Well it’s been a month since my last post and a lot has happened. I’ve finished my 3rd semester in seminary. That puts me at about one-third finished. Seminary continues to be a challenging, but nonetheless rewarding experience. The faculty and staff at Memphis Theological have been outstanding. Now I know that some of you reading this are former or current MTS students and may take exception to that statement, and I will admit that some professors are better than others, but for the most part they have done their job exceedingly well.
There is however, something that is bothering me about MTS that I hope some of you could help me with. And no, it’s not the cost of tuition, the grading policy, or really anything like that. It’s their chapel services. More specifically it’s the lack of attendance. Very few students/staff/faculty take the time to attend chapel services during the week and I am wondering if this is only a symptom that points to a deeper spiritual issue.
MTS offers chapel services every weekday at 11:00 a.m. and on rare occasions when a “notable” speaker is scheduled, attendance will be good, but on the majority of occasions, attendance is slim at best. And what’s more disturbing, when Holy Communion is to be observed, usually Thursdays, attendance is worse. Granted, some of the speakers are less than stellar, but shouldn’t seminary students be able to look past that and recognize the benefit of assembling together for corporate worship. Most students will use the excuse that they are just too busy, too many papers to write, too many books to read, and they just can’t spare the hour it takes to attend chapel. Don’t get me wrong, I can completely sympathize with those who feel overly burdened with seminary studies, and I have, on occasion, used those excuses myself, but aren’t we missing something?
So here’s the real question: Does this infrequent attendance by faculty, staff, and students say something about the fundamental condition of our spiritual lives? And if so, what? And more importantly, what do we do about it?
My seminary experience was vastly different from yours. At Asbury, if you didn’t arrive to chapel early, you didn’t get a good seat (or, sometimes, a seat at all). I wonder if the philosophy of the seminary itself leads to the treatment of chapel. It seemed at ATS that chapel was the center of everything that went on.
When we were trying to decide on a seminary, my wife and I visited Asbury/Wilmore and while there, attended one of their chapel services. The place was packed, standing room only. It was an experience I’ll never forget, it was that good. One thing that really stood out to me was that when the time came, everyone dropped what they were doing and headed for the chapel. We just followed the crowd. It was something like you’d expect to see in a sci-fi flick, where the evil alien invader had mesmerized the populace, rang the bell, and now everyone was proceding to their doom. It was strangely otherworldly. But after the service, I new exactly why they responded the way they did, I wouldn’t want to miss it either.
And yes, I think you are right, the seminary (faculty/staff) have a lot to do with it. If they can’t get excited about chapel or at least force themselves to attend, then I don’t think there is much hope for the students.
Allen,
Thank you for the blog site that is specific to us at MTS! I wonder if MTS could have a blog site, where admin. could read comments?
I think the seminary doesn’t deem chapel as one of the most important times of our day (whenever that day or two is) Yes, they close the library, though i’m not sure that is good. I have a thought or two on why i say the seminary doesn’t deem chapel as important as we should (since we’re at a seminary). First, I think our chaplin has some to do with it, this is not a speach for or against Byndy, but maybe there should be more from her if this is her responsibility. I think she sends out an e-m on the day of chapel, but maybe more razzel dazzel would help? Secondly, chapel should be high on our spiritual list while journeying at seminary, and that should have more of an emphasis from administration, even to the point that our president esteem it, and lift it up as well as all faculty. I have a thought, maybe if part or all of our lecture hours could come from attending chapel or assisting in chapel? There needs to be some motivation to jump start attendance. Finally, i would say, we should be able to come and hear the best of the best preaching at chapel, the best worship experience should be found there, sadly though, i can say that hasn’t been my experience. I think we have some of the sharpest peeps at MTS, who could deliver the Word, carry the torch, set the chapel on fire if you will, with zeal and passion, and impact the community at MTS with the much needed fire we’re silently asking for. I think our seminary doesn’t consider the spiritual needs of the students as they probably should, if MTS were caring for our spiritual needs, we would have a stronger presence from our leaders in chapel. Also, our chapel space seems to convey the expectation of small numbers and no place for the contemporary musicians. The seminary should exemplify what emerging worship is, since we talk about how the emerging church is where and how growth takes place. Well, there are just a few of my thoughts, i’m looking forward to reading further comments. Maybe our student body could petition the governing body and changes could take place?
Paul
Personally, I have made chapel attendance one of my spiritual disciplines and I have found it to be extremely rewarding. There have been a few times when the speaker was less than stellar, but there have also been some wonderful messages delivered as well. One in particular was Andre Johnson’s “What about Job?” sermon. It was remarkable. But wether the speaker is good or not, we must look past that and if for no other reason, attend chapel because we should.