Category: Devotional Resources - Harding School of Theology

God Finishes What He Starts – Dr. Carlus Gupton

May 20, 2020 by Matt Carter

Dr. Carlus Gupton provides an encouraging word from Philippians 1:3-8. The Apostle Paul is writing to people who are feeling disappointment. How should they handle it?

God finishes what He starts! (verse 6)
God doesn’t abandon us when the story becomes embarrassing.
God recognizes that each of us is in a different stage in the process.
God’s verdict on people and on circumstances is that they are always salvageable.

Louis Armstrong, What a Wonderful World

Dr. Carlus Gupton is a Professor of Ministry at HST and co-directs our Doctor of Ministry program. He began preaching at an early age, and has over 30 years of professional experience in ministry for congregations small and large. For the past twenty years, Carlus has maintained an active schedule of consulting, coaching, and intentional interim ministry, having worked with over 100 churches and organizations. He has been with HST since 2014 (adjunct 1997-2013).

Harding School of Theology (HST), a seminary in Memphis, TN, has provided ministry training since 1958. Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, and offering degree programs at the master’s and doctoral levels, HST equips Christian leaders to higher standards of ministry scholarship and challenges them to a deeper faith in God. Combining academic rigor and interpersonal connections, HST emphasizes student engagement in ministry as they study. HST is associated with Churches of Christ, is part of the Stone-Campbell Movement, and is part of Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.

Waiting on God

May 19, 2020 by Matt Carter

During these unsettled times of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may find yourself waiting on God to act, to bring deliverance. Waiting is hard. HST’s admissions director Matt Carter shares his thoughts on waiting. The lesson is adapted from one Dr. Carter shared via Zoom at Cordova Community Church and was influenced by a recent sermon by Jimmy Stokes of the Northeast Side Church of Christ in Bartlett, TN. Key take-aways:

Adele Calhoun: Spiritual Disciplines Handbook (Amazon affiliate link) – these are the disciplines Matt talks about:

Slowing is a way to combat the hurried, anti-waiting pace of life in our culture. Deliberately slow down and leave room to connect with God.
Submission is yielding to the Lordship of Jesus. Submission is how we, as we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, let God’s kingdom come and his will be done in our choices, relationships, entertainment choices, and work.
Humility is waiting because I’m not the center of the universe. Sometimes waiting is hard because I think I’m pretty important. Sometimes “Why me?” really means “Why not someone else.”
Contemplation is learning while waiting. Contemplation is taking time to reflect on the experiences of life, asking where God is in each situation, what lessons there are to learn from it.

Andrew Murray (1828-1917): Waiting on God free pdf download, p.21:

If any are discouraged, because they do not have patience, let them be encouraged; it is in the course of our feeble and very imperfect waiting that God Himself by His hidden power strengthens us and works out in us the patience of the saints, the patience of Christ Himself.

Dr. Matt Carter serves as Director of Admissions at HST. He spent many years in campus ministry before coming to the school. Matt’s current research focuses on the area of spiritual gifts and how churches can help Christians find their fit in the congregation. See the One Body Workshop website for more information.

Harding School of Theology, a graduate school of theology (seminary), has provided ministry training in Memphis, TN since 1958. Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, and offering degree programs at the master’s and doctoral levels, HST equips Christian leaders to higher standards of ministry scholarship and challenges them to a deeper faith in God. Combining academic rigor and interpersonal connections, HST emphasizes student engagement in ministry as they study. HST is associated with Churches of Christ, is part of the Stone-Campbell Movement, and is part of Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.

Mount Rushmore of Theologians

April 1, 2020 by Matt Carter

Who’s on your Mount Rushmore of Theologians? Bob Turner visits with HST Alumnus and Harding University professor Mac Sandlin about Mac’s Mount Rushmore of Theologians.

This conversation flows from the most recent issue of Footnotes where Bob shares the answer to this question from a number of scholars. Footnotes is Bob Turner’s newsletter of curated resources for ministers. Subscribe to Footnotes.

Mac’s Mount Rushmore includes Athanasius, Augustine, Aquinas, and Calvin. The discussion on the video wrestles with the ideas of theologians “who have been most influential in the world” vs. “those who have been most influential in my life.”

Mac Sandlin teaches theology and philosophy at Harding University. He earned his M.Div. at HST and is currently in a Ph.D. program in theology at the University of Dayton.

Bob Turner preaches twice each month at the Church of Christ at White Station in Memphis. He has been with HST since 2009. He publishes a newsletter of curated resources for ministers called Footnotes. Subscribe here.

Harding School of Theology (HST), a seminary in Memphis, TN, has been equipping ministers since 1958. Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, and offering degree programs at the master’s and doctoral levels, HST equips Christian leaders to higher standards of ministry scholarship and challenges them to a deeper faith in God. Combining academic rigor and interpersonal connections, HST emphasizes student engagement in ministry as they study. HST is associated with Churches of Christ, is part of the Stone-Campbell Movement, and is part of Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.

Living in the “And” of Uncertain Times

March 27, 2020 by Matt Carter

Dr. Carlus Gupton shares wisdom from Ecclesiastes 3 for navigating these unsettling times.

Dr. Carlus Gupton is a Professor of Ministry at HST and co-directs our Doctor of Ministry program. He began preaching at an early age, and has over 30 years of professional experience in ministry for congregations small and large. For the past twenty years, Gupton has maintained an active schedule of consulting, coaching, and intentional interim ministry, having worked with over 100 churches and organizations. He has been with HST since 2014 (adjunct 1997-2013).

Dr. Allen Black Shares Psalm 91

March 25, 2020 by Matt Carter

Dr. Allen Black shares a message of encouragement from Psalm 91.

This was recorded in Zoom at virtual chapel in the online Bible program at Harding University. Special thanks to HST alumnus Dr. Tim Westbrook.

Dr. Allen Black is the dean of HST and Professor of New Testament. He has been at HST since 1983, and teaches the Gospels, Hebrews, 1 Peter, and New Testament Exegesis. Black has served as Adult Education Minister at the Highland Church of Christ for over 35 years.

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