The End of Summer

Reality has set in. Summer as we know it is over. I know this because of the bittersweet reality that is football season. It is sweet because the game is back; it is bitter because the workload goes from “busy” to “impossi-busy.” *Note that word was not on the GRE*

So, some of us are returning to teaching, others to writing, and some are undoubtedly turning over a new leaf with graduate school.

Here are some pragmatic actions for this fall regarding the CFH Graduate students. They represent the answer to the “what can I do to help” question that I know you were all dying to ask.

1) Make sure that everyone in your department knows we exist. People do not have to be “Christians” to care about our organization. Don’t be shy about it. It’s a nationally-recognized professional organization. Spread the word.

2) Volunteer to write for this blog. That’s right, get published. I understand it’s not exactly the JAH, but it’s still an opportunity to get your name noticed. It is also a great way to share ideas. It’s amazing how good it can feel to just put the ideas “out there.”

3) Volunteer to contribute a book review, perhaps something you’re already writing, to this blog. Why not? See #2 for my rationale here.

4) Recruit at least one person to join this organization. They do not have to be in your own department. They do not even have to be enrolled in graduate school. If they are interested in faith and history, have them follow the blog and join our Facebook group.

5) Make a habit of contributing to this organization. In order for this group to fulfill its coolness and practicality potentials, people need to contribute. This should be more than another “newsfeed.” Goodness knows we have enough of those between H-Net and Facebook. This site and its parent organization ought to be life-giving, encouraging, supportive, and useful.

If you have suggestions for the group, would like to volunteer to help out, or just enjoy a good gab around the punch bowl, send me an email at grjones83@gmail.com.

Happy Fall Semester. Go Steelers!

If a Blog Falls in the Forest and No One Reads It, Did It Really Fall?

I once had an advisor tell me he completely stopped reading blogs because they were replacing valuable time that he would read other resources, namely those for his research and teaching.  I am not quite sure how I feel about blogs, to be honest, but I now find myself writing one.  So, perhaps the first thing we need to consider is the purpose of the CFH grad student blog.

There are primarily two purposes to this organization.  We exist as a branch of the Conference on Faith and History (CFH), which is comprised of faith-based professional historians all over the world, and we represent the up-and-coming generation of the organization.  Secondly, we exist to help one another through the rigors of graduate school.  Though I have kept my head (divinely assisted, no doubt) above the water through five years of graduate school, I am by no means an expert and require the assistance of colleagues and mentors that CFH can provide.

It is my request, therefore, that we make this blog a collective effort.  Though I will write most of the articles, I would appreciate guest authorship.  These guest articles may come from members, who want to express their thoughts or feelings on something within the profession.  Perchance (to dream) we might even have some faculty CFH members willing to share insights on graduate school as well.  Blog entries can be serious advice, or light-hearted anecdotes.  They do not take long to write, yet can be a bright experience for both writer and reader.

In a final effort at excellent cliché, let me just add that this organization “is what you make it.”  If this blog falls in the forest and no one reads it, we are not working toward either of the goals of the blog.  Please, connect your friends, bookmark the blog, comment and share.  Let us continue to push the growth of the community.