Baccalaureate & Commencement 2016!
New Brunswick Theological Seminary's Class of 2016 celebrated Baccalaureate and Commencement at the historic Kirkpatrick Chapel on the Rutgers University campus on Friday, May 20th and Saturday, May 21st.
The fifty graduates receiving the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, or Doctor of Ministry degrees comprised one of the largest graduating classes in NBTS history.
Honorary degrees were awarded to
Dr. Son Young Lee of Saemoonan Presbyterian Church in Seoul, South Korea and
Dr. Wilbur Washington, the first African-American President of the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America, for their many years of service to theological education.
The featured speaker was former New Brunswick professor and current Episcopal Bishop of Maryland, the
Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton.
Bishop Sutton advised the Class of '16 that it is important to know the difference between "power" and "authority" as they go forward to follow their calling. "Authority, unlike human power, is never grabbed for or assumed. It can only be given. Your authority is granted by others whom you serve, to the extent that you are deemed trustworthy and deserving of it," said Bishop Sutton.
He also reminded the graduates that they need to keep in mind the lessons of Jesus as the Good Shepherd as they make the transition from seminary to ministry. "Jesus had little power in human terms. He had no money, no social status, no armies, no credentials. The people gave him the title of 'Rabbi' because he taught as one having authority." Bishop Sutton continued, "Most conflicts between pastors and congregations are power struggles... When you go into your congregations...you don't have to force them to do anything. Go to where you want them to be and they will follow. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
The night before Commencement the graduating class celebrated the annual Baccalaureate Service with NBTS Associate Professor of Pastoral Care,
Dr. Raynard Smith as the preacher. Dr. Smith, chosen by the class for the honor, used the story of the courageous Old Testament prophet Daniel to encourage the new grads to keep the faith despite the world's intense pressures to compromise. "Remember who you are, whose you are, and for what purpose you have been called," said Dr. Smith.
"Remain faithful to your call, remain faithful to your training. Through your service to humanity done in the name of Christ, issue an invitation to the world- especially the least of these...the skeptics and the nones-give them an opportunity to dine at the table of a loving, gracious, and sovereign Lord. Dare to be Daniel and you will be a blessing wherever you land."
Members of NBTS "Honor Classes" - celebrating 10, 20, 25 and 30 years - were also part of the weekend's festivities. The Commencement also marked the tenth anniversary of Dr. Gregg Mast's tenure as Seminary President. He will be retiring in June of 2017.
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