Recently Madison Square Church and Calvin Theological Seminary partnered to host a CCDA (Christian Community Development Association) Café — an introduction to principles of community development with the CEO of the organization, Noel Castellanos. As part of the café, President of the seminary, Rev. Jul Medenblik and Director of Outreach … ∞
I am slightly older than most M.Div. students at Calvin Theological Seminary. Okay… unofficially, I am the oldest current full-time M.Div. student at CTS. It takes some of us longer than others to figure out what we want to be when we grow up. (Now that I’ve figured that out, … ∞
When I was first asked to write this article, I hesitated because the theme “Change our World” sounded too grandiose. I mean, although I did have a great Pastoral Ministry Internship experience this summer, it was only 10 weeks (it didn’t quite go past the honeymoon stage). But as I … ∞
I followed the others into the conference room with a tight knot in my stomach. This was the room at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services where the CPE students and supervisors would meet for twelve hours each week this summer. We would be learning by listening to lectures, sharing … ∞
What would you like to talk about today? I was sitting in Karl’s office during the first of many weekly individual supervision sessions that would come to define the summer like a heartbeat—a steadying, bracing pulsation. That particular question (What would you like to talk about today?) would also repeat … ∞
When we think about “white flight” what do we imagine? Do we simply imagine white people leaving a community? Or do we consider dilapidated housing in segregated neighborhoods? Do we see the economic disparity created by the (primarily white) people who control the assets? White flight is a phenomenon which … ∞
North-Philadelphia-born rap artist, PnB Rock, glimpses some of the unforgiving urban realities that face North Philly in his song, “My City Needs Something.” Rock depicts for us the harsher side of living in the hood [1]. He paints in bleak strokes the sights and sounds of the trouble around him, … ∞
This past summer, I had the opportunity to represent Calvin Theological Seminary for an initiative called the New Faces of Ministry Tour. This nation-wide project, including 59 students from 27 seminaries and divinity schools who traveled almost 14,000 miles across 30 states and Ontario, Canada, was a journey to redefine … ∞
In the beginning God created “something” from nothingness; gave shape to what was formless. Said, “let there be light” and so spoke light into the darkness. He scooped down into the dust of the earth from the ground, and made life from nonexistence. And, even when life fell, pursued life … ∞
Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year! I can’t speak for everyone, but I have sensed an energy in the air this year, a feeling of hope and the promising contributions of new faces and voices. I’m excited to continue working with a great team for our student magazine. As most … ∞
We want to thank the CTS community for a great year! Amidst the business of papers and exams, students have taken the time to both to read the Kerux, and to share their insights and articles on a variety of topics that interested them. We couldn’t have had such interesting … ∞
I am graduating from CTS this semester. So, I received the following CTS email notification: “Commencement participation is required of all graduates. If you have a special circumstance, you must apply to graduate in absentia.” First, I was surprised that a function, which is nothing more than mere pageantry, would be mandatory. Then, I … ∞
I found it particularly amusing when, during my time in seminary, I was asked to write an analysis on Augustine. It seemed a little presumptuous to think I could analyze anything written by Augustine, even after an undergraduate from Calvin College and a nearly complete Master of Divinity. A more … ∞
Recently Calvin Seminary Toastmaster’s club confirmed Bradley Diekema as its new President. Diekema takes over from Toastmaster’s veteran Hannah Smele who will be graduating with an M.Div this year. Brad is excited to continue growing in his mastery of toasts and hopes you will join him every 2nd and 4th Monday … ∞
After being asked to write about my experience at Calvin, a joke kept coming to mind. “A Calvinist was walking down the stairs. They tripped, tumbled down and broke their arm. Afterwards they got up and said, ‘Well that’s over with.’” Besides being satirical, it reminded me of my experience … ∞
