Seminary Graduates Reflect, Pray and Celebrate

Dressed in a cap and gown, I graduated along with more than 70 other Calvin Theological Seminary students in a ceremony on Saturday in the Calvin College Covenant Fine Arts Center in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Knowing that pride can be problematic, I was nonetheless excited and grateful to be there.

As one of the first two people to graduate from the seminary's new Diploma in Ministry program, I was at the front of the line. When my name was called by Prof. Ronald Feenstra, I walked across the stage to accept my diploma from seminary president Jul Medenblik.

The new diploma program is especially geared to train students such as myself who hope to serve the church as commissioned pastors.

Those who earned master of divinity degrees and other advanced degrees came after me as people in the packed Fine Arts Center auditorium looked on, especially searching out their family member, spouse, or close friend crossing the stage under the bright lights.

Not too long after the seminary graduation, graduation ceremonies took place for nearly 900 Calvin College students in the college's fieldhouse. Kumar Sinniah, a Calvin professor of chemistry, gave the commencement address.

Both events, on a sunny and warm spring day, brought together graduates, their families and friends for a time of celebration.

It was also a time of reflection.

I've attended courses, mostly at night for the last three years, at the seminary, and have encountered a few bumps in the road. Learning theology, taught by deeply committed professors, was a little tough. Those three Reformed confessions and a course in systematic theology forced me to put my mind in high gear.

But others have worked much harder and longer and had to earn far more credits than I did.

So, after I got my diploma and sat down in my chair,  I thought of the many years and struggles that many of my fellow students had put in to earn their degrees.

Many had to balance full loads, including courses in Greek and Hebrew, along with young families, internships at churches, and the development of their own spiritual lives. Several of the students came from other countries to study, and for them this new culture was an added challenge.

As one of the graduates said in a prayer before the ceremony, joy mixed with sadness as the years of study have ended and the graduates look forward to serving God in various ways. Many will be pastors, others chaplains, some missionaries, others church leaders in their countries, and others still seminary professors.

And it is in the lengthy and prayerful preparation for and desire to serve God in these myriad of manners that made this day especially important, said Jul Medenblik, president of the seminary in his commencement address.

“We desire to join others in giving thanks to God for your gifts and accomplishments, but we also desire to frame this moment in the larger story of God and his unfolding Kingdom,” he said to the graduates. 

“This moment is certainly not yours alone. In a few more minutes, we will also give thanks for the family and friends who have prayed for, supported and encouraged you – step by step.”

He also gave a few words of warning. Graduates, he said, will be leaving to serve God's church in “an age of uncertainty and anxiety.”

In the last year alone, examples abound, he said.

“We watched Hurricane Sandy shut down the city that never sleeps – New York City. But it was another hurricane – a school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in the community of Newtown, Connecticut that caused many people to again pause and reflect on the brokenness of persons and society. 

“We have seen brokenness in our world like in Syria or in threats from North Korea or at the Boston Marathon finish line. I could tell you that this was just a unique year, but I do believe we live in an age of uncertainty and anxiety and you will teach and preach in this age of uncertainty and anxiety. How will you do so?”

He answered that question by turning to the apostle Paul who wrote in an age also marked by uncertainty and anxiety, both for himself and for the church, and yet his was a message of hope.

At the end of his letter to the church at Philippi, he writes to a church that he obviously loves to encourage them and challenge them. 

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Also as part of the ceremony, the seminary conferred two distinguished alumni awards. Calvin College conferred distinguished alumnus degrees as well.