Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School celebrated 42 new students and two new professors on Aug. 27, welcoming them into the Beeson family during opening convocation.
Samford President Beck Taylor praised Beeson’s role on campus during remarks to those gathered.
“Nowhere on this campus is that faithfulness to Christ more evident than here at Beeson Divinity School,” Taylor said.
Drawing from his message to undergraduate students, also delivered Aug. 27, Taylor called students, faculty and staff to consider what it means to be “people of gratitude.”
Beeson Dean Douglas Sweeney delivered the sermon, kicking off this year’s chapel series, which is focused on the nature and mission of the church.
Preaching from Ephesians 2:11-22, Sweeney reminded those gathered they are part of the story being preached during chapel this year and encouraged them to pursue unity and holiness in the body of Christ.
While it may be hard for 21st-century hearers to imagine the kinds of boundaries and hostilities that Paul writes Christ has conquered through His life, death and resurrection, Sweeney said there are still sins today that haunt the church, sins of “ethnocentrism, favoritism and hate.”
“Much as circumcision, kosher laws, the temple wall in Jerusalem kept non-Jews at bay before the coming of the Lord, so prejudicial feelings and discriminatory laws keep believers separated in today’s family of God,” Sweeney said. “Ancient Gentiles had no hope because they didn’t know of God’s plan to graft them into His family – many now lack hope because believers don’t live as though we’re really one in Christ.”
Christ still wants to “break down our animosities today,” Sweeney said. Paul’s words in Ephesians remind us that the church is united, with Christ as its Head, and is holy and physical, not just spiritual, Sweeney said.
“We’re meant to put flesh on His grace, mercy and love for the people in our care,” Sweeney said. “We are meant to reflect the glory of God in the world. We are meant to serve as agents of His reconciling love, and to do so together, as the church of Jesus Christ. … What a journey we are on as the people of God. What a destination we share. What a privilege it is to be united to Christ, to be a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”
After Sweeney’s sermon, the newest members of Beeson’s faculty, Chip Hardy and Alex Kirk, signed the school’s faculty covenant, followed by the new cohort and all returning students renewing their covenant to Beeson, which has been made by each class since Beeson’s founding in 1988.