by Olivia Halverson
According to Collin Hansen’s book, Blind Spots: Becoming a Courageous, Compassionate, and Commissioned Church, not even the Christian community is exempt from divisions and disagreements. Oftentimes, Christians compare themselves to one another and become critical in ways that prevent them from focusing on the real standard that is Jesus. In other words, the blind spots in Christian communities prevent unity.
Hansen is editorial director for The Gospel Coalition. He spoke to students and employees at the annual Samford University Student Government Association prayer breakfast, delivering a powerful message on compassion, courage and commission—the challenges given to Christians in the gospel. Hansen encouraged attendees to consider those challenges when confronting blind spots that may exist at Samford.
The annual event brings together student leaders from across campus for a time of inspiration and prayer with representatives from the faculty and staff.
Caroline Carlisle, Alpha Delta Pi sorority chaplain, said, “As a chaplain and a believer, hearing Hansen talk about the differences in courage, compassion and commission, and how they are all essential provided some much-needed perspective.”
Hansen not only equipped attendees with a fresh perspective, but he also gave them practical ways to apply that perspective in their roles on campus.
Sam Fink, a residence facility spiritual life assistant and Alpha Tau Omega fraternity chaplain, said, “The practical application was to stop comparing ourselves to other Christians and start comparing ourselves to Jesus.”
Hansen encouraged everyone to self-evaluate; only then could they begin to see blind spots in the Samford community.
After Hansen spoke, SGA chaplain John Kegley asked attendees to break into small groups and pray for courage, compassion and commission on campus.
Ashlyn Lett, Phi Mu sorority chaplain, said, “We are commissioned by the gospel to lead with compassion and courage, and it was cool to come together with students, staff and faculty to pray for our campus and take that challenge together.”
Olivia Halverson is Student Government Association press secretary.