DOMINICAN CONNECTION
The University was delighted to welcome Christina Bryant, Ph.D., as its new director of campus ministry this past fall. Already a part of the Caldwell family as an adjunct lecturer in theology, the Atlanta native dove into activities of the Office of Campus Ministry, a vital part of the University’s mission.
Bryant brings to Caldwell experience in student life, having held positions in housing and residence life at Furman University and having been assistant rector at the University of Notre Dame and campus minister and ministry staff supervisor at Southern Methodist University.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religion, a Master of Theological Studies from the University of Notre Dame and a Ph.D. in biblical interpretation from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University. She has also taught in the religion department at Marist College.
We asked Dr. Bryant about her journey in higher education and her plans for Caldwell’s Campus Ministry Office.
YOUR REACTION TO BECOMING DIRECTOR OF CAMPUS MINISTRY AT CALDWELL UNIVERSITY?
CB: After only a couple of semesters as a part-time adjunct lecturer at Caldwell, I could already tell this was a special place. I was looking for an institution that shared my commitments to diversity, equity and justice; a university that intentionally integrated the search for knowledge and truth with faith and spirituality; a place where I could grow and thrive as a minister, a preacher, a teacher and a scholar. The open director of campus ministry position was posted just as I was writing the final chapter of my dissertation, so the timing was perfect!
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR PLANS FOR SPRING 2023?CB: Now that I have a semester behind me, I am starting to get a sense for how I can best minister to our campus community. The Office of Campus Ministry will have several opportunities for students, faculty and staff to volunteer next semester, so if you are passionate about serving the marginalized in our area, we’d love to have you get involved! There is also a spring retreat for students on the horizon, which will be a great opportunity for those who are looking to get more involved in campus ministry or are interested in a leadership role in the future. And I know we have many faculty and staff who give so much to our students and might benefit from some spiritual care and community just for them. So, with that in mind, I’d love to pilot a faculty/staff Bible study during Lent. Finally, as our Cougar family is incredibly diverse when it comes to religious identity and practice, we plan to offer more interfaith programming in the semesters ahead. After all, “catholic” means universal! When we say “all are welcome,” we truly mean it.
HOW CAN STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM BEING ENGAGED IN CAMPUS MINISTRY?
CB: Exploring who you are and what you believe is an important part of university life, especially life at a Dominican liberal arts university. No matter who you are or where you come from, chances are your core values resonate with the Dominican pillars of prayer, study, community and service. I’m proud to say that our Cougars are deeply thoughtful and passionate about racial justice, food insecurity, homelessness, environmental justice, voting rights, health care access and immigration. But I also hear that our students feel overwhelmed by these seemingly insurmountable social and economic issues and don’t know where to start. And, especially post-pandemic, many of our students are lonely and struggle to make authentic human connections. The Office of Campus Ministry offers many opportunities to talk with, serve with and pray with others who share these values and commitments. Perhaps, even if we cannot correct every injustice in the world, we can—together—do small things for the greater glory of God (to paraphrase St. Dominic). Thinking about getting involved? Take the leap of faith and come to an event. Everyone is adjusting to post-pandemic life on campus: You will likely be one of many new faces!
YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH MINISTRY WHEN YOU WERE A STUDENT?
CB: My vocation to ministry was dramatically shaped by my own undergraduate college experience. I attended a small, formerly Baptist liberal arts college in the South where I was one of only a handful of Catholic students. With the encouragement of supportive faculty and staff at the university and with the help of a local Franciscan friar, I was part of a group of student leaders that brought the first Catholic Mass to campus my sophomore year. What started as five students and a priest on Sundays blossomed into a thriving ministry with Bible studies, Mass, service events and a Wednesday dinner and large group by my senior year.
YOUR RESEARCH INTERESTS?
CB: I work primarily within the fields of New Testament and early Christian studies. My research explores the complex relationships among identity, oppression and violence and seeks to bridge the divide between biblical studies and justice-oriented praxis. My dissertation, entitled “Surviving Scripture: Domestic Violence and Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians,” takes an intersectional look at three key passages in 1 Corinthians (4:14-21, 6-7, 11:2-16) and considers how Paul’s rhetoric of obedience and his teachings on marriage, sexuality and the household would have had significant implications for women, slaves and children who were members of the early Christian community at Corinth.
—CL
