Man, Sin, and Salvation

Since Donald Stevenson, one of our teachers of theology, is currently in Zambia undertaking pastoral training there, Tony Nuñez taught our Theology 3 block course. Tony is a graduate of The Master's Seminary and is currently serving as Youth Pastor at Howick Baptist Church in Auckland.

The weekend intensive course covered topics like the origin and nature of man, the fall and its consequences, total depravity, the atonement of Christ, election, regeneration, conversion, justification, sanctification and glorification.

I sat in the block course for several hours over the weekend and enjoyed it very much. Students travelled from Hastings, Wellington, and Hamilton to be here.

Please continue to pray for our student body who sacrifice greatly to be a part of the training programmes.

Eschatology Weekend Seminars

This past weekend, I taught a series of seminars on the Book of Revelation and Eschatology (End Times) at Marton Bible Chapel. The schedule included eleven hours of teaching, starting Friday evening, and ending Sunday afternoon.
We began the weekend by asking, "Why study the End Times?" and answered with the statement: "We study End Times, not primarily to build a calendar, but rather to build a character." Hence, our goal for the weekend was to consider how we might be better prepared to meet our Saviour and how we might be faithful to the task of evangelism while we wait expectantly.

In the sessions that followed, we:
• Discussed and agreed to utilise the literal-grammatical-historical hermeneutic
• Compared the theological perspectives of Eschatology
• Surveyed the Book of Revelation
• Completed a chronological survey of the End Times by compiling selected Scriptures from throughout the Old and New Testaments

A team of TSBC students came with us to enjoy the seminars and to encourage the local saints. We all enjoyed our time Marton Bible Chapel.
Here is a photo we took from the top of the Wanganui tower . . .
Here's some of the TSBC students gathering at the foot of the tower . . .
And here is me with my sweetheart . . .

2011 Impact Bible Conference

Plans are coming together for Impact 2011. The dates are Thursday–Monday, 2–6 June. The speakers are Dr Bill Barrick, Dr Jack Hughes, John Richard, and Lisa Hughes.

The theme is entitled "Stepping into Eternity" and will focus our thoughts on the believer's glorification, the soon return of Christ, Heaven, and other future events. The goal is that we might be motivated to live holy lives while we wait for Christ and make the most of our opportunity to proclaim the Good News while we still can.


Dr Bill Barrick and Dr Jack Hughes will tackle this central theme, while John Richard will address the youth, and Lisa Hughes the women. I'll keep you posted as other elective speakers are added.

For now, here is the artwork for next year's conference. . .

TSBC 2011 Semester Schedule

Next year, we will transition to a two-semester schedule at The Shepherd's Bible College. This will replace the four-term schedule which has been in place for the past ten years. If you click on the graphic below, you will see the schedule in a larger format.

The key dates in 2011 are as follows:
• Orientation Day: 5 March
• First Semester Begins: 8 March
• Impact Bible Conference: 2-6 June
• First Semester Ends: 7 July
• Second Semester Begins: 9 August
• Second Semester Ends: 1 December
• Graduation: 10 December

TSBC E-Quipper - August 2010 Issue

Expanding The Impact

One of the great privileges for the believer is to see God’s work as it expands around the globe. In this edition we hear from Donald Stevenson, the Department Head of Theology, who is on an extended ministry trip in southern Africa. The Shepherd's Bible College (TSBC) is privileged to partner with local congregations throughout NZ and around the world. In addition, TSBC is a partner school of The Master’s Academy International (TMAI) which aids sound, biblical theological training around the globe.

Donald writes:

“My family and I arrived in Zambia via South Africa about a month ago. We are here furthering the partnership of our local NZ church with Samfya Bible School. This school exists to equip the rural Bemba people, a simple, yet loving people among whom the Church is thriving. The Bemba have a great need for sound biblical training and Samfya Bible School plays a key role. As we have fostered our relationship, we now see the opportunity to greatly help the Bemba through aiding their instructors and filling needs where appropriate and possible. Because of our partnership with TMAI, we were able to meet with men while in South Africa who can aid in the further equipping of Samfya’s instructors. We are a privileged family as we see the Lord orchestrating the growth of His Church as a congregation from NZ aids a school in Zambia which will be benefited from a partnership in South Africa. Now, more will be equipped to stand alone on the Word of God as the authority that will bring freedom from the ancestral worship and spiritism that cripples this land! Our God is faithful to build His church and we know that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. What a blessing to be a small part of seeing this happen.”

To keep up with the adventures and ministry of the Stevenson’s check out their blog: www.rbcinafrica.blogspot.com


Bibles and teaching resources from Riverbend Bible Church in New Zealand received enthusiastically.

TSBC Courses Underway

Classes began this week at The Shepherd's Bible College. Term three is now underway with the following courses being offered:

• NT Survey 3 (Pauline Epistles): Nigel Shailer
• OT Survey (1 Kings-Esther and Poetical Books): Joe Fleener
• Christian Living 4: Russell Hohneck
• Hermeneutics 2 (Interpreting different Bible genres): Phil Henderson
• Homiletics 1 (Preaching): Nigel Shailer
• Theology 3 (Man, Sin, and Salvation): Tony Nuñez

Please pray for each of these lecturers and their students.