Several members of the University shed their professional demeanors to offer an intimate look at their spiritual lives and how religion influences their careers in a panel hosted last Friday by the Wesleyan Christian Fellowship.
“I know many of the students who are part of the Fellowship, and I participated in the panel because I believe it was a way to support students’ growth and learning in an important aspect of their out-of-class experience,” said Dean for the Class of 2008 Vancenia Rutherford. Rutherford participated in the panel along with Chair of the Philosophy Department and Associate Professor of Philosophy Steven Horst, Assistant Professor of Physics Greg Voth, and his wife Ellen Voth.
To foster a sense of community, the meeting opened with a short icebreaker for attendees and a prayer. Student coordinator Joel Ting ’06 introduced the panel. To prepare for their presentations, panel members were asked beforehand to consider three speaking points: influences on their spiritualities, the interactions between faith and their positions in the university, and scripture verses most helpful for college students.
Rutherford began the panel presentations by discussing spiritual music. During her youth, church was an encouraging and empowering influence in times of social, sexual, racial, and personal challenges. She said that she continues to value this music today.
“At the typical Wesleyan day, some [religious] song will come to mind as a way of communicating with God right in my office,” Rutherford said.
Horst, the next speaker, began an InterVarsity (IV) Christian Fellowship group at Boston University before coming to Wesleyan. During the meeting, he emphasized the importance of maintaining a level of professionalism while having faith.
“We feel the need to keep our roles separate and not abuse our powers in the classroom to influence people towards the Christian faith,” Horst said.
Nevertheless, Horst said that his career in philosophy does not detract form his spiritual beliefs. He said that the common view that the sciences and educated people are incompatible with the Christian faith lacks any base.
Greg Voth, a previous Wesleyan Christian Fellowship speaker, was involved with IV Christian Fellowship during his graduate years at Cornell University. For the panel, he cited Christianity as an important impetus behind his career in physics and his scientific research.
“Exploring the way the world works is honor to God,” he said. “Scientific practice demands Christian virtues – integrity, honesty. You can do these to the honor of God for his glory.”
Ellen Voth also began her Fellowship involvement during graduate school, at the Westminster Choir College in Princeton. She concluded the panel’s presentations by bringing them full circle, returning to the theme of music. She is currently studying for her Ph.D. in music education at the University of Hartford, and describes herself as a pianist, organist, conductor, and educator. In all of these endeavors, artistic and otherwise, Voth said she finds inspiration in God.
“I am reminded on a daily basis that the ability to create or recreate at any level comes from God,” she said.
During the question-and-answer period at the end of the forum, students looked toward the panel members for insight on how to maintain spiritual faith in an environment as secular as Wesleyan. The speakers reached a number of general consensuses: individual Christians are not spokespersons for the church and one should be aware of differing views of faith.
“It was very interesting to speak with the professors and Dean Rutherford in a light-hearted, general manner and to see their views and relate them to our views,” said Joel Pratt ’07. “It was great to have them interact with us in a very relaxed environment.”
The forum closed with prayerful songs, joined in by both students and panel members.
“It was very encouraging,” said Byron Lee ’06. “As a Christian on campus, I felt like what they had to say was very real. They answered the questions very capably, and it was a very unique group. Each of them contributed something different. I had a good time.”
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