Ascending to God

            The final scene in Luke’s Gospel is the blessing and departure of Jesus.  The ascension concludes his earthly ministry, and his disciples seem ready to proclaim the astounding news of his resurrection, having confirmed that he was really the one they had known prior to his death.  The Mount of Olives is once again the backdrop for his revelatory action.

             

            We struggle to know what actually transpired in this numinous event.  The language is spare: “and in the act of blessing he parted from them” (Luke 24:51).  Other translations render the event in this way: “while blessing them, the savior left them and was carried up to heaven.”  It is understandable that the writer would use the cosmology of the day and consider heaven to be “up,” yet holding on to that spatial understanding presents many problems.

            This past Sunday a man in my Bible study class asked, “Where is heaven?”  We have the Hubble roaming around, he said, and it has not turned up any evidence.  His concrete question presses us to think about the location of heaven in a different way.

            Recently this class has been studying N.T. Wright’s provocative book Surprised by Hope.  He vigorously challenges the idea that heaven is a far off place we flee to when we die.  Rather, he argues for the interlocking relationship of heaven and earth, and sees the future of humanity and all creation as inhabiting a perfected world where God’s fullness dwells.

            So where did Jesus go?  The first born from the dead went to be with God, whose dwelling is not so far away.  Indeed, God already inhabits all creation and is slowly, almost imperceptibly “making all things new.”  When we pray “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” we are participating in this renewal and welcoming God’s presence in all things.

            Creation still groans for liberation, but the defeat of death in resurrection has already given a clue to God’s plan.  God loves this world and will not consign it to utter destruction. Yet, this is no “myth of progress,” which assumes things are naturally getting better and better. Only God can ultimately lift creation out of chaos, and our hope is grounded in God’s resurrecting power.

            Humanity has a role to play, however, both within history and beyond.  We see this chiefly in the story of Jesus, whose human life has been taken into the life of God, thereby transfiguring the horizon of hope.  His departure is for our good, and the gift of the Spirit draws us into his resurrected life.

            Molly T. Marshall

            Central prepares women and men for seeking God, shaping church, and serving humanity.

Commencing a New Chapter

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            “Graduation Saturday” dawned with bright, crisp weather and hopeful expectations.  Central’s largest graduating class in years was poised to receive their diplomas and degrees, and the day did not disappoint.  As a seminary community we were able to savor the accomplishments of those who entrusted their ministry formation to Central.  The class of 2014 was a remarkably diverse, a core value we cherish.

            First, we heard an engaging speaker. Ambassador Suzan Johnson Cook offered the commencement address, which focused on a life well lived and what that means in particular for ministry leaders.  She also reflected on her service as 3^rd Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom for the United States of America, from May 2011 through October 2013.  

            Second, we enjoyed the unparalleled hospitality of Friendship Baptist Church, a vibrant church in Kansas City, MO.  Ably led by Central Alumnus James Terrance, Jr., the church knows how to make folks welcome.  This commencement had many moving parts—translation, video, international guests, wardrobe malfunctions (not like Janet Jackson)—and the church met every challenge.  It is a wonderful thing to be in partnership with such a congregation.  We pursue different aspects of the same ultimate goal of equipping persons for the work of ministry. Central prepares congregational leaders, and Friendship makes disciples.

           

            

            Third, we conferred three degrees, one of them for the first time: the Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Health. Two stellar graduates represented this new educational initiative, one from the Shawnee-based cohort, and one from the Myanmar Institute of Theology cohort.  It was a significant moment in Central’s life, as we witnessed these two men—one serving in Topeka as associate pastor of First Baptist Church, the other as principal of United Theological College in Chin State-- receive their doctoral degrees.

            Fourth, we celebrated the significant contribution of the Rev. Dr. Arlo R. Reichter, who received the Central Distinguished Service Award.  He has been instrumental to the development and flourishing of the CBTS-Wisconsin extension site.  Teaching, administering, recruiting, and encouraging are hallmarks of his service.

           

            Celebrating the 112^th commencement, we are filled with gratitude.  The long history of Central speaks of God’s desire for well-prepared leaders for the church and larger community.  It also speaks of God’s providence prompting persons to continue to sustain this essential ministry.  It matters in the larger calculus of the varied ways in which we pursue the Reign of God.  We continue to seek that Reign as first priority, trusting that “all things will be given” as well (Matthew 6:33).

            Molly T. Marshall

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            Central prepares women and men for seeking God, shaping church, and serving humanity.

Asking for Everything

            Twice a year I spend time with other leaders of theological schools—all women—for professional development and fellowship.  We call ourselves the WiTS (Women in Theological Schools), and we pray that we will always have our WiTS about us as we lean into our vocation.

            We present case studies, reflect on the challenges of our institutions, and share our personal struggles, all under the code of silence or “seal of the confessional.” I am helped immensely by this collegial gathering, gaining perspective I would not otherwise have.

            A focal topic this past weekend was to think about our spiritual practices.  One president remarked, “The longer I am in this work, the longer I need to pray.”  She sounds like Martin Luther who had so much to do that he just had to pray two hours a day in order to get the rest of it done!

            The Gospel reading for this coming Sunday includes Jesus’ bold instruction about prayer.  “If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it” (John 14:14).  The sense the reader gets from this passage is that Jesus is inviting his followers into the same sort of conversation he had regularly with his Abba.  Later in the Gospel, we learn that this kind of prayer is only possible because the Spirit will remind us of his teaching.

            There is always a sense of ambiguity about prayer, for we never master the practice.  We have Jesus’ encouragement to pray as he prayed, and we hear Paul’s poignant insight,  “we do not know how to pray as we ought.”  What we do know is that “deep prayer” (Sarah Coakley’s description) is transformative to the one praying and the circumstances for which he or she intercedes. 

            For what do I need to pray as the spiritual leader of Central? Each morning I pray for wisdom, compassion, and patience.  These seem to be essential ingredients to leadership, and keeping these in balance can temper judgment.  There are many ways to mess up in my position.

At this time in the seminary’s life, I pray for those who are graduating in a few short days.  Many are already in significant places of ministry; others will be seeking new positions.  I pray for our board as it gathers on Thursday and Friday.  Trustees function as wise stewards of the seminary’s mission and resources. I pray for our Leadership Team as it works closely with the board. I pray for our faculty as they complete the long haul of the semester’s work.  Their labor in forming students serves the church and larger community in essential ways.  I pray for the staff, also.  Without their attentiveness to details, the celebrations surrounding commencement would not happen!

Of course, I pray daily for the resources to sustain Central’s God-beckoned mission.  This is when I am really “asking for everything.”  We need a substantive endowment to fund the important work of preparing a diverse, world-wide community of seminary students.  I ask for this in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Molly T. Marshall

Central prepares women and men for seeking God, shaping church, and serving humanity.

Having Things in Common

            A seminary depends upon faithful friends to sustain its mission.  This past week, members of the President’s Circle gathered in San Antonio to get to know one another, celebrate what Central has accomplished, and think about the future together.  It was not an overstatement for me to say: “We are flourishing because of you.  You are the best friends Central has!”  I am thankful for each of them.  Their generosity and interest are lifeblood for our school.

            I invited Amy Butler, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Washington, DC, (soon to be pastor of Riverside in New York) to be our guest.  She and I had a conversation about the promise of the church in our time.  Rather than lamenting its cultural marginalization, we sketched out reasons to be encouraged.  Signs of renewal abound, and with clear focus, the church can be an authentic demonstration of a cross-signed community. Stewardship is a key to healthy congregations, and the spirituality of giving must be taught.

            The early chapters of Acts narrate the first steps of a fledgling church.  As witnesses to the resurrection, their life together expressed a radical reorientation.  Here is how Luke summarizes their practices:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.  Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles.  All who believed were together and had all things in common . . . (Acts 2:42-44).

The next section of the text specifies what it meant for them to have all things in common.  Simply put, they placed their resources at the disposal of those who needed them.  Food and possessions became general goods, the real meaning of commonwealth.  Not surprising, the church grew as a response to generosity.

             I recently heard Luke Timothy Johnson offer a brilliant reflection on “Being and Having.”  One of the most arresting statements was: “Our giving is a response to others; it is not determined by what we want to give, but what others need.”  Further, he stressed that our “sharing of possessions is an articulation of our faith in the living God, and there is no end to it.  It is never done.”  He is correct.  When we recognize that we hold our resources in trust for the sake of others, we are living into the vision of Acts.

            I am grateful for those with capacity to make large gifts to Central; I am also grateful for those who make Central a part of their monthly stewardship, year after year.  Glad and generous hearts empower our vocation in theological education, and Central’s donors participate in this holy work, having things in common with students, faculty, and staff.

            Molly T. Marshall

            Central prepares women and men for seeking God, shaping church, and serving humanity.  To learn more, continue visiting our website.