You have perceived God's call to ministry and seek a theological education that will solidly prepare you to respond to that call. Your church has confirmed you in this call, and you have identified Greenville Seminary as the place where your education will find its best foundation in the Word of God and historic doctrines of your Reformed faith. But your life's circumstances seem to raise obstacles to uprooting and relocating to Upstate South Carolina. In such a case, the GPTS Mentor Program may be an option for you.

In order to meet the needs of men who desire to pursue the Bachelor of Divinity, Master of Divinity or Master of Ministry for Ruling Elders and Deacons degrees, but are unable to relocate to Greenville for their full course of study, the Seminary provides for this education under the guidance and assistance of approved local mentors. Greenville Seminary broadcasts almost all classes via video conferencing. Qualified students are able to participate in classes interactively. With installation of the recommended equipment and a broadband Internet connection, the student can expect acceptable video along with high-quality audio. Students participating by interactive conferencing will be provided course materials by the individual course instructor.

Guidelines have been established for the Mentor Program, but we are always open to discussion of your particular circumstances. Registrar Kathleen Curto (registrar@gpts.edu or 864-322-2717 ext 302) will be happy to dialogue with you. 

For all mentors and students, the following guidelines apply:

1. Like all students seeking credit from GPTS, distance-learning students must make regular application for admission to the Seminary. In addition, each non-resident student must a) be under care of his Presbytery or equivalent body prior to matriculation, b) have the formal approval of his overseeing church body to study via the Mentor Program (letters from church body must accompany application), and c) attend orientation on campus in the Fall semester of his first year.
2. All students applying for the distance program must explain their reason for studying by distance in a letter accompanying their application.
3. The tuition rate for non-resident students is the same as that of the resident students. The Field Education fee applies to non-resident students and in addition there is a $75.00 distance/mentored student fee which covers all distance program administration and digital media.
4. The student is to follow the course syllabus of the degree programs as they are taught at the Seminary. He will use either Internet-based class participation (video conferencing) or class download as part of his study. The student is expected to complete all the regular assignments of the course. The mentor has the freedom to require reading and writing assignments in addition to those specified in the syllabus for each course, in order to round out the work done by the student. This will compensate in part for the student’s inability to participate in the regular give-and-take of the classroom environment.
5. The regular GPTS faculty will grade all examinations and papers required by each course syllabus.
6. At least one year of study for the B.D./M.Div. (no fewer than 24 credit hours) must be completed in residence at GPTS. This requirement does not apply to M.M.R.E. and M.M.D. students.
7. With the exception of the resident 24 credit hours, the course work for the degree must be completed in no more than eight (8) years (approximately 16 credit hours per year). For the M.M.R.E., the student has a maximum of five (5) years to complete the degree.
8. The student who desires to meet the residency requirement by attending intensive on-campus courses must take one intensive course per year and average another 16 credit hours per year.
9. Mentor students who have not completed 31 credit hours by the end of the second year will be dropped from the program. These limits may only be extended by faculty vote.

GPTS SEES NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa has a long history as one of the most solidly Reformed nations in the world. In recent decades, however, the influence of Marxism, religious liberalism and secular impulses has eroded that heritage. In the world's eyes, the Dutch Reformed faith was linked to the apartheid policies in place during the last half of the 20th century. GPTS student Louis Cleote, a native of South Africa, outlines new opportunities for renewal of the faith in the following report.

Considering the deep Reformed heritage of the Dutch Reformed churches in South Africa, it is enough to make a grown man cry when observing how far those churches have strayed during the last three decades. Many prominent Reformed churches are currently following the trend seen in some mainline churches the United States. Ordination of women and even homosexuals into office is increasingly common. Although this is not good news, it offers Greenville Seminary some opportunities.

An exciting possibility has recently opened up in the form of correspondence between some like-minded men in South Africa and Greenville Seminary. Discussions are in an elementary phase, but there is hope and a willingness on both sides of the Atlantic (and the equator) that Dr. Pipa may conduct a speaking tour in South Africa. The purpose for such a visit will be to teach and preach, but also to make friends and contacts. This is a opportunity which will certainly benefit both Greenville Seminary and the church of Jesus Christ in South Africa.

Two specific needs were identified by the contact persons in South Africa. First is a general cry for help. The number of confessional churches is decreasing, and the remaining ones are under severe pressure. A pastor of a Reformed church identified this pressure as a “flood of liberalism” which is washing over them. These brothers and sisters need some encouragement in their daily battle. The other need is for the training of pastors. About 80 per cent of the South African population would describe themselves as Christian. Churches are not strange to the culture. The problem is that pastors often received very little or no theological training by the time of their ordination. Because of this, syncretism is common in many churches.

The main opportunities are within the existing structures. Pursuing friendship with existing churches may open the way for students to study at Greenville Seminary. Closer contact with the existing seminaries will certainly benefit both sides. Please keep this matter in prayer. This may not seem like an earth-shattering event, but we cannot predict how the Lord will use friendship between GPTS and the churches in South Africa. Soli Deo Gloria. — Louis Cloete

* * * * *

For readers familiar with Afrikaans, the following blog by a GPTS friend, Slabbert Le Cornu, may be of interest: http://proregno.wordpress.com/

BELK CHARITY SALE: Shop, Save, Support GPTS

Greenville Seminary will again participate as a beneficiary in the Belk Department Store chain's semi-annual Charity Day Sale. This is a private sale on April 16 open to anyone who purchases a $5 admission ticket. If you buy your ticket from us, we will receive all the proceeds. If you shop at the Haywood Mall Belk store in Greenville, S.C. on the sale day, we will also receive a sizeable portion of the overall sales from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. in that store on April 16. You may also use your Belk charge card to select items ahead of time at the Charity Sale prices and pick up your items on or after the day of the sale.

Here's the great part: you will receive a $5 discount on your first purchase to offset the full cost of your admission ticket. It's like giving us a $5 donation that won't cost you anything and will save you 20-70 per cent on your spring shopping!

To request a ticket from us, click here.

 

	Greenville Seminary has thousands of sermons and other audio resources available at the popular SermonAudio.com web site. Past Spring Theology Conference lectures are available, and lectures from this year's conference will be available soon. To listen to any of our resources, click here.

Alumni Association Advancements

More than 150 men and women now number themselves among the graduates of Greenville Seminary and more have once studied here without graduating. All of them are, by reason of their attendance at GPTS, members of the Alumni Association.

To date, however, the association has been largely unstructured and limited in fellowship and activity. Recent discussions between Association President Ryan McGraw and Seminary Development Director Garry Moes have resulted in a new initiative to bolster the significance and thrust of the Alumni Association.

In the past, a few alumni have gathered briefly each year during the Seminary's Spring Theology Conference in the Greenville area. During that get-together, news has been shared and, every three years, officers have been elected. Currently there are two officers for the association: the president and the alumni representative to the Seminary's Board of Trustees. Voting has been limited to those few attending the conference meeting. Under the new initiative, all alumni are able to participate in the election through electronic voting from the Seminary web site's password-protected alumni pages.

Perhaps more significantly for long-term development of the Association, a set of general bylaws has been written and were to be considering during this month's meeting. For the first time, this document seeks to establish a formal Mission Statement for the Association as follows:

The mission of the Greenville Seminary Alumni Association is to provide a liaison between the alumni of the Seminary and the Seminary's trustees, administration, staff, faculty, students, and friends. Its purpose is to:

• Keep alumni conversant with the programs and activities of the Seminary;

• Assist the Seminary in its efforts to obtain financial support for the Seminary and its programs;

• Develop alumni programs that foster fellowship among alumni and encourage theological and spiritual growth of the seminary community; and,
• Assist the Seminary in the growth of its academic, administrative, cultural, and extracurricular activities.

The document outlines the Vision of the Association as follows: The Alumni Association will be a dynamic, member-driven organization, motivated by values of the historic Reformed Faith and directed towards supporting the social, intellectual, and spiritual needs of all present and future alumni of Greenville Seminary. The document goes on to list steps for implementing this vision.

A copy of the proposed bylaws may be read or downloaded here. A brochure outlining numerous ways alumni may help in furthering the Mission and Vision of the Association can be viewed here.

A discussion forum for alumni to exchange ideas and debate issues has also been created with Yahoo Groups. 

Click to join gptsalumni

RESOURCES ON THE GPTS WEB SITE: OPEN PULPITS PAGE

The Seminary's extensive web site contains numerous resources of value to the Reformed Community at large. Among them is a page in the "News & Resources: Church Connections" section, listing open pulpits and other ministry opportunities. If your church is in need of filling a vacancy, submit your information here. If you are seeking a position in Christian ministry, visit the open-pulpit listings page by clicking here. 

The Online Journal of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary

A revised and retitled version of the student theological paper Kline, Horton and the Mosaic Covenant by Jeremiah Montgomery, Jonathan Shishko, and Breno Macedo has been posted at Katekomen.

A PDF version of this paper is available upon request to info@gpts.edu or download from the Articles page of our web site.

 

Visit the new GPTS Amazon Bookstore

 

Chapel messages and other videos are available on the GPTSMedia Channel on YouTube. Check out the latest resources by clicking here.

HOMESCHOOLERS: Visit the GPTS exhibit booth at the Southeast Great Homeschool Convention at the Carolina First Center in Greenville, S.C. Mar. 17-19.

THE GPTS 2011 SUMMER INSTITUTE TO FOCUS ON CREATION DOCTRINE AND CONTROVERSY

The Greenville Seminary Summer Institute for 2011 will tackle one of today's hottest topics in Christian apologetics, science and biblical theology — Creationism.

The Summer Institute is scheduled for August 1-5 at the Seminary. This course is open for public registration for a fee of $225. Enrolled GPTS students taking the course will receive two credits and must pay the regular tuition rate of $340 or may audit the course for $40.

This year, however, the Institute will include a free evening presentation for the public, featuring the internationally renowned Creationist Dr. Jonathan D. Sarfati of Brisbane, Australia, a physical chemist, spectroscopist, and chess master. Dr. Sarfati, editor of publications for Creational Ministries International, is noted for taking an uncompromising stance on the origins of the universe, the earth, and life, and for defending Scripture in a straightforward manner against any attempt to "reconcile" it with "scientific data" that contradict it. 

Also teaching during the Institute along with Dr. Sarfati will be Dr. Joseph A. Pipa, Jr., president of Greenville Seminary and professor of historical and systematic theology. Dr. Pipa has been an outspoken defender of a literal six-day creation view and is co-author of the book Did God Create in Six Days?

Topics for this year's Institute include:

• Design, Deluge and Dilemma with Q&A (free Monday night public presentation)

• Refuting Compromise

• Real Science Supports the Bible

• Are Miracles Scientific?

• The Voyage that Shook the World

• The Christian Roots of Science

• Incarnation and Genesis

• Creation and Bioethics

• Incredible Design in Nature

• Exegetical Defense of Creationism

• A Critique of Alternative Positions

• OPC and PCA Reports

A detailed schedule with class topics is available by clicking here.

For more information, contact Registrar Kathleen Curto at (864) 322-2717, ext. 302 or by e-mail at registrar@gpts.edu.

See GPTS Faculty Statement on Creation.

PRAY WITH US

• Pray for further opening and cultivation of new opportunities for GPTS in South Africa. (See article in right column.) 

• Pray that God will open doors of ministry for our graduating seniors. Ask God to provide needed additional provision for housing costs for graduating student Breno Macedo and his wife Roberta from Brazil as Breno continues his graduate studies at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Mich.

• Praise God for healing mercies thus far for Dr. Tony Curto, associate professor of practical theology in missions and apologetics, who recently suffered a heart attack and received two stents which have greatly improved his condition.

• Intercede for GPTS Board Chairman Dr. George W. Knight III as he undergoes cancer treatments.

• Continue to pray for improved health for Betty McGoldrick, wife of Dr. James McGoldrick, who is suffering from new onslaughts of debilitating pain. Give thanks that new treatments are easing her condition somewhat.

FACULTY SCHEDULE

•  

• March 8-10 – Dr. Pipa, Dr. Carrick, Dr. Smith, Dr. Knight, Mr. Shishko, GPTS Spring Theology Conference, Woodruff Road Presbyterian Church, Simpsonville, South Carolina

• March 13 – Dr. Carrick, Pilgrim Presbyterian Church (OPC), Raleigh, North Carolina.

• March 13-19 – Dr. Pipa, Nigeria Mission Trip

• March 20 – Dr. Carrick, Shiloh Presbyterian Church (OPC), Cary, North Carolina

• March 25-26 – Dr. Shaw, Southeast Regional Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society

• March 27 – Dr. Carrick, Covenant Reformed Baptist Church, Easley, South Carolina

• April 1 – Dr. Pipa, Patrick Henry College

• April 2-3 – Dr. Pipa, Bible Conference, Draper's Valley Presbyterian Church, Draper, Virginia

• April 10 – Dr. Pipa, Twelfth Annual New Bern Spring Theology Conference, "The History of Presbyterianism," at Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church, co-sponsored by Village Chapel Presbyterian Church (PCA), New Bern, North Carolina

• April 24 – Dr. Pipa, Bible Presbyterian Church, Grand Isle, New York

• April 24 – Dr. Carrick, Providence Presbyterian Church (OPC), Greensboro, North Carolina

• May 6 – Dr. Pipa, Commencement, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan

• May 1 – Dr. Pipa,  Shiloh Presbyterian Church (OPC), Cary, North Carolina

• May 8 – Dr. Pipa, Ordination service for Mitch Haubert, Providence Presbyterian Church, Robinson Township, Pennsylvania

• May 11-16 – Dr, Pipa, teaching on "Puritans as a Model for the Reformed Pastor" at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan 

Ongoing:

• Dr. Smith is teaching an adult Sunday School class at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Brevard, North Carolina.

• Dr. Shaw is leading a men’s Bible study at Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, South Carolina.

• Dr. McGoldrick is teaching an adult class on the Intertestamental Age at Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, South Carolina.

CORRECTION: In the obituary for Richard Wick in last month's e-newsletter, Nicole Wick was erroneously listed as wife of the surviving son David Wick. We apologize for the error.

New book by Dr. Joseph A. Pipa, Jr.
Galatians: God's Proclamation of Liberty

The glorious doctrine of justification by faith far exceeds even the great charters of freedom and liberty which we have seen throughout history. This doctrine is expounded by the apostle Paul, whose letter this is; and in the Epistle to the Galatians we see the key themes of his theology expounded. Joseph Pipa, an able Biblical expositor committed to the inerrancy of Scripture, brings this important letter with practical lessons for the church of every age alive for us. Published by Christian Focus (Focus on the Bible Series), paperback, 240 pages, now available! $12.00 postpaid. Please call the seminary to order your copy! Phone: 864-322-2717 ext. 306 or 308. Or click on the book image at the left to order from our Amazon store.

About the Author: Joseph A. Pipa, Jr. has been both a church pastor and theological professor. He is president and professor of historical and systematic theology at Greenville Seminary and exercises a worldwide expositional ministry.