Benediction

An excerpt for students from Dr. Jonathan Ensor’s
May Commencement Address 2023

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of god, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 (ESV)

While we pray you are safe in the next season of life, we sure don’t pray that you play it safe.

We need people who will build safe, stable, and trusting communities, rather than ones driven by fear and paranoia.

We need folks who will sit at more tables than they overturn.

We need adults who can reclaim play, and song, and fun and not spend their time on things that do not last.

We need people who will work with integrity and substance, rather than get ahead by scoring cheap style or rhetorical points.

We need people who are more eager to stand behind others helping them on their way, than longing to stand in the spotlight.

We need people who know their neighbors’ names rather than label them by their bumper sticker beliefs.

We need churches who will embody the gospel as salvation for the world, rather than simply an escape from it.