President Cueni Speaks at 142nd Commencement
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
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Posted by: Ronda McClain
President Cueni Gives Advice for New Ministers
Speaking to the 142nd Lexington Theological Seminary commencement exercises on May 16, President R. Robert Cueni drew on 42 years of ministry for his address entitled “A Grizzled Practitioner's Reflections on Ministry.”
Dr. Cueni distilled his guidance into five practical lessons intended for the graduates to properly maintain their intellectual stimulation, spiritual lives and pastoral practices during their ministries.
He advised the graduates to value and continue to develop tools received in Seminary. He said their seminary educations are foundations for understanding how their faith is to be lived within contemporary social, economic and cultural contexts. Additional ministerial experiences will bring more skills and tools.
Lesson Two was to maintain the discipline of study they practiced in seminary. He recommended they continue to read a wide variety of subject matter in order to keep their intellectual lives vital.
His third lesson was for them to remember that ministry is about faithfulness to God and serving the people of God and not about the ministers themselves. He said that ministry is about being faithful and effective and not about soliciting praise.
The fourth lesson was to stay away from the “third rail hazards,” those activities that could, like a subway where the rail in the middle carries high voltage, can kill one's ministry. He recommended not inappropriately touching the church's money, staff or church members. “Inappropriate physical touching can destroy a ministry,” he warned.
His final lesson was to “keep the faith.” He urged the graduates to “love people and use things … always remember that hope empowers.”
Summarizing an 80-year-old quote from theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, Dr. Cueni said that even with all the church's weakness and “the limitations of the ministry, there is no other place where your life's energies can be invested that can make such a difference in the lives of others or bring such great satisfaction to your life.”
After the presentation of diplomas, Board of Trustees Chairperson Gary W. Kidwell presented Dr. Cueni and his wife, Linda, with a resolution from the Board recognizing them for their years of service to the church and to Lexington Theological Seminary. They plan to retire soon.
Twenty-six persons received degrees. Six earned Master of Arts degrees, 18 received Master of Divinity degrees and two received Doctor of Ministry degrees.
Among them were Irma and Ruben Rodriguez, who are thought to be the first mother and son to graduate together. Irma, who lives in Orlando, FL, began her theological study in Cuba 53 years ago. She has persevered through the Cuban communist revolution and many personal challenges that delayed her completing the degree. She has been preaching for 50 years without a seminary degree.
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