Culture

Lighthearted, Others-Focused, Mission-Oriented: Christ and Southeastern’s Culture

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Editor's Note

This article is a part of our series, The Way of Christ in Culture.

In Where Mortals Dwell, Craig Bartholomew speaks to a theology of place, noting that every part of our life is filled with distinct places. And every place on earth has its own culture, its own particular way about it. A way it works, looks, feels—a way people think about it, or even behave themselves in it. The places in which we live, work and play all have defining attributes about them.

Some of these places have a way that is appealing—say, a cozy fall evening at a cabin with a cup of apple cider. Others can be off-putting—perhaps a brightly lit office space with bare walls and uncomfortable chairs. But a place can have many different ways other than physical. Places can also be encouraging or disheartening, helpful or unhelpful, exciting or boring, and even good or evil. Every place has a way made up of distinguishing qualities. Let’s call this “way of a place” its culture. This multifaceted culture does not simply come to be the way it is on its own; rather, it is created. As God created a culture in Eden for Adam and Eve to enjoy, the cultures of our places in life are made by you and me. Our cultures are sometimes set by tradition, law, or other means, but we are always the ones forming them.

Since humans cannot depart from distinct places, they cannot depart from distinct cultures. Christians have the responsibility as stewards of God-given places to form cultures that honor Christ and serve others. From the beginning God has called man to cultivate the places in which he puts them (Genesis 2:15). But how might we create cultures that love God and neighbor? Let’s look at a positive model for this kind of culture-making: Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Southeastern has sought to create and maintain a culture that is lighthearted, others-focused, and mission-oriented.

Southeastern is a distinct place with its own culture. For years Southeastern has sought to create and maintain a culture that is lighthearted, others-focused, and mission-oriented. In the following sections I will show how these ways can move a place towards a culture that honors Christ and serves those who dwell in it.

Having a lighthearted temperament means not sweating the small stuff. It’s an attitude that remains joyful and patient amidst differing circumstances. It doesn’t mean becoming careless or lazy, but it means working hard and, as Mark Leiderbach says, “laughing while you sweat.” To be lighthearted honors Christ by remembering he is our joy in life. It serves others by being a comforting presence and a reminder of the joy of salvation. Even if you were in a place that is not decidedly Christian, when believers show an attitude of lighthearted peace, they ease tension and stress, proclaiming there’s more to life than our anxious toiling. This temperament could even open opportunities to share the hope of Christ with someone—the reason we can be lighthearted.

To be others-focused means looking to the interests of others before those of your own (Philippians 2:4). When thinking about our places, it asks not simply how the culture of our home, office, car or whatever else can bring you joy, but first how it can be a blessing to others. Whether it be a guest or someone else that lives in your place, making your focus the blessing and service of others exalts and reflects Christ.

Mission-oriented means making the Great Commission the driving force behind what a place is about. Underneath every goal and purpose is the glory of Christ by the making of disciples. The way of Christ’s Great Commission in the places we live, work, and play shifts the focus from that which fades to that which won’t. This serves others by making your main task their glory in Christ. Making a place’s culture mission-oriented is difficult to do outside of a Christian context, but even in a secular sphere believers are called to keep discipleship their mission. If the place’s culture as a whole cannot be missional, what the Christian brings to the culture can be.

Being lighthearted, others-focused, and mission-oriented is the established culture of Southeastern. From the top down, one way Southeastern seminary seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ is by cultivating an environment based on these principles. The Student Resources and Financial Aid office at Southeastern, the place I work, seeks to cultivate these ways. I have been on the receiving end of this as each of my coworkers labor joyfully and selflessly as they seek to fulfill the mission. I can personally attest to how these ways of culture glorify Christ and have served others as I learn and attempt to cultivate the way of Christ in this place. For them I am thankful!

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Robert Smith

Robert serves as the Financial Aid Assistant for Military Affairs at SEBTS. He is from Enterprise, AL and completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Alabama. He and his lovely wife Rachel moved to Wake Forest in January of 2023, and are members of Faith Baptist Church in Youngsville. Robert is pursuing a MDiv in Christian Ministry, with the desire to one day serve the Lord as a chaplain in the Air Force. Robert previously served in the Alabama Air National Guard, and is currently a Chaplain Candidate in the Air Force Reserves. He enjoys reading and spending time outdoors with Rachel.

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