Morning Discussion

What does GCF mean to you?

• Intellectual exploration of difficult theological questions
  • Interdenominational character makes possible to "out-of-bounds" issues
• Equipping students for both short- and long-term influence on the academy and disciplines
• Four Components as a beneficial framework
• Community of people who share common challenges
• Theological diversity (perhaps a piece of why first-years feel a little uncomfortable)
  • Difference between how scientists and humanists think, even about God
  • Encountering the Cornell ethos, or just the transition from undergrad to grad
• Emphasis on Bible studies and activites, rather than weekly teaching
• Become primary social circle
  • (Is this a problem: lack of relationships with unbelievers?)
• Importance of connecting with the full life of the fellowship.
• Community of people helping one another apply the gospel to their professional life
• Fellow believers who are down-to-earth and yet serious about discipleship
• Viewing faith and career as part of a whole (Demlow)
• Participation in the marketplace of ideas (Roundtable)

Why are people willing to give their time?

• Feel I get more of the time spent than out of other activities involved in
• Emphasis on tending to our own needs rather than on outreach [ouch!]
• Sincerity, sharpness of members
  • Recognizing needs, opportunities to address things that weren't at their best (NSO)
• Worth investing in the people because of the potential for influence
• A means for growth in more advanced theology and apologetics
• Contrast with difficult of developing friendships in the graduate context.
• Feature of group that many people are willing to invest in it; not a great deal falls to the leaders to handle.

Last updated October 18, 2008
Please address comments and suggestions to Steve Hicks (sdh 33©REMOVE THIS PHRASE· corn ell ·ed u )