HUGSR initiates ministry tradition; selects family focus for year's theme The Harding University Graduate School ofReligion began a new tradition this year. To heighten awareness of the challenges facing the church and to supply resources to meet these needs, the school inaugurated a ministry theme for each year. The Graduate School installed this program in order to fight a 'civil war of values ' currently raging across North America. They are preparing their students to meet the challenge of the thousands of crumbling households who are searching not only for help with everyday problems of family life, but for a solid foundation that provides meaning in this otherwise chaotic existence. Several special events were scheduled for the 1995-1996 school year to help equip participants with tools to foster strong, healthy families. Events such as a Preachers ' Forum focusing on issues the church must face in strengthening and ministering to families were held to educate students on today's problems. Special chapel programs were also presented throughout the year regarding themes ofministry to families, and a Spring Forum focused on issues that growing, healthy families face in the context of the church. ALeaders ' Workshop focusing on healthy leadership in the family and church was held October 13-14. A"Personal Profile" focus was used as a tool fo r participants to identify their interactions with others. "We had a really good response from all of the participants. They thought the workshop helped them to be able to make decisions about leading and ministry," Dr. Evertt Huffard said. Huffard said they were particularly pleased with the participation of more than 25 ladies in the workshop. The Graduate School also offered several new services this year. Personal counseling for students, churches and the community was provided at the new on-campus Carisse Berryhill, Ph.D. , Assistant Librarian Allen Black, Ph.D. , Associate Professor, New Testament Dave Bland, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Homiletics Bill Flatt, Ed.D., Professor, Dean of Graduate School Ed Gray, Ed.D., Asso. Professor, Counseling John Mark Hicks , Ph.D. , Asso. Professor, Christian Doctrine Evertt Huffard, Ph.D., Prof., Missiology, Director Missiology Phil McMillon, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Old Testament Steve McLeod, M.Div., Director of Admissions · Don Meredith, M.S., Head Librarian Dave Walker, B.S., Director Development counseling center. Amaster's degree in counseling was also offered to equip counselors and family life ministers with the tools they need in this particular ministry. Several new courses were offered this year in support of healthy families. In addition to the basic counseling classes, more in-depth studies such as Theories of Personality, Fami ly Development and Parenting, Psychopathology and Family Dysfunction, and Counseling Ethics and Professional Issues were offered. New classes, such as Family Life Ministry, Ministering to Dysfunctional Families, and Family Systems and Communication Theory were also added to the curriculum this year. The Graduate School made these changes to prepare their students to be effective preachers and teachers of the gospel while seeing and meeting the tremendous needs and challenges facing the church. - Kathryn George fr om HUGSR publicati on
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