Watersheds. Turning points. Landmarks.
We all have them in life. From the fun and sometimes bothersome regularity of a birthday to a special anniversary or the solemnity of remembrance of someone who holds—or held—a singular place in our heart. Most of these milestones are marked with observances of some kind whether a joyful celebration or a somber tribute. Yet, it’s the event itself, the milestone we approach and then pass, that causes us to return to remember that thing that happened and changed our lives forever.
A “commencement” is such a milestone. The name itself holds great meaning: an inauguration, a start, the origination of something new, the dawning of all that is “next.”
On Saturday, August 2, 2025, Winebrenner Theological Seminary held our Commencement Exercises. It was a celebration of finishing an education in preparation for service in God’s Kingdom and the onset of lives lived in service to God and our fellow human beings. It was not merely a remembrance; it was the milestone that marked the end of one period of life and the beginning of a new leg of the journey. It was marked in ancient ways: diplomas, gowns, hoods, caps, tassels—all holding special meaning—and forever marking us as equipped, empowered, and sent. Changed. It was marked in traditional ways: speakers with messages of encouragement and challenge; messages that were meant to fix us in the moment while simultaneously propelling us into our varied and wondrous futures. Traditions such as processing, standing, praying, reading Scripture, laughter, and tears. Traditions such as singing as a people the songs of our shared faith:
When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
my grace all sufficient shall be your supply.
The flames will not hurt you; I only design
your dross to consume and your gold to refine.
And:
All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live.
It was marked in personal ways: handshakes, embraces, life-long friendships solidified. Camaraderie. Smiles, tears, claps on the back, and applause as a an expression of our agreement as well as our shared hope.
Winebrenner’s Commencement was, in fact, the Commencement into a new chapter of life for forty individuals now walking into the mission fields opening up before them. Masters of Arts in Clinical Counseling and in Practical Theology, Masters of Divinity, and Doctors of Ministry walked across the stage in a symbolic crossing: each of them moved from being a student, passing the milestone in which they each became graduates.
The world will be different today and tomorrow because of them and their abilities. Their education now transforms into abilities and experience; their training will now transform into creative thinking for the betterment and formation of others.
Those of us who were present witnessed this Commencement; this milestone as it was passed by and is now, certainly, in the past. All of us who were there are forever changed because of our witnessing the milestone crossed before our eyes and within the lives of the graduates we love with all our hearts.
Winebrenner Theological Seminary’s Commencement was a watershed event; a landmark in life; a turning point. We are all better people and our world is improved because of this singular, remarkable, historical event.
- Dr. Martin Johnson, Chief Academic Officer