Preparing to Preach the Word B ecause of the intensity of the program and the demands placed upon its students, few find much time for part-time jobs. The work load which faced each student was that of a four-year program, condensed into half the time. And classes were 90-minutes long, four in a row, every day. HSBS, the Harding School of Biblical Studies, though intense, trained its 36 students in Biblical languages, homiletics, and doctrine. Students attended class year-round with only a three-week break for summer intermission and campaigns. Despite the odds, however, students who participated in HSBS generally stuck with it, the drop-out rate was very low, and gained practical Biblical knowledge coupled with experience in the field. The average HSBS student was male, though there were some females enrolled in the program. The average student was in his mid 30's, married with two children, and had a degree in some academic training. The HSBS work week was four days in length. Students were encouraged to assist smaller congregations in the area on Sundays. Because of the long drive which faced many students (some drove to Missouri each Sunday), Monday was a holiday. To become a student in the program, applicant was required to be 21-yearsold with good recommendations. The HSBS board critically reviewed and screened applicants to be convinced of each potential student's a commitment to excellence. James Gentry, who is in his second year of studies, preached regularly at the Marquard Street church of Christ following the leave of Richard King, former professor of Bible. "It's definite1 y an accelerated program, and demanding," Gentry comme.nted. "The curriculum is focused to give us a good foundation for the life we've chosen for ourselves. The HSBS is under the direction of L.V. Pfeifer, who was in his second year as director of the program. Pfeifer feels that the school, which was created in 1974, serves an important function among churches of Christ today: "The success of our graduates is becoming quite well-known. They leave here and do what they came here to do, to make great gospel preachers:' In addition to rigorous classroom time, students were required to participate in two U.S. campaigns, usually held in the spring, and one foreign campaign, conducted in the summer, before completing the program. This year's domestic campaigners travelled to Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas. Two foreign campaigns were held, one in Scotland and one in England. Brent Franks, a student from Minco, Okla., participated in the campaign which was held in London, England. Though the 22 participants faced tremendous tests of stamina in their work for the gospel, the success of the trip was evident to Franks and others who were very positive about the outcome. , 'We knocked doors for an average of six hours a day, starting in the morning and resuming after lunch/' said Franks. "It took us a while to orient ourselves to the London way of life; reading road maps, for instance, was impossible, but once we were acclimated to the country things began to roll:' Franks described the response as being very mixed, but often atheistic: ''The people there are rebelling against the Anglican Church (the Church of England) and as a result have rebelled against God altogether. Many were unemployed and had a rough time which they felt gave them a reason to be atheistic:' The campaigners worked with a small church of 50 members and spent their two weeks in London teaching in the homes of interested Londoners and holding a meeting at which Bobby Parks, former HSBS graduate and field director for the program, spoke. Though American sentiment there was often less than desirable, shortly following the bombing of Libya by the U.S., five responded and were added to the kingdom as a result of HSBS efforts in London.<[) · - Bill Everett I On the defensive. Jeffrey ]. Reulbach from White Plkains, NY and John Paul Morgan from Lynn are ''guarding'' their territory to prevent the opposing team from scoring. Although the SBS program was very demanding, the students still had time for some fun and relaxation. - photo by Bill Tripp. Shades of Biblical Studies 157
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==