3-24-10 Chapel: Rev. Lance Carrithers

On March 24, 2010, Rev. Lance Carrithers spoke at chapel. He reminded the SC Community to use their "holy imaginations," and to dream big dreams! To listen to his inspiring message, click here.

3-10-10 Student Chapel, "Going Deeper"

Student Chapel was held on March 10, 2010 and was dubbed "Going Deeper" by the chapel team. Our community was blessed to hear from students Alicia Ong and Jeremiah Roberts. There was also special music by Tim Miller and a human video was performed by the first year Discipleship covenant group. To listen to our talented students, click here.

Students Minister at Student Chapel

We are all back from spring break now, but the week before the break, we were very blessed indeed by the annual student chapel. Even on a regular basis, the Ministry and Discipleship programs at SC work hard to give students responsibility and leadership in all activities, whether it is worship, fundraising, organization, service, etc. However, this chapel service was student-led from beginning to end, and it was a real blessing.

There were too many students involved to name everyone, but the whole service exemplified both a spirit of commitment and a heart for worship. What was particularly evident was the total lack of performance on the part of the students. They clearly wanted to do their best, and some with speaking roles expressed their nervousness, but not one exuded any sense of a "look at me" attitude. The service was filled with passion and humility--the focus was always on God, and never on themselves.

Both worship teams joined in leading heart-felt worship; the special music was beautiful; the prayer was wise and biblical; both speakers focused our attention on Christ and the salvation that he worked for us; the liturgical dance as very moving and very well done; and the set design artfully captured the theme of the week: "Going Deeper." In short, the team effort exemplified the different gifts of the Body of Christ that the Holy Spirit can use to give glory to God. I especially appreciated the seriousness and enthusiasm with which everyone participated.

I wish to commend all who were involved and to thank God for using them and blessing us.

Limits of Salvation

In my Christology class yesterday we discussed the how Jesus is perceived in a world that is saturated by a variety of cultures and religious beliefs. The question that really got me thinking was a simple one that does not have a simple answer. How do you achieve salvation and who is it for?

The problem is that salvation is a purely Christian concept. Because it doesn't translate easily to other paradigms and worldviews trying to force it onto people outside of Christianity creates a round hole, square peg reality. It is like ordering a cheese burger and getting a burrito. It is like trying to say the word go, but hearing your voice say stop. Its like all the non-ironic things in Alanis Morissette's song "Isn't it Ironic". I don't mind that salvation is uniquely Christian, but I do mind if outsiders inability to grasp it means they get damnation. Thus begins a very sticky situation....

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