MALENA CARRION
Staff Writer
The Pepperdine University community is finding a few of its worship services sounding slightly different these days. The Christian Legal Society held a non-denominational worship service in Staufer Chapel in March.
The service included instrumental praise, which is not typical of worship services in the Church of Christ. Associate Dean of Student Life Jim Gash attended the service and said that there was a great turnout. It was the fourth such service, and more are planned.
The audience was primarily law students, but Gash said that the service is open to the entire Pepperdine community.
Gash, in his second year as the associate dean of Student Life, is the advisor for the Spiritual Life Advisors at the School of Law. The group is comprised of ten students, some of whom are also involved with the Christian Legal Society. The Spiritual Life Advisors and CLS work with the Law Student Ministries to discuss ways to enhance spiritual life on campus.
The non-denominational worship service is one of the ways the students have reached out to the Pepperdine community. With many of the law students not part of the Church of Christ, “the goal was to make it as inclusive as possible,” Gash said.
The administration endorsed the CLS in organizing the service providing funds for the worship band and free food. “Dean (Ken) Starr was very supportive and attended the service with his wife, Alice,” Gash said.
Gash, who was raised in the Church of Christ, made it clear that uniting students was a big objective in planning the service. “There’s something bonding that occurs when Christians worship together,” Gash said. “It builds community.”
Planned and lead by students, the most recent worship service included complimentary Subway sandwiches and a presentation of two law students’ trip to Uganda.
As the advisor of the Christian Legal Society, Professor of Law Robert Cochran commented with pride on the organization. “That’s what is so great about the Christian Legal Society,” Cochran said. “It is completely driven by students.”
Cochran, who has been a member of the CLS for 35 years, has also been the advisor for nearly 25.
“The Christian Legal Society exposes students to great role models and challenges them to think about their positions as lawyers with a Christian mindset,” said Cochran.
This year, the students of the CLS have participated in a number of events and services that have added to their spiritual lives. Ranging from a spiritual retreat to fundraising for Christmas gifts with the prison fellowship, the CLS was passionately involved in the spiritual life of the Law School.
Many students who are part of the CLS are overseas, Cochran said. “They work with the International Justice Mission and other religiously based human rights organizations.”
In addition to service events and worship services, the CLS makes up a large part of the weekly bible study for graduate students.
The group of around 40 students is lead by President of the CLS Kari Sowers. “Kari Sowers has done a marvelous job this year,” Cochran commented. “Her team a did wonderful job organizing the events.”
A valuable asset to the Pepperdine community, the CLS will continue to unite students through the bonds of Christian worship.
05-23-2007