What Is ETSPM?

By David A. Paher

Printed on December 5, 2004

Edwin Jones sent me an e-mail this past week. He preaches for the Karns church in Knoxville, TN and teaches at the East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions, my alma mater. The instructors are seeking ways to improve awareness of its existence, functions, goals, and achievements. Staff, alumni, and friends anticipate that more students and funds will come to the school as more people become acquainted with its work and successes. Supposedly, I am the best face for the school—you be the judge if this is good or bad—due to the great geographical distance between us. And I have realized that I have inadequately communicated these points regarding the school. Therefore, I will periodically talk and write about the school in order for us to become more familiar with it. I will do this enthusiastically but never fanatically!

Founded in 1971, the East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions (ETSPM) exists for the purpose of training men to effectively preach and teach God’s Word. Its work is under the direct oversight of the Karns church of Christ. Since then, ETSPM has graduated an average of ten preachers per year. There were six in my 2000 class: two are preaching full-time; two are continuing their education and working part-time with congregations; one, Danny Rader, is a missionary and has made several trips to India, Guyana (you may have seen him in some photos we have received from Jerry Davidson), and other places; and one was on staff at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, TN.

ETSPM tries to emulate 2 Timothy 2:2 and what you learnt from me, in the presence of many listeners, entrust to reliable men, who will be able in their turn to teach others (TCNT). The elders, deacons, members, and of course the teachers at Karns and ETSPM all participate in the successes of the school but more importantly the students which graduate. They receive pleasure, rightfully so, in knowing that as graduates go into the fields to teach and preach (Mt. 28:19) souls will be saved.

The instructors endeavor to maintain a balance in teaching and applying God’s Word. As we know, there are some who bind where God has not bound and are ultra-conservative. There are others who loose where God has not loosed and are ultra-liberal. Both groups are wrong because they do not wholly follow God’s pattern, binding and loosing as will. Wisdom is striving to be as conservative as the Bible tells and to be as liberal as the Bible allows. Warning: Any individuals who struggle to live with any sense of balance will gain enemies in both camps and thus be accused of liberalism by legalists and legalism by liberalists. But, this is normal.

ETSPM strives to sustain equilibrium by passionately pursing truth and compassionately sharing it with others. God’s word is not to be used for selfish purposes, to win debates or arguments, or to abuse others.

I know the school; I know the teachers and faculty; I know the elders and members. Therefore, I know it is a good cause.

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