FOSTER, CHARLES R., 1937-
Papers, 1967-2000.
MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION NUMBER 327
ACCESS: Unrestricted with the exception of Box 1, Folder 12. [Stored off site. Forty-eight hours advance notice required to access collection.]
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CITATION: Charles R. Foster papers, MSS 327, Archives and Manuscripts Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University.
Charles R. Foster was born in 1937. He received a B.A. from Willamette University (1960), a B.D. from Union Theological Seminary (1963) and an Ed.D. from Teacher's College, Columbia University (1971). He held positions in Christian Education at the Methodist Theolgocial School in Ohio (1968-1981), Scarritt Graduate School (1981-1988), and Candler School of Theology (1988-1999). He is currently Professor Emeritus of Religious Education. While at Candler, Foster also served as Associate Dean for Faculty Development (1997) and Director of the Program of Christian Education.
Throughout his career, Foster traveled widely to deliver lectures and workshops on Christian education. He is the author of numerous articles and books, including Teaching in the Community of Faith (1982), Educating Congregations: The Future of Christian Education (1994), Embracing Diversity: Leadership in Multicultural Congregations (1997), and Educating Clergy: Teaching Practices and the Pastoral Imagination (2006).
Foster is an ordained United Methodist Minister in the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference.
For more detailed biographical information, see the C.V. in Box 6, Folder 18.
Charles Foster's papers document his career in Christian education, focusing on his years at Candler School of Theology. The papers include curricula vitae; annual reports on professional activities; class notes, syllabi, and bibliographies; drafts and copies of published articles; lecture notes, transcripts of speeches, and a few subject files. There is one videocassette with a taped sermon by Foster, and several audio recordings of lectures and sermons (both published and unpublished).
The papers contain very little information about Foster's teaching and other professional activities in his years at the Methodist Graduate School in Ohio and at Scarritt Graduate School. Material on Foster's published books is also scarce.
For additional Candler School of Theology faculty papers at Pitts Theology Library, see the online subject guide at http://www.pitts.emory.edu/Archives/Subject%20Guides.html#CST-Faculty.
The papers are organized into five series:
Series 1: Biographical Information, 1981-1998. .33 cubic ft.
Consists of Foster's C.V., photographs of Foster, and annual reports on Foster's professional activities.
Series 2: Teaching, 1989-1999, undated. 1 cubic ft. Arranged alphabetically by course title.
Consists of files on courses taught by Foster at Candler School of Theology at both the masters and Ph.D. level. These courses include Christian Education and Cultural Diversity, The files contain syllabi, bibliographies, handouts, and copious lecture notes. One folder of student papers is restricted. Also included are several folders of class resources on cultural diversity, leadership, and Native American education. These materials were not associated with a particular course title.
Series 3: Writings and Lectures, 1967-2000. 2 cubic ft. Arranged alphabetically.
Consists of articles (in both manuscript and draft form) by Foster, as well as notes and transcripts of lectures and sermons. Folders are arranged alphabetically. Most articles and some lectures are filed by title. Untitled lectures are filed under the name of the city in which the lecture was delivered. Foster also spoke frequently at United Methodist annual conferences. Materials related to these lectures are filed under the name of the annual conference. Of particular interest are files on Foster's activities in other countries, including Japan, Fiji, and Singapore.
Series 4: Subject Files, 1970-1998, undated. .67 cubic ft. Arranged alphabetically.
Includes files on a Christian education conference held at Candler in 1995, youth ministry and the Youth Theological Institute, Hispanic Ministry, and other topics. Several folders contain issues of Culture Crossings, a newsletter edited by Foster.
Series 5: Audiovisual Materials, 1975-1990, undated. .33 cubic ft.
Consists of one videocassette tape, eight audiotape reels, and several audiocassettes. The videocassette contains a recording of a 1988 lecture given by Foster at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Pennsylvania. Two of the audiocassettes contain recordings of sermons delivered by Foster at Cannon Chapel. The audiotape reels are recordings from a series titled "Looking at Leadership Through the Eyes of Biblical Faith." Several of the audiocassettes were produced commercially by Abingdon Audiographics as part of two series: "Ways the Bible Comes Alive in Communicating the Faith" (1975) and "Ways Persons Become Christians" (1976). These two sets are accompanied by instructional booklets.
BOX FOLDER DESCRIPTION/DATES Series 1: Biographical Information, 1981-1998 1 1 Curriculum Vita, Short, 1998 1 2-3 Curriculum Vita, Old Versions, 1981-1997 1 4 Annual Reports of Faculty Activities, 1984-1986, 1988-1989 1 5 Annual Reports of Faculty Activities, 1989-1991 1 6 Annual Reports of Faculty Activities, 1991-1993 1 7 Annual Reports of Faculty Activities, 1993-1998 1 8 Photographs, circa 1970s-1990s Series 2: Teaching, 1989-1999, undated 1 9 Art of Teaching, CE 305, 1994 1 10 Christian Education and Cultural Diversity, CE 363, 1989-1990 1 11 Christian Education and Cultural Diversity, CE 363, 1990, undated 1 12 Christian Education and Cultural Diversity, CE 363, Student Papers, 1990 [RESTRICTED] 1 13 Class Resources on Cultural Diversity, undated 1 14-15 Class Resources on Leadership, undated 1 16 Class Resources on Native American Education, undated 1 17 Contemporary Approaches to Christian Education, CE 341, 1993 1 18-19 Contemporary Theories in Christian Education, CE 377, 1995-1999 1 20-21 Forming Community, RLTP 776, 1994-1998 1 22 Modernity, Meaning, and Youth Ministry, CE 319, 1991 1 23-26 Politics of Knowing, RLTP 778, 1993-1998 1 27 Religious Education as Formation and Transformation, CE 501, 1999 2 1 Religious Education as Formation and Transformation, CE 501, 1999 2 2-4 Teaching Religion, RLR 705, 1992-1999 2 5-6 Teaching Religion, RLR 705, Class Resources, 1993-1999 2 7 Teaching Religion, RLR 705, Syllabi, 1992-1999 Series 3: Writings and Lectures, 1967-2000 2 8 Anderson University, 1997 Sep 29-30 2 9 Army Chaplains, 1989 Nov 6-10 2 10 Asheville, NC, 1999 2 11 Austin Faculty Workshops, 1997 Sep 5 2 12 Austin Lectures, 1988 2 13 "Beyond White Privilege: Choosing Resources for Teaching and Learning...," 1994 2 14-15 Book Reviews, 1982-1986, undated 2 16 Book Review Essay for Living Light, 1989 2 17 Book Review Essay for Quarterly Review, 1981 2 18 Book Review, Teaching for Faith, 1993 2 19 Book Review, Theological Approaches to Christian Education, circa 1990 2 20 Book Review, Understanding Christian Education, 1970 2 21 Book Review, What Color Is Your God?, undated 2 22 Buchanan, Kim, Ordination, 1999 Jul 17 2 23 Catholics in Education Conference, 1993 Oct 23 2 24 CCOM, New Orleans, La., 1988 Oct 24 2 25 Centenary First United Methodist Church, Teacher Recognition Dinner, undated 2 26 Central Presbyterian Church, 1999 Jan 24 2 27 Chapel Sermon, 1999 Sep 2 2 28 Chapel Service, 2000 Feb 24 2 29 Chicago, 1999 Feb 2 30 "Children and the Church," 1978 2 31 Children in Worship, Workshop, undated 2 32 The Christian Century, Essay, undated 2 33 Christian Education Effectiveness Project, 1989-1990 2 34 Christian Education Retreat, 2000 Feb 4 2 35 Christian Educators Fellowship Board Presentation, 1988 Feb 2 36 Christian Educators Fellowship National Conference, 1986 2 37 Christian Educators Fellowship, New Orleans, La., 1988 Oct 24-29 2 38 Christian Scholarship Fund Lecture, 2000 Feb 26 2 39 Committee of 100 Meeting, 1988 2 40 Contextual Education, Presentation to the Committee of 100, 1998 2 41 CRC Vision Statement, 1988 2 42 Curriculum Resource Listening Post Project, 1991 2 43 "Diaconal Ministry: Vision and Reality," 1990 2 44 "The Director's Page," 1967 Jan 2 45 "Double Messages: Ethnocentrism in Church Education," Religious Education, 1987 2 46 Educational Directions for Inclusivity, Faculty Retreat Lecture, 1990 2 47 Emory District, 1999 Jan 10 2 48 FAYM, 1994 Spring 2 49-51 Fiji, 1995 2 52 Fiji, Plans, 1994-1995 2 53 "From Babel to Pentecost: Christianity in a World of Many Cultures," 1986-1987 2 54 "The Fruit of Knowledge and the Bread of Life," Insight, 1994 3 1 "The Future of Local Church Education," undated 3 2 General Board of Discipleship, Section, on Christian Education, Lecture, 1988 3 3 Glenn Memorial Teacher Recognition Dinner, 1989 3 4 "Good News for Children," 1981 Oct 23-25 3 5 "Graces of the Child in the Church," 1978-1979 3 6 "Guiding the Development of Persons," The Church School, 1977- 1978 3 7 "High School: Psychosocial Moratorium or Holding Tank?", 1987 3 8 "The High School and Youth Ministry: A Critical Perspective," 1988 3 9 Hoffman Ordination Sermon, 1992 3 10 Holston Conference Christian Educators Fellowship, 1990 3 11 Intergenerational Lab School, 1969 3 12 Interview from The Leader, 1995 3 13 Introduction/Chapter 1, undated 3 14 Iowa Conference Lecture, 1993-1994 3 15-16 Japan/U.S. Christian Education Conference, 1987 3 17 Japan/U.S. Christian Education Seminar, 1990-1991 3 18 Kentucky Christian Educators Fellowship, 1988 Sep 9 3 19 Korean Pastors Seminar, 1989 3 20 LaGrange College Faculty, 1996 Dec 3 3 21 LaGrange, Ga., 1990 Apr 1-3 3 22 Lake Charles, La., 1989 Sep 23 3 23 Lake Junaluska, 1995 Jul 3 24 Linworth United Methodist Church, 1996 Feb 3 25 "Looking Back into the Future," 1989 3 26 "Looking from the Past into the Future of Protestant Church Education," undated 3 27 Louisville, Ky., 1996 Oct 10-11 3 28 Lutheran Lecture, 1992 Feb 1 3 29 "Making the Bible Come Alive for Children," Naperville, Ill., 1982 Feb 20 3 30 Meditation on the Wilderness, undated 3 31 Methodist Theological School in Ohio Alumni Days Lecture, 1991 3 32 "Ministry and Education," 1988 3 33 Mississippi Ministers' Week, 1987 Feb 3 34 Montgomery First, 1989 Oct. 3 35 "Multicultural Education: A New Direction for Religious Educaton," 1991 3 36 North Baptist, 1997 Nov 6-7 3 37 Northern Illinois Christian Educators Fellowship, 1991 Mar 1-2 3 38 North Georgia Youth Ministers' Luncheon, 1990 Oct 11 3 39 North Georgia Youth Workshop, 1989 Oct 7 3 40 North Naples United Methodist Church, 1996 Nov 1-3 3 41 "Nourishing Your Child's Faith," Christian Home, 1983 3 42 Oregon-Idaho Conference, 1998 Apr 3 43 Oregon-Idaho Conference, 1999 Oct 8-10 3 44 Oregon Rally, 1990 3 45 Outlines, undated 3 46 Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, Wednesday Night Program, 1994 Sep 21 3 47 Presbyterian Educators, 1992 Mar 19 3 48 "Proclaiming the Word with Children," Worship Alive, undated 3 49 "Proposal for Thinking Strategically about Non-Traditional Forms of New Congregational Development," undated 3 50 "Rebellion for Good," New Creation, 1968, 1970 3 51 Reflections on Vocation, 2000 Apr 11 3 52 Response to Rebecca Chopp, undated 3 53 Sacred Worth, 2000 Mar 3 3 54 Saint Pius High School, 1996 Sep 30 3 55 Saint Vincent, 1985 July 3 56 San Antonio, 1989 Jan 5-7 3 57 Scaritt, 1998 Jun 3 58-59 Sermons, 1972-1987, undated 3 60 Sermon, 1997 Jul 4 3 61 Sermon, "Cacophony or Chorus," 1992 Aug 3 62 Sermon, Cedar Falls, Ia., 1994 May 15 3 63 Sermon, Cannon Chapel, 1990 Mar 6 3 64 Sermon, Cannon Chapel, 1993 Apr 6 3 65 Sermon, Lent, 1988 Mar 2 4 1 Sermon, Northwoods United Methodist Church, 1995 Aug 20 4 2 Sermon, "Silence of God," Northwoods United Methodist Church, 1993 Aug 8 4 3 Service of Dedication for Church School, 1985 4 4 Singapore, 1990 May 20-27 4 5 "Some Second Thoughts on Ethnicity, Culture, and Christian Education," 1990 4 6 Southeastern Jurisdiction, Alumni Presentation, 2000 Mar 29 4 7 Southeastern Jurisdiction, Meeting with Bishops, 2000 4 8 South Georgia, 1997 Jan 13 and 20 4 9 South Georgia Christian Education Sunday, 1996 Sep 14 4 10 Spirituality Retreat, 1994 4 11 "The Stewardship of a Car," undated 4 12 Suicide Conference, 2000 Apr 5 4 13 "Teaching Authority in Cultural Perspective," 1990 4 14 "Telling Our Faith Story," Adult Leader, 1983 4 15 Touch the Water, Taste the Bread, Manuscript, 1997 4 16 Tupelo, Miss., 1983 Oct 2-4 4 17 United Church of Christ, Southeast Conference, 1997 Jun 13-14 4 18 Virginia Conference, 1998 4 19 "A Vision for Christian Education," 1994 Nov 12 4 20 "Vital Congregations: The Role of Christian Education," undated 4 21 "The Volunteer Teacher in the Church," Correspondence, 1985 4 22 We Are the Church Together, Report for the Consultation on Culturally Diverse Congregations, 1993 4 23 Western Theological Seminary, 1998 Jan 20 4 24 "What Does It Mean to Be a White Person?", The Church School, 1978 4 25 "When Pastors Teach," Circuit Rider, 1982 4 26 Wisconsin Conference, 1998 Oct 9-11 4 27 Worship Services, 1980-1984 4 28 Workbook for Senior High Sex Education, undated 4 29 Youth Curriculum Resources Committee, Design Team Report, 1978 4 30 Youth Forum, 1994 Series 4: Subject Files, 1970-1998, undated 4 31 Book Publicity, 1994-1995 4 32-34 Christian Education Conference, Case Studies, 1995-1996 4 35 Christian Education Conference, Miscellaneous, 1995-1996 4 36 Christian Education Conference, Proposal, 1995 4 37 Communicating Faith with Children, Board of Education Project, 1970 4 38 Culture Crossings, Correspondence, 1991-1994 4 39 Culture Crossings, Interview with David Ng, 1992-1993 4 40-41 Culture Crossings, Newsletters, 1991-1994 4 42 Faculty Teaching Seminars, 1994-1995 4 43 Fellowship of Christian Education, 1993 4 44 Handouts, undated 4 45 Hispanic Ministry, 1989-1990 4 46 International Seminar on Religious Education and Values, 1997-1998 4 47 Miscellaneous, 1977-1996, undated 4 48 Youth Directors' Week, 1987 4 49 Youth Ministry, undated 4 50 Youth Theological Institute, 1997 May 1 4 51 Youth Theological Institute Orientation, 1995 May 13-14 4 52 Youth Theological Institute Retreat, 1998 Feb 21 Series 5: Audiovisual Materials, 1975-1990, undated 5 "The Changing Function of the American Family." 1980. Audiocassette. 5 Chapel Homily: Deut. 26:1-11, Lk. 4:1-13. 1989 Feb 9. Audiocassette. 5 Chapel Service Celebrating New United Methodist Hymnal: Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11. 1990 Mar 6. Audiocassette. 5 Church School in the 1980s, Tape #2: "Heritage of the Church School." Undated. Audiocassette. Running time: 90 minutes. 5 Church School in the 1980s, Tape #3: "Faith Issues for the Church School." Undated. Audiocassette. Running time: 90 minutes. 5 "Looking at Leadership Through the Eyes of Biblical Faith." Sessions 1-8. Undated. Eight audio tape reels. 5 "Ways the Bible Comes Alive in Communicating the Faith." Charles R. Foster and Robert L. Browning. Published by Abingdon Audiographics, 1975. Four cassette tapes, a self-instruction booklet, and a resource booklet. Total running time: 4 hours. 5 "Ways Persons Become Christians."Charles R. Foster and Robert L. Browning. Published by Abingdon Audiographics, 1976. Four cassette tapes and two self-instruction booklets. Total running time: 4 hours. 5 "Where Theology and Human Sciences Meet." Fall Lecture Series, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. 1988 Nov 1. VHS videocassette. Running time: 45 minutes Series 6: Lectures, Presentations, and Essays 1994-2014 6 1 National Youth Forum, United Methodist Church, 1994. 6 2 VHS, Naivucini Weekend, Charles Foster and Jim Fowler, 1995. 6 3 Sermons, 1999-2009. 6 4 Lecture, Wesley Theological Seminary, 2001. 6 5 Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference Task Force on Leadership Excellence, 2006-2008 6 6 Presentation, United Methodist Association of Scholars of Christian Education, 2007. 6 7 Presentation, Association of Theological Schools, 2007. 6 8 Lenten study, First United Methodist Church, Salem, Oregon, 2007. 6 9 Paper presentation, Formation of an Ethical Professional Identity Conference, 2008. 6 10 Paper presentations, Christ College--Valparaiso University, 2008. 6 11 Lecture, Lancaster Theological Seminary, 2009. 6 12 Keynote addresses, Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference, 2010. 6 13 Essays and correspondence, Encycolopedia of Christian Education, 2012-2014. 6 14 Resonse essay, "Overcoming Religious Illiteracy," 2013. 6 15 Address, Youth Theological Initiative, 2013. 6 16 Response essay, "Pedagogical Imagination in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion," 2013. 6 17 Presentation, Catholic Field Educators, 2014. 6 18 Curriculum Vitae, 2014. 6 19 Miscellaneous Teaching Resources