March 25, 2010 

Dear Alums,

Picture yourself beginning a new ministry opportunity--whether it is in a counseling center, an African NGO, or a suburban congregation. What is your first move as a leader? You may be tempted to tell people about your vision for the position or the organization. Most newcomers think that leading starts with speaking. But it does not.

Leadership begins with listening. When a person enters a new position or a new organization, she usually doesn't know what she needs to know in order to do the work or lead the people. So the best thing she can do is to listen. Likewise, when a new difficulty or opportunity comes up in an organization, we tend to look to our leaders to tell us what to do. The more important the problem, the more necessary it is for the leader to ask good questions rather than to provide an answer.

Let me give you an example. A year or two ago, the Alumni/ae Office at Fuller decided that it was important to do more to support MDiv graduates in their first few years of ministering. You might think that the first step would be to host a conference. But the office did something much wiser. They spent months listening to alumni/ae--through focus groups, surveys, and interviews. And only then were they ready to create a conference for early career MDiv grads. (The conference will be May 12 and 13 in Pasadena and costs just $10. For more information, see this link.) The topics and structure of the conference took a different form because they listened before they led. Leadership begins with listening.

Scott Cormode
Hugh De Pree Professor of Leadership Development

ALUMNI/AE IN ACTION

Where's the Other Half of the Gospel?
Brenda Salter McNeil (MDiv '84), featured in a cover story in the current Outreach magazine, talks about multicultural churches and a leadership coaching network for pastors. Read the article

COUNCIL CORNER

Emotional and Spiritual Health in Leadership
Alumni/ae Council member Tim Dolan (DMin '94), a professor of leadership development and a minister, describes one vital kind of support all pastors and Christian leaders need. Read his reflection

FULLER NEWS

Integration Symposium Addresses "Psychology Of, With, and For the Poor"
This year's symposium featured as one of its speakers John Fantuzzo, University of Pennsylvania professor and last year's Distinguished Alum of the Year. Read more

Fuller Missions Fair Focuses on "Announcing the Kingdom"
This weeklong series of mission-related lectures, workshops, and discussions included a talk by Professor Juan Martínez on "Migration as Mission." Read more

Local Faith Leaders Discuss Restorative Justice
More than 150 faith leaders and others came together to discuss restorative justice at a court-clergy conference at Fuller. Read more

Hispanic Center Commemorates 35-Year Anniversary
Fuller's Center for the Study of Hispanic Church and Community celebrated 35 years of ministry with a series of special events. Read more

Author's Forum and Book Signing Features John Goldingay
John Goldingay, David Allan Hubbard Professor of Old Testament, spoke on his newly released books Genesis for Everyone (Parts 1 and 2). Read more

Stations of the Cross on Display at Fuller
Two alumni have collaborated to create a unique presentation of the traditional Lenten discipline "The Stations of Cross," currently on display at the Pasadena campus. Read more

New Fuller Focus Magazine Released
This latest issue includes a reflection from President Mouw on seminary and the church, an essay on the future of preaching, and a variety of alumni/ae features. Read the online magazine

Special Offer on Deep Church Audiobook for Alumni/ae
The audiobook of Deep Church, by Jim Belcher (MA '02)--featured in the current Fuller Focus magazine--is available for download from christianaudio.com at a significant discount to Fuller alumni/ae: $2.98 through April 3. Read more

Check Fuller's News Archive for more stories

UPCOMING EVENTS: CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

Continuing Education Courses
Following are some of the upcoming courses offered by Fuller's DMin program for audit or continuing education credit:

Growing Churches in a Contemporary World with Eddie Gibbs
April 26-30

The Family: Building Communities of Caring and Hope with Jack & Judy Balswick
May 10-14

Transforming Your Leadership Development Process with Robert Logan
June 14-18

Read more about these and other courses

UPCOMING EVENTS: PASADENA AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

An Evening with Eugene Friesen: A Jazz Fusion Concert
March 26   8:00 p.m.
This concert with Grammy award-winning cellist Eugene Friesen and several other noted musicians will honor the lives and work of Professor Warren Brown and Janet Brown. Read more

Lausanne Global Conversation at Fuller
March 30   2:00-4:00 p.m.
President Mouw and other notable speakers will lead this interactive event, one of several gatherings taking place across the U.S. in preparation for the upcoming Lausanne Congress in Capetown, South Africa. Read more

Inaugural Lecture with Scott Cormode
April 6   10:00-10:50 a.m.
Dr. Cormode, Hugh De Pree Professor of Leadership Development, will speak on "The Faithful Next Step: Forming Christian Leaders for the Future." Read more

Edinburgh 2010 Centenary Panel Discussion
April 6   3:00-4:30 p.m.
Professors Jehu Hanciles, Veli-Matti Karkkainen, and Juan Martínez will discuss changes in the global church since the Edinburgh Conference of 2010 and pressing issues in mission now. Read more

Arts Fest 2010
April 12-16
The theme for this year's Arts Fest is "The Elements," and artistic submissions from alumni/ae are welcome. Read more

Michael Novak on "The Moral Foundation of Markets"
April 15   4:00-5:30 p.m.
Esteemed diplomat, theologian, and columnist Michael Novak will speak about the interaction between faith, society, work, and economics. Read more

Inaugural Lecture with Clayton Schmit
April 20   10:00-10:50 a.m.
Dr. Schmit, Arthur DeKruyter/Christ Church Oak Brook Professor of Preaching, will offer a lecture entitled "Walk Humbly With Your God." Read more

Conversation with Sally Morgenthaler
April 21   7:00 p.m.
This discussion in the Catalyst with author, speaker, and worship leader Sally Morgenthaler will focus on women in ministry. Read more

Asian American Symposium
April 24   9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
"God Is Roomy: Generations, Gender, and the Future of Asian American Ministry" will be the topic of this continuing education seminar for Asian American pastors, parachurch leaders, and lay leaders. Read more

Book Signing with J. R. Woodward and Tim Morey
April 28   4:00 p.m.
Missional church leaders J. R. Woodward and Tim Morey will offer a discussion and book signing at the Catalyst, sponsored by Fuller's DMin/Center for Lifelong Learning. More information: cll@fuller.edu or 626-584-5669

Payton Lectures with Luke Timothy Johnson
May 5-6   10:00-10:50 a.m. each day (with response following)
Dr. Johnson, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at Candler School of Theology, speaks on "Spirit and Body: The Corinthians and the New Creation." Read more

Conference for Recent MDiv Graduates
May 12-13
Ministering in difficult times will be the focus of this conference, "The Next Faithful Step," designed for those who have graduated from Fuller within the last 10 years. Cost is only $10. Read more

Jubilate! '10
May 14   7:30-9:00 p.m.
Save the date for this performance of Edwin Willmington's Jubilate! An Ancient-Future Concert Mass, with new choreography. Read more

Check Fuller's events calendar for more upcoming events for alumni/ae and the larger community.

UPCOMING EVENTS: FULLER'S REGIONAL CAMPUSES

Brown Bags and Brownies Alumni/ae Event
April 22   11:30 a.m.
This lunch gathering will offer an opportunity for alumni/ae to reconnect with one another and share what is happening in their lives and ministries. Read more

Chap Clark at First Presbyterian Berkeley
May 1   9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Professor and Vice Provost Chap Clark will lead this community seminar, "Inside the World of Teenagers," at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley at a cost of $25. Read more

Fuller Southwest:

Fuller Southwest Has Moved!
The new Phoenix Office and Classrooms is located at 1110 E. Missouri Avenue, Suite 530, Phoenix 85014. We now have an office, two classrooms, a student lounge, and a full library. Please stop by and see the new digs!

Fuller Northwest:

Movie and Discussion Night
April 11   6:30-8:30 p.m.
The tenth and final installment of "The Decalogue" will be screened, followed by a short discussion led by Dr. Blaine Charette. Viewing of previous installments is not necessary! Read more

Fuller California Coast:

Conversations on Culture: Reflections on the Eucharist
March 28   10:00-11:00 a.m.
Director Mike McNichols will explore how we might foster a deeper appreciation of and connection to the presence of Jesus in the invitation to dine at his table. Read more

UPCOMING EVENTS: ACROSS THE GLOBE

Alumni/ae Gathering in Houston, Texas
April 15   7:00-9:00 p.m.
Professor Scott Cormode will speak on "Forming Christian Leaders" at this reception for alumni/ae and friends, joined by new Fuller Texas Associate Dean Andy Dearman and Mary Given. Read more

Study in Orvieto, Italy
June 20-July 3
There are only two openings left for this Brehm Center study trip, which will include daily course gatherings and trips to medieval and artistic sites in the area. Open to alumni/ae for audit. More information: wtaprograms@fuller.edu or 626-304-3724

WHAT ARE FULLER FACULTY READING?

Mark Hopkins, assistant professor of leadership and director of Fuller's Master of Arts in Global Leadership (MAGL) and Doctor of Missiology (DMiss) programs, offers the following reading recommendations on leadership:

Ronald A. Heifetz. Leadership without Easy Answers (Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1994).

Ronald A. Heifetz and Martin Linsky. Leadership on the Line (Harvard Business School Press, 2002).

Ronald A. Heifetz, Alexander Grashow, and Martin Linsky. The Practice of Adaptive Leadership (Harvard Business Press, 2009).

Most of us live in a world where change is one of the few constants. One of the great challenges leaders face today is that of mobilizing those we lead to embrace an uncertain future and press forward together toward an envisioned outcome. Ron Heifetz first presented his theory of leadership in Leadership Without Easy Answers. Later, in Leadership on the Line, he and co-author Marty Linsky illustrated how leaders in a wide range of roles and situations could use this approach to embrace risks, put themselves on the line, and live to tell the tale. In The Practice of Adaptive Leadership, the authors extend the theory to provide something of a practical handbook aimed at equipping leaders to engage the challenges of leading in a world where discontinuous change is the order of the day.

ALUMNI/AE PUBLICATIONS

Richard Ewing Brown Jr. ('50) and Matthew Kline. Feeling Great at 88. Intermedia Publishing Group, Inc., 2010.

Richard J. Foster (PhD '70) and Gayle D. Beebe. Longing for God: Seven Paths of Christian Devotion. InterVarsity Press, 2009.

Archibald D. Hart ('75). Sleep: It Does a Family Good. Tyndale House Publishers Inc., 2010.

Gary McIntosh (PhD ICS '05):

Look Back, Leap Forward: Building Your Church on the Values of the Past. Baker Books, 2001.

One Church, Four Generations: Understanding and Reaching All Ages in Your Church. Baker Books, 2002.

One Size Doesn't Fit All. Revell, 1999.

Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership: How to Become an Effective Leader by Confronting Potential Failures (with Samuel Rima). Baker Books, 2007.

Staff Your Church for Growth: Building Team Ministry in the 21st Century. Baker Books, 2000.

Thriving Churches in the Twenty-First Century (with R. Daniel Reeves). Kregel, 2006.

Brenda Salter McNeil (MDiv '84). A Credible Witness: Reflections on Power, Evangelism, and Race. InterVarsity Press, 2008.

E. Daniel Nusbaum and Mary Ann C. Nusbaum (PsyD '95). The Last Reunion. iUniverse, 2006.

Hans Martin Wilhelm (DMin '89). China Hans: From Shanghai to Hitler to Christ. Trafford, 2009.

BULLETIN BOARD

Leadership Seminar
April 17   8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Alumnus Doug Stevens (MDiv '74), executive director of The Leadership Connection, will lead a seminar for church leaders, "The Radical Affirmationist," at Centerville Presbyterian Church in Fremont, California. $35 per person or $25 per person for groups of five or more. More information: 510-793-3575

Mental Health Conference in Menlo Park
May 8   9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Fuller Professor of Psychology Siang-Yang Tan will be keynote speaker at a one-day conference, "Understanding Mental Illness: A Comprehensive and Biblical Approach," at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. Read more

Subscribe to Theology, News and Notes
Theology, News and Notes is published twice a year for alumni/ae and friends of Fuller Seminary. To read past issues of the magazine, visit our website. If you do not currently receive the magazine and would like a free subscription, please send an e-mail with your current postal address to alum-alumni@dept.fuller.edu.

Comments and ideas? E-mail us at enews@fuller.edu, call the Alumni/ae Office at 626-584-5498, or write Fuller Theological Seminary, Alumni/ae and Church Relations Office, 135 North Oakland Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91182.