After the usual two-week end of semester break, classes resume Monday, January 14th. Thus far many of us have been extremely busy during the break. I don't think I have ever had quite so many "irons in the fire" as during this present break.
A fairly large number of Big Sandy and Pasadena students met in Colorado during the winter break to ski. I haven't heard from any of the students yet (or the few faculty members from the two campuses who accompanied them), but I am sure they are having a fine time.
We are now in the process of having our annual student progress meetings. It takes us many hours to discuss and evaluate the progress of the senior and junior students as we consider possible job opportunities within the Church and next year's student leadership positions.
In early February, my wife and I are scheduled to spend a little over a week at the Big Sandy campus. We very much look forward to visiting with the faculty and students of our sister campus. I will again teach a number of classes, speak at a Forum or Assembly, and give a couple of sermons and a Bible study. Also, this will give me a further opportunity to discuss college-related matters with some Big Sandy college administrators.
Recently, Mr. Dick Ames (Director of Admissions at Pasadena) and I had the privilege of accompanying Mr. Armstrong to Big Sandy in the new G-III. Mr. Armstrong wanted us to get together with the college administrators at Big Sandy to discuss the theology curriculum for both campuses. He felt certain alterations were needed to ensure that all AC graduates — including those from the two-year Associate of Arts and Associate of Science programs — receive certain vital information about the Bible. Thus material concerning the Bible's inspiration, preservation, translations, infallibility, etc., which had been covered in the fourth-year Biblical Scholarship class, Mr. Armstrong has decided could be condensed down to one semester, and be taught the spring semester of the second year Fundamentals of Theology class. Mr. Dick Ames teaches this class at Pasadena, and Dr. Don Ward teaches it at Big Sandy.
In the future, the theology classes which will be required for all students on the four-year Bachelor of Arts program will be as follows: 1) Life and Teachings of Jesus (Harmony of the Gospels), 2) Fundamentals of Theology, Biblical Prophecy, and 4) Doctrines of the Worldwide Church of God. Besides these Bible courses, the students on the BA program will, of course, take a number of elective Bible courses in order to have sufficient hours of theology.
Hopefully, the cold winter being experienced in certain parts of the world will not be too difficult for any of you or your families. We at Headquarters remember all of you in our prayers, and ask your continued prayers for us also.
AMBASSADOR COLLEGE UPDATE (Pasadena Campus)
Worldwide Church of God