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The most recent articles, videos, blog entries, and more that have been added to ChristianUnion.org.
A Good Student is Hard to Find
Sunday, August 19, 2018You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. … Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:1-7; 14-15 (ESV)
In this classic passage on discipleship (especially vv. 1-2), what immediately catches the eye is the nature of a sincere follower of Christ (“faithful”) and the principle of multiplication (“entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also”). Regarding the latter, we may even find ourselves—if you’re old school like me—dusting off a rudimentary graphic of pencil-thin stick figures in pyramid-like formations; an image that captured the wonderful vision of a wise disciple-maker’s investment in a few good men, that in due time would reach a multitude.
Lydia’s Legacy
Saturday, August 18, 2018“And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.” Acts 16:13-15 (ESV)
Who were the women who gathered at the river banks that Sabbath? The focus is on an enigmatic woman called Lydia who is identified as a tradeswoman in the lucrative and complex dyeing industry of her day. It would be fair to say she had specialized knowledge in sourcing and extracting prized color from Mediterranean mollusks which were used to dye garments for the upper echelons of Roman society and others who wore the distinguishing purple to mark their elite status. A woman involved in a niche luxury-goods business and someone who owned her own home, suggests that Luke is perhaps making a point that she was successful! However, larger than her business profile is her posture before God.
Our Father’s Business: Human Flourishing
Friday, August 17, 2018The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:10-15 (ESV)
Sometimes, just after starting my car, I say out loud, “Alright, Carola, the goal is to not hurt the humans. Jesus, help me to not hurt the humans.” I say this because in my rush to arrive somewhere on time or beat the traffic, I have oftentimes forgotten that there are other human beings around me—in cars, on bikes, on sidewalks—whose lives matter just as much as mine. When I do take for granted the preciousness of the lives of others, I find myself taking risks that, upon reflection, are not worth the potential cost.
In a similar way, business leaders can lose sight of the other humans that make up their businesses and are affected by their businesses. Volunteering with a labor-rights organization in Trenton, New Jersey, I heard the stories of men and women working in poor conditions for minimum wage, employed by companies of all sizes that seemed to be thriving economically. Yet, at what cost? Who is paying for those business leaders to flourish?
The Magna Carta of Humanity: Human Nature Post-Auschwitz, Post-Hiroshima, and Pre-Singularity; How the State Serves Both Salvation and Religious Freedom; Some Thoughts and Advice for the College-Bound Students in Your Life; Why Should We Care About the Arts?; Telling a Better Story and more, in this issue of Christian Union's bi-monthly email brief.
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.
— Psalm 34:15
Thursday, August 16, 2018
How to Win Friends and Influence People“And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” Luke 16:9-10 (ESV)
It is no secret that the priorities of Jesus regularly riled up the religious leaders of His day. Jesus’ proclivity for welcoming the disreputable “sinners and tax collectors” into relationship and community became a particular target of their ire and scorn. The series of four parables in Luke 15:1-16:15 function in tandem as a sort of “apology” for Jesus’ radical inclusion and acceptance of such shadowy characters as deeply consonant with the shape of God’s coming kingdom in the world.
Invigorating Godliness in The Nation’s Capital
In 2024, Christian Union once again began working to develop networks of transformative Christian leaders in Washington, DC.The ministry provides special attention to helping alumni from the schools where Christian Union operates to transition from college to the marketplace (or graduate school) well, which includes participating in a local church and Christian community, and continuing to grow, both spiritually and intellectually.
Whether you were involved with a Christian Union ministry in college or not, if you live, work, or pursue graduate studies in the DC area, you are invited to attend Christian Union DC events. Connect to a community of dynamic Christians who are devoted to Jesus Christ and desire to bring a godly influence to their fields.
Get Involved
Plans for CU Washington, DC include:- Industry-specific networking, and cross-industry community-building opportunities
- An excellent speaker series on topics ranging from Christian growth to godly leadership in various fields
- Small and large group get-togethers and outings.
Contact
If you have questions or want to learn more about getting involved in DC, please email us at cudc@christianunion.org.
Christian Union Celebrates Graduating Students at HLS
by tom campisi, managing editor
Students associated with Christian Union’s ministry at Harvard Law School expressed gratitude for Christ-exalting Bible courses and Christ-centered community at a dinner celebrating the graduation of third-year students (3Ls).
Michael Wilkinson, Christian Union’s ministry director at Harvard Law School, said the heart of the evening centered on thanksgiving to the Lord for His abundant grace and provision for the graduates during their time at Harvard Law School (HLS). Wilkinson, who took over as ministry director in the winter of 2017, has high expectations for the five graduating students and also for the ensuing years of ministry at HLS.
Bryan ’19 Is Inspired by Parents’ Missionary Zeal
by catherine elvy, staff writer
While watching his parents serve as missionaries in Ethiopia, a Harvard College student enjoyed a front-row view of the powerful roles of Christian purpose and dedication.
“This idea of serving and sacrificing was always shown in a clear and humble way,” said Cooper Bryan.
Bryan ’19 highlighted the significance of spiritual fervor when he shared his testimony with students involved in Christian Union’s ministry at Harvard.
Scripture Keeps Hegefeld ’20 Rooted
by tom campisi, managing editor
Haley Hegefeld made a bold decision at the beginning of 2018.
A leader with Christian Union’s ministry at Yale, she proclaimed that this would be “The Year of No Fear.” By God’s grace, Hegefeld ’20 has indeed been walking more in faith, and less in fear. She recently reflected on an academic year of spiritual growth that included being a key member of Christian Union’s Rooted leadership lecture series and culminated with being baptized this spring.
“For many years, I struggled with anxiety; not debilitating fears, but annoying ones,” she said. “Nonetheless, I found that I avoided many activities, from playing sports and telling people when they were upsetting me, to getting a new haircut. I felt convicted at the beginning of this year to try and remove fear’s grip on my life. I was tired of it telling me what I could and could not do.”
Fellowship Will Enable Lind ’18 to Record Album
by catherine elvy, staff writer
A Princeton University senior recently landed a prestigious fellowship that will allow the musician to record an album of songs inspired by his service to hospice patients.
In April, David Lind ’18 received a Martin A. Dale ’53 Fellowship for a yearlong project that includes a recording session in Nashville.
“I’ve always loved music,” said Lind, who was active in Christian Union’s ministry at Princeton.
