Welcome!
The diverse Christian community at James Madison University welcomes you. The James Madison Christian Faculty Fellowship is a group of Christian faculty and staff members at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Below are details on our gatherings this academic year. If you would like to get on a list to receive reminders, just subscribe below.
Fall 2019: A Grander Story
Our fall 2019 discussions are centered on the book A Grander Story: An Invitation to Christian Professors by Rick Hove and Heather Holleman. Meetings begin at 2:30 p.m. in the Zane Showker Hall lobby (assemble there first and we’ll find an empty room).
- November 1
- December 6
Spring 2019 lunch meetings
Each of the spring meetings will occur at Bella Luna, 80 W. Water St., Harrisonburg, at 11:30 a.m. The spring theme is “Leadership/Life Lessons from 1 Samuel.”
- February 8
- March 1
- April 5
Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, lunch is complimentary. Notices will be sent to our email list a week in advance and then a day in advance. Come and join us!
Fall 2018 “First Fridays” meetings
Each of the fall meetings will occur at El Charro, 1580 S. Main St., Harrisonburg, at 12 noon. Our fall theme is “Christian Conversaations.”
- September 7: Campus Ministries
- October 5: International Mission Opportunities
- November 2: Reaching Out to Those in Need
- December 7: A Season of Light and Hope
About our group
Although we do not have an official statement of faith, the following notes were put together by our founders to set out our purpose and beliefs:
Who was Jesus Christ? Who is Jesus Christ?
We believe that these may be the most important questions you ever ask. Find out more.
Our mission:
The James Madison Christian Faculty Fellowship is a group of faculty who are dedicated to serving as SALT and LIGHT for Christ on the campus of James Madison University. We seek to fulfill this mission by
- Mutually equipping each other in our role as Christian faculty
- Exploring ways to integrate our faith into our academic disciplines
- Providing support and fellowship to each other in our unique ministry
- Working together to be a visible presence for Christ on the Campus.
What’s this about being salt and light?
Jesus Christ instructed his followers using rich metaphors:
“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
This teaching comes from the Bible, Matthew 5:13-16 (New Revised Standard Version translation).
Religious accommodations
James Madison University respects the diverse faith communities represented among our students, faculty and staff. Here is JMU’s policy on accommodating student requests, from http://www.jmu.edu/syllabus/
All faculty are required to give reasonable and appropriate accommodations to students requesting them on grounds of religious observation. The faculty member determines what accommodations are appropriate for his/her course. Students should notify the faculty by no later than the end of the Drop-Add period the first week of the semester of potential scheduled absences and determine with the instructor if mutually acceptable alternative methods exist for completing the missed classroom time, lab or activity. Contact the Office of Equal Opportunity at (540) 568-6991 if you have additional questions.
Useful resource
Here’s a useful faculty resource recommended by one of our members: Faculty Commons. The site’s mission is “bringing the hope of Jesus Christ to the academy” and its invitation is to “join a grander story.” Highly recommended!
Faith is not a Sideshow
What would it look like for universities to take religion seriously? For New York Times columnist Ross Douthat, it starts with the recognition that religion will continue to influence the way we see the world. In fact, the data shows that the 21st century will be far more religious than the previous hundred years. At a Veritas Forum from the University of Michigan, Douthat explores the importance of understanding religion in the modern university.