Fun fact about PTS: you can earn credit within the Practical Theology department for being a part of the spring play. We’re performing A Midsummer Night’s Dream, one of my all-time favorite plays. I’ve been cast in the role of Bottom the Weaver–a craftsman who loves acting and can be a bit melodramatic. Long ago, [...]
As I’m preparing to graduate I have to do a graduation audit. I’ve discovered I’ve taken over 30 credits of “unnecessary” classes. Meaning, classes I didn’t need to fulfill a specific requirement. I did need the credit hours to graduate, but I think it’s really interesting looking over the classes I chose to take for [...]
My seminary has changed to a different schedule this year, so everyone is taking at least 12 hours in the fall semester. I am catching up on my practical theology requirements since I transferred to the dual (MDiv/MA in Christian Education) later in my seminary education. I’m taking 13 hours. Here are my courses this [...]
I just had an article published on Unbound called “Numbering My Worries” as part of their Inside Agitators: Seminarians for Justice issue. First and foremost, I am honored to be included in this issue along with several others from my seminary and other seminaries and divinity schools. I am struck by how attentive each person is to [...]
A Prayer for Reading Week* God of liberation, Thank you for reading week. Grant us rest and maybe even some fun. Watch over us as we catch up or try to get ahead. Let us always in word, deed, and all our lives do everything remembering that we are greatly loved. Amen. *Reading Week happens [...]
I recently wrote a post about why people bother beginning the ordination process, and some of my friends who are in or recently in the ordination process have reminded me that the process of discernment is not as easy as it was laid out in the post. I have to agree, and I apologize if [...]
I love the book Tribal Church, and I was excited when I got onto Twitter to follow its author Carol Howard Merrit @CarolHoward. I didn’t expect for her to start responding to my tweets or to fall into conversation with her. After posting an article on The Christian Century called “Ten Church Models for a [...]
Note: This post was written between Sunday January 29th and Wednesday February 1. It was delayed because it discusses the PC(USA) biblical exegesis ordination exam, and I signed an honor statement saying I wouldn’t discuss the exam during the exam. I am publishing this without editing it post-exam. As I write my biblical exegesis [...]
I’ve been catching up with some friends recently thanks to social media. Some of them haven’t heard I’m in seminary and planning to become a pastor. Those are the most fun conversations laced with interesting questions. Several times people have asked me what I’m doing right now, whether I’m in classes or whatever, and I’ve [...]
“How has your time in seminary changed the way you view Christmas?” @markrsmith It’s that time of year. It’s in between semesters, finals are over, there’s family around, and there are multiple animals who require much petting. Eggnog, pie, cookies, shopping, wrapping, jaunty songs, socks with little reindeer on them… Christmas is a time of [...]