Community is Essential

Friends:

One of the important dimensions of theological education is community life.
I was reminded of this at the first two student orientations I attended--last Thursday at Virginia Theological Seminary and yesterday at Howard University School of Divinity.

At both campuses I shared lunch with students and faculty. New students are seeking to get to know one another and the faculty members. There are forming a community. At other times they are praying together. I am happy to be a part of this process.

This is very important. Theological education concerns itself with the formation of the total person--intellectual, pastoral and personal. The personal formation often occurs in community interactions.

As I mentioned in my last posting, I am introducing their Consortium Student Board representatives to the new students--and thus indicating that the Consortium is part of the wider community of formation.

Peace,
John