For the 2014 spring semester, the Campus Ministry Team has made some changes and booked some big-name guests for The Gathering.
The theme of “Ask. Seek. Knock.,” which comes from the book of Luke, will continue as the theme from the fall semester. Although there are not usually many changes during the fall-to-spring transition, this spring semester looks to add one change of notoriety to the options of breakout chapels.
In addition to the men’s and women’s chapels, worship chapel, hymn chapel, theater chapel and others, the campus ministry team is adding a veteran’s chapel for Lipscomb’s Yellow Ribbon students. The chapel will be led by Dr. Tom Seals of the Bible department, who served in the military himself.
“It’s just a really great opportunity for that group on campus to grow in community together, and to grow in faith together,” said Keela Evans of the Campus Ministry Team, “I’m really excited to see how that blossoms.”
Many of the breakout chapels have been a hit with students. The singing chapel has become particularly popular with students.
“I usually go to the one the singing one. I think it’s fun. Sometimes I think the best way to praise God is just by singing, and not always listening to someone talk. I love music, so I enjoy the singing chapel,” sophomore Alex Woods said.
The devotionals on Wednesday nights are another aspect of chapel that has been popular among the student body. The Wednesday Night Devos stand out from the other chapel services because they are student run and led.
“Usually if I can ever make it to them, I do. It’s a really convenient way to get a chapel credit,” junior Jonathan Bryant said. “It’s nice to hear fellow students instead of your regular chapel speakers.”
“I think it’s cool when a student is bold enough and has enough courage to step up and tell their story, because that’s hard a lot of times, especially in front of the student body. It’s just cool to hear their perspective and hear what they’ve been through. It helps you relate to other people,” Woods said.
The spring semester also promises some enticing guest speakers scheduled to speak in chapel throughout the semester.
Christian singer-songwriter John Mark McMillan, writer of the popular song “How He Loves” will be speaking to the student body in April. Before McMillan takes the stage in April, Shauna Niequist, author of Bread & Wine, Bittersweet and Cold Tangerines, will be engaging the Lipscomb community in February.
Even though well-known speakers always inspire a rousing reaction from the student body, Evans is just as excited about the faculty and staff members who will be taking part in the chapel activities this semester.
“We have a couple big speakers, but part of me is really just excited about some of the internal speakers that we have,” Evans said. “I am excited about the faculty and staff that love our students day in and day out, and know the hearts of our students and come with a very open mindset of where our students are at.”
The Campus Ministry Team is chomping at the bit to present the student body with all they have in store for the semester. For any updates or reminders of any chapel-related activities throughout the semester, students should check their Lipscomb email account as well as Lumination.