Chapel Schedule
Now included on main campus calendar
Chapel Address Transcripts
Lori Gaffner
Chaplain/Director of
Spiritual Formation
WGRN Radio
Broadcasts of Chapel
Student LifeChapelSpiritual Formation Chapel is the cornerstone of the Spiritual Formation program at Greenville College. A place of corporate worship, prayer, education, and growth, Chapel exists to encourage the formation of Christian community and to foster the development of a vibrant, life-changing relationship with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for each individual within the community. Course Description: Distinctive Elements: 1. ALTERNATIVES: The programming offers alternatives of various kinds including a range of different styles, schedules, and leadership offered on five days a week 2. DEVELOPMENTAL: The programming is intentionally “developmental” in that the expectations for student participation changes as students move through the college, permitting greater flexibility in the fulfillment of their chapel requirements. Alternative chapels are available for all students, and seniors re permitted more freedom in use of these alternatives, in keeping with our college beliefs that intellectual, moral, and spiritual growth is developmental so our teaching should be developmental. The Greenville College Spiritual Formation curriculum includes many other elements besides the chapel program. These include: small group experiences (Bible studies, discipleship groups, prayer groups), opportunities for outreach and demonstration of one's Christian faith (“GSO” provides over eight different experiential learning ministry opportunities offered on a continuous basis), various special programs (concerts, spiritual development workshops, prayer retreats, etc.) Course Schedule:Monday, Wednesday & Friday Chapels: The Chapel programs are varied, but usually include music, prayer, Scripture readings, and a message from a member of our own college community or an outside guest. A four-year topical curriculum is followed, designed to support both the Mission of the College and the mission/objectives of the Chapel program. Tuesday Prayer & Meditation Chapels: The Tuesday Chapel is a time of individual quiet meditation and prayer in the sanctuary of the Free Methodist Church . Individuals are available to pray with those who desire prayer. Thursday Night Vespers: This student-led service is held each Thursday night in LaDue Auditorium and consists of music, testimonies, Scripture readings, and preaching by our music and ministry majors, as well as other fellow-students. Educational Objectives:Chapel will enable a student to: A. hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed and have an opportunity to personally respond to the Holy Spirit's leading to experience a personal, vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ within a Christian community (Institutional Goals and Objectives 1, 7, 9) B. hear the foundational beliefs of the Christian faith explained, including the importance of God the Creator, as well as God the redeemer sustainer, i.e., significance of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, salvation, and the role of the Holy Spirit (Institutional Goals and Objectives 1, 2, 9) C. develop a better understanding of what it means to “love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength” (Institutional Goals and Objectives 2, 7, 8) D. come to understand and appreciate the Christian community and its practices (Institutional Goals and Objectives 4, 5, 6) E. appreciate the diversity within the body of Christ and begin to understand/demonstrate the importance of being actively involved in the “ministry of reconciliation” among God's people (Institutional Goals and Objectives 1, 4, 5, 6) F. articulate his/her own “worldview,” as well as the ability to explain, expand, and refine it in light of Scripture, tradition, reason and experience (Institutional Goals and Objectives 1, 2, 5, 6) G. identify and/or begin to develop the spiritual disciplines in his/her own Christian life (Institutional Goals and Objectives 2, 7, 9) H. become more “Biblically-literate” through the periodic preaching and teaching of a particular book of the Bible or a Biblical theme each semester/year (Institutional Goals and Objectives 1, 2, 9) I. understand and personally demonstrate worship as a lifestyle, rather than an event (Institutional Goals and Objectives 1, 2, 9) J. learn to appreciate a variety of worship styles, from traditional, to contemporary, to international (Institutional Goals and Objectives 3, 6, 9) K. learn to understand the heritage of the Wesleyan theological tradition and the distinctive history of Greenville College in particular. L. learn forms of behavior appropriate to worship in our culture, including the value of respect for one another, and appropriate submission of individual rights to the good of the whole. M. deepen in spiritual and aesthetic sensitivity through programming which attends to transitions and models such sensitivity. N. become informed about current real-world issues and events which require Christian citizens to form opinions and take action. OBSERVANCE OF THE CHRISTIAN CALENDAR/YEAR In addition to the “Four-Year Syllabus/Topical Plan,” Chapel will seek to explain and observe/celebrate on a regular basis several significant events in the Christian Calendar/Year, including: Advent, Christmas, Lenten Season (Ash Wednesday, Good Friday), Easter, Pentecost, and monthly communion. OTHER REGULARLY SCHEDULED EVENTS/ ON-GOING THEMES A “Christian Life Week” (or “Spiritual Emphasis Week”) is held each semester, a “World Missions Week” is held each spring, and various special lectureships are held throughout the year. Greenville College Chapel YEAR ONE 2003/2004 -- “Jesus Christ – The Author and Perfector of Our Faith” Fall 2003 Theme: “Judaism & Christianity” Subtopics :
Additional Resources: Films: “Schindler's List” & “The Chosen ” Books: Our Father Abraham Activities: Celebrate Yom Kippur, other Jewish festivals Spring 2004 Theme: “Jesus Said, ‘I Am'” Subtopics :
Book : The Gospel of John YEAR TWO 2004/2005 -- “Becoming a Disciple of Christ” Fall 2004 Theme : “Lord, Teach Us to Pray” Subtopics:
Other Resources: Book: Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline Activities:
Spring 2005 Theme: “The Will of God” Subtopics:
Resources: Book: Gerald L. Sittser, The Will of God as a Way of Life YEAR THREE 2005/2006 -- “Living in Christian Community” Fall 2005 Theme: “Building a Christian Community” Subtopics:
Resources: Book: Bonhoeffer's, Life Together Movie about the Amish or other Christian communities Spring 2006 Theme: “The Community of Faith” -- Sharing Our Stories/Our Journeys Subtopics:
YEAR FOUR 2006/2007 -- “Living in the World” Fall 2006 Theme: “Building a Christian Worldview” Subtopics:
Spring 2007 Theme: “In the World But Not Of The World” Subtopics:
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