October Ventures course to focus on the Psalms

By Kendra Flory

The October offering from the Ventures in Christian Discipleship program at McPherson (Kan.) College will be “Happiness in Hard Times: A View from the Psalms” to be presented by Stephen Reid, vice provost for Faculty Diversity and Belonging at Baylor University in Texas. The course will be held online in two sessions, Tuesdays, Oct. 8 and 15, both at 6:30-8:30 p.m. (central time).

Course description: Why do we think of these as hard times? We will touch on this slightly in this session, but what will occupy us more is, how do the Psalms characterize the “happy.” The book of Psalms uses the term happy several times. We will carefully examine these and simultaneously explore how we pursue happiness.

Stephen Breck Reid joined the faculty of George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University in the fall of 2008 and, in 2022, was appointed vice provost for Faculty Diversity and Belonging. He holds a bachelor’s degree in religion from Manchester University in North Manchester, Ind.; a master of divinity from Bethany Theological Seminary; and a doctorate from Emory University. He has served on several seminary faculties, including as academic dean and professor of Old Testament Studies at Bethany Theological Seminary. He is ordained in the Church of the Brethren and has served as pastor in several congregations.