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Julius J. Kim, Ph.D.
Dean of Students
Dear Students,
“Will Westminster help train me as a pastor and not just as a theologian?” This
was a question posed to me by a prospective student a few weeks ago. In fact,
when I get a chance to meet prospective students and hear their concerns, this
is a question that is not uncommon. It seems that many future seminarians are
concerned that the education they receive in seminary will balance the requisite
academic components of graduate theological education with practical ministry
skills that they need for their future service in the church. It’s a fair
question, isn’t it?
So how did I respond? While this “letter” does not provide the necessary space
to share all that I said to that prospective student, I do want to share one
particular event that took place a few weeks ago here at the seminary that not
only provides one part of my answer, but also, and more importantly, symbolizes
what we try to do here at Westminster Seminary California (WSC).
Every spring we have the great privilege in holding the annual “den Dulk
lectures on Pastoral Ministry.” Sponsored by the friends of Robert and Nellie
den Dulk (Dr. den Dulk was a former president of WSC and is currently the
chairman of the board of trustees), these lectures provide the opportunity for
students to hear seasoned pastors reflect upon their life and ministry. After
all, these are the men who are actually “in the trenches” engaging in the
warfare that is part and parcel doing pastoral ministry in a fallen world. Their
experience and wisdom is invaluable for not only future pastors but current
pastors as well (including our faculty—who are all ordained ministers).
This year, on March 7-9, WSC welcomed the Rev. Dr. Robert M. Norris, senior
pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Norris grew up
in Wales and studied at Kings College and the University of St. Andrews. He
received his Ph.D. (dual doctorates in History and Dogmatics) from the
University of St. Andrews in 1977 and has been pastoring for over 30 years.
Since 1984, he has been faithfully serving at Fourth Presbyterian after having
served in other pastoral settings in both the UK and in the US.
Dr. Norris delivered three stirring lectures under the title, “Ministry without
Miracles.” He stated that this series title simply describes his own ministry.
That is, there are no “miracles” except the miracle of grace that stands at the
heart of his ministry. His ministry has been nothing more, but surely nothing
less than testifying to the Christ, in both his words and in his deeds. One
particularly insightful comment on pastoral ministry came in his first lecture,
entitled, “The Inner Life of the Pastor.” Dr. Norris stated that early in his
ministry, in wanting to fulfill all the spoken and unspoken expectations of his
congregation, he found himself becoming the pastor he didn’t want to be. He
said, “Because the things I treasured most—the things that were most
important—became secondary in the attempt to be successful in the eyes of my
congregation.” This, he said, only produced within him a “messianically
pretentious energy” that created much tension in his life and service. Even for
those in ministry, this was a very sober warning.
Here at WSC we strive to train and expose future leaders of the church to the
academic tools needed for ministry, but also to the wisdom and insight that
comes from seasoned pastors as well as professors who understand the challenging
yet glorious work of ministering grace to God’s people.
If you are interested in hearing the 2006 Den Dulk Lectures with Dr. Rob
Norris, please contact the seminary. |
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 September
07: Senior Reflections
May
07: Senior Reflections
March
07: CWiPPThink
January
07: Winter Term
November 06:
Reformation Day
September 06:
Welcome Back
August 06:
Summer Greek
July
06: CPR
June
06: Sign Up and Gear Up
May
06: Reflection by Michael Schout
April
06: den Dulk Lectures
March
06: Student Association
February
06: Preaching Christ
December
05: Mentors
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