This week as I have read from The Spirit of the Disciplines, I have found myself laying a foundation for my understanding of the spiritual disciplines. In chapter one, Willard explains that the secret of the “easy yoke” is passionately living one’s faith in one’s WHOLE life, not just in parts (10). To expand on this principle, Willard explained that the goal of spiritual disciplines and spirituality in general is to become so much like Christ that Christ-like actions and decisions come naturally to us (9). I was struck by this concept: “True Christlikeness comes at the point where it is hard not to respond as [Christ] would” (8). Here, Willard is basically saying that the point of following Christ is not to arrive at a point in our lives where acting like Christ is a viable option; the point of following Christ is to arrive at a point in our lives where acting like Christ is the only option. This radical view of discipleship has caused me to ask different questions about where I am on my faith journey. Instead of asking if I am willing and ready to follow Christ, this view forces me to ask if I am willing and ready to do anything BUT follow Christ. If there are still other options besides Christ’s way in my life, I have missed the point of following Christ in the first place.
In the second chapter of The Spirit of the Disciplines, Willard stressed the importance of intentional, planned discipleship with the goal of transformation. One point that seemed especially harsh, yet true, was that claiming to follow Christ but doing so without a plan is no better than intentionally planning not to follow Christ (9). This is true in our personal lives, but it is also true in our life together in Christian community. Willard stressed the importance of being intentional about the spiritual disciplines both in our personal lives and in our churches. If our churches do not have set plans for discipleship, complete with means to measure the success or failure of these efforts, Willard says that we have failed to embody the second half of the Great Commission (15). Furthermore, Willard says that if faithful, regular attendees of our churches are not transformed by the ministry, we have failed these individuals (18). Unfortunately, by these measures, many of our churches today are failing. In my personal context, this language of transformation caught my eye, as “transformation” is part of the mission statement of the United Methodist Church. Our mission statement is to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” It seems to me that perhaps my church’s mission statement is missing the second half of the Great Commission, or as Willard might say, perhaps we are making the “great omission” (15). We strive to make disciples for the purpose of transforming the world, but Willard stresses the importance of also transforming the disciples and “teaching them to obey everything that [Christ has] commanded [us]” (Matthew 28.20 NRSV). I would argue that the United Methodist Church is not failing to do this all together, but it is interesting to think about why we chose to emphasize the transformation of the world while omitting the transformation of the people in our congregations. Perhaps it is assumed…one can hope!
In the third chapter, Willard discussed salvation as a life and not simply as forgiveness of sins (33). This topic is one that is rather familiar to me, as this summer I read the book Shalom: The Bible’s Word for Salvation, Justice, and Peace by Perry Yoder. This book discussed in detail the biblical understanding of the word “shalom,” and in exploring this concept focused extensively on the concept of salvation as a physical, material, social, and political reality. Willard also noted this concept, emphasizing that salvation in Scripture is understood to be the “translation” into God’s Kingdom, here and now (40). He described life in God’s present Kingdom as “[living] in a different world” (37). One of the words that Yoder used in Shalom to describe this change from the world to God’s Kingdom was “transfer.” This word really resonated with me, as I have experienced a “transfer” in my life when I left ONU to come to Bluffton. For me, the word “transfer” brings up memories of a time of abrupt, radical change in my life not only from one school to another, but from one world to another. The atmosphere, the philosophy of education, the values, the faculty, the expectations…absolutely everything imaginable turned out to be completely different at Bluffton. My head was spinning for my first few weeks on campus, and it took me about half the semester to adjust to this new way of life and education. As I reflect on the idea of salvation as a “transfer” into God’s Kingdom, these memories and experiences that I associate with the word “transfer” inform my understanding of salvation. Just as transferring to Bluffton was a life-changing adventure for me, so salvation is the life-altering “transfer” into God’s Kingdom, here and now.
Showing posts with label ONU. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ONU. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Desperate.
I rediscovered Phil Joel today, and was reminded why I LOVE his music. Anyway, I heard the lyrics to the song "Desperate" and couldn't help but smile...this is without a doubt my 2009-2010 theme song. :)
Lord, thank You for these days
Lord, thank You for these days
This has been the most trying year
Of testing and refining here
And I wouldn't have it any other way
Lord, thank You for these days
And I will always choose to praise You
Lord, thank You for this place
Lord, thank You for Your grace
There is mercy in the midst of tests
An oasis in this wilderness
And Your light to lead my way
Lord, thank You for this place
And I will always choose to praise You
And I wanna stay
Desperate
I will remain
Desperate
For You
Lord I thank You for this rain
Healing waters when there's pain
There are rivers of Your providence
Surrounding our obedience
In Your faithfulness, I put my faith
So Lord I thank You for this rain
And I will always choose to praise You
Lord, thank You for these days
This has been the most trying year
Of testing and refining here
And I wouldn't have it any other way
Lord, thank You for these days
And I will always choose to praise You
Lord, thank You for this place
Lord, thank You for Your grace
There is mercy in the midst of tests
An oasis in this wilderness
And Your light to lead my way
Lord, thank You for this place
And I will always choose to praise You
And I wanna stay
Desperate
I will remain
Desperate
For You
Lord I thank You for this rain
Healing waters when there's pain
There are rivers of Your providence
Surrounding our obedience
In Your faithfulness, I put my faith
So Lord I thank You for this rain
And I will always choose to praise You
Pray☮Make☮Live☮
Katie :)
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Change.
Life changes so quickly.
In the space of two weeks, my life has been turned upside down. It’s been a crazy journey, but I couldn’t be happier with the end result.
This past week I withdrew from Ohio Northern University, and I will be enrolling at Bluffton University this week. I will move to Bluffton on January 10th, and begin classes the 11th.
Why?
There are several reasons, but I’ll make a painfully long story short and just share the two most important: programs and partying. The issue of programs was made obvious during my third day on campus at ONU, when I changed my major from Spanish & International Studies to Spanish & Religion; ONU’s International Studies program was just not a good match for my interests, goals, and passions. I loved the Religion program at ONU, but unfortunately that was not what I really wanted to study, it was simply the only other option at ONU. While I enjoyed my religion classes, I found myself wishing that I would be in program that would better prepare me to actually DO the ministry I have been called to do. Unfortunately, ONU is very much a pharmacy/science focused school, and that limited the program options for me.
Next, there was the partying. To state it simply, there was far more of it at ONU than I had anticipated and hoped. In most cases, the rules were either nonexistent or not enforced. Every weekend, I wished that I had chosen a stricter school. This was in NO way the deciding factor, but it did play a part in my decision.
Exactly two weeks ago, after hearing about these two frustrations, a friend suggested that I should check out Bluffton University. Bluffton is only 15 minutes from ONU, so that day I took a drive over to campus. I started looking into their programs online, and became really interested in their TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages) and Peace & Conflict Studies minors. Bluffton also offers a very strong Spanish major, which of course is important to me! I called Bluffton the next day to schedule a campus visit.
During my campus visit, I got to sit in on three classes (two scheduled, then I got invited to a third class by a girl I met), meet with the directors of the TESOL and Peace & Conflict programs, go on a campus tour, have lunch in the dining hall, hang out with students…the usual. And I had a great day! The people there were extremely friendly (even the people who weren’t paid to be friendly), the classes were excellent, and I was VERY impressed with the interaction between the faculty and students. I loved the community feel of the campus.
But I’ve saved the best for last. During my meeting with the director of the Peace & Conflict Studies program, I heard two words that sealed the deal: individualized major. Yes. Individualized major. After hearing that I would come to Bluffton as a Spanish major with a double minor in TESOL and Peace & Conflict Studies, the professor said to me, “Why don’t you create an individualized major?” I had never heard of such a thing, but she went on to explain that I could work with faculty and build a major just for my needs, interests, and dreams. She suggested that I could use the TESOL program as the core of my second major, and I could add Peace & Conflict Studies classes, ministry classes, sociology classes, and even business classes (they have a specialty in church non-profit management!). This way, I could build a second major specializing in Hispanic ministry. So exciting! After searching and searching for a program that would be adequate, this opportunity to create the perfect program for me was a big surprise and an even bigger relief!
Also, Bluffton is a Christian college, so it has all of the opportunities and rules that come along with that. While I’m completely aware that no place is perfect, the partying and drinking is much less at Bluffton than at ONU. There are MUCH stricter rules, and fraternities and sororities are not permitted. And the Christian aspect of Bluffton, specifically the peace & justice oriented mission of the college, creates some exciting opportunities for me. For instance, the general education program starts and ends with classes that encourage students to apply their faith to everything they are learning. Also, there are TONS of Christian campus groups that I am excited about…there is even a Spanish worship team!
After I visited, I knew that I wanted to be a part of what I saw happening at Bluffton. Since I was in my second week of winter quarter at ONU and since Bluffton is on semesters, I told myself that I would just have to wait until fall 2010 to transfer. But the more I told myself and others, the more it just didn’t set well with me. The idea of staying at ONU and taking all general education classes spring quarter, just so the classes would transfer, sounded dreadful. I knew that God wanted me at Bluffton, but I didn’t know when. I spent a LOT of time praying and talking with lots of the important people in my life, and eventually decided that if it was possible for me to start at Bluffton for spring semester, I would go. Just three days after making this decision, after spending LOTS of time on the phone with Bluffton and LOTS of time getting paperwork in order, I withdrew from ONU and moved home. Things fell into place and happened EXTREMELY fast…the time between my first visit to Bluffton and when I withdrew from ONU? Exactly a week.
I got a call from Bluffton on Friday saying that all my paperwork had arrived, which was really exciting, since I needed official transcripts and transfer recommendations from three colleges and my high school, my FAFSA, and syllabi from all of the college classes I had taken. They told me that I would be accepted on Monday (tomorrow!), and I go down to campus on Tuesday to meet again with my transfer counselor, register for classes, get my financial aid package, and possibly even get my room assignment and roommate. I move to Bluffton on January 10th and I start classes on the 11th!
I will miss my friends at ONU, and I will especially miss my roomie! But I couldn’t stay there for those reasons. I know that God has amazing things in store for me; Bluffton is a place that will not only prepare me to do the ministry that I've been called to do, it is also a community that will support me as I become the servant of God that I was created to be! And what could be more exciting than that?!
“I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed.”
-Jeremiah 29:11-13 [MSG]
In the space of two weeks, my life has been turned upside down. It’s been a crazy journey, but I couldn’t be happier with the end result.
This past week I withdrew from Ohio Northern University, and I will be enrolling at Bluffton University this week. I will move to Bluffton on January 10th, and begin classes the 11th.
Why?
There are several reasons, but I’ll make a painfully long story short and just share the two most important: programs and partying. The issue of programs was made obvious during my third day on campus at ONU, when I changed my major from Spanish & International Studies to Spanish & Religion; ONU’s International Studies program was just not a good match for my interests, goals, and passions. I loved the Religion program at ONU, but unfortunately that was not what I really wanted to study, it was simply the only other option at ONU. While I enjoyed my religion classes, I found myself wishing that I would be in program that would better prepare me to actually DO the ministry I have been called to do. Unfortunately, ONU is very much a pharmacy/science focused school, and that limited the program options for me.
Next, there was the partying. To state it simply, there was far more of it at ONU than I had anticipated and hoped. In most cases, the rules were either nonexistent or not enforced. Every weekend, I wished that I had chosen a stricter school. This was in NO way the deciding factor, but it did play a part in my decision.
Exactly two weeks ago, after hearing about these two frustrations, a friend suggested that I should check out Bluffton University. Bluffton is only 15 minutes from ONU, so that day I took a drive over to campus. I started looking into their programs online, and became really interested in their TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages) and Peace & Conflict Studies minors. Bluffton also offers a very strong Spanish major, which of course is important to me! I called Bluffton the next day to schedule a campus visit.
During my campus visit, I got to sit in on three classes (two scheduled, then I got invited to a third class by a girl I met), meet with the directors of the TESOL and Peace & Conflict programs, go on a campus tour, have lunch in the dining hall, hang out with students…the usual. And I had a great day! The people there were extremely friendly (even the people who weren’t paid to be friendly), the classes were excellent, and I was VERY impressed with the interaction between the faculty and students. I loved the community feel of the campus.
But I’ve saved the best for last. During my meeting with the director of the Peace & Conflict Studies program, I heard two words that sealed the deal: individualized major. Yes. Individualized major. After hearing that I would come to Bluffton as a Spanish major with a double minor in TESOL and Peace & Conflict Studies, the professor said to me, “Why don’t you create an individualized major?” I had never heard of such a thing, but she went on to explain that I could work with faculty and build a major just for my needs, interests, and dreams. She suggested that I could use the TESOL program as the core of my second major, and I could add Peace & Conflict Studies classes, ministry classes, sociology classes, and even business classes (they have a specialty in church non-profit management!). This way, I could build a second major specializing in Hispanic ministry. So exciting! After searching and searching for a program that would be adequate, this opportunity to create the perfect program for me was a big surprise and an even bigger relief!
Also, Bluffton is a Christian college, so it has all of the opportunities and rules that come along with that. While I’m completely aware that no place is perfect, the partying and drinking is much less at Bluffton than at ONU. There are MUCH stricter rules, and fraternities and sororities are not permitted. And the Christian aspect of Bluffton, specifically the peace & justice oriented mission of the college, creates some exciting opportunities for me. For instance, the general education program starts and ends with classes that encourage students to apply their faith to everything they are learning. Also, there are TONS of Christian campus groups that I am excited about…there is even a Spanish worship team!
After I visited, I knew that I wanted to be a part of what I saw happening at Bluffton. Since I was in my second week of winter quarter at ONU and since Bluffton is on semesters, I told myself that I would just have to wait until fall 2010 to transfer. But the more I told myself and others, the more it just didn’t set well with me. The idea of staying at ONU and taking all general education classes spring quarter, just so the classes would transfer, sounded dreadful. I knew that God wanted me at Bluffton, but I didn’t know when. I spent a LOT of time praying and talking with lots of the important people in my life, and eventually decided that if it was possible for me to start at Bluffton for spring semester, I would go. Just three days after making this decision, after spending LOTS of time on the phone with Bluffton and LOTS of time getting paperwork in order, I withdrew from ONU and moved home. Things fell into place and happened EXTREMELY fast…the time between my first visit to Bluffton and when I withdrew from ONU? Exactly a week.
I got a call from Bluffton on Friday saying that all my paperwork had arrived, which was really exciting, since I needed official transcripts and transfer recommendations from three colleges and my high school, my FAFSA, and syllabi from all of the college classes I had taken. They told me that I would be accepted on Monday (tomorrow!), and I go down to campus on Tuesday to meet again with my transfer counselor, register for classes, get my financial aid package, and possibly even get my room assignment and roommate. I move to Bluffton on January 10th and I start classes on the 11th!
I will miss my friends at ONU, and I will especially miss my roomie! But I couldn’t stay there for those reasons. I know that God has amazing things in store for me; Bluffton is a place that will not only prepare me to do the ministry that I've been called to do, it is also a community that will support me as I become the servant of God that I was created to be! And what could be more exciting than that?!
“I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed.”
-Jeremiah 29:11-13 [MSG]
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