Biography
Dr. Chuck Fuller comes to Anderson University with 13 years of experience in pastoral ministry, serving churches in Kentucky and Indiana. He holds a BA in Christian Studies from Campbellsville University, and an MDiv and PhD from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. His primary field of study for the Ph.D. was in Christian preaching, with additional studies in systematic theology and philosophy. Before arriving at AU, Dr. Fuller was pastor at Bethany Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, and adjunct professor of Christian preaching at Boyce College of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Additionally, Dr. Fuller has served on committees and boards of the Kentucky Baptist Convention.
Married to Jessie, Dr. Fuller and his wife have two children--Kaylen Marie and Ian Charles. Jessie holds a Bachelor of Bible from Ozark Christian College, with a concentration in deaf ministry. Currently, Jessie works as a stay-at-home mom and brilliant culinary artist.
Homiletical theology comprises Dr. Fuller's primary research area, as demonstrated in his recent book, The Trouble with "Truth through Personality": Phillips Brooks, Incarnation, and the Evangelical Boundaries of Preaching (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2010). Dr. Fuller has been scheduled to present a paper, titled "The Pulpit at the Precipice of Heresy," at the 2010 meeting of the Evangelical Homiletical Society.
Personal Narrative:
I am at Anderson University to mentor future pastors to serve the local church faithfully. My passion is to help raise a generation of God-called ministers who will bind their minds (and their preaching!) to the text of Scripture, who will grasp deeply and live fully the gospel of Jesus Christ, who will lead congregations to kingdom growth in unity and doctrinal fidelity, and who will patiently and lovingly shepherd the flock of God. I want to teach the principles and practices of faithful ministry in the classroom, but also serve as a mentor to our ministry students and minister to the AU community.
In The Know:
We sat down with Dr. Fuller to find out a little more about him personally. Below is an excerpt from our discussion.
1. What’s your favorite book of the Bible and why?
Usually, whatever book through which I'm preaching! When preaching through a book of the Bible, I get so immersed in the author's thoughts and intentions that I feel as though I'm swimming in it for weeks on end.
I think through its themes in the morning and meditate on them as I'm drifting off to sleep at night. I'm always looking for ways to apply its content to my life and the lives of those in the congregation. Ultimately, I live in the book to the point that it becomes alive in me.
More specifically, I've always found 1 Peter to be a particular source of encouragement and joy. As believers, we must remember our alien status in this world. Although we now live in exile, we hold on to our living hope in Jesus Christ even as we suffer temporary trials.
2. What’s a hobby you enjoy doing?
Among other interests such as snow skiing, hiking, camping, and traveling, swimming takes the cake for me. I grew up with a pool in my backyard, so I'm a bit amphibious. It's refreshing, it's great exercise, and it's fun to do with the family.
3. Which will you prefer when you get to heaven: church potlucks, icecream socials, or spaghetti dinners?
Ice creams socials, undoutedly. Potlucks are too unpredictable (I'm always afraid EVERYONE will bring cold pasta). Spaghetti dinners are too predictable. Ice cream, however, is pure bliss!
4. Who has been a mentor to you and what has that person done to help you the most?
Nick Sandefur (now pastor at Edgewood Baptist Church in Hopkinsville, KY) was the pastor under which I first served as a youth minister, and to this day remains a friend on which I lean for advice and encouragement. His patient but persistent approach to ministry; his ability to perceive the preferences, faults, strengths, and needs of his congregation; and his sheer, selfless love for Christ and His people made me fall more in love with pastoral work. Nick took the time to know me, allowed me to see even the ugly parts of ministry, and poured his life into me.
5. Why are you glad to be teaching here in the College of Christian Studies at AU?
I'm thrilled to be teaching in the AU College of Christian studies for four reasons. First, I get to teach students the greatest thing they'll ever know--new life in Christ. Second, I get to train a future generation of faithful ministers. Third, I get to work in an inovative department that unites biblical fidelity with practical ministry. Fourth, I get to connect with local churches and pastors to strengthen our common work for God's kingdom.
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