Installation Address: On Child-Likeness
January 18th, 2007
On Tuesday, January 17, 2007, Dean Karen Diefendorf, Dr. Paul Boatman and Dr. Robert Lowery were formally installed as deans of Lincoln Christian College and Seminary. Dean Diefendorf addressed one of the school’s core values, servant-leadership, and Dr. Boatman spoke about authentic Christian community. Dr. Lowery spoke on the call to be a child-like college and seminary. The opening paragraphs of his remarks are posted below.
One day Jesus visited the campus of Lincoln Christian College and Seminary. And the newly installed academic deans, along with their colleagues– the staff, administration, faculty, students, trustees, and even their family members–gathered around him. And one of them asked Jesus: “Who is the greatest seminary and college in the Kingdom of heaven?â€
Jesus walked into their midst and took a child by the hand and he had the child stand in front of him and Jesus said: “Trust me and obey me when I say this. Unless you humble yourself and become like this child, you will never get a look at what the kingdom is really like. This child is ultimately powerless and utterly dependent upon the parents. The child is not preoccupied with power or status or greatness. This child is not fighting the disease of conceit. Therefore, if you want to be the greatest in my Kingdom, become the humblest. In other words, if you want to become the greatest seminary and college in the Kingdom, become a nursery school.â€
And Jesus left our campus, and his acted out parable provoked a considerable amount of discussion and debate among the disciples in Lincoln, Illinois. They focused on one question: Do we really want to be a nursery school?
February 20th, 2007 at 10:33 am
This reminder, to be child like and humble is most appropriate and least appropriated. It makes for a great sermon. It makes for a harder life’s message. Will this change me? Will this change LCC? Do we really want to live it out? Or is the message, 5 minutes after its conclusion, out-lived?
March 5th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
I reread this while considering the scripture for an upcoming “girl scout Sunday” at our church. I had just read the recent restorer. How do lines like “So, let us not talk about our desire to be a great seminary and college or I shall suspect we do not understand the call of Jesus” with LCC/S’s stated objective to be a “national leader in Christian Education” in the latest Restorer.
I understand the value of setting goals, even lofty ones, but have always felt a combination of swelling pride, appreciation, and discomfort when reading marketing material that crowed about what is going on.
No doubt many, if not all the servants who put that together ARE humble people, I know many of them. But as an institution, I rarely perceive that our effort to both differentiate ourselves from other institutions, to distinguish ourselves in the field, or for that matter, to highlight top donors, ever seemed a very humble undertaking. While you will find collegiality among individuals across institutions, it seems rare that you find sincere appreciation of one instition, for another. Say, Cincinnati and Lincoln. You will never find one of them promoting the other–maybe you can prove me wrong, but I haven’t seen it. Which leaves me with the question: is this truly done for Christ, or is it being done for OUR success?
How much has the “childish world” infiltrated us and we don’t even know it? I would like to see institutional child-likeness.
And with all these words above, I have to admit my own pride and need for childlikeness and humility, in ministry, while driving (!), and especially with my wife and family.
May 13th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
I just read this note for the first time. I am confident you know that you are summing up what I said and continue to maintain. If God should cause any of us (individuals or communities of higher learning) to be “recognized,” then praise goes to him. Our goal is to accomplish our mission so that God can be glorified.