Recently I have been studying the history of
Central as we prepare to launch a capital campaign. I am amazed at the resiliency of the school,
and I am even more amazed by God’s providence in its 113 year old history. There were seasons when it appeared that the
school could not survive despite the best prayers and efforts of the board and
seminary administrators. Yet, by God’s
mercy, it did.
Often a school will
have a motto or key text that sums up its mission or core values. Since 1927 the watchword of Central has been:
“ . . . but this one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining
forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the
upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13b-14). The single-minded pursuit of the Apostle has
reminded generations of seminarians and seminary leadership of the grace and
effort that sustain our work
No hardship or
failure of the past will keep Paul from following God’s call to him. He knows that God is crafting a future full
of promise, and he pours out his life to that end. As I read of the witness of my forebears at
Central, I am amazed at their relentless will to see God’s purpose accomplished
through this school. Each epoch has held
distinctive challenges, and resourceful leaders and generous donors conspired
to seize what lay ahead.
The good work of
the school is always about the kind of ministers we are preparing. Last evening I had the privilege of
participating in the ordination of three of our graduates at the Metropolitan
Missionary Baptist Church. For the first
time in its venerable 119 year history, the church was recognizing the calling
and gifts of women as ordained clergy.
What struck me about each of the candidates was how long they had
practiced “but this one thing I do.”
They were seasoned servants of God, and they had kept the goal in view.
It was a holy time
as the congregation gathered around two men and two women to “stir into flame”
the gifts of the Spirit. Singing,
praying, blessing, anointing, laying on hands, and exhorting, laity and clergy
set them apart. As the people of God,
they recognized that God has not ceased to supply good ministers of Christ
Jesus who will help lead the church to what lies ahead.
Central lives to
serve the church, and an ordination service highlights our unique partnership
with congregations as we share the work of nurturing vocational callings in
ministry. This “one thing” is best done
together, and we rejoice in our common cause.
Molly T. Marshall
Central prepares women and men for seeking God, shaping church, and
serving humanity.
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