When's the last time you went to a graduation ceremony? It's that time of year, so maybe recently. Well, at this one I was on the platform, so during the entire roll call there was no ability to 'let me check facebook' or 'what's a restaurant to google near here for when this is over'. On the platform, you gotta have your graduation game face on the whole time, no matter how many hours it takes. I think I did okay.
I had the honor of delivering the Invocation (opening prayer) at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary's Charlotte graduation last Saturday morning. I am on the board there, and I teach Church Planting there as well. Many of our staff and pastors (me, Mitch, Joe, Andy M) and key leaders (Amy G, Sam and Velda, Cheryl S, Courtenay, others) have or are taking classes there. Our association with the seminary is driven by one of our core passions(values) at Lake Forest Church:
To love like Jesus - With Grace and Truth. Loving and learning God's Word individually and with others.
We have a high value for our pastors and preachers to be able to study the Bible in its original languages, and for leaders at LFC to always be growing in their knowledge of the Bible and ability to teach it. Partnering with the seminary for pastoral education (earning degrees) and training of lay leaders (through Bible Journey classes and more) is an important way for us to live out this core passion 'at the deep end of the pool.'
Here is the text of my opening prayer for graduation last Saturday (though I may have gone off script):
We say Good Morning to you, Heavenly Father. We begin this magnificent day in the lives of these graduates, we begin this day of new milestones in the life of Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, and this new day for all God’s creation, by simply adoring you, most Holy One. We adore you, the good God, the Triune Ruler of the Universe, we adore you, who speaks with a still small voice to the lowly and humble of heart. Speak to us.
We are attentive to you, LORD, in this moment. This entire assembly, all of our words, and all that led up to this day, are for your glory, to your praise. Simply because that is your due. We sit here, we sing, we speak, we listen, we pray, STUDENTS will dance across this platform and leave as GRADUATES – we do ALL of this, LORD, in your direction today, for your pleasure.
We thank you for your Son, Jesus, and even as we adore you, we also ask you something – would your sanctifying Holy Spirit even use this ceremony to conform us more fully to the image of Jesus the Christ.
Spirit, fix the eyes of our hearts on Him, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him. Spirit make us more like Jesus. We want to graduate for joy today – the joy of the reconciliation that is available for every woman, man and child with the Good and Holy God who loves them, through the saving works and person of Jesus. May we celebrate graduation for the joy that you honor us by giving us each a role to play in the effecting of so great a salvation for people in our time, in our town, through our participation in gospel ministry, in the formal ministry roles for which we’ve been prepared, and in our personal lives, standing out in the cul de sac, or over nachos watching a game.
And finally Lord, we praise you for the endurance, in the image of Jesus, that these graduates have shown in order to be better prepared to serve your people and proclaim your Word. Thank you that they have endured for the sake of this joy of participating in your mission of love to the world. Thank you for the endurance of the families here – the spouses who’ve shared financial sacrifice to get to today, the mothers and fathers who’ve cheered their adult children toward this finish line, the friends and colleagues who have encouraged these graduates to persevere through the unique suffering they have endured, that few will ever understand, many for years. Thank you for the endurance for the sake of joy of all in this room, to arrive at THIS day, THIS moment, that is a finish line of preparation and a starting line to run with perseverance the race of ministry you have set before them, better equipped by the instruction, the mentoring, the life-imprint of this great faculty and administration who give their lives to serve this purpose. We thank you for them also.
WE’ve all done our part for joy, Lord, and today, we graduate these men and women for the joy set before us, of one more person at a time abiding in your love through trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It’s in his name we pray, Amen.
