The 2012-13 academic year marks the launch of a new discernment event for prospective students at Luther Seminary. The new event, called Dokimazo, will be held twice annually, replacing and enhancing Ventures in Vocation and A Day in the Life.
The former discernment events have aided many called individuals in their discovery of God’s beckoning to seminary. Yet, as Luther’s student body continues to diversify, the Office of Admissions desired to create an environment for prospective students that is truer to the Luther Seminary experience. Ventures in Vocation and A Day in the Life were designed for separate groups of discerners-those pursuing seminary as a bridge to their second career and college students considering seminary after graduation. The new Dokimazo events will integrate these two groups.
Dokimazo will extend the advantages diversity provides in the classroom to prospective students in discernment. “Students will be sitting in the classroom with people from different generations, different denominations, cultures and perspectives,” says Andy Jolivette, associate director of admissions.
“We are formed best in diversity. As we listen to one another, we discover where our stories are different and where they overlap. Hearing from our differences helps us realize our own call,” says Sara Wilhelm Garbers, director of admissions. Providing a space for discernment and story sharing is precisely what Dokimazo aims to do. Wilhelm Garbers calls this a “reciprocity of wisdom and encouragement” in which guests will partake.
The name Dokimazo, proposed by Assistant Professor of New Testament Eric Barreto, is a Greek word that captures the sentiment of the event. It means: to put to the test, prove, examine and discern. Attendees will explore the possibility of their future at Luther Seminary by attending a local worship service, sitting in on classes and learning a wealth of information about Luther in several other ways.
Wilhelm Garbers says that for the 24 hours guests are on campus experiencing Luther, they will ponder, “Is Luther the space that will foster my development as the type of leader God is calling me to become?” Jolivette affirms that clarity for this question is often discovered in authentic engagement with other attendees and the Luther community. “Relationship and story are at the heart of discernment,” he says. “Dokimazo is about giving time and space for this.”
To find out more about Dokimazo or to register, visit www.luthersem.edu/dokimazo.