David Seamands - RIP
From the Asbury Seminary websiteWILMORE- Dr. David Seamands was born in India to Methodist missionary parents and spent much of his boyhood there. He graduated from Asbury College, Drew Theological Seminary and the Hartford Seminary Foundation. He also received honorary degrees from both Asbury College and Asbury Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Helen, served as United Methodist Missionaries in India from 1946 until 1962. From 1962 until 1984 he was the senior pastor of the United Methodist Church in Wilmore.
His ministry influenced the lives of thousands of students attending Asbury College and Asbury Theological Seminary. From 1984-1992 he was Professor of Pastoral Ministries at the seminary, and in 1990 was also appointed Dean of the Chapel. “Dr. Seamands was an esteemed member of our Asbury Seminary community,” expressed Dr. Jeffrey E. Greenway, president. “Our prayers are with his family during this time.” Dr. Semands served in the Asbury Seminary community for eight years, retiring in 1992 as Professor of Pastoral Ministries, Emeritus.
Seamands was a leader in evangelical renewal movements within the United Methodist Church. Five times, from 1980 until 1996, he served as a delegate to the denomination's General Conference. He was also a founder of the Mission Society for United Methodists. He was a pioneer in the field of Christian counseling and was recognized as such at the 1992 Congress of Christian Counseling where, together with James Dobson, Larry Crabb and Gary Collins, he received the special "Paraklesis" Award. His book, Healing for Damaged Emotions, has sold over a million copies and has been translated into over thirty languages. He also authored numerous other books. He and Helen were pioneers in the Marriage Enrichment and Engaged Discovery movements and led over 2200 couples through these special weekend experiences.
In addition to his wife of 64 years, Helen Davis Seamands, he is survived by 3 children Sharon Irvine and husband Peter, OK., Stephen Seamands, and wife Carol, Wilmore, and Deborah Mostad and husband Keith, Ohio, nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Services will be 2 PM Tues., Aug. 1, at Wilmore United Methodist Church, burial in Wilmore Cemetery.
posted by Matt Friedeman @ 12:14 PM
10 comments
10 Comments:
Hmmm. No mention of the indiscretions. I suppose not, not in an obituary. And yet...I will not forget....I don't think we should honor men, even of this magnitude, when their lives have not lived up to their letters.
Sorry about the double comment...but, you know, Matt...I went back and read this again, and it makes me mad! I don't care how many couples he led in Marriage Enrichment weekends. He was unfaithful to his own wife!
I don't care how many years he spent at the seminary, or how many books he wrote, or any of that. Many, many people trusted him - his family trusted him, and he led a secret, sinful life.
No lauding from this corner!
I'm with Holly on this one. I just heard about his long term affair and his death (11/07). He was composing some of his controversial theories and books during his 20+ escapade with abject sin. Poor Helen; poor us who looked up to him. His defenders are blind. He finally came clean because he was about to be outed for his affair. He "confessed" under pressure of his affair with a member of the Asbury class of '64 whom he and Helen had taken into their home. It is a reminder to us to trust God in all things and not trust the Davids of the world.
Dr. Seamands was my pastor in the mid-1970s. Neither I nor he agreed with what he did. I have grace for anyone who does or does not admit their sins. We all have them (present tense), whether we recognize them or not.
John
I agree w/ John. Sure there are issues of mistrust and betrayal. That goes w/ just about anything now a days, not just w/ adultery. There are so many sins we commit on a daily basis. That is why we need Jesus, moment by moment. I think I remember the scripture that clearly states, "Judge not, that you not be judged." You never know when you or someone you know will need an understanding, loving person to come alongside and help restore you gently to the right path again. Dr. Seamands was a great person in his endeavors to renew, reshape and heal the body through a deep inner-healing realization that we have been blessed to receive. He is but one of the many Christians who have fallen and will continue to fall, but praise God we have a Jesus, a Savior, that heals and forgives and above all understands our plights better than we know them ourselves and continues to say, "I forgive you and I love you."
From a sinner that has been forgiven, daily!
I fully agree with (...forgiven, daily). I was a licensed Christian psychotherapist for 20 years, seeing hundreds of people healed, transformed, and set free with the precious blood of the Lamb and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. In my graduate school training I was blessed to read several of Dr. Seamand's books. After 26 years of marriage myself, with no premeditated intentions for disobedience I had an affair which led to the destruction of my family and shaken faith of several thousand that I ministered to as an Associate Pastor as well. If anyone says he/she can truly comprehend the heart of man and understand why we do such things of depth this person sets themselves up for blasphemy acting as God. Everyone of us sin and like King David if we have a true heart after God we will walk out, in His strength, genuine repentance, restitution, and restoration with authentic accoutability with a true understanding of God's grace. As the Word of God so beautifully states, "Man looks on the outward, but God looks at the heart of man." Until you've lost everything there is to lose in this life you have no room to even begin to think you understand; except to know God's Word which states, "Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever!" Thank you Lord that you love us so much, inspite of our best attempts which only lead us back again with empty hands to the foot of your cross. Bottom line...nothing nor any opinion matters much except for love lived out in the frailty of our humanity looking to His face as He tenderly holds us.
-Another appreciative Prodigal-
One day Holly's sins will be exposed before the Great Throne of Judgement. I just hope that her shame will be covered by the same Grace and Mercy that covered David's and mine. For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. No one is exempt, we all deserve eternal death. I praise God that by His Mercy and Grace, I can live, though my mortal flesh is weak.
I have only one comment for all to see, no matter the opinion or humility tht is given.
Hebrews Ch 6. let this be a lesson, a warning, and a consolation to all men/women that names the name of Christ and calls Him LORD.
Selah
Thanking God for David seamands book healing for damaged emotions I know that this man was inspired by God when he wrote This Book.. one thing I've learned over the years is that we all fall short of the coming of God.
AMEN
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