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Campus Minister Nathan Flora reviews applications for the new resident chaplain positions. |
-Photo by Jason Harville |
Nineteen students were chosen for Milligan’s new resident chaplain program for the 2003-2004 school year.
Student selection was based 80 to 90 per cent on their application answers, said Nathan Flora, campus minister. References from students, employers, resident directors and the dean of students were consulted.
The application process this year was modified due to time constraints, said Flora. Next year, he hopes to interview applicants and weight decisions more heavily based upon those interviews.
Webb, Sutton and Hart Halls will have two chaplains per floor rather than the one planned. Flora said he wanted to parallel the RA situation to increase the likelihood that chaplains will have the personal contact they are intended to have.
“Many of the goals of the program are the same things I wanted to do this semester,” said freshman Parker Creel, a Webb Hall resident chaplain, who applied because he “wanted in some way to be part of the body of Christ.”
He views the resident chaplain program as a good foundation provided by the school for what one person wants to happen but cannot accomplish alone.
Sutton Hall resident chaplains freshmen Jill Miller and Breanna Shelton share a desire to nurture the spiritual lives of residents.
“I would love to see the girls get to know each other better, especially on a spiritual level,” said Miller.
Miller said she wants to get more involved on campus and give back to the college for a great freshman year, and the resident chaplain program was an avenue to do this.
Shelton is excited about the new emphasis on dorm life through fellowshipwith others.
“I think it will help people get involved and stay connected with God,” said Shelton, noting the difficult transition of freshman year.
The responsibilities of the resident chaplains, as defined by the application, are “coordinating opportunities for service, promoting and encouraging a Godly worldview, character and living environment, providing pastoral care and mentoring and leading weekly events for fellowship and Bible study.”
Flora believes this program will add a new dimension to residence life that will incorporate all students as well as aid in promoting vocation as a call from God.