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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Sept. 10, 2019)—Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan will present its Ross-Smith Lectures in Pastoral Care on Oct. 17-18 and will feature Dr. Thomas G. Long, the Bandy Professor of Preaching Emeritus at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology.
Long’s presentation, “Caring for Humanity and Nurturing Faith through Christian Funerals,” will include three events, all free and open to the public.
Long’s presentations include:
- “Living in Hope, Dying Well,” Thursday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m., in the Mildred Welshimer Phillips Memorial Chapel in Milligan’s B.D. Phillips Building (1 Walker Drive, Johnson City, TN)
- “The Good Funeral, The Bad Funeral,” Friday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m., at Grandview Christian Church (300 University Parkway, Johnson City, TN)
- “Preaching at Funerals,” Friday, Oct. 18, 1:30 p.m., at Grandview Christian Church
Immediately following the Friday morning lecture, a complimentary lunch will be served. Advance registration is requested and can be completed at www.ecs-new.milligan.edu/ross-smith.
In 2013, Dr. Calvin and Nancy Ross endowed the lectures in memory of Calvin’s parents, Walter and Mardel Ross, and beginning in 2015, in honor of Nancy’s late father, Frank S. Smith.
“We’re grateful that Dr. Long will bring this year’s lectures and share his expertise on pastoral care with our community,” said Calvin and Nancy Ross, who established the lectureship to facilitate discussion among ministers, students, educators, laity, medical practitioners, and peace and justice advocates on the topic of faith and medicine.
A Presbyterian minister, Long has been named “one of the 12 most effective preachers in the English speaking world” by Baylor University. He has taught preaching for over 40 years and served churches in Georgia and New Jersey. Long has served as the president of the Academy of Homiletics and as senior homiletics editor of the New Interpreter’s Bible. Long’s most recent books include “Accompany Them with Singing: The Christian Funeral;” “What Shall We Say? Evil, Suffering, and the Crisis of Faith;” and “The Good Funeral: Death, Grief, and the Community of Care,” with Thomas Lynch.
Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan is a graduate seminary with a relationship to the churches of the Stone-Campbell tradition, including the independent Christian churches and churches of Christ. With over 1,650 alumni serving Christ around the world, Emmanuel offers four degree programs: Master of Arts in Religion, Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Christian Ministries and Doctor of Ministry.
Learn more about the seminary at www.ecs-new.milligan.edu.