Dr. Bruce McLarty took over as chapel coordinator last Monday, March 12, after Nathan Copeland stepped down from the position to pursue opportunities elsewhere in the university. McLarty is also assistant chairman of the Chapel Committee under the leadership of the committee’s chairman, President David B. Burks.
Copeland, who serves as assistant to the president, stepped down as chapel coordinator in order to join the Carter College of Business, where he is now an assistant professor and the director of the Center for Professional Excellence, which works to form connections between students and alums that lead to internships, mentorships and careers.
“This new center will take a lot of my time and I had to give something up,” Copeland said. “Since we will be moving to two chapels in the fall and spring next year, this was the right time to pass the torch. [McLarty] has a passion for the Lord and he understands what it takes to organize a period of worship. Not only do I believe he will do a good job; I believe chapel will only get better because of his leadership.”
As the chapel coordinator, McLarty is responsible for taking care of the details of chapel, including bringing in speakers, putting together themes, and making sure there are song and prayer leaders for each morning’s service. McLarty said that although chapel planning is no simple task, he does not expect his new position to significantly affect his daily schedule.
McLarty also said there should not be any noticeable changes to the way chapel is run between now and the end of the spring semester. Much of what will happen in chapel, including personal announcements and programs, like Senior Week, and a number of special performances and speakers, was already organized before McLarty filled the position.
“We’ll continue the same basic process,” McLarty said. “But it is an ongoing, continual process of receiving input, making decisions, charting the course.”
Any major differences that might occur will be decided when the chapel committee meets during the summer to discuss the direction of chapel and whether any changes need to take place in the Fall 2012 semester. McLarty said such change, however, is beyond his control.
Being vice president for Spiritual Life, McLarty said that it is difficicult to define his position’s responsibilities. He said he believes that his new role in the chapel committee fits in well.
“Because we are committed to the integration of faith, learning and living, spiritual life permeates everything and is not just a division within the university,” McLarty said. “At Harding, we hope that spiritual life is not just a slice of the pie; we hope it is the flavor of the whole pie. “
Since Burks is chairman of the chapel committee and plans to retire in 2013, McLarty said he does not know how long he will fill the role of chapel coordinator.
“Organizing chapel is one of those jobs where you’re very much working and serving at the pleasure of the president,” McLarty said. “Since Dr. Burks will retire after next year, I don’t know if or how my work with chapel will change at that time.”
