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Winter 2000 Newsletter

In This Issue
Reaching the Nations Through CE (Part I)
Reflections on the 1999 NAPCE Annual Conference
Donald Joy Honored with Distinguished Christian Educator Award
NAPCE Membership and Financial Report
Nominations to the Board
Book Reviews
NAPCE Online!
Update on Research Grants
News Briefs



Reaching the Nations Through Christian Education (Part I)
 Mark W. Cannister, Vice President

Date: October 26-28, 2000
Place: International Plaza Hotel, Toronto, Canada
Theme: Reaching the Nations through Christian Education

The final NAPCE conference of the 20th Century will convene on October 26, 2000 in Toronto at the International Plaza Hotel. Our theme will be "Reaching the Nations through Christian Education."

The Great Commission commands us to go into the entire world, preaching the good news of the Gospel and making disciples of all nations. Jesus’ final marching order to His apostles was for them to be witnesses of His life in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth. In Christian education have done well to nurture those souls who have fallen within our sphere of influence, but what of those who are far from our influence. What of these who live in the "Samarias" and "ends of the earth" in our contemporary world? What is our role as Christian educators in reaching these people who are far from God with the saving knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ?

For too long we have left the task of initiating people into the faith up to our missionary friends and for too long our missionary friends have left the education of converts up to us. This has created a false dichotomy between Christian education and missiology. As we approach the dawn of the 21st century, it is time that we consider bridging the gap between these fields of theology. Evangelism is not the preface to Christian education; evangelism is an intimate aspect of Christian education. If discipleship is about turning irreligious people into genuine Christlike disciples, then we who are in Christian education ministries must be just as concerned with initiation as we are with formation.

In Toronto, one of the world’s most multi-cultural cities, we will think about the proper theological relationships between evangelism and discipleship, missions and Christian education, outreach and nurture. We will consider why the field of practical theology has dichotomized missions/evangelism and Christian education into different categories. We will ponder the proper relationship of evangelism, discipleship, missions and mentoring to the doctrine of sanctification.

In terms of a curriculum for Christian higher education and for the church, we will discuss how faculty can be truly fruitful, graduating fully actualized disciples rather than just productive fully credentialed students. We will consider the possibilities of a contemporary catechism for educating those who are searching for life’s meaning. We will be challenged to rethink our church staff paradigms in order to alleviate the fragmentation of the sanctification process.

In addition to thinking deeply we will also celebrate joyfully the faithfulness of NAPCE at the turn of the century. We have a rich history to be thankful for and a challenging future to embrace. Some historical remembrances and prophetic predictions will make for an engaging, refreshing and special time of fellowship.

Please plan to join us for this challenging and stimulating conference in Toronto!

Reflections on the 1999 NAPCE Annual Conference
 Judy TenElshof, Vice President

On behalf of the NAPCE board, I want to thank all of you who attended and participated in our annual conference in San Diego–it was a wonderful blessing for all. Spirits were lifted, souls refreshed, minds challenged and wills activated as the Spirit of God moved in the hearts of all who attended.

Spiritually Uplifting
 Those who came with thirsty hearts longing for a touch of God were uplifted in our morning and evening worship led by Warren Ediger. Thank you Warren! Communion with God was not replaced by activity for God.

Soul Refreshing
 As we came together, we not only learned together, but we ate, cared, worked and played together in sunny San Diego. Thank you God for friends, fellowship and blue sea and sky!

NAPCE 1999 Conference Notebook
Conference Notebook 		Mind Challenging
 Our minds were challenged to be disciplined in Christ, enlightened by faith, and passionate for God by JP Moreland and Rick Dunn. Thank you JP and Rick!

Will Activating
 Each of us returned home empowered to take the next step God has called us to in nurturing the souls of our students. This empowerment came through our Spiritual Formation Value Workshops, researchers and professional development workshop leaders. Thank you ALL!

I praise God for all of you! See you in Toronto.

Donald Joy Honored with Distinguished Christian Educator Award
 Tim Kidd, John Brown University

Recipients of the Distinguished Christian Educator Award are chosen annually by the NAPCE Board to honor professors who have made significant lifelong contributions to the advancement of Christian education ministries and the work of the organization. This year’s Distinguished Christian Educator Award was presented to Donald M. Joy during the 1999 annual conference. The award was presented by Tim Kidd of John Brown University, a former student of Don’s at Asbury Theological Seminary, and Cathy Stonehouse, one of Don’s colleagues at Asbury.

Donald and Robbie Joy
Don and Robbie Joy 		Don is currently "retired" from Asbury Theological Seminary (ATS) where he served as Professor of Human Development, Christian Education, and Family Studies occupying the Ray and Mary Jo West Chair of Christian Education. During his 27 years of teaching at ATS, Don touched the lives of literally thousands of students. Don was often invited to serve as a guest professor in graduate and doctoral programs during January term. While enjoying the opportunity to teach students at Trinity during January intensive courses, Don once confessed that the warmer climate of southern California helped "persuade" him to accept subsequent teaching invitations to Biola/Talbot during the winter months. Former students from each of these schools, as well as Asbury and Wheaton, are currently active NAPCE members engaged in teaching Christian education. In his retirement, Don continues to have an impact upon students as he teaches courses "online" at Asbury.

Married to Robbie Flynn Bowles in 1948, Don and Robbie have lived in Wilmore, Kentucky since Don accepted the position to teach at Asbury. They have two grown sons, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren (with number four due in February 2000). 

Prior to moving to Wilmore, Don served as Executive Editor, Sunday School Publications, for the Free Methodist Church of North America for 15 years, and as pastor of Rockwall (Texas) Free Methodist Church for four years.

Don holds the Bachelor of Arts degree from Greenville College, Bachelor of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary, Master of Arts from Southern Methodist University, and the Doctor of Philosophy from Indiana University in curriculum development, with educational psyc