[NOV. 4, 2006]  ATLANTA -- The public is invited to a fall praise service on Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. in the chapel of Camp Griesheim Retreat Center, Atlanta. The speaker for the evening will be Kris Klokkenga, and music will be provided by Nathan Bassett.

A freewill offering will be accepted to help offset ongoing operating expenses of Camp Griesheim.

[Announcement provided by Dena Bergman]

[NOV. 4, 2006]  Joseph Feldmann, who has completed two years at Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, began work Sept. 5 as seminarian intern at St. John United Church of Christ in Lincoln.

In this position Feldmann will work in all areas of church ministry. These include planning and leading worship services, making pastoral calls, and organizing special events. However, his areas of emphasis will be work with the youth program and development of a contemporary worship service.

Feldmann is two-thirds of the way through his course work toward a master's degree at Eden. In 2004 he earned a bachelor's degree in music education and theology, summa cum laude, at Elmhurst College in Elmhurst.

The new intern already has accumulated a variety of professional experiences in ministry. He has served a year as student pastor at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Ferguson, Mo., and a year as youth and music assistant at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Waterloo, Ill. In addition he has experience as a chaplain assistant at Alton Memorial Hospital in Alton and as a confirmation instructor and youth leader at St. Peter's United Church of Christ in Chicago. In 2004 he also served an internship with Hoyleton Youth and Family Services in the St. Louis area.

He said the Lincoln position differs from his previous ones in that it is full-time. In addition, it combines the breadth of his work in Ferguson with specific areas of responsibility, similar to the closely defined roles he held in Waterloo and Chicago.

What he hopes to gain from his time at St. John, besides the fulfilling experience of working with members of the church, is growth in his professional skills and a deeper sense of ministry on a full-time basis. In regard to working with the youth program he said, "I hope to help them grow, and I know they will help me grow."

With a strong background in music, Feldmann said he hopes to explore how he can incorporate music into the youth program and contemporary worship services. At Elmhurst he participated in the concert choir, chamber singers, vocal jazz ensemble and concert band. He said he is not sure how music will come into play in his eventual ministry but that he is sure it will be present in some form because of who he is.

Following his year in Lincoln, Feldmann plans to complete his final year at Eden Theological Seminary and to seek a call within the church.

[Article and picture provided by Lynn Spellman]

[OCT. 30, 2006]  On Nov. 7, Lincoln Christian College and Seminary will host the 2006 Webb Lectureship on Preaching. The lectureship theme this year is "Preaching Truth in a Culture of Confusion." The guest speaker is Dr. Michael Duduit, president of American Ministry Resources LLC and the founding publisher and editor of Preaching magazine.

Nov. 7 schedule:

• 9:30 a.m. -- "Living in a Whatever World," Earl C Hargrove chapel

• 10:30 a.m. -- Book signing, campus bookstore

• Noon -- Question-and-answer session, Restoration Hall, R49

• 3 p.m. -- "Preaching Truth in a Culture of Confusion," Restoration Hall, R49

Duduit is author and editor of several books, including the "Handbook of Contemporary Preaching," published by Broadman & Holman Press; "Joy in Ministry," from Baker Books; and "Communicate With Power," also from Baker Books. His e-mail newsletter, PreachingNow, is read each week by more than 11,000 pastors and church leaders in the United States and around the world. He has been a pastor and associate pastor, has served a number of churches as interim pastor, and speaks regularly for churches, colleges and conferences.

Duduit received his bachelor’s degree from Stetson University in 1975, his master’s degree from Southern Seminary in 1979 and a doctorate from Florida State University in 1983.

Duduit and his wife, Laura, have two sons, James and Stephen.

"This is a seminar that should not be missed!" commented LCCS President Keith Ray. "We are honored to have Dr. Duduit on our campus to share his message with our students and the community."

The John M. Webb lectureship on preaching was established to honor the contributions of John M. Webb (1916-1982), who served the college as a professor of preaching and academic dean from 1956 to 1975 and was later named academic dean emeritus by the board of trustees. Guest lecturers of past Webb lectureships have featured such outstanding preachers as Fred Craddock, William Willimon, Calvin Miller, Eugene Lowry and Haddon Robinson.

The public is encouraged to attend the lectureship. There is no fee. For more information, visit www.lccs.edu or contact Lora Clements at 217-732-3168, ext. 2254.

[Lincoln Christian College and Seminary news release]