What Is Spiritual

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Lem Usita

November 2, 2009

I had a conversation with a student today. She told me that there were students on campus that didn’t think that we were “spiritual” enough. It sounded like they didn’t like how it was being done on campus. Now, as the guy in charge of the Spiritual Life Department – I could have taken offense to that; I could have been defensie as well. It’s funny to me though that only people that think that they’re spiritual would complain about the spirituality on campus. It’s as if they’re saying – I’m too spiritual for this place, and they aren’t doing spirituality good enough for me.

2 things come to mind.

They are a part of this community. We have more students planning and facilitating the spiritual life programs on campus than ever before. If a student is complaining, they should get involved. There’s more opportunity that ever to jump in. Since some of my students read this blog – I invite you to engage in spiritual life on campus. Complain all you want, but jump in and make a difference – especially if you know how to do it better.

Scripture says that – if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness. If one is really spiritual, it’s not really too meek of him to complain. If you are really spiritual, I’m not sure you’d be pointing out other people’s faults, you’d be too busy restoring them. That’s what spiritual people do.

So again I say, if you are spiritual-jump in and restore. Let’s make it better.

5 responses to “What Is Spiritual”

darkwaterhermit

November 2, 2009

Nice response Lem, I probably would have just laughed. Maybe they think we should have more “spiritual disciplines” or hand out implements of flagellation so we can show God how serious we are about being “spiritual”. Keep up the great work, love you brother.

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Adriel

November 3, 2009

I often say that the spiritual life on campus isn’t strong. This is simply an observation of the student body. It has nothing to do with complaining, its just an observation. Certainly none of us are perfect! But as a whole, only a small percentage of students are passionate about the ministries that are taking place on campus (when you consider the amount of people we have at school). I think it varies from student to student. Obviously you have people who are passionate about Christ, and those who could care less. Seemingly though, more and more students seem to be less passionate about Christ, and more passionate about facebook. I know that sounds pretty harsh (im sorry!) but just consider the amount of time we are willing to spend with Christ, and the amount of time we are willing to spend on facebook. I think that as an institution we’ve slowly grown less concerned about spiritual life, and more concerened with “whole person develoment.” We try to help students without focusing on the spiritual aspect as the central method for transforming lives namely through God’s Word. Is this too fundamental? Is fundamental bad? I guess a lot of it comes down to philosophy of ministry.

I wanted to comment on this, because I’m sure I have been accused of complaining. I dont try to approach the situation negatively, just honestly. I dont think anyone should be accused of “thinking they’re spiritual,” just because they make statements about the school, especially if the statement is true (I trust there are differing points of view on how true that statement is though!). I dont want to be rude, or prideful. Christ knows that I have no place to consider myself better than anyone. I’m sorry if I have come off that way at all :(. In regards to getting plugged in, I was an R.A. last year, and became one for the purpose of impacting the campus spiritually. In the end, I felt as though my desire to emphasize Spirituality was squelched. I felt like the focus was not spiritual life, but student life (I can go deeper into what the differences seemed to be if needed). I felt as though the goal that was being emphasized was not the spiritual maturity of students. I don’t believe I was alone in feeling this way either. I know my buddy Colby felt the same way, as well as David O. ( both previous R.A.s as well, but perhaps we’re just crazy! :P). Anyways, after that experience I honestly felt as though the focus of the school, was different than the focus I had expected it to be. I had expected to be encouraged in emphasizing spirituality, but instead felt like the focus had shifted away from being spiritually minded. The experience taught me the importance of being plugged into ministry with people who are like minded, and have a similar philosophy of ministry – otherwise you’re butting heads! I guess thats sort of the reason why I dont jump into the stuff thats going on right now, although Im certainly not against it. I pray for the school, and its student’s. I care about them, I want to see the school flourish spiritually, I want to see people falling in love with Christ – what could be better?! Is that the current focus of the school though? Maybe I just have the wrong idea, although I feel like my feelings are well substantiated. I also know that I’m not the only one who thinks this way.

I want to emphasize that I’m not against any student’s on campus, nor am I trying to be puffed up in my diagnosis of the school. I want to be careful when saying anything about anyone, because I know how weak and in need of God’s mercy I daily am. I’m just stating it as I see it. Feel free to correct me where you see errors in what i’ve said.

Thanks,
Adriel Sanchez

p.s. good idea with the flagellum Fred! 😛 j/k

Reply
Lem Usita

November 3, 2009

Adriel,

I love the response. I wouldn’t disagree with you at all. I appreciate your honesty, and our hearts are the same.
When I wrote this post, I didn’t have anyone in mind so I wasn’t addressing anyone specifically. The focus of the post was to invite people into it. Let’s work on this together.
You’re right when you say that only a small percentage are passionate. Believe me – I understand that better than anyone around here – we get to deal with the reality of that statement everyday.
You’re also right about the amount of time spent on Facebook. That definitely is the case – but how can we teach people to do that to the Glory of God? How can we encourage people that whether therefore you eat or drink or whatsoever you do – like Facebook – that it can be done to the Glory of God.
I’d love to talk to you more about the ‘whole person growth’ idea.
Let’s talk about how you’d like to make a difference in that area. The invite is for anyone that wants to make the change.

Reply
Adriel

November 3, 2009

Thanks. I’d certainly be willing to discuss doing all things to God’s glory, and what whole person growth is. I’m sure i’ll catch you in the halls, and we can set something up! 🙂

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What is Spiritual – a Response « Identity Specialist

November 21, 2009

[…] – a Response In Identity on November 21, 2009 at 9:30 AM A few weeks ago, I posted on What is Spiritual. Here is a response from one of my students about it. I just asked him yesterday if I could […]

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