Staff Writer
Fall of 2013 was a troubled time for the Christian studies department. Students became distant towards one another, talk turned into sarcastic, hurtful remarks and the overall unity of the department was failing. Slowly, yet surely, a full-blown “war” would occur in the Christian studies department, causing a ripple effect across campus.
No blood would be shed. No combat would occur. Instead, a crusade specifically aimed at a call for unity happened, and the name of this movement would be coined the “Blessing’s War.”
Christian studies majors at Shorter University were the leaders of this movement. Here’s how it started: ever heard the phrases, “Walk the walk and talk the talk” or “Practice what you preach?” In the New Testament, the apostle Paul speaks heavily on this subject. In Ephesians 4 and 5 the Paul speaks on the unity and maturity of the body of Christ – This is precisely what the department was lacking at the time.
Dr. Brent Baskin, Assistant Professor in the Christian studies department, said he read these two chapters in Ephesians to his class, and within five minutes he noticed a change in the demeanor of his students. Baskin said it was almost an overnight attitude flip. Baskin went on to say, “We read it, and the students took off. It was literally a snowball effect. Our two primary goals in doing the Blessings War were to first love on each other, and secondly to go outside the walls of Shorter University, by ministering to others.”
The following day, a few female Christian studies majors were sitting in the Hilltop Cafeteria. While conversing with one another about never dressing up, the girls decided to create a day where they would put effort into what they wore. In February of 2014, “Fancy Friday” became a weekly occurrence. Taking note of a stylish extra effort in wardrobe, the male Christian Study majors retaliated with “Man Up Monday.” Students took notice. Junior biology major, Samantha Abney, said she saw a change in dress and in the attitude of students on campus.
“The girls looked so nice. I thought it was awesome to see the girls and guys dressing up out of respect for one another. At first I found it to be weird, but then it just kept happening, and eventually it became normal and cool. The entire thing turned into mutual student respect, only after a few weeks.”
Every Monday, the guys would dress up and then proceed to go above and beyond in chivalrous acts; running to open doors for girls, standing each time a female entered a room and ultimately being the perfect gentleman. Senior Christian studies major, Josh Ensley, said, “Man Up Monday is a chance for men in the Christian studies department to actually be men; no longer dormant little boys. We are learning how to be chivalrous, not just on Mondays, but every day. By doing so it becomes more of a character builder.”
The girls in the Christian studies department began to push things a step further by tactfully leaving the guys heaping goodie bags of homemade cookies, hand-written notes and Cokes. As a counterattack, professors, their wives and the Christian studies men decided to top off these kind deeds by cooking a surprise steak dinner for the girls.
Junior general studies major, Arden Shanklin, said, “throughout the course of the dinner, the guys were genuinely loving on the girls as their sisters in Christ. We were together, eating dinner, and all of the students were willing to be part of it. It was a beautiful thing.” said Shanklin. Shanklin said the girls are already making plans to further push the Blessings War.
The Blessings War knitted the Christian Studies department together. Students are now putting into practice what they are learning, while they are learning it. With Christian Studies majors being the future leaders of our churches, what better way to answer God’s calling by first beginning to sincerely love Him and love each other? The Blessings War became more than a shower of good deeds; it became a legitimate example of how students are “transforming lives through Christ.
