Faith, Hope, and Love: Cultivating Practices of Human Flourishing
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13, NIV
As we gather for this year’s Faculty and Staff Institute here at Andrews University, we invite you to reflect on the theme: Faith, Hope, and Love: Cultivating Practices of Human Flourishing.
In the familiar words of 1 Corinthians 13:13, the apostle Paul reminds us, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” These virtues are not only central to the Bible and the Christian life—they are foundational to building a thriving academic and spiritual community. Faith gives us confidence in God’s calling for our work. Hope sustains us in times of challenge. And love, the greatest of the three, inspires us to serve one another with grace and compassion.
Ellen White writes, “The completeness of Christian character is attained when the impulse to help and bless others springs constantly from within—when the sunshine of heaven fills the heart and is revealed in the countenance” (My Life Today). Love in action is what brings vitality to our classrooms, offices, and relationships. It is reassured by a hope that even amidst change or uncertainty, our work has eternal significance.
As we consider the idea of human flourishing, we are reminded of Jesus’ words: “I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Flourishing is not merely about success or survival—it is about living in the fullness of God’s plans—both in creation and redemption—and at its best as an integrative science, education nurtures this abundant life. The following quote attributed to educator and author, Parker Palmer, echoes this vision: “The human heart can be cultivated—and teaching is one of the ways we do that. Good teaching requires courage—the courage to keep one's heart open in the face of pain and joy alike” (The Courage to Teach).
In cultivating such practices, we shape not just minds, but whole persons—ready to serve and lead. As we begin this new 2025-2026 academic year, may we intentionally commit ourselves to practices that deepen faith, inspire hope, and embody love—so that all may flourish here at Andrews University and beyond.
Please visit our schedule page to RSVP, learn more about the featured plenary sessions and choose from a variety of workshop sessions.