 |
"Vocation
is not the exceptional prerogative of a few
specially good or gifted people ... All men and women
are called to serve God." -- F.R. Barry
The "Discerning Vocation: Community, Context and
Commitment" program at Whitworth University seeks to help students
develop a deeper sense of vocation as a way of responding to God's call
into the ministry and in other professions. Based on the Reformed and
evangelical concepts of vocation, this program stresses that:
- the calling to a vocation is best made out of prayer and reflection
in the midst of communities of discernment
- vocation grows out of an understanding of a variety of cultural and
professional contexts in which vocation is lived out
- individual ethical commitments guide choices concerning our communities,
including a commitment to living out prophetic and priestly roles through
vocation
On the basis of this understanding of vocation, "Discerning
Vocation: Community, Context and Commitment" will implement three
main objectives. These objectives seek to:
- develop communities of vocational discernment throughout the college
by providing opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to develop
mentoring relationships
- increase the understanding of church, cultural, and professional contexts
by developing opportunities for students to minister in local churches,
participate in internships and service learning opportunities, and live
in vocationally-themed off-campus locations
- enrich and clarify theological commitments by developing additional
programs and curriculum in which students can reflect on the spiritual,
moral, and political commitments accompanying vocation
"Discerning Vocation: Community, Context, and
Commitment" develops 14 new programs at Whitworth University and builds
upon nine existing programs. Five strategies have been implemented which
involve:
- building institutional capacity in the form of expanded programs in
the departments of religion and music
- faculty and staff development, including mentoring retreats, reading
groups, conferences and vocational workshops
- curricular development in introductory courses, senior capstone programs,
service and vocational opportunities, undergraduate scholarship, graduate
studies and lecture programs
- co-curricular programs, including intentional communities, annual
retreats, student leadership and alumni involvement
- strengthening relationships with the church and community via existing
programs, expanded certificate programs, internships and research opportunities,
reading groups and collaborative relationships with theological seminaries
Back to Lilly Vocation Grant >>
|
