Mark 1:1-8

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,' "

​John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

​Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.  I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
In today's text from Mark, John the Baptizer is busy doing the work of a preacher - baptizing and proclaiming the good news of forgiveness. But he's also busy getting his followers ready to follow someone else. He's doing what some today might call "Legacy Building" - helping make sure his followers are ready for what's going to come next. In today's language, we might say he's ensuring his "brand" will survive the changes that are about to come. 

Preparing our followers to follow someone else isn't something most people are intuitively "good" at. Whether you work in the corporate world, the non-profit sector, as a political leader, or a religious setting, it can be hard to pass on power. It's hard to pass the mic. This is part of why people with privilege seem to be the people who stay in power. Once you have it, it can be hard to give up the limelight and give your audience over to another voice.

Questions for Reflection:
  • Is there someone at work, church, or another organization you're part of who has great things to say but isn't always heard? How can you help pass the mic to them? What can you do to help ensure others hear them?
  • In your own work, do you tend to be the person others follow?
    • If so, how do you ensure others are heard? Is this something you could work on?
    • If not, what forces do you think would need to change for you to be heard? Is there someone you could talk to about making that change?

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Seminary Spotlight: Vanderbilt Divinity School

Vanderbilt Divinity School has a number of programs and scholarships that help pass the mic to new leaders in ministry. Below is information on some of the programs they offer which help integrate faith and service. For more information on their programs, scholarships, or opportunities, check out their page under "The List" or visit their website (button below).

Degree Programs Integrating Faith & Service:

​VDS currently offers several certificate and co-curricular programs that reach across campus and into the broader community:
  • The Cal Turner Program in Moral Leadership and the Professions is an interdisciplinary program that brings together students (“fellows”) from the professional schools across Vanderbilt (Divinity, Nursing, Law, Medicine, Education, and Management) in a year-long fellowship program. The Turner Fellows look at a specific problem within the community that need to be addressed. 
  • The Religion in the Arts and Contemporary Culture program focuses on helping students understand and harness the arts for religious understanding and reflection. This program seeks to engage the arts community in Nashville and beyond in dialogue and theological reflection.
  • The Kelly Miller Smith Institute on Black Church Studies partners with the African American church community to reflect on the liberating elements of African American religion and to assist in defining a future for oppressed peoples, shaped by the prophetic vision of God’s justice on earth. The Institute is a vehicle for scholarship and research, the education of clergy and lay leaders, and the promotion of dialogue between African American theologians and church leaders.
  • The Carpenter Program in Religion Gender and Sexuality holds seminars and conferences annually to foster dialogue around sexuality and the church, gender roles, and the church and homosexuality. 
  • VUDS also offers a dual Divinity/Law degree (M.Div./M.T.S. and J.D.), as well as a dual Divinity/Peabody degree within the Community Development and Action Program (M.Div./M.T.S. and M.Ed.)
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