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inquiry

Year of ideas

Perspective can be hard to find in a small community, but the big picture tells the true story.

by Naomi Graber

At the beginning of this year, it was easy to look at the broken relationships, the disappointed hopes and the uncertain situation and see a community in turmoil. It was easy to look at the declining enrollment coupled with an ever increasing financial struggle even after painful decisions last spring and see a community in peril.

But things are not always as they seem.

After Jesus’ death, it was easy to look at the broken relationships, disappointed hopes and the uncertain situation and see the coming death of a community of believers. It all depends on your perspective, on what parts of the story you try to see. Perspective is one of the very hardest things to find in small communities, especially in times of crisis, and yet the big picture is the only true telling of the story.

Though the advertising department may disagree, it is not a single idea that defines Bethel. Instead, the Bethel community is defined by the relationships that create its continuing story told throughout the years, linking history to the present and both to the future.

From my understanding of literature, a good story is fraught with struggle and challenges. The stories of God’s relationship with his followers are certainly fraught with brokenness. It was the very horror of the cross that enabled the power of the resurrection. It is in our brokenness that God reveals her strength. The Bethel story has had its share of challenges and struggle of late, and yet that is not the end.

As many in the broader Bethel community remained focused on the limited perspective of struggle and frustration, there began a movement of resurrection energy on the campus. Why, how, when, where things started is a miraculous mystery of the beauty of community.

Sometimes it is in the ashes of bureaucracy that a grassroots movement can grow and spread, giving life to a “Year of Ideas.”

From the loss of a single spiritual leader, a team of student chaplains came together with the campus pastor to involve the community in its own spiritual growth.

From the loss of academic opportunities, a new path of individualized majors is being forged to create a never-ending amount of possibilities for students.

From the loss of different leadership, new faces in administration have brought fresh ideas and energy to a receptive campus.

From the desire for building strong relationships with each other and God, the gift of the Agape House is providing space and opportunity for relationships to grow.

From the desire for more sustainability, a community garden project is moving forward which would provide a path for involvement in healthy food options.

From the inspiration of two individuals who paved the way for a new beginning, plans are coming together for a campus coffee shop.

These possibilities are not emerging in spite of recent challenges, but rather join with such struggles in the continuing story of Bethel College community. All of these plans are rooted in the rich history of Bethel College. It is on the foundation of life-giving relationships among many passionate, gifted people that a truly inspiring surge of participation and dedication on campus has come set to battle anyone limiting their perspective to the tragedy of the cross. Embrace the beauty of the resurrection and join in the movement of joy.

Naomi Graber is a sophomore from Elkhart, Ind., who came to Bethel College in 2008 after a year with the Service Adventure program in Anchorage, Alaska.

Pictured above: Cyneatha Millsaps, top right, lead pastor of Community Mennonite Church in Markham, Ill., spent several days on the Bethel campus this fall as pastor-in-residence. She had breakfast one morning with the four student chaplains, including, seated to her right, Naomi Graber. Continuing counterclockwise: Sharayah Williams (campus ministries student assistant), Will Peterson (student chaplain), Kelsie Miller, Dale Schrag (campus pastor), Maya Kehr (student chaplain), Daniel Klaassen (student chaplain) and Chad Childs (vice president of student life).