August 29, 2007 - Geneva College
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August 29, 2007

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The Geneva College community paused Wednesday amid a busy syllabus week to seek God′s face and kick off the 2007-2008 chapel program.

Dr. Dean Smith, chair of the Bible department and coordinator of Geneva′s chapel program, challenged students filling a packed Metheny Fieldhouse to not only truly seek God but continually follow him as his apprentice.

chapel1.jpgWith a message titled “Apprentices of Jesus,” Smith defined apprentice as “one who has aligned himself with a master to pursue a vocation or calling.” Referencing The Apprentice, starring and produced by Donald Trump, Smith described how even the most loyal and well qualified of Trump′s apprentices are often fired and humiliated on national television when they do not master what he wants them to master. But Jesus, Smith noted, hardly fired the flawed apprentices he discipled.

“In fact,” Smith said, “Jesus′ apprentices were not the best of the best of the best.”

Smith pointed to several biblical examples of the sorts of people Christ calls to follow him and be like him, calling Geneva′s students to do likewise, whether following him is a new decision or a familiar but ongoing process.

“Being a disciple of Jesus can never be mastered,” Smith said.

This discussion will continue throughout the academic year as different speakers consider what such apprenticeship looks like. The theme will be developed by looking at the classic spiritual disciplines (scripture, prayer, silence/meditation, giving, Sabbath/rest, confession, fasting and celebration) and their relation to apprenticeship. Another chapel service will include a meditation on the Lord′s prayer.

Chapel is held every Wednesday morning from 10:10 to 11:10 am.  For more information about the services, contact Bridgette Hinzman in the campus ministry office at 724-847-6555.

Aug 29, 2007