First and Foremost a Servant of Jesus Christ

When you hear that someone is retiring, don’t you often picture that person sailing off into the sunset on a big pleasure boat? Look closely at the picture on the front cover and you will see the way Peter Moore “retires” – windsurfing with students on Lake Arthur! That’s typical of Peter – always on the leading edge, ready for action, checking out fresh ways to do familiar things.

 

Entrepreneurial in his thinking and doing, he is eager to envision transformation and then to attempt to accomplish his visions. He is also willing to consider the ideas of others – sometimes incorporating them and sometimes not. If his project succeeded, that was wonderful and it was time to move on. If his project failed, he would take the responsibility, and move on. Peter didn’t do these things for praise or honor, but for the good of the ministry with which he was associated at the time, for the furtherance of the Gospel, and for God’s glory.

 

As friends and colleagues can attest, Peter has always had a heart for Trinity: “You cannot imagine what a thrill it is for me to be installed as Trinity’s fourth Dean. It is the fulfillment of dreams I never dared dream, and hopes I hardly dared admit – even to myself.” So began Peter’s response at his installation as Dean and President of Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry eight years ago, and he never stopped working toward realizing those dreams.

 

As most of Peter’s friends know, he was in on the idea of starting a new theological seminary over 28 years ago, one that would signal the rebirth of the Evangelical tradition for the Episcopal Church. At Trinity’s very first convocation on September 25, 1976, Peter, then Chairman of the Board, assured the audience that “if the new school spoke God’s truth with love, the Church and the world would listen.” And so it has! Trinity has grown to be the largest Episcopal seminary in headcount, its 700+ graduates in demand and serving all over the world.

 

When Peter accepted the responsibility as Dean and President in 1996 he shared three words that he hoped would be characteristic of his tenure here: servanthood, vision, and joy. From this side of the desk and pulpit, and especially from “the office next door,” I’ve had the privilege of a unique perspective on how these attributes have singularized Peter’s eight years of leadership at Trinity.

 

Servanthood

 

Peter is first and foremost a servant of Jesus Christ. This is manifested in his clear and faithful preaching, his willingness to pray for and with anyone at any time, and his desire to share the Gospel. The number of people who have come to know the Lord or have been renewed in their walk with Him because of Peter’s ministries is great, as evidenced in the many letters and emails he has received during his time here.

 

Secondly, he was a servant of the school. As Dean and President, Peter had to make many decisions, some popular and some not. Can you imagine the weight of some of those decisions? Not only were they made for the good of the school, but, in the long run, for the good of the Gospel.

 

Peter also served Trinity through his teaching of homiletics. Teaching is one of his favorite things to do and he put a lot of time and effort into it. And he didn’t do the same thing year after year, but always looked for ways to keep it fresh and up-to-date, using modern technology.

 

His writings for Seed & Harvest were inspiring to many. Peter often received notes from readers who were uplifted by his teachings; enheartened by his personal thoughts; and assured by his willingness to share not only his sadness concerning the state of the Church, but also his encouragement to continue striving for the Gospel.

 

Then, there are all the heartfelt letters he penned these past eight years: letters of thanks for hospitality after returning from his travels, encouragement to friends who were discouraged, requests to foundations for aid in completing a certain project, letters to students when they became postulants, letters requesting scholarship aid for our students, letters to help answer questions about theological issues, and letters to donors either asking for help to meet the budget or thanking them for their prayers and support. From reading some of the acknowledgements of those who received these letters, it is clear that people knew Peter was always candid, genuine and honest.

 

He served the school through his many travels, especially for fundraising purposes. This past year alone, Peter was in New York City, North Carolina, Blackpool, England, Chevy Chase, Dallas, Baltimore, Seattle, West Virginia, Vermont,  Charleston, Washington, DC and Orlando. Peter managed to raise almost $13 million dollars for the ‘Such Faith’ Capital Campaign while keeping the annual fund in the black, as well as creating new scholarships. Very few people realize what time and energy that took on his part, as well as that of his family. He does get much of his energy from being with people, but traveling so much and speaking four or five times during a weekend can take a toll on even the most enthusiastic, energetic and extroverted person! On top of that, fundraising is not one of his favorite things to do; but God used him in spite of that.

 

The part of serving as Dean that Peter treasured most was the time he spent with the students. How about lunch? How are things going? Let’s grab a cup of coffee. Don’t forget to take time for yourself and your family. How can I help? Let’s pray together. We’re having a picnic at our home and all are welcome. What are you using for personal devotions? Do you want me to talk to your bishop? Let’s go windsurfing! Plus, it was mostly due to Peter’s compassion and enthusiasm that the Family Focus Resource Center will soon be built – a place where students and their families can gather for training, fun and relaxation. More than once, recently, I have heard Peter say how much he is going to miss his time with students.

 

Vision

 

Peter’s vision for the school has come a long way towards being fulfilled. This past spring Trinity had 47 graduates – 4 D.Min. degrees, 31 M.Div. degrees, 10 Master’s degrees and 2 Diplomas – a long way from the 17 students who enrolled in the seminary that was not accredited and could not grant degrees 28 years ago.

 

Through the expansion of our online and extension courses, Trinity will be able to equip many more Christian leaders all over the world for mission – something Peter has always considered one of the most prominent purposes of a seminary education. As of this fall, students will be able to complete Diplomas in Anglican Studies online. The completion of our greatly expanded Library/Academic Center and our many new computerized capabilities, made available mainly through Peter’s work and donors’ generous giving during the Capital Campaign, have helped Trinity achieve new respectability in these areas.

 

Peter had a vision that theological education at Trinity would include a commitment to forming prayerful people with pastors’ hearts, as well as thoughtful people with finely-trained Christian minds. He and the faculty have worked toward creating a community of students with solid Christian character who are capable of being, in Peter’s words, “‘spiritually ambidextrous’ - able to speak and minister to the diversity of God’s people, as well as maintaining a rigorous academic program in order to help our students answer the serious and complex challenges facing them in the church today.”

 

Joy

 

During the last eight years, it would seem to many of us that the world has become less and less joyful. So, quite often during his term here, Peter has reminded the community to “Be joyful in the Lord. Serve the Lord with gladness and come before His presence with a song” (Psalm 100). He has also been heard to quote Charles Simeon: “We are to enjoy God in all things, and to enjoy all things in God.” In the midst of both happy and challenging circumstances, Peter always stressed that real joy comes only from the Lord and from serving in His Name.

 

A quote from one of Peter’s writings awhile back illustrates well his love for Trinity and his concern for its future in the midst of the Church’s conundrum: “Our confidence as a seminary continues to rest not on the weak shoulders of fallible men and women, but on the solid Rock on which we have built. Jesus Christ, the chief cornerstone, rejected by men but precious in the sight of God, is the One who created this School for Ministry, and Who will continue to see it fulfill its destiny for generations to come.”

 

And so it would seem that Peter has come full circle in his service to Trinity. Thankfully, we will continue to benefit from his willingness to aid this “school for ministry” in his role as Dean and President Emeritus. Peter, with admiration and gratitude, the Trinity community thanks you for your service in your role as Dean and President – you have been for us an example of a man of prayer, of principle, and of performance. No doubt we will still see you encouraging and praying with students on campus from time to time; out and about, spreading the Good News of the Gospel, as well as the good news of Trinity; perhaps sharing historical reminders as a board member emeritus; and, of course, teaching a novice or two the complexities of windsurfing!

 

When asked about their similar last names, Peter Moore and Maxine are accustomed to saying, “No relation.” But it is clear in watching this brother and sister in Christ work together that indeed, there is a “relation” – a relationship of trust, good humor, support and friendship. Maxine has served Trinity for 20 years, privileged to meet the challenge of being the Assistant to the Dean/President for six of those years. In this article our readers see a familiar picture – yet in some ways, a uniquely distinct one – of Trinity’s retiring Dean and President.