Spiritual Formation
In the context of academic learning and ministry
We are to love God with our minds and our actions, but also with our hearts and souls. Christ's church will not be well served by gifted and well-trained people who have no passion for God and his church. Trinity promotes a comprehensive education: academic learning in coordination with practical ministry founded in personal, spiritual formation. We challenge students to study "as unto the Lord" and then to integrate what they learn with their personal faith.
Formation Group
The formation group is composed of one or more professors and the students that they advise. Every week throughout the semester, the group gathers to develop relationships and discuss issues of relevance for the members. Attendance is required for one year (two consecutive semesters) within the MDiv program, and is recommended and encouraged for other programs.
Day of Prayer
Our lives get very busy. This is why we take one day off each semester for the Day of Prayer. We cancel classes, close offices, and gather in the chapel from 9:00 a.m. to noon. We come together as a diverse community: college students praying with faculty, staff praying with graduate students, and divinity students praying with deans. After this is over, many students gather in groups with professors to eat lunch and spend time together.
The Day of Prayer allows us to focus on God in the midst of busy schedules. It can be difficult to take the time away from our tasks. There is a temptation to think about what could have been "accomplished" instead. However, our work is too important to neglect God's central role within it. We are engaged in his mission, and we strive to be good stewards of the opportunities and resources that God has given to us.
Balance
Seminary is a wonderful opportunity for personal growth for numerous reasons, not the least of which is learning to balance the aspects of our life. We are finite creatures who must balance our time, responsibilities, and opportunities. Seminary is a place where good opportunities will always outnumber the hours of the day--God, family, friends, work, ministry, school, health, etc. When asked, current students often mention balance as their greatest challenge, as well as the area within which they are personally learning the most. One recent graduate shared the following story:
"In Acts, Pauline & General Epistles, Dr. Carson challenged us to be faithful to our responsibilities. He said some of us should be getting an A, while others should be getting a C, and we need to know which one we are. He put class into perspective against the responsibilities we have for family, church, and ministry, while challenging us to take advantage of the opportunities we have in class to learn."