Nazarene Theological Seminary

The first week of May marks the end of another school year, which means there are plenty of loose ends to tie up: one being this blog, and the other being my supervised ministry experience (SME).  So I decided I'd use my final experiences with SME as something to write about here and share with you all. 

As I mentioned before, part of my SME this semester was helping organize our church's involvement with a Habitat for Humanity project called, “The House that Abraham Built.”  This interfaith project has just started construction about two weeks ago.  The walls are now up and the whole build should be done in about two months.  In the meantime, we are learning from our Catholic, Episcopal, Muslim, and Jewish friends as we work side by side with them in this act of generosity and love. 

The other part of my SME this semester was creating and implementing a marriage enrichment immersion for couples in our church who have been married for less than two years.  Now, as someone who has only been married for about 21 months myself, I must say that the task seemed a little daunting.  To construct and facilitate a marriage seminar for newly weds seemed a lot like leading a group of people down a dark cavern without a light or a map.  But I trusted the guidance of my professors, peers, ministry advisor, and pastors and put together two, four hour sessions that Jessie and I co-facilitated with my advisor and his wife over the past two Saturdays.  Since I don't want to bore you with all of the details, I'll just summarize by saying the time we all spent together was amazingly constructive and positive for both the participants and the facilitators.  Thanks be to God!

Reflecting on this experience, I am now convinced more than ever that our churches need to start taking a more active responsibility for the marriages—and commitments to singleness—that are within our communities.  Our relationships (biological, romantic, and friendly) have been radically redefined by the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and our churches are to uphold these redefined relationships.  As this pertains to marriage, it is the body of Christ that recognizes the union between a man and a woman, and it is the body of Christ that also holds those two people to their marital commitments that they made well after that wonderful day.  For this reason, the starry-eyed couples that we counsel and unite in marriage need just as much (if not more) of our input and care after the ceremony as we rightfully gave them before the ceremony.  While we all will probably affirm these statements, I'm not always sure we intentionally reflect them in our actions.  

I can certainly say that this SME experience has been invaluable to me this semester and I can't wait for how God is going to continue to shape my education this next year both in the classroom and the church.  In the meantime, I've got a bookshelf full of unread books that I've been collecting over this year that are calling my name.

Like I said in my last post, I've been doing a lot of studying as of late.  My days are now structured around it.  I get up in the morning, have some cereal, forgo a cup of coffee, and start reading or writing.  Usually this isn't so bad.  I am fairly good at buckling down and focusing in at my task at hand.  That is until we got our new dog, Sadie.

Sadie is a tad bit rambunctious.  Don't get me wrong; I love her.  She's a great dog (and a great running partner), but dogs require a lot of attention, and rightfully so.  So I don't mind when Sadie comes up to my desk chair and puts her paws on my arm and gives a little whine letting me know that she needs some entertainment.  Unfortunately, when one is trying to get through John Milbank's Being Reconciled, interruptions do not serve to one's advantage.

Thus, I have been forced out of my cozy home to find new places to read and write.  At first I started at the Starbucks just down the street from our lovely condo, but then I gave up coffee for Lent.  Besides, to plunk down a few bucks for a cup of coffee or a hot tea (which I've tried as a substitute during this season but have not learned to enjoy at all) adds up pretty quickly.  Most students as a result frequent the library, which I have also tried, but I inevitably fall asleep in the midst of my studies due to the overall stillness of the place.

As you can imagine, that doesn't leave to many other places to study beside a park bench in 40 degree weather.  I was feeling I was just about out of options today for a peaceful, free, and yet stimulating place to study until I came across Kansas City's Union Station.  Union Station has a rich history and would seem like an unlikely place to study, but given that Union Station isn't a bustling passenger train station any longer, it is surprisingly just the place I've been looking for. 

As I sat down at an empty table in the middle of this huge building, I was met by the activity of power-walkers on their lunch break trying to burn a few calories before they headed back to their desk jobs accompanied by the sweet tunes of my iPod.  In other words, the perfect visual and auditory background noise to get some studying done.  Now if only I had remembered to bring the right books with me...

Now that we are officially a month into the semester and classes are in full swing, I feel comfortable enough to say to you all in this venue that I officially feel overwhelmed.  Between preparing for my Galatians class in the Greek, trying to keep up with Dr. Spaulding's jokes, Supervised Ministry Experience (SME), and work, I've found little room in my schedule to do much else but study.  To add insult to injury, it was at about 9:05pm last night in the middle of my Marriage and Family Counseling class that I realized that this was certainly a bad time to give up coffee for Lent.  If only I had thought this through a week ago.   

It's not that I am utterly dependent on coffee, at least I hope not.  Last week I did notice a slight headache on Thursday morning (day 2 of this java-less journey), but nothing since that has made me feel like I absolutely need a hot drink to make it through the day.  I mean, coffee certainly can help me open my eyes a little bit wider in the early morning and at the end of a long day, but it is also simply something that gives me a little comfort whether I'm having breakfast or substitute teaching (a little sip here and there goes a long way in convincing students that you are in control).  Coffee has become a normal routine in my day, which is probably why it seemed appropriate to give it up at the time. 

But I digress, because what I really wanted to talk about is this journey of Lent.  This last week I ordered Alexander Schmemann's Great Lent thanks to an Amazon.com recommendation that I couldn't resist.  And as if I didn't have enough on my plate to be reading right now, I immediately started reading it as soon as it arrived.  Thankfully, the book has not disappointed and Amazon.com has once again succeeded in knowing me better than I know myself.

As I read another chapter this morning wishing I had a cup of joe in my hand, I was reminded once again that fasting from something is only an exercise of will power (which will ultimately fail) unless it is tied to something else.  In this case, fasting from coffee will be nothing more than me agonizing over my desire for a little caffeine fix unless I recall that I am doing this as a practice of Lent – a liturgical season of the church meant to prepare us for Easter “as the end of the 'old' in us, as our entrance into the 'new.'”  Combined with prayer, fasting is continually reminding me that I am dependent on something outside of me for life and am incapable of sustaining myself.  Thankfully, that something – or rather someone – whom I am dependent upon is God.  And so while I look forward to the breaking of this ascetical fast and enjoying a nice hot cup of the Roasterie's Guatemalan Organic Coffee, I am looking forward with even greater anticipation to the joy that is made known on Easter Sunday as the church joins together in saying, “Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!”

I've decided to crawl out of my winter hibernation in an attempt to revive this blog and share some more experiences with you all that I have been participating in this semester.  But like my scooter battery which died in the midst of this cold weather, reviving this blog might take a few kicks before it gets rolling again.  I hope you'll excuse my first few attempts if they don't succeed.

This semester I'm beginning a new focus through my Supervised Ministry at Jacob's Well which I am particularly excited to share.  As a part of an outreach through Jacob's Well, I am helping Philip Lesniewski who is the director of the social outreach and justice ministries of our church with a Habitat for Humanity Project we have signed on for 2009. 

For those of you who are not familiar with Habitat For Humanity International, they are a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry which seeks to eliminate housing poverty and homelessness from the world.  The families that eventually inhabit these houses invest their own sweat equity into the house and the houses of others in addition to contributing a down payment and paying affordable mortgage payments.  The houses are sold for no profit to the family and their payments also go toward helping HFHI finance other builds. 

What's particularly interesting about this build in Kansas City is it is the only building project within HFHI that intentionally brings together Christians, Jews, and Muslims to work together toward the common goal of providing affordable housing for those in need.  For this reason, it is called, “The House that Abraham Built.” 

This last Sunday I attended the ground breaking for this project.  I was amazed as I along with around 70 different people of differing faiths stood in an empty lot in 30 degree weather and watched as Christians, Jews, and Muslims put aside their differences to embrace the common desire to do good.  The ceremony was highlighted with a blessing of the ground by a representative of each faith according to their tradition.  It was a beautiful sight. 

Most of my interactions with this project this semester will be organizing volunteers from our church for build days that will begin in April, but I look forward to building relationships with people from these other churches, mosques, and synagogues and sharing with them in this great opportunity to provide housing for people who truly need it. 

In all of this yesterday, I was reminded of a quote that is often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”  While I know that we all don't agree theologically, there is no reason why we can't work together in peace and learn from one another in the process.  I hope my actions will make my words unnecessary. 

About three months ago I was randomly approached by my friend Michael from church about running in the Kansas City half marathon.  Now, I must make something clear: I have never laid claim to being a runner, nor have I ever had the desire to be a runner.  Throughout my life I have been told I have a "runner's build," which I have taken to simply mean, "You are lanky and do not have enough weight to throw around for more physical sports like football and basketball."  However, even with this ringing endorsement about my potentiality to be a runner, I have always refused to entertain the idea.  I am not a runner.

But for some odd reason (and I still don't know why), I accepted Mike's challenge to run in the Kansas City half marathon.  After getting over my initial shock that I would agree to such a crazy endeavor, I bought some new running shoes and hit the streets of Kansas City according to my training program.  In my first few weeks of training, I learned two things.  First, I learned that there is such a thing as a "runner's prayer" which goes something like this: "Lord, please do...not...let me...die out...here."  I was never surprised when I passed someone on a jog only to hear them mid-phrase of this recitation as they struggled to catch their breath.  That is, if I could hear them over my own recitation spliced with gasps for air.

The second thing I learned was that I can actually run.  In my first few weeks of running I would cover anywhere from 2 to 4 miles a day and I found out that I was capable of running said distances.  And just when I started to feel semi-confident in myself, I had to run farther.  I quickly found out that running 6 and 7 miles is a lot different from running 3 and 4 miles.  As the miles increased I began to struggle with whether this goal of a half marathon was worth it, and if I would be able to do it in the first place.  To sum it up, I began to reconsider.

Coinciding with this experience came my first preaching text for my preaching class this semester: 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13.  I'll save you the sermon (and you can thank me later), but I will share that I found some friends in the Christians of Thessaloníki  As the Christians there in Thessaloníki faced persecution and suffering, Paul prays that they will continue on loving one another (and their persecutors) and living holy lives in preparation for Christ's glorious return.  Paul reminds them that they do not need to reconsider in the face of persecution.  Instead, they can continue on living the lives they have been called to live knowing that God will have the final word over evil.  It is their eschatological hope that will carry them through this difficult time.

Even though the analogy breaks down in so many places (especially since the Thessalonians were being killed for their faith and I was simply trying to run a race), I do have to say that I found my own eschatological running hope thanks to my friend Michael.  When I hit the wall in my training, it was his reminder of the goal at hand that helped me to push through.  I can proudly say that I was able to finish my half marathon this last Saturday and I certainly have my friend to thank.  On race day, Michael stuck by my side, encouraging me when I was thinking about letting up and pushing me when he knew I had more left in the tank.  Fittingly, we finished together, registering a time of 1:51:59, not a second between us. 

As I stood at the finish line with hundreds of people cheering around us and feeling as though my body had gone completely numb, I was overwhelmed by the amazing moment.  In a strange way, I can only imagine that when that glorious day comes when Christ returns with all his saints that it will look something like that finish line in downtown Kansas City.  But then again, I know that my imagination can't even begin to do justice to what that day will be like.

I’ve come to the recent realization that I get star struck around the most unlikely people.  It’s not that I don’t get star struck around celebrities or something.  Last month on my way home from my History of Christian Doctrine class taught by Dr. McCormick I happened across Barack Obama in Brookside.  As you can imagine, I was certainly in awe to see the presidential candidate up close and in person.  But what I mean by the most unlikely people is that I tend to get really star struck around people that are only relatively famous by most standards.  To be more precise, I get really giddy when I get the opportunity to meet either comedians or theologians.

Like I said, these are not the most likely of people for everyone to get star struck around, but I can’t help it.  When I shook Brian Regan’s hand at a comedy show a few years ago, I smiled for at least 3 hours straight.  A mediocre psychologist would probably tell you it has to do with my aspirations to be both funny and wise, but that analysis is for a completely different blog.  The cool thing is that on more than several occasions a year I get the opportunity to meet some of my theologian heroes given the wide variety of speakers NTS invites to lecture.

So, when I found out Geoffrey Wainwright was going to speak at the Mercer Lectures on Christian Holiness at NTS, I made sure to mark it on my calendar.  I came to know Dr. Wainwright a few years ago through his book, Eucharist and Eschatology, while I was working on a paper in my undergrad on the celebration of the Eucharist.  The reasons for writing the paper were mostly selfish since I personally wanted to gain a better understanding of the practice of communion, and his book has been very influential in the way I now treasure the opportunity to participate in the sacrament.

Even with my high expectations, Dr. Wainwright did not disappoint.  His lecture on holiness, focusing on the categories of works of piety and works of mercy, was particular challenging to me as I continue to dwell on the idea of communal holiness versus individual holiness and the relationship between the two.  Afterwards I was able to introduce myself and have a quick conversation with the man.  I guess you could call it a dream come true. 

Now if only I could have a conversation with Jerry Seinfeld. 

It's always a little bit awkward to start a new relationship especially when it's through written word because there is always a sense that both sides feel like something isn't being communicated properly.  Usually what's lacking is a simple foundational background, so I figured what better way to start this semester of blogging entries than a little bio of how this seminary student got to where he is today.

In a lot of ways, you could characterize me as your typical seminary student here at NTS, which is ironic because I like to describe myself as an atypical NTS student.  I grew up in the Church of the Nazarene out in Anaheim, CA, and committed to a life in full-time ministry when I was 12.  Knowing full well that NTS was where I would end up after my undergrad, I chose to study mathematics instead of philosophy or theology.  After I completed my undergrad, I married my beautiful wife, Jessie, and moved to Kansas City to help train and shape me in pursuit of my goal and commitment to full-time ministry.  Since then, I have grown immensely and learned plenty, not to mention experienced my first winter, but there has been one problem: I have no clue what that "full-time ministry" is going to look like once I have completed my M.Div.

I guess you could say this is why I can sometimes feel like your typical seminary student and at the same time feel like your most atypical seminary student.  But that is what I have enjoyed most since arriving in Kansas City to pursue my Master of Divinity Degree!  NTS has provided me the room and the direction to help me understand what my role in the church can and should be.  Each class shapes me in a new way and helps me to see more and more how I can be used for the Kingdom of God.  And as I slip in and out of classes dealing with different focuses and specialties, I walk away with a word of encouragement and a knowledge that I have friends in faculty, staff, and students who will not abandon me in this process.  Instead, they are committed just as much as I am to shaping my journey to full-time ministry and how that commitment will formulate outside the walls of this institution.