I’m almost done with seminary

It seemed like I’d never see the end of the road. But, as I write this, I am in my hotel in Newberg Oregon awaiting my last day of intensives. It is so sweet to think my time in seminary is almost done. I have enjoyed my classmates, the teachers, and the content; but I am so glad it is almost done.

The real question becomes: was all this worth the cost?

It has costed me so much money and time. Ministry does not pay super well typically and I will never get that time back. I am unsure, if measured by those two metrics, that this experience will ever “pay off”.

But there are things that are worth more than time or money. And I think this education has been a good reminder of that. Sometimes, good things are just costly. This has certainly been a good thing, and something that I am thankful Olga, my wife, has supported me in. It is just as much a sacrifice for her as it has been for me.

I think the biblical knowledge gained in this atmosphere has been unquantifiable. Is it not important for a pastor to have knowledge of the things they speak upon? I want to be a pastor who has an answer. I certainly have more of those now.

The relational connection I have made with people in this place has been heart-changing. When I first began my journey at Portland Seminary, I was very discouraged by how different my values seemed from those in my courses. And yet, as time has gone along, I have grown to really love and care for these peers. That is in spite of, and in some cases because of, our differences. Truly, in this experience, I have seen the impact of a unified Church; of what Church can look like when denominational ties are laid aside for the betterment of the whole. Worship, preaching, and community prayer is never sweeter than when people of different traditions come together under the One True God.

The vision imparted on the class for a future Church is bigger than the dream I could come up with on my own. One thing I love is to ask the people here deep and meaningful questions about the faith. I love to ask because I know each of my classmates has spent years deconstructing and constructing their faith and are giving answers from a deep well of serious concern for God. Even when I don’t agree with everything, I am so often inspired by their vision for a growing kingdom.

The seminary experience has given me many tools, many strategy’s, and many skills. But most of all, my experience here has fanned the flame for my love of God. Seminary is often nicknamed the “cemetery” because it is the place where passion for the kingdom goes to die. That has not been an outcome for me.

Rather, I sit here emboldened by the future I see. I see a lot of people in my class going from this place to turn the world upside down. I see a future where new churches are planted, old churches are revitalized, and new leaders continue to fill the church. I see new expressions, new practices, and new narratives being created.

As I close seminary I find myself thankful, because in many ways I have seen that the future of the Church is in good hands. God will be with His Church every step of the way.

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