A service of worship and commitment honors this year’s graduates
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05/31/12
First Congregational Church sanctuary
Watch the Baccalaureate service on Vimeo
Fuller’s
graduating class of 2012 was honored on Wednesday, May 30, in a special
Baccalaureate service held at the First Congregational Church of Pasadena,
featuring a sermon delivered by beloved faculty member David Augsburger, professor
of pastoral counseling, who is retiring at the end of this academic year.
In
his sermon entitled “Silence, Patience, Presence,” Augsburger drew from Psalm
46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Focusing his message on the three
words of its title, he began with the value of silence, telling a story of
taking a wordless walk with a friend whose wife of 50 years had just died.
Augsburger recalled that, as a young pastor, he felt frustrated with himself
for being unable to find the right words of comfort. However, looking back, he
said, “Silent presence was probably the best pastoral care I could have given.”
Bringing together quotes on silence from myriad sources including Abraham
Lincoln, Dionysius, and ancient Chinese proverbs, Augsburger created a profound
picture of the beauty and necessity of silence. “Silence is the core of our
being, the strength of our inner life,” he said. “If we root our lives in
silence, we grow deeper into God.”
Next,
he addressed “patience,” which he described as “sitting quietly, waiting for
your turn; sitting uneasily in the not yet.” When we learn the virtue of
patience, we are able to let go of control—but there is an important
distinction between active and passive patience. “We should pray and we should
tremble,” said Augsburger. “These are the signs of active patience.”
Discussing the final word—presence—of the
three in his sermon, he said, “Presence is not a method, it is embodied grace;
it is fleshing out the love of God.” He remarked that we learn how to be
faithful to one another by being “present in all our vulnerabilities.”
Augsburger
pointed out, however, that we must not stop with silence, patience, and
presence. These three virtues in ministry allow us to be with others in a
remarkable way, and thus to empower others by helping them find healing and
their own voice. “When we dare to break the silence by speaking the truth,” he
said, “we are speaking the truth that calls people to find their voice and cry
out for justice.” It is important for Fuller graduates to discover their voice,
but it is even more important that they have learned to hear others.
“Go
out and care for the poor and the oppressed, and give voice to their silence,”
said Augsburger in his concluding charge to the graduates. “Go out and give
your life and your love, so it may be mistaken for the face of Jesus.”
The
Baccalaureate service was followed by a reception in the
Garth honoring this year’s graduates, sponsored by Fuller’s Office of Alumni
and Church Relations.
Watch video of the service
Read a transcript of Dr. Augsburger's sermon
See photos from the Baccalaureate service and reception