identitySPECIALIST

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 post his comment.  Since the comments a bit hidden from the post, I wanted to post it for all of you to read.  It’s a great response.  We’re going to talk about it next Tuesday.  I love the dialogue.

Thank you Adriel for your response.  Here’s what he said.  If you want to read my original post, please click here.

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! ). 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