Introduction
The past several weeks have been rich with prayer, conversation, and even some planning regarding next steps for the Emerging Scholars Network. One particular piece of feedback has been the desire to renew the Week in Review. As this week I will be engaged in InterVarsity’s Graduate & Faculty Ministries (GFM) Staff Team Meetings (March 18-20), I offer you a Peek of the Week. But before you choose various links (below) to follow (and possibly share, comment upon, add to the collection of . . .), pray for our staff team as we gather. Pray for us . . .
- to delve into how we may continue to grow in Christ-likeness. In particular that we may truly be a blessing in the midst of the rich diversity of the people with whom we labor (and collaborate) on campus. Our pre-conference Bible study and reflection has focused upon . . .
- Acts 6:1-7
- Acts 8:26-40
- growing in cross-cultural competency
- approaching differences
- hospitality practices in our own culture
- getting to know our “neighbors” on campus, in InterVarsity, where we live . . .
- to make good connections and that times of encouragement and refreshment will happen.
Many staff work in relative isolation quite some distance from colleagues. These meetings are the once-in-the-year time to see one another face-to-face and can be very significant for staff. - to listen to the directors of GFM as they remind us to be about the larger Kingdom work to which we are called.
- to truly support our IFES sister movement in the Caribbean, where grad ministry is just starting. I look forward to hearing an update.
Articles/Blog Posts
- Colleges Should Teach Religion to Their Students by Marshall Poe (The Atlantic, 3/7/2014). Brought to my attention by several people including Gordon Govier (Internet Editor/Media Relations, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship) and John Mulholland, who facilitates the excellent resource The Charles Malik Society for Redeeming Reason.
- No doubt in tension with No Right to Preach: Federal judge says public university faculty members don’t have right to encourage religious views while acting in faculty roles, federal judge rules by Scott Jaschik (Inside Higher Ed. 3/10/2014) which was highlighted by Robin Capcara (GFM, Pittsburgh). Thank-you Robin. I’m hoping to have her share some of her response in a future ESN blog post. I’ll try to interview her at the coming meetings.
- How I Became Post-Ac, and How God Loves Me Anyway by Jennifer Woodruff Tait. Thank-you to InterVarsity’s The Well (Women in the Academy & the Professions) for sharing this beautiful Award Winner from their 2014 Call for Stories. I can’t wait to read the next story, which will be posted tomorrow.
- It’s Not On The Syllabus: Cultivating Collegiality as a Graduate Student by Melissa Ridley Elmes (3/16/2014). Another shout out to Gordon 🙂
- On the ESN Blog don’t miss . . .
- Tuesday: Bob Trube will be back with another Lent related book review.
- Wednesday: Tom Ingebritsen continues his Christianity and Science with Does science in general and evolution in particular rule out God? Note: On April 2 he will explore: Is evolution compatible with belief in God as the Creator?
- ESN March Madness ’14 and a piece by Mark Eckel will most probably round out the week in some manner. With a week full of meetings, we’ll have to see what I get to . . . ever had that experience?
- And yes, lots more on ESN’s Facebook Wall 🙂
Opportunities
- Dr. Alice Brown-Collins, Interim Regional Director for the Northeast region of GFM, shares that the BSAP Consultation Conferences have been “encouraging, inspiring and culturally relevant. People come to learn and hear from mentors on how to integrate faith with academic disciplines.” Truly looks amazing!
- InterVarsity Press is giving away one set of their brand new Encyclopedia of Ancient Christianity —$450 value! Also I’m interested in some book reviews on several IVP books. Stay tuned, but in the mean time don’t forget your 30% discount!
- The “Ends” of Higher Education discussion group — tied to the March 2014 symposium with Dr. Santa Ono (president of the University of Cincinnati) and the upcoming 2014 Midwest Faculty Conference (June 21-27, Cedar Campus, Upper Peninsula, MI).
- What is the most pressing issue for the Christian to engage when journeying in higher ed? — ESN March Madness ’14 Round 3.
A Prayer
A most heart felt thank-you to Christine Sine for An Irish Blessing for St Patrick’s Day. I found all three of the videos she posted a blessing as I begin a full week. Although I leave you with , I encourage you to visit An Irish Blessing for St Patrick’s Day and follow the ESN FB Wall for updates on the GFM meetings. To God be the glory!
Tom enjoys daily conversations regarding living out the Biblical Story with his wife Theresa and their four girls, around the block, at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church (where he teaches adult electives and co-leads a small group), among healthcare professionals as the Northeast Regional Director for the Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA), and in higher ed as a volunteer with the Emerging Scholars Network (ESN). For a number of years, the Christian Medical Society / CMDA at Penn State College of Medicine was the hub of his ministry with CMDA. Note: Tom served with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA for 20+ years, including 6+ years as the Associate Director of ESN. He has written for the ESN blog from its launch in August 2008. He has studied Biology (B.S.), Higher Education (M.A.), Spiritual Direction (Certificate), Spiritual Formation (M.A.R.), Ministry to Emerging Generations (D.Min.). To God be the glory!