Journal: Faith and Mission
Volume: FM 21:2 (Spring 2004)
Article: Why Are We Here and What Should We Do? The Mission of the Church and the Mission of the Seminary: Eph. 4:1–16
Author: Daniel L. Akin

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FM 21:2 (Spring 2004) p. 50

Why Are We Here and What Should We Do?
The Mission of the Church and the Mission of the Seminary:
Eph. 4:1–16

Daniel L. Akin

President
Professor of Preaching and Theology
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Wake Forest, North Carolina 27587

Preached at Binkley Chapel
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Wake Forest, North Carolina
January 27, 2004

Let me say today that it is a tremendous honor and privilege to come back to a place where I had the honor of serving from 1992–96. I never dreamed that the Lord would bless me and give Charlotte and me this honor of coming to lead this great seminary. It has a phenomenal faculty and a wonderful student body; I do not think there is a seminary in the world that has more of a passion for lost souls than this one. Its missionary reputation is known far and wide. As we begin today together, I just want you to know that I already have you in my heart and that I love you. It is a joy for Charlotte and for me to be here to work with you.

We also are honored today to have three of our four sons here. God has blessed us with four sons. The one who is not here, Nathan, is a basketball player, a senior at Murray State. They were playing in Texas last night, and it was not possible for him to join us, but his twin brother, Jonathan, is here together with Paul and Timothy. Jonathan is now a first-year student at Southern Seminary, having graduated from the college there, Boyce College. Paul is a sophomore and Timothy a freshman at Union University. My two younger ones are both Christian studies majors looking to go into the ministry. Jonathan is on staff at High View Baptist Church.

So that you might have a chance to see and welcome them, I will ask my sons Jonathan, Paul, and Timothy to stand. We look forward to working with you in the days ahead. In all things, whether we eat, drink, or whatever we do, we will do our best to bring glory and honor to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you.

FM 21:2 (Spring 2004) p. 51

Let me invite you to take your Bibles and join me in Ephesians chapter 4. As you are turning there, let me express my appreciation to Tim Lewis and the search committee for the gracious and kind way in which they dealt with us as we sought to find the will of the Lord in all of this and how honored we are to be here. I also want to say thank you to the faculty and the administration for their very warm welcome. No one could have asked for more than we have already received. I also want to say a special word of appreciation to Bart Neal who has done a fantastic job over the last seven months; I believe this ...

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