Jack and Diane Parker,
Faculty Commons Staff,
University of Alabama Birmingham

[April 8, 2014]~~

One of the hardest things is saying ‘good-bye’ to dear friends and colleagues in academia.  When Dr. Richard Allman announced his new position with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington D.C., we decided to do something different before he and his wife Connie left Birmingham. We hosted a commissioning party for them and some of their friends and colleagues here—trying to capture the scriptural notion that we are all “sent.”

Forty times in the book of John, Jesus referred to Himself as being sent by the Father.  In Luke 6:13 we read that Jesus “called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles”, a word that means, “to be sent” or “sent one”.  Mark said, “… He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out …”  (Mark 3:14). Following His resurrection, Jesus told His disciples, “As the Father has sent Me, so I am sending you” (John 20:21).

Jesus and the early disciples possessed a clear “sense of sent-ness.” As Christ-followers, we also have been appointed, commissioned, and sent to represent Him in words and works wherever we are. It’s clear from the Scriptures; there is no secular/sacred distinction in life.  Before God, all of life matters.  God has sent professors to their university, their department, their colleagues and their students.  Not only that, God promises to empower and equip us for the works He’s prepared for us to do.

Can you imagine what it would be like if every Christian professor  understood that they were chosen by Jesus to be with Him, to follow Him and to be sent to bring Kingdom change?

Our simple commissioning party seemed to communicate that.  We had the feeling, in a very real sense of releasing them into the mission, into the next step of following Jesus where He was sending them.  Richard and Connie certainly understood that!

Later Richard wrote,

“… It was a tremendous encouragement and a validation of our call… and a great way to remind me and Connie that we are on mission.  This is a calling.  I’m convinced that Colossians 3:23-24 applies to our situation: ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Jesus Christ you are serving.’ … Hearing the prayers for me and Connie from the individuals in the group was a tremendous blessing.  It was very much like the blessing of an ordination service.”

Richard and Connie have left a huge hole at UAB.  Nevertheless, we realized we were part of something bigger than ourselves–a kingdom that extends to the D. C. metro area, where the Allmans continue to serve as representatives, even ambassadors of Christ.

Our little commissioning party reminded us that we all are “sent ones.”  Though we will never enjoy saying good-bye to colleagues, we plan to make our commission party a part of the process.