Welcome!

The diverse Christian community at James Madison University welcomes you. The James Madison Christian Faculty Fellowship is a group of Christian faculty and staff members at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

We're back in person!

We have resumed our in-person lunch meetings and will now be meeting on the second Friday of each month during the academic year at noon at the Cracked Pillar in Bridgewater, 403 N. Main St. On this schedule, our meeting dates will be:

  • October 8, 2021

  • November 12, 2021

  • December 10, 2021

  • January 14, 2022

  • February 11, 2022

  • March 11, 2022

  • April 8, 2022

If you're interested getting email reminders of these meetings, contact webmaster Bill Wood.

(Notes about timing and venue: We'll meet in the back pavilion at the Cracked Pillar, which has great air circulation. Nobody can predict what turn COVID will take, but we'll follow any local directives regarding masks and the like. At our September 24 meeting, we considered second and third Fridays for future meetings, recognizing that there would be some conflicts either way -- but there seem to be fewer holiday conflicts with second Fridays.)

About our group

Although we do not have an official statement of faith, the following notes were put together by our founders to set out our purpose and beliefs:

Who was Jesus Christ? Who is Jesus Christ?

We believe that these may be the most important questions you ever ask. Find out more.

Our mission:

The James Madison Christian Faculty Fellowship is a group of faculty who are dedicated to serving as SALT and LIGHT for Christ on the campus of James Madison University. We seek to fulfill this mission by

  • Mutually equipping each other in our role as Christian faculty

  • Exploring ways to integrate our faith into our academic disciplines

  • Providing support and fellowship to each other in our unique ministry

  • Working together to be a visible presence for Christ on the Campus.

What’s this about being salt and light?

Jesus Christ instructed his followers using rich metaphors:

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

This teaching comes from the Bible, Matthew 5:13-16 (New Revised Standard Version translation).

Religious accommodations

James Madison University respects the diverse faith communities represented among our students, faculty and staff. Here is JMU’s policy on accommodating student requests, from http://www.jmu.edu/syllabus/

All faculty are required to give reasonable and appropriate accommodations to students requesting them on grounds of religious observation. The faculty member determines what accommodations are appropriate for his/her course. Students should notify the faculty by no later than the end of the Drop-Add period the first week of the semester of potential scheduled absences and deter­mine with the instructor if mutually acceptable alternative methods exist for completing the missed classroom time, lab or activity. Contact the Office of Equal Opportunity at (540) 568-6991 if you have additional questions.