Cairn Hosts 3rd Annual Alumni Pastors’ Luncheon

On Wednesday, September 7, 2016, Cairn University’s Office of Alumni Relations hosted its 3rd Annual Pastor’s Alumni Luncheon.  Local pastors from Philadelphia and the greater Philadelphia area gathered together in Cairn’s Highlander Café for a time of fellowship and refreshment.  As has become a custom with this event, the atmosphere was one of overall enthusiasm and encouragement, with pastors reconnecting and enjoying one another’s company.
President Todd Williams kicked off the afternoon by updating the alumni pastors on exciting university news.  He spoke of this year’s homecoming event and of the great beginning to yet another academic year.  President Williams also asked the pastors to pray for the university, as well as for his upcoming chapel sermon series, “Life Together,” which emphasizes the Christian life, both inside and outside of the university setting.
This year, the luncheon featured a Q&A session with professors Dr. Keith Plummer and Dr. Don Cheyney.  Dr. Jonathan Master, dean of the School of Divinity, mediated this Q&A time.  Each of the professors answered several questions related to his particular field of expertise—Dr. Plummer, apologetics, and Dr. Cheyney, homiletics.
Dr. Plummer and Dr. Cheyney began by giving a brief summary of the nature and format of the courses Apologetics and Homiletics I & II.  Dr. Plummer spoke of the importance of teaching his students how to “dialogue the Gospel,” and to not only defend the Christian faith, but to do so in a humble and loving manner.  Dr. Cheyney explained how his homiletics courses are first and foremost designed to teach future pastors how to transition from a biblical text to a message that will preach effectively in the cultural context to which the Lord has called them.
The alumni pastors asked Dr. Plummer questions about moral objective truth claims, the content and heart of apologetics, and the role of prayer in apologetics.  Some of the questions Dr. Cheyney addressed were, “How has preaching changed over the years?” and “What is the most significant aspect of good homiletics?”
Hosting this year’s Alumni Pastor’s Luncheon has been another privilege for the Office of Alumni Relations.  The alumni pastors will return to Cairn University next fall.  If you know of a pastor in full- or part-time ministry who is a graduate of Cairn, please invite them to attend the event and to contact the Office of Alumni Relations for more information at [email protected].