Payne Lecture Evangelism
Feb 12, 2009
David Gortner
The Rev. Dr. David Gortner will explore "Evangelism Is Our Spiritual Habitation ... and the Enemy Is Us" during the second annual Bishop Claude Payne Lecture at Seminary of the Southwest on February 12.
Professor Gortner is director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Virginia Seminary and oversees two of its D.Min. degrees - ministry development in congregations and educational leadership in school ministries. He teaches courses as professor of evangelism and congregational leadership.
The public is invited to his 7 p.m. lecture in the seminary's Knapp Auditorium, 501 E. 32nd Street.
A prolific writer, Gortner's books include Around the Table: Exploring Episcopal Identity and Transforming Evangelism. He is currently writing a book on young adult ministry and continues to publish articles on clergy leadership with his colleague John Dreibelbis, from their five-year study of Episcopal priests.
Dr. Gortner earned the M.Div. from Seabury-Western Seminary and holds three degrees in psychology - Ph.D. University of Chicago, M.A. Wake Forest and B.A. Wheaton College.
Southwest trustees established the Payne Lectureship in honor of the Rt. Rev. Claude Payne, bishop of the Diocese of Texas from 1995 to his retirement in 2003. Bishop Payne served as board of trustee chair at Southwest during his episcopacy. He also served as a member of the Southwest board when he was rector of St. Martin's Church in Houston.
