Spiritual formation at APU is key to what the University’s mission is. Stating, “Azusa Pacific University is an evangelical Christian community of disciples and scholars who seek to advance the work of God in the world through academic excellence in liberal arts and professional programs of higher education that encourage students to develop a Christian perspective of truth and life.”
“Each year at APU, we choose a spiritual practice(s) to focus on for the year—a practice rooted in the themes of Scripture and utilized for centuries by the Christian church to foster relationship with God. By focusing on a particular Spiritual Practice(s) each year, we expose students to diverse practices that foster spiritual growth that leads to maturity. Practices such as prayer, scripture study, worship, service and witnessing are just a few examples of how we encourage these practices to become part of the daily life our students. This year’s Spiritual Practices are centered on the idea of ‘unplugging’.”
What unplugging essentially encourages students to do on campus is to refrain from using social media as much as they are accustomed. Other examples include “being present” and having as much face-to-face interaction as possible when in social settings. Limiting the time students spend checking their emails and watching Netflix is also something that can be done do “unplug” and spend more time in isolation with God.
Senior allied health major, Natalie Soeter said, “I think that ‘unplugging’ is a necessary form of discipline that allows you to reevaluate life and self care. God calls us to unplug on a daily basis in order to spend time with him as well as others.”
Simplicity is living a life that doesn’t require material things to make you happy or that attaches us to our own desires that further you from Christ. Nothing that we gain or accomplish here on earth is worth losing what we truly are meant to be and that is followers of Christ.
Sabbath is rest. As college students we can be worn out and tired most of the time, so setting time aside may seem like a hassle but it is necessary to the way we grow in our relationships with people and with Christ.
Solitude is another practice that is often forgotten. It is really hard for students to find time to be alone in the midst of games to attend, chapels and other social events that are held around campus so to set time apart to be alone and to think about the ways in which you’ve grown, need to grow or need to relax in is great to do when you make time for it.
Dates to remember for this year’s spiritual practice of unplugging: