Don Reed joined the staff of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (RPTS) in June as director of planned giving. The seminary board announced at Synod last year its goal to create and fill this part-time position. The board had only one person in mind, and the Lord graciously led Don to accept that call.

The seminary hopes to serve other agencies and institutions of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America in the area of planned giving as well. Don will have in his “tool kit” information and materials from these other groups. Several denominational groups have expressed interest in his services, and RPTS expects others may do likewise.

In his six years as an RPTS board of trustees member, Reed has come to realize the absolutely critical importance of having a robust seminary within the denomination. “A strong biblical seminary produces strong biblical pastors who shepherd congregations, direct presbyteries, and guide Synod,” notes Don. RPTS Director of Development Mark Sampson states, “The seminary as it is today simply would not exist without estates and other planned gifts.” In each of the past two years, planned giving enabled the seminary to balance its budget. Don and his wife, Linda, will continue to reside in Sterling, Kan., as they embark on this new assignment. Don, an elder at the Sterling, Kan.,RPC since 1973, has most recently been the director of gift planning at Sterling College. He graduated from the college in 1968 and served in the United States Navy. Returning to Sterling, Don taught at Lyons High School in Lyons, Kan. He then began a 38-year career at Sterling College, filling different roles in institutional advancement.

Don met his wife, Linda, at Sterling College. Their three children, Shawn, Kyle, and Kim, also attended the school. The Reeds are the delighted grandparents of 10 grandchildren, one of whom has already gone to be with the Lord. When not occupied with family events, Don enjoys golf, tennis, and skiing.

Commenting on the addition of Don to the seminary staff, RPTS president Dr. Jerry O’Neill says, “Don Reed is unquestionably the one man most qualified to serve the seminary in this capacity. His lifelong commitment to Christ and His church, his 38 years of professional experience at Sterling College in the field of institutional advancement, his years of service on the RPTS board, his faithful service on the RPTS Bicentennial Campaign Committee, and his knowledge of the RPTS constituency make him ideally suited for the position. We are humbled and excited by his willingness to join the RPTS team. He is concerned for the health and growth of Christ’s church, not just the stability of the seminary. It is this love and commitment to Christ and His church that makes him such a great fit for his new responsibilities.”

Reed has enjoyed helping people plan and prepare for what he calls their “last act of stewardship”—designing and executing the final distribution of all that God has given them throughout their lives. Don has found this ministry to be fascinating because the world does not make a big deal about this area of life. “Christians often don’t think about how they can help God’s kingdom in their last act as His steward. I have come to believe we, as God’s children, need to be more conscious about our last opportunity to steward His resources entrusted to us,” notes Don.

RP Pastors Reinvigorating their Ministry at RPTS

Why would any sane pastor layer hours of intense classroom lecture, the reading of thousands of pages of theological texts, and the writing of detailed papers on top of the responsibilities of husband, father, and shepherd? This question was running through the minds of Nathan Eshelman (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Joel Wood (Sterling, Kan.) as they tried to keep pace with Dr. Rick Gamble in class at RPTS this past winter. Often compared to trying to take a sip of water from a fire hydrant, the discussion was flowing at an incredible pace as these pastors joined seven others in their doctoral class.

“Christ routinely sent His disciples away. He also sought time alone for prayer and study,” notes Dr. Gamble. “This practice is a key benefit of the program. Pastors are always aimed outward. There needs to be a season of input.”

The last session focused on the mediatorial kingship of Christ. “For many in the class, this was a highly emotional time to put your money where your mouth is,” stated Dr. Gamble. “We were dealing with the issues of abortion and racism in our communities. How does the shepherd help his flock to understand exactly what the phrase ‘Jesus is Lord’ means in the workplace and neighborhood?”

Joel Wood’s experience in the program has been a blessing to his ministry. Joel had a natural bent towards Strengthening Pastoral Ministry, one of two areas of concentration, but he decided to stretch his personal comfort zone by focusing on the Strengthening Counseling Ministry.

Joel has always been very comfortable in front of a large group of people, but when placed in a one-on-one setting, things became much more challenging. “This program has really forced me to think differently,” notes Pastor Wood. “I am in a pattern of in-depth study and preparation that I had abandoned from my days in seminary.” Joel, a 2006 RPTS graduate, reflects on the cycle of ministry that many pastors fall into upon leaving seminary, failing to stay engaged at a deeper level of study.

Nathan Eshelman believes that his work in the program has been good for his ministry in Los Angeles and within the Pacific Coast Presbytery, as he looks at how the Los Angeles congregation can glorify God locally and how the presbytery might plant more churches. When thinking about how the D.Min. work has impacted his life, Nathan notes, “Maybe you should ask my wife this question, as I am definitely busier now, but it is a good busy.” Continuing, he states, “I appreciate the fact that I have grown to love Christ more through the books I am reading and the courses I am taking.”

Pastor Eshelman sees great value in other RPCNA pastors taking up the program. “I am most grateful to have the opportunity to study in our seminary and learn from our professors. This program gives men like me, who did not do his M.Div. degree program at RPTS, the chance to learn from these pastors and get to know them as fellow laborers and presbyters.”

The doctor of ministry program at RPTS is designed to strengthen ministry in the kingdom of God by providing advanced training for those who minister to and pastor the people of God. It integrates advanced academic research in the various fields of theological study with the practice of ministry. The D.Min. program at RPTS offers two tracks of study:

Strengthening Pastoral Ministry—designed for ordained pastors who perform the full range of pastoral duties. This concentration focuses on advanced study in matters related to the doctrine, worship, and overall life and ministry of the church.

Strengthening Counseling Ministry—designed for pastors and others in the church whose ministry has a significant focus on counseling. Students learn the skills necessary to understand and apply the Word of the Lord to the needs of people with broken lives and relationships with advanced study in biblical counseling rooted in a thorough knowledge of Scripture.