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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (March 4, 2002) – Milligan College has always tried to help its students learn to view their vocational calling as an opportunity for ministry and Christian leadership. After all, it’s the college’s vision. And thanks to a new planning grant from the Lilly Endowment of Indianapolis, the college is working to develop a comprehensive plan for its students to more thoroughly explore the theological concept of vocation.
The $49,780 grant will enable a 25-member campus team to begin an intensive planning process, beginning in March. Their goal will be to develop an implementation proposal for the Endowment by September 1. In that proposal, the college may request as much as $2 million to improve its core ability to train a new generation of Christian leaders for the church and society.
“Our goal is to provide a cohesive way for students to consider their vocational choices in light of their faith as they grow intellectually and spiritually,” said Milligan president Donald R. Jeanes. “We want students to explore their vocational choices from the perspective of a calling to ministry — regardless of the specific field they will ultimately enter.”
Jeanes said that it is something the college is already doing in many areas, and the team will consider ways to more effectively do it. Possibilities include new or expanded opportunities in student leadership development initiatives, career counseling services, internship opportunities, faculty development and mentoring, cooperative programs, and interdisciplinary programs.
“All of the programs will help students explore their vocational aspirations in a context of spiritual and theological discernment,” said Jeanes. “Basically we want our students to understand that leadership and service are responsibilities of all Christians, and we want them to learn that in the classroom, on the athletic field, in social activities, and in every aspect of college life at Milligan.”
This program will be a strong complement to the $800,000 “Youth in Ministry” Endowment grant that Milligan is already implementing in partnership with Emmanuel School of Religion. That program is aimed at reaching high school students with a similar emphasis of viewing their vocational calling as ministry.
“The enhancement and further development of this program to include college students is a logical and meaningful continuum of that program,” said Todd Norris, vice president for institutional advancement at Milligan.
“We plan to explore even deeper levels of involvement with existing church and para-church partners, as well as alumni and friends. They can provide essential resources for our mentor programs and internships. And they effectively and vividly model Christian leadership in a variety of vocations.”
Norris also said that the new program would integrate well with the college’s Institute for Christian Leadership.
“The goals are the same – to advance the premise that leadership through service and Christian witness is a call for all Christians, regardless of their sphere of influence or profession.”
Over 300 colleges and universities submitted proposals to the Endowment for the competitive “Programs for Theological Exploration of Vocation 2002” grants program. Milligan was one of 50 schools to which the Endowment awarded planning grants.