Prayer for a Capstone Course

We've had some lovely images from our professors this week.

My final class of seminary has been an intensive course of sorts.  It has been one week long (this week), and also included a few Saturdays in the past months and of course, tomorrow.  Despite the initial whining that came with Saturday class and some early mornings, it has been such a productive time spent with my peers and professors. 

Broyles Leadership Center on my Campus

Here's a bit of the course description:

Imaginative and resilient leaders need imaginative and resilient communities.  Relying on case study methodology and drawing upon students' life experiences and seminary studies with special attention to theologically acute contextual analysis, this course explores ways to develop such communities, especially as those communities are dealing with the significant upheavals and driving trends of twenty-first century western society.  Along the way, we'll have the chance to interact with scholars in the social and natural sciences who research community formation and resilience as well as reflect on our own varied and various strengths in leadership.

There's been a few papers, good worship, and of course, group projects.  (What's seminary without them?)  We've laughed, shared some fears, asked questions (lots of them, as expected), heard from those in the field of ministry, talked with scientists, authors, experts, and each other.  We've visited communities in and around Atlanta that represent ideas of imaginative and resilient communities. 

We've spent time in prayer for our broken world. We've skyped with an alum doing amazing work in Baltimore. We've been practically applying much of what we've soaked up the past few years.  And then, we've laughed some more. 

My group led worship yesterday morning on the second to last day of our seminary journey. We read scripture, we sang (of course!), and we prayed. My friend Bethany shared a prayer with our group that really resonated with me for where I am in this time and place as I seek to discern what is next for me in this call to serve the church. It's been printed out and is hanging in my room for these last few days here at Columbia Theological Seminary - a visual and spiritual reminder that I'm not alone in what comes next. 

God of all creation

God who gives us life and faith

God whose power and grace know no bounds

We come before you today with much gratitude, and with much trepidation

We are grateful that you have brought us to this place in this time to learn to be more faithful servants.

We are grateful that you are equipping the called. 

We are grateful that your Word stands today and always.

And we ask that you forgive our unbelief. 

For even though you called us, you brought us here, you guide us, we find ourselves lacking faith in ourselves, and in you.

Forgive our unbelief, Lord.

Be with us as we step out on faith.

Give us wisdom and courage and hope in you, 

That we may be your servants, imitating Christ, led by your Holy Spirit.

Your love knows no ends, gracious God.

Your joy is boundless.

Your gifts are infinite.

Help us to know your joy, express your love, and use our gifts to your glory...

Now and always. 

Amen