Torch, Winter 1990

., Families are in trouble today. The trek from Eden has taken its toll on the most basic of human relationships, and the effects reach every comer of society. Some attacks on the family are philosophical, as vocal "experts" theorize a new social order to replace the family in what they see as an inevitable evolution of human experi– ence. Other attacks are more personal, as family members struggle daily to find the satisfaction and fulfillment they think they deserve. Our celebration is not unmindful of these problems. We celebrate because the family is God's idea. And in spite of widespread trauma, many families are flourishing! This Cedarville TORCH issue features several families of various sizes, ages, and callings. They are different from each other in many respects, yet their experiences are typical of innumerable families who are making it. They do not claim perlection, and they have been willing to be transparent about some of their struggles. Probably no two families are exactly alike. God demonstrated His creativity by forming us with individual differences, and different people create different relationships. God's instruc– tions for marriages and families acknowledge this, giving the non-negotiables in broad principles and allowing diversity by fostering expressions of individual differences. Consequently, as you read the following articles, you may be able to identify with some of the experiences of these families while others may seem foreign to you. The hope of these people, and mine as well, is that you might be encouraged and strengthened by focusing on what is going right in families. • ITINERARIES Dr. Paul Dixon, President New York, NY-Manhattan Bible Church, February 24-25 Rockford, MI-Blythefield Hills Baptist Church, March 4 Mt. Vernon, OH-Faith Baptist Church (Youth Rally), March 5 Hollywood, FL-First Baptist Church, March 11 Grand Rapids, MI-State Teen Bible Conference, March 30-31 Watervliet, Ml-Midway Baptist Church, April I Crawfordsville, IN-East Side Baptist Church, April 8 Medinah, IL-Medinah Christian School Banquet, April 20 Williamstown, OH-Community Bible Church, April 22 Schroon Lake, NY-Word of Life Bible Institute, April 23-28 Schroon Lake, NY- Word of Life Father/Son Retreat, April 27-28 Kalamazoo, MI-Westwood Baptist Church, May 19-20 Auburn, IN-Bible Baptist Church, May 27 Cedarville, OH-94th Commencement, Cedarville College, June 2 Dr. James T. Jeremiah, Chancellor Sebring, FL-Maranatha Baptist Church, March 4-9 Tour to Israel, Jordan, and Egypt-March 12-24 Tallmadge, OH-First Baptist Church, April 8-10 Cedarville, OH-Cedarville College Chapel, April 12 Grand Rapids, MI-Grand Rapids Baptist College Chapel, April 18 Ephrata, PA-Grace Fellowship, April 20-22 Northfield, OH-Northfield Baptist, April 29- May 2 Roxana, IL-First Baptist Church, May 6-9 Cedarville, OH-94th Commencement, Cedarville College, June 2 CONTENTS Why Celebrate the Family? by Dr. Martin Clark 2 The Dixons, Cedarville College's "First Couple" by Ron Coriell 4 Campus News 8 President's Report 1989 Tending to Family Business An interview with C.E. Gene Miller 10 Unless the Lord Builds the House • • • by Tim and Amy DeCook Royer 14 CREDITS Editor Dr. Martin Clark Graphics Les Troyer Managing Editor Ron Coriell Photography Lonnie Richards Associate Editors Martha Baldwin Judy Johnson Linda Thomas Proofreaders Marilyn Henderson Irene Gidley TORCH Vol. 12, No. 1, Winter Issue, 1990 Published by: Cedarville College P.O. Box 601 Cedarville, OH 45314 NO PAID SUBSCRIPTIONS The Cedarville TORCH is published quarterly for the alumni and friends of Cedarville College. Comments and requests for reprints should be directed to: Ron Coriell Cedarville TORCH Managing Editor