(Acts 2.42-47 ; John 15.9-17)
An unenviable honour to provide what has been dubbed an “interruption before the diplomas are granted” while aspiring to convey a lasting message of meaning, purpose, and joy.
And, this speech is delivered by someone who has not been part of your academic journey to this point.
So as I begin, I offer you a piece of confidence to that context by assuring you I am following the request to keep it under 10 minutes.
First and foremost, I offer to you graduates my deep and sincere congratulations.
It is not easy to reach this point in your studies – when there is a defined end date; a year inscribed on a diploma, a celebration of your accomplishments.
And I say something that you already know:
This is not the end.
For the work that you have been called to do: it waits for you.
The passion for ministry – in its beautiful and various forms – still waits for you.
It is what brought you here in the first place, it is what sustained you through all your efforts here; it is leading you to the hard work that your soul knows you are meant to do.
For what we celebrate tonight is not just your efforts of the past few years: as delightful and amazing as those accomplishments are.
We celebrate that you are committed to the life of the church, in the present and future.
The church is a challenging place to be, as we are constantly redefining our role and relationship within society.
This is not a new thing we are doing, but a redefinition that will require strong, faithful leaders.
Leaders who are equipped with the good news of God, and who live within a community of friends and colleagues.
Leaders like you: you who have been chosen to engage in this holy work;
you who have been empowered to go into the world,
you who will establish new ways to breathe life into how the world will hear God’s word.
So I offer some words of advice and encouragement to you, as now and future leaders:
First: keep dreaming. Dream big!
Dream the dreams and heed the visions of the prophets; who inspire us to work for a world that is a place of justice and peace for all of God’s people. For a better world is possible, and you are already committed to helping bring that about.
Next: keep loving.
Love with reckless abandon; the love that rejects judgement and worldly norms; love that recognises the presence of the living Christ in every. single. being you encounter; in whatever context your ministry unfolds.
Thirdly: Keep learning.
Read new books, attend conferences, engage in conversations. God has not stopped revealing Godself to the world, and we deny ourselves the amazement of that revelation if we think we’ve reached the back-cover of our learning.
Fourthly: Keep your heart on your sleeve.
Remember the kindness that has been shown you, and that you have every opportunity to extend. As Maya Angelou said: “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
And finally: Keep connected.
You have spent the last few years engaging with amazing professors, mentors, and co-learners. You have been upheld by your families, friends, faith communities, and all who pray for the church.
They have been your constant aid on this journey; offering prayers, editorial feedback on that final paper, maybe snack food to get through those pages and pages of reading, a thumbs up to encourage you through presentations and sermon prep.
These folks – many of whom are here tonight – thank YOU.
For as you have been the supporters and cheerleaders along the way; you have borne the face of God in the process of learning and teaching. This has been your ministry: and we also celebrate that tonight.
For no one does the work of God alone.
This is conveyed to us all so often in the scriptures; and we hear it again tonight.
Jesus calls us friends, when we pay attention to God’s commandments and act in loving service.
And the Apostles, energised by the Spirit, devote themselves to the life that is modeled for us all.
So tonight, as we leave this place – but never God’s presence –
may we go – as friends –
and carry within us the teachings to the people of God from the reading from Acts: to devote ourselves to the apostle’s teaching and community life, to the breaking of Bread, and to prayer:
And may we be filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed in our sight.
For the church of God rejoices with hope.
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