior pastor.

Gillett was welcomed as president in July following the retirement of the Rev. Dr. James Johnson. Gillett previously served as Vice President of Administration and Special Projects at LTS. She has more than 20 years of successful administrative experience in higher education, including service at Transylvania University, Midway College, Robert Morris College and University of Northern Iowa. She holds a doctorate in education from Northern Illinois University. A former moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), she has been a commissioned minister by the Christian Church in Kentucky since August 2010. She is also a former LTS trustee and officer of the board.

Dr. Gillett’s appointment is a historic one in the 146-year history of LTS. She is the first woman and first African-American to lead the Seminary as president. “Dr. Gillett has an outstanding depth of knowledge and experience about the Seminary,” said LTS Board of Trustees president Rev. Gary Kidwell. “LTS has a storied history of shaping people for ministry, and with Dr. Gillett’s leadership, we look forward to an exciting future for the Seminary.”

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Lexington Theological Seminary is a graduate theological institution of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.  Consistent with the Disciples’ historic commitment to Christian unity, the Seminary is intentionally ecumenical with students, faculty, staff and trustees of various denominations. The Seminary has been preparing leaders for the church since 1865. For more information, visit www.lextheo.edu.

Lexington, Ky., Nov. 9, 2011 – The incoming Vice President of Advancement at Lexington Theological Seminary says that having a committed alumni base is a key component to the success of the Seminary, its students and the congregations they serve.

Mark Blankenship joins the Seminary Nov. 15. In his most recent position, Blankenship is Associate Vice President for Advancement and Associate Vice President for Alumni Programs at Transylvania University in Lexington.

“Having an alumni base that is invested in the institution is key in not only developing resources but also in attracting future students,” Blankenship said. “With alumni support, you know you’re not singing in the choir by yourself. It’s a team effort.”

Blankenship will work to transition alumni programs with Sonny Wray, the current Vice President of Advancement, who announced his retirement after 35 years at the seminary, effective July 31, 2012.

“We are grateful to Sonny for his years of service and his willingness to ensure a smooth transition in this critical area of the Seminary’s ministry,” said LTS President Charisse L. Gillett.   “Mark Blankenship will be an outstanding addition to the leadership at the Seminary. He clearly recognizes that the ministry of the Seminary allows us to serve not only our students but the church as a whole, and that our network of alumni and congregations are a vital part of that ministry.”

Blankenship, whose parents are LTS alumni, has a successful history of higher education leadership in the areas of development and alumni programs.

“It’s exciting to be a part of an historic institution that also, in its groundbreaking curriculum, will serve the church effectively. This is just the beginning,” Blankenship said.

The married father of three is active in several professional organizations and is a member of Twin Pines Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

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Lexington Theological Seminary is a graduate theological institution of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.  Consistent with the Disciples’ historic commitment to Christian unity, the Seminary is intentionally ecumenical with students, faculty, staff and trustees of various denominations. The Seminary has been preparing leaders for the church since 1865.
For more information, visit www.lextheo.edu.

Lexington, Ky., Oct. 5, 2011 – The Rev. Erin Cash soon joins Lexington Theological Seminary as the new Director of Admissions.

Cash brings a range of perspectives to the role. She currently serves as Minister to Children at First Christian Church (DoC) in Paducah and as Economic Justice Counselor at Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center. She also has experience as an admissions counselor at Greenville College in Greenville, Ill. Cash joins the Seminary Oct. 11.

“This role is a way for me to combine my experience in admissions, the work of the church and non-profit organizations,” said Cash. “I believe in this model of education. It’s a good model. When I graduated from seminary (at Emory University), I went straight into church work without being prepared for the role of being a pastor at a church. When pastors graduate from Lexington Theological Seminary, they will be ready for church life. I applaud the Seminary for thinking about how to adapt in this changing culture and concentrating first on how we train pastors. It’s an exciting program, and I am looking forward to connecting with students who wish to explore solid preparation for ministry.”

LTS President Charisse L. Gillett said that Cash’s background in ministry and as an admissions counselor gives her unique insight into the role of connecting students and the new curriculum at the Seminary. “Erin Cash’s passion for helping people, especially those interested in ministry, fits well with the mission of the Seminary and our vision for serving the people of God. It is important to us to be committed to the well-being of students with a desire to serve the church, and she will be a great resource for people who seek to know more about how to be effective pastors and leaders within the church.”

1955
Carl R. Flock  celebrated his 60th ordination anniversary on August 15 at First Christian Church, Birmingham, AL.  Recognition was given during the worship service and a luncheon afterwards.

1958
J. Donald Graham of Berea, Ky., was married to Frances Crawford on May 14.

1972
Edd Spencer completed the final section of hiking the Appalachian Trail this summer during his sabbatical.  He began hiking sections of the Trail over 20 years.
1978/1985
V. David Cooper retired from the Air Force National Guard on Sunday, July 24th, after 32 years of distinguished service as a military chaplain.  As a Disciples minister he also served congregations in Covington, Glasgow, and Campbellsburg, Ky.

1984
Eldon Morgan has retired after recent ministries at Pleasant Grove Christian Church and Calvary Christian Church in Virginia.  He will reside in Bardstown, Ky. where he previously served First Christian Church.

1986
Terry Harper and his wife Mary Beth are serving as co-pastors of First Christian Church, Ocala, Fla.  They were previously at First Christian Church, Greenville, N.C.

Jack Sullivan, Jr. has been called to be the Regional Minister of the Christian Church in Pennsylvania.  He is currently pastor of Fifth Christian Church, Cleveland, Ohio.

1989
Donald Tuttle is the pastor of North Central Christian Church, San Antonio, Tex. He was formerly the pastor of First Christian Church, Corpus Christi, Tex.

1996/2001
C.B. Akins has been appointed by Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear to the Board of Trustees of the University of Kentucky.  A Lexington community leader, Dr. Akins is pastor of First Baptist Church Bracktown.

1996
Steve Heath has been approved for Privilege of Call in the United Church of Christ and was called June 6 as pastor of Union Congregational Church, Holly Hill, Fla.
2006
Tanya Tyler was called as the interim minister of Burgin Christian Church, Burgin, Ky.

2006 and 2011
Kyle Brown and Sarah Renfro welcomed Miriam into the world on August 10.  Kyle is associate pastor of Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church in Lexington and Sarah is the associate minister of youth and families at First Christian Church in Frankfort, Ky.

2008
Diane Wood recently began as Chaplain Resident at the University of Alabama Birmingham Medical Center.  She was previously pastor of Village Christian Church, Auburn, Ala.

2011
Chris Geiger was recently ordained at First Christian Church, Pikeville, Ky., and called to be the pastor of the congregation.  He and Haley Flair were married on August 27.

Jason Grow is the new pastor of Bondurant Christian Church in Bondurant, Iowa.

Ken Hardway has been called to be the minister of First Christian Church, Wheeling, W.Va. from First Christian Church, Logan, W.Va.

Kimberley Proctor was married to Java White Sept. 10.