The Importance of Chapel By: Janaya Buckley

Every Tuesday and Thursday, students are invited to chapel at 9:30 a.m.at Behrens Auditorium.

As an event, chapel is meant to serve as a community bonding experience as we worship God together and offer companionship and love to other students, faculty and staff around us. Not only is it a good opportunity to meet new friends, faculty and staff, but it is also necessary to graduate from Hardin-Simmons University. In order for a student to graduate they must obtain 80 credits, and then they must have at least 60 credits one month prior to their intended graduation date. 

“Chapel provides the foundational spiritual base for participating in the life of

God,” said Dr. Kelvin Kelly, professor of theology with a doctorate in ministry and spiritual formation. “Students learn to hear the Word of God as well as discern His presence in their lives. It also creates a culture of recognition of the divine and response to the divine.”

In order to obtain credit for chapel, you must have your student I.D. on your person. At the end of the service someone will be available to scan your card with a card reader. Forgetting your student I.D. can lead to failure to receive credit for that service. Chapel does not  just provide credit, but also community through shared scripture, song and more. Occasionally, there will be a guest speaker that has a new perspective in life to offer to HSU students, faculty and staff. 

“My favorite part of chapel is simply being in the space,” said Dr. Kelly. “I know what can happen in that space and I am aware of God’s Love. That is my motivation for being there and my expectation when I am there, to experience the Love of God. That simply means in my movements and actions as well as my response to the discernment of His Spirit. Chapel is a communal space that begins with the divine and extends to others.”

For each attendance, students obtain one chapel credit, but throughout the school year there are other opportunities to receive chapel credit outside of the regular Tuesday and Thursday service; such as Cornerstone, which takes place in the beginning of each fall semester.  

“This sense of purpose is evident when we hear God’s Word and we respond to that Word with a greater commitment to honor, value and respect one another,” said Dr. Kelly. “In other words, How can you experience chapel and be mean to others?”