At the start of my academic career I mostly kept my Christian faith separate from my work.
I tried to ensure that I performed my duties ethically, treated my students fairly, and served as a positive role model for my students and colleagues. However, I didn’t really express my faith in tangible ways. In fact, I wonder how many of my students and colleagues were even aware that I was a believer.
Being More Open
As my faith matured and I transitioned to another university, I started to appreciate the importance of being more open about my faith. I realized that I could serve as someone whom students and faculty could feel comfortable talking to about matters of faith.
I started telling others that I would pray for them and was more intentional about mentioning God in passing. This was a small step but it didn’t feel like nearly enough. God was working in my heart to be much more open about my faith—but I wasn’t sure how.
Intriguing Possibilities
It wasn’t until I attended A Common Call conference hosted by Faculty Commons that God opened my eyes to several intriguing possibilities for sharing my faith and identifying with Christ in appropriate ways. While all of the conference speakers provided inspiration, the most impactful to me were presentations by the late Walter Bradley, Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M and Baylor University, and Phil Bishop, Professor Emeritus of Exercise Physiology at the University of Alabama.
Their words of wisdom and practical suggestions, cultivated from years of experience, resonated with me completely and I couldn’t wait to test drive them at my home institution. For example, I literally replicated Bradley’s introduction to his students on the first day of class where he identified himself as a follower of Jesus.*
Unexpected but Meaningful
When I did this I noticed that many of the students stared blankly ahead. A few might have even scowled. But one student gleefully gave me a big smile and a thumbs up as if to say, “Me too!” This launched a series of unexpected but meaningful conversations between us about faith-related issues.
I also committed to becoming the “department nominator and encourager” that Bishop had become in his own department. When colleagues won grants, awards, or promotions, he sent them personal notes of congratulations.
I Am So Thankful
Recently, after 20 very successful years at both private and public universities, I felt God calling me to spend the final years of my academic career teaching at a Christian college. I had volunteered at my son’s Christian school where I prayed aloud for students, shared devotionals, and wove Scripture into my teaching. I wanted to finish my years in academia doing the same at the collegiate level.
Many of the same strategies and influences from that momentous conference years ago continue to serve as the foundation for how I relate to and serve students and colleagues today.
I always wanted to let my faith shine; I am so thankful for those colleagues who showed me how.
* See A Grander Story by Rick Hove and Heather Holleman for details
Bob Haring-Kaye
Physics
Westmont College