The Office of Spiritual Life will begin the school year with a leadership structure and a new theme.
After pausing the search for a new university chaplain, Dr. Ryan Richardson, vice president for student life, began to look at two people already involved in ACU spiritual formation.
“I started to notice that between Nathan Kranz and Avory Rosenhuff,” Richardson said, “we have two phenomenal campus ministers who are full time on our campus, who are both finishing up or pursuing their master’s degree in religion.”
Kranz will finish his master’s of divinity in December, and Rosenhuff is pursuing a master’s in spiritual disciplines. Together, the two will fulfill the typical responsibilities of a chaplain but will now be called campus ministers. To assist in the organization and worship of Chapel, the office hired ACU alum Mace Ratliff as the coordinator of Chapel production.
“Nathan and I are kind of the ministers that work with speakers on how to be a part of our renewed vision when they come to speak,” Rosenhuff said. “It is Mace’s job to be handling the production and worship teams for that weekly schedule. Not only that, but he’s going to build out a discipleship program for the people that help volunteer with our office.”
Along with the restructuring, spiritual formation will be following a new theme: Renewal. The word came to Kranz and Rosenhuff after a time of reflection and prayer.
“The spiritual definition of renew is rejuvenation of the spirit,” Rosenhuff said. “We just feel like with everything post-COVID, we’re really wanting to get students excited about being in fellowship with one another. This word felt exciting and fresh, and it gave ode to the fact that we are renewing our spiritual formation experience on campus with our office.”
Referencing Romans 12:2, which says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” the theme will be heavily emphasized throughout the year, including analyzing what it means to ask God to renew the ACU campus, city and relationships.
“Every single thing we do at Chapel is going to be directed toward how might we be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we may discern the will of God.”
The organization of Moody Chapel will often follow the schedule of guest speakers on Monday and Wednesday along with the tradition of Praise Day Friday. Richardson encourages students to regularly attend these Chapels that feature the ACU community at large.
“Even though students can go to their small groups and get [chapel credit] other ways,” Richardson said. “I want to see Monday specifically as an emphasis, as something people prioritize.”
Outside of Chapel, the office provides other resources for students, such as connecting students with a local church or a nonprofit to serve with. The office is working on a scheduling system that will help provide students with opportunities for one-on-one conversations with campus ministers.
“I think often, we kind of get caught up in the Chapel credits,” Rosenhuff said, “and I don’t want that to let us lose sight of the amazing connection we can have with one another. We want to do life with students.”
