Antoine de Saint-Exupery
The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.
William Arthur Ward
I just completed 15 years at SEBTS, 18 years of teaching fulltime, and 23 years teaching part-time and full-time combined. I remember wanting to teach and wondering whether that would be a realization. Now, I am in awe of the goodness of God to allow me to teach for so long. Years ago I heard a teacher quip, “Teaching would be great if it weren’t for students.” Such a nonsensical attitude makes me think that education would be great if it weren’t for some teachers ☺. I may not be a great teacher, but I have had some great students.
One of the greatest joys as a teacher comes when those being taught become teachers themselves. For me, one of the great joys of the past 15 years here has been the number of students I taught who now teach full-time at the college, university, or seminary level. I can count at least 20 who have followed me in this noble calling.
This fall two such men who earned their PhD degrees under my mentorship will begin teaching at the seminary where I earned my degrees. Matt Queen and Tommy Kiker will be teaching evangelism and pastoral ministries respectively. For several years Matt has been a minister of evangelism at a church in North Carolina while Tommy has served as a pastor in our state.
I taught both these men in seminary. I spent a lot of time with them and have preached at churches where they have served. I have watched them marry, become fathers, and grow as men of God. I am certain my influence has not been as great on them as theirs has been to me, but I am honored to be a little piece of the tapestry God is weaving in their lives.
Southwestern is blessed to have them on the faculty. I am blessed to have taught them. We are all blessed to be entrusted with such an amazing gospel.
