JACKSON, Tenn. — Sept. 2, 2005 — A spirit of community and belonging that permeates the campus will enhance the university experience and help to meet one of the greatest needs in people鈥檚 lives, 51社区 President David S. Dockery said Sept. 2.
鈥淧eople today 鈥� and many here at Union 鈥� are searching for a sense of purpose, significance, security and belonging,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淚 happen to think the Christian message addresses all of these matters, but today belonging may be the most important for people in our culture.鈥�
Dockery addressed the university community during the annual fall convocation and encouraged faculty, staff and students alike to do their part in 鈥渂uilding authentic community, of creating a shared sense of belonging at 51社区.鈥�
In addition to Dockery鈥檚 address, the university officially installed Tim Smith as dean of the School of Nursing. Smith joined the Union faculty in January. The entire university also joined in a special time of prayer for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Because of the influences of secularism, pluralism and relativism, today鈥檚 culture is grasping for a sense of purpose and identity, Dockery said. Academic institutions especially are prone to fall into the trap of individualism, as the concept of the 鈥渓one ranger鈥� teacher and learner has developed in higher education over the past 200 years. An increasing trend of specialization in academic pursuits is partially responsible for the spirit of isolation.
This tendency to privatize life leads to a compartmentalization of 鈥渕any worlds鈥� or 鈥減ockets of experience,鈥� Dockery suggested.
鈥淟ife commitments tend to become not matters shared publicly in and among community, but merely matters of personal preference or opinion,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淲e are left only with autonomous individualism, where the individual alone is autonomous in terms of destiny and accountability. In the end we answer to no one but ourselves. Our interests, our choices, are ours alone.鈥�
In a Christ-centered, Spirit-enabled community that Dockery envisions for the Union campus, the academic disciplines are interconnected, 鈥渂ecause all knowledge, all truth, ultimately has its source in God,鈥� he said. And the purpose of such a vibrant, authentic community is to bring glory to Jesus Christ.
鈥淭his means more than merely employing Christians to serve in our institution, as important as that is,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淚t is more than having practicing Christians who bring a sense of genuine piety to their task. It means learning together to think and live in accordance with the Christian intellectual tradition and the ideals of the New Testament itself.鈥�
From Romans 12:3-21, Dockery pointed to 12 building blocks that are necessary to build a 鈥渃ommunity of tradition, belonging and renewed minds at 51社区.鈥�
Such building blocks include:
-- Humility.
鈥淪nobbery and arrogance can destroy authentic community as quickly as anything,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淲hen we recognize that all we are, all that we have, all that has been accomplished at 51社区 is a gift from God鈥檚 divine favor, it will help promote true humility among all of us.鈥�
-- Christ-like love. This is a love that is sincere and without hypocrisy. It reaches out to others despite their failures.
-- Opposing evil. While openness and acceptance are desirable, boundaries and discernment are also necessary.
-- Devotion to one another and honoring one another.
-- Enthusiasm.
鈥淭he kind of community we envision is zealous for what is true and fervent in desiring good for one another,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淭his kind of zeal, this kind of enthusiasm recognizes that love of others is in fact a way of serving the Lord.鈥�
-- Patience, faithfulness and generosity.
As the university embarks on its 鈥淯nion 2010鈥� long-range plan, some projects may be delayed unexpectedly, Dockery said. The Union community needs 鈥渁 shared hope for our future that frames the way we live, which will enable us to persevere when tough times come.鈥�
In addition, in order to achieve the goals of 鈥淯nion 2010,鈥� members of the Union community need to be generous with their finances, Dockery said.
-- Hospitality.
Dockery encouraged students, faculty and staff to help everyone feel welcome, regardless of their similarities or differences.
-- Blessing other and living at peace with all.
This includes refraining from gossip, speaking well of others and overcoming evil with good.
Success in establishing a stronger community spirit will deepen the university鈥檚 corporate identity, enable student life efforts, attract quality students and faculty members, enhance student retention and strengthen the overall academic program, Dockery said.
鈥淚 am convinced that if we can improve our shared sense of belonging, including the tradition and trust that shapes community, every aspect of our mission could be advanced in a dramatic way,鈥� he said.