Chapels for Northern Michigan Christian School
We've been thinking quite a bit over the last several years about our chapel program here at NMCS. Particularly, we're interested in how to involve the students in the spiritual life of the school. As of late, we've been focusing on Christian Practices; the things we do together as Christians. Instead of talking about prayer, we pray together. Rather than tell students they should read their Bibles, we've started a 4 year Bible reading program and do Meditation chapels where we think deeply about passages of Scripture. We also have monthly student chapels led by our high school seniors.
Please note: chapel creation is a different beast than Essay writing. When I first started I didn't pay much attention to where I got the idea from (a habit I have since broken). Anything older than 2 or 3 years may not be properly sourced. If in doubt, give the credit to someone else. If you would like to use one of the chapels, feel free. I would like to know if you use it (just because it would be nice to know the material sees some light outside of my usage).
Please note: chapel creation is a different beast than Essay writing. When I first started I didn't pay much attention to where I got the idea from (a habit I have since broken). Anything older than 2 or 3 years may not be properly sourced. If in doubt, give the credit to someone else. If you would like to use one of the chapels, feel free. I would like to know if you use it (just because it would be nice to know the material sees some light outside of my usage).
Bible Reading Plan
Adoration Chapel (The prayer of Adoration)
Ash Wednesday Chapel
Creativity Chapel
Depression Chapel
Discerning the Best Chapel
Discernment Chapel
Discipline Chapel
Emotions of God Chapel
Facebook Jesus - Epiphany Chapel
Forgiveness Chapel
Garden of the Heart Chapel
How To Read you Bible Chapel
Identity Chapel
Intimacy Chapel
(Intro Chapel 2011-2012)
A vision for a New Way of Doing chapel
(Intro Chapel 2012-2013)
Becoming a Community of Christian Practice
Meditation Chapels
Pentecost Chapel - Who Are You?
Prayer Chapels
Reformation Day Chapel
Reformation Day - Christian Education
Self Talk Chapel
Sex Chapel
Silence Chapel
Solitude Chapel
Waiting Chapel
Who is God for You Chapel
Why Follow the Law Chapel
Worship Chapel (Not a song chapel)
Christian Practices in relation to chapel and prayer
(2011)
Over the past several years, NMCS has been intentional about changing our structure. We want the education students receive here to not only encompass the mind but also the heart. Our goal is to disciple students not simply get them into a good college or a decent job when they graduate.
As we began self-evaluating how we are doing in the area of discipling our students, we noticed that our students knew the right things—they could give correct answers to theological and moral questions—but that knowledge did not always transfer over into right actions. The reality is that we are formed not just by our intellect but also by our actions. The routine of the Christian life, the Christian practices we do over and over and over shape us and mold us. They bypass our rational intellect, slowly transforming our being; making us responsive to the leadings of the Spirit.
Chapel
With this in mind, we’ve taken a close look at our chapel program. We’re moving away from a mid-week mini-sermon towards community devotions. When you talk to our students, it’s not as if they don’t know the right answer. What they need is not necessarily a theology pep-talk on Wednesdays. They don’t need an adult constantly telling them to be better Christians. As the person in charge of the chapel program here at NMCS, I want students to see me as being on this journey of faith with them. Are some of us farther along than others? Sure. But we’re still walking towards Christ together. So, instead of having chapels focused on telling students prayer is important, we pray together as a community—students and staff. Instead of simply encourage our students to read their Bibles, we spend times in meditation on the Scriptures together—teachers and kids next to each other. We also wanted to somehow include the practice of testimony into our community. How do we encourage and facilitate students and staff interacting not just about classroom content but also about the journey of faith? This year we’re asking our 12th graders to lead the way. Seniors have signed up in groups to lead us in our weekly chapels. We have our first senior chapel this next week Wednesday.
Prayer Class
Continuing on this theme of actually practicing the Christian disciplines together as a school community, we have a class on prayer. That’s not to say I assign them grades based on how well they pray (Sorry you only got a C on that one. You’re heart just wasn’t in it.). Several years ago, a group of high schoolers approached me wanting to learn how to pray. We worked out a way that they could come to me twice a week during their study hall. That’s continued now for 4 years. Together we learn the theology behind prayer and we learn how to listen to the Holy Spirit in our lives by actually praying. Together we journey towards the heart of God and explore his nature together. We search the Scriptures praying them back to our heavenly Father, learning to approach the Bible both an emotional and intellectual level. I probably could talk to you about this topic for much longer than you’d want to listen. Needless to say, this is one of my passions and I love being able to help nurture intimacy between students and their Bridegroom King.
Over the past several years, NMCS has been intentional about changing our structure. We want the education students receive here to not only encompass the mind but also the heart. Our goal is to disciple students not simply get them into a good college or a decent job when they graduate.
As we began self-evaluating how we are doing in the area of discipling our students, we noticed that our students knew the right things—they could give correct answers to theological and moral questions—but that knowledge did not always transfer over into right actions. The reality is that we are formed not just by our intellect but also by our actions. The routine of the Christian life, the Christian practices we do over and over and over shape us and mold us. They bypass our rational intellect, slowly transforming our being; making us responsive to the leadings of the Spirit.
Chapel
With this in mind, we’ve taken a close look at our chapel program. We’re moving away from a mid-week mini-sermon towards community devotions. When you talk to our students, it’s not as if they don’t know the right answer. What they need is not necessarily a theology pep-talk on Wednesdays. They don’t need an adult constantly telling them to be better Christians. As the person in charge of the chapel program here at NMCS, I want students to see me as being on this journey of faith with them. Are some of us farther along than others? Sure. But we’re still walking towards Christ together. So, instead of having chapels focused on telling students prayer is important, we pray together as a community—students and staff. Instead of simply encourage our students to read their Bibles, we spend times in meditation on the Scriptures together—teachers and kids next to each other. We also wanted to somehow include the practice of testimony into our community. How do we encourage and facilitate students and staff interacting not just about classroom content but also about the journey of faith? This year we’re asking our 12th graders to lead the way. Seniors have signed up in groups to lead us in our weekly chapels. We have our first senior chapel this next week Wednesday.
Prayer Class
Continuing on this theme of actually practicing the Christian disciplines together as a school community, we have a class on prayer. That’s not to say I assign them grades based on how well they pray (Sorry you only got a C on that one. You’re heart just wasn’t in it.). Several years ago, a group of high schoolers approached me wanting to learn how to pray. We worked out a way that they could come to me twice a week during their study hall. That’s continued now for 4 years. Together we learn the theology behind prayer and we learn how to listen to the Holy Spirit in our lives by actually praying. Together we journey towards the heart of God and explore his nature together. We search the Scriptures praying them back to our heavenly Father, learning to approach the Bible both an emotional and intellectual level. I probably could talk to you about this topic for much longer than you’d want to listen. Needless to say, this is one of my passions and I love being able to help nurture intimacy between students and their Bridegroom King.
