Pomp and ...

Graduation season is upon us, which means more cake to eat.  Please refer to my last blog for clarification of this statement.  The end of a chapter in the educational process means the beginning of a new phase of life.  The two gentlemen pictured are graduates of the Lehigh Valley Baptist Bible Institute in Emmaus, PA.   Yesterday evening was their graduation and your's truly was the keynote speaker.  Things like that make me nervous.  I spoke at another graduation a few weeks ago and I was just as nervous, and it was a kindergarten graduation.    What gets to me is the feeling that there are certain expectations of a keynote speaker.  Be challenging, be appropriate, be current and be expedient!

I suppose that there are similar expectations thrust upon the graduates of a Bible Institute.  They should be challenged, not only by the message of the evening, but also by the shear magnitude of the work of the ministry awaiting them.  They are expected to be appropriate.  Not just in personal behavior but since they have learned enough doctrine and practical application, they should know what an Independent, Fundamental, Bible Believing, Baptist is all about and they are expected to carry on a legacy of faith that stretches back 2 millennium.  As far a being current, I would hope that these two fellows know what has been brewing across the spiritual landscape, and that they understand the theological errors that have raised their ugly heads in our generation.  And that they also are able to navigate the current church trends with discernment.  Oh yes, they need to be expedient!  There is an expectation that they have been chomping at the bit to finish their education so that they can tear into the ministry at full-steam-ahead.

Wow, and I thought I was nervous about the expectations of a graduation.
Congratulation Bro. Nat & Bro. Ben.  I am rejoicing with you, praying for you, and expecting great things from God. 


Chuck