Another year’s work at our College came to an end on Thursday 16th April. A special service marking the occasion was held in Ballymoney, led by Rev. Prof. Warren Peel. In welcoming the congregation, Mr Peel reminded us that we ought not to pass over the occasion as a mere formality, but rather to give thanks that God has sustained the work of the College for another year, as he has done since the College’s founding in 1854. In the course of the service Rev. David Fallows, Convener of the Committee of Superintendence, reported that each of the five students – Messrs Stephen Fallows, Raymond Gamble, Scott McCollum, William McKee and Gareth Orr – had passed all their assignments and exams and so successfully completed their second year of theological study. The men are now undertaking congregational placements until the end of June.
Mr Raymond Gamble spoke on behalf of the students, giving a brief overview of the various subjects and topics covered in their second year and expressing gratitude for the work of the faculty and also the prayers and support of the wider denomination. The Moderator of Synod, Rev. John Coates, then gave the closing address. Mr Coates, in a characteristically lively and engaging fashion, spoke from 2 Corinthians 2:16b on the theme, ‘Lord, Give Me a Title!’ This theme had been the subject of much speculation amongst the College Faculty and Superintendents earlier in the day, but Mr Coates soon explained that, in preparing a text for the evening, he had found himself unable to come up with a title; his theme for the evening had been his constant prayer, until he realised that his prayer was his title! The apostle Paul, in describing the task of gospel preaching, declares, ‘Who is sufficient for these things?’ Mr Coates observed that, sometimes, the gospel preacher is not even sufficient to come up with a title for his sermon. He then preached on the text with the following outline:
- Who is Sufficient…
- Given the Nature of the Work?
- Given the Nature of Men?
- Given the Nature of the Man Himself?
- God is Sufficient
Mr Coates’ address was a timely, humbling and encouraging one for both trainee preachers and those in ordained ministry. Indeed, for whatever tasks we are called to carry out in service of Christ, we must remember that the sufficiency lies not in ourselves, but in God.
The denomination can give thanks for the ongoing progress of the five men currently enrolled in our College. We continue to remember them and their teachers in prayer, asking for God’s sufficiency not just for them but for their families, now and in the days to come.
Philip Dunwoody
This article first appeared in the Covenanter Witness, and it is reprinted here by permission.
