Central celebrated its 111th commencement on
Saturday morning, with all the pomp and blessing a seminary can muster. I surely do not mean to imply by this title
that Central’s newest graduates have not been serving all the while. Among those who “walked” on Saturday morning
were pastors, a communications instructor, a church planter, a college
admission counselor, a public school teaching assistant, and a peace activist,
among others. Awarding Master of
Divinity and Master of Arts in Theological Studies degrees, as well as FOUNDATIONS
certificates in ministry studies, does not launch ministry for these, it simply
recognizes a further level of preparation for effective service.
On display
Saturday (the eve of Pentecost) was the increasingly global nature of Central’s
mission. One M.A. student greeted us by
video from his native Kenya; a resettled Chin received his M.Div.; Judson
Community students (FOUNDATIONS) in Ft. Wayne, IN, bore witness to the great
assistance these classes provided for them as Karen leaders. Central is surely encountering the world!
One of the
miracles of the Spirit coming in power was that each heard in his or her own
language (Acts 2:7-8). Presently,
Central employs Korean, Spanish, Chin, English, and Karen (and some occasional
Burmese) as languages of instruction. It
is important that theological studies be ever more accessible to those God is
calling to leadership service.
Our distinguished
commencement speaker, the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, offered a compelling
message, “Those Who Are Different, Those Who Are Evil, and How to Tell Them
Apart.” Graduates serve in contexts
where religious difference is inevitable.
How will they grow in tolerance?
Also, much evil is perpetrated in the name of religion; how will they
say a resounding “NO” to this? One must
be able to hold these realities together as faithful Christian ministers.
As
President, I always take note of faculty members at commencement, for they
embody the good work of the school.
Graduates bear their graceful imprint.
Not only do they engage their professors in class, but also they observe
their faithful lives—how they do family, minister through churches, and
practice their values. Behind the scenes
the staff is always working, ensuring
“all God’s chillun got a robe,” making sure the diplomas and awards and
programs are ready, the pictures are taken, and the cookies arrive. If the faculty constitutes the soul of the
seminary, then surely the staff is the spine!
I am grateful for each one who works to bring a student’s career to
successful completion. Thus, they
graduate to serve with excellence, marked by their formation at Central.
Molly T. Marshall
To learn more about Central as a formative, creative, and progressive seminary, continue visiting our website.
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