Langham Partnership eNews

Week of Mar 11, 2013

Langham Partnership Board Member named as new President of Fuller Theological Seminary

Dr. Mark Labberton, current board member and former board chair of Langham Partnership (formerly John Stott Ministries), has been named as Fuller Theological Seminary’s fifth president, beginning July 1, 2013.

Labberton began his involvement with Langham as Dr. Stott’s study assistant in the early 1980s, after receiving a Master of Divinity degree at Fuller Seminary.  “I was afforded the opportunity to see Christian character wed to scholarly, pastoral, global engagement,” said Labberton.  “It was a powerful contagion.”

“I eagerly sought international travel in Asia, Africa, and Latin America for the sake of smelling and listening, seeing and hearing the norms of the world over and against my life of privilege,” said Labberton, reflecting on his experiences of being globally stretched and challenged by working with John Stott.

“I feel an incredible sense of joy and hope to be given this opportunity,” said Labberton.  “Thanks to Rich Mouw’s generous, gracious, and irenic leadership, Fuller is well-positioned to influence how the Gospel is communicated, understood, and embodied in the world.”

Following his studies at Whitman College, Labberton earned a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller, and a Ph.D. in theology from the University of Cambridge, England.  In 2009, Labberton joined Fuller’s faculty as the Lloyd John Ogilvie Associate Professor of Preaching, and director of the Lloyd John Ogilvie Institute of Preaching

Labberton also served for 16 years as senior pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, CA.  Prior to that, Labberton served as senior pastor of Wayne Presbyterian Church in Wayne, PA.

A frequent lecturer and preacher at conferences, in congregations, and at academic gatherings, Labberton has authored: First Things: A Theology of the World, the Church, the Pastor, and the Sermon (2013); The Dangerous Act of Loving Your Neighbor: Seeing Others Through the Eyes of Jesus (2010) and The Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God’s Call to Justice (2007).

Labberton encourages prayers for Fuller “at such a turbulent time in the church and in the world, when tangible demonstrations of God’s love are needed.” He also welcomes prayers for his new role as president, as he seeks to foster “careful understanding, deep and diverse community, courageous and wise decision-making, and effective creativity to address the challenges facing seminary education.”

From the East Bay of Northern California, Mark Labberton and his wife, Janet Morrison Labberton, have two sons, Peter, 24, and Sam, 18.

Reconciliation and Renewal: Dr. Daniel tackles tough issues facing the church in Ethiopia

“I feel strange leaving a voice mail,” Seblewengel says to me as we are driving to the San Francisco airport, where she will begin her long journey back home to Addis Ababa. She had just left a message for one of her sisters who lives in the USA. I ask for clarification – why would that be strange? She explains that in Ethiopia, there is only one phone carrier; it is state-owned and they don’t provide voice mail services. Despite this, and many other inconveniences, Seblewengel is a pioneer of change and a testimony to what God can do when we are obedient to his call.

Click to read more about Dr. Daniel’s biblical solutions to Ethiopia’s biggest challenges.

Sea Cloud Invitation, June 21-July 4, 2013

Prayerfully consider coming along for an extraordinary voyage aboard the Sea Cloud. From June 21-July 4, 2013, you’ll travel to Greece and Turkey to retrace the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul. Along the way, you will enjoy interludes of study at many familiar biblical sites, while spending quality time with your fellow like-minded travelers. In addition, world-renowned Bible teacher, Dr. Christopher J.H. Wright – the International Ministry Director of the Langham Partnership, will escort us through the ancient cities of Patmos, Ephesus, Smyrna, Sardis and Athens. His integrated grasp of the whole of Scripture and God’s redemptive work thru history is stunning – and captivating. You will be nourished and strengthened spiritually!

Download the Sea Cloud PDF to learn more about this journey.

Planting Easter Kingdom Seeds

As we approach Easter, there are critical Spring initiatives to seed – your gift today will help us:

• Replenish scholarship coffers as we make Spring decisions on grants to 79 future leaders from 46 countries.
• Train more than 1,500 pastors and leaders in small clusters over the next few weeks in countries like Nigeria, Brazil, Uganda, Malaysia and the DR Congo.
• Prepare immediate shipments of more than 7,500 books to Bible colleges and pastors in 61 countries.

Learn more how God uses your support of Langham Partnership to grow His Kingdom

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