Nazarene Theological Seminary

After a three day boycott I am finally willing to look at my computer screen again.  Between sermon writing, church planning, and two 4,000 word finals last week I almost vowed never to look at my laptop again.  Like it has been with most semesters I am thrilled that this one is over!  But, like it has been with most semesters, as torturous as it seemed during the 14 weeks of endless reading, time-consuming assignments, and what felt like thousands upon thousands of blackboard postings, I realize it was completely worth the effort.

This weekend I experienced my first real crisis of full-time ministry.  On top of the stress of a week of finals, preparation for our children’s Christmas musical this Sunday, and a few other things of which I will spare you the details, I was informed that a number of teens in the youth group were unhappy with me.  Although I eventually found out that the actual issue had more to do one particular teen plus a general complaint having to do with wrapping gifts vs. not wrapping gifts for our Christmas party, the initial shock hit me pretty hard.  My feelings were hurt deeply.  I felt not only unappreciated but more strongly that perhaps I was unequipped for the job – maybe even for the ministry in general! 

But it wasn’t long before I came to my senses and began the work of reconciliation.  As difficult as it was I confronted those who were said to have complaints.  I admitted my own faults and the validity of their concerns.  And quickly the tension and drama fizzled. 

Looking back I am grateful for all those afternoons of sitting in SME groups, sharing about ministry experiences and frustrations.  Those practical discussions combined with the real and meaningful teaching of biblical classes such as 1 and 2 Thessalonians, which just this semester challenged me to be a minister of the gospel like Paul who said to the church, “So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us,” have prepared me to be able to function in the difficult reality of pastoral ministry. 

Following the resolution of this crisis was the actual performance of our kid’s Christmas musical, during which the children sang with joyful hearts about our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

I have just a moment to stop and catch my breath.  The past few weeks have been a whirlwind for me.  In the midst of the regular ins and outs of ministry and classes, I got myself in over my head by taking on the planning of a huge event for our church and community.  For the Nazarene Centennial Sunday we decided to have a picnic out on our church property (where our new church building will be built, hopefully in the next year), and to combine this celebration with a community Harvest Fest.  To top it all off we decided to go ahead and have the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the building project that evening as well. 

It was an exciting day and an important one for our church.  We were able to make connections with many people in the community and it was evident that they felt welcomed and enjoyed being with us.  While kids enjoyed bounce houses and wagon train rides and potato sack races, adults from our church engaged visitors in conversation and together we all enjoyed the beauty of God’s creation (the property is heavily treed and the feeling is similar to being in the woods or at a camping site). 

As wonderful as this event was, I sure learned a few lessons about planning this kind of event, from the need to have a committee for planning and sharing responsibility, to the discovery that a mail out to 1,500 people takes a really long time to prepare.  For a couple weeks straight I would work 10-12 hour days and then come home and do 2-3 hours of homework.  The event took place on October 5^th, but I am just now, a week later, able to slow down a little, after last week was spent catching up from ministry duties and class assignments that got brushed aside in the final week of preparation. 

As I sit here, my eyes heavy at 4 in the afternoon, my body and mind still tired from my self-inflicted slave driving, I am realizing the absolute importance of Sabbath, not only as the need to set aside a day or a block of time once a week, but as a lifestyle that comes out of that practice, a rhythm of work and rest, a balance of service/ministry and worship.  This is a challenge that takes discipline and responsible management of time.  It is something I hope to work on throughout the next weeks and months…something I must work or much more than my amount of sleep and energy is going to be lacking. 

Today I began to feel the pressure of a full-time ministry position with 6 hours of graduate classes piled on top. 

The semester has begun.   I have a paper due this Sunday on a book that I’ve ordered but is not yet in my possession.  I can’t just drive over to the bookstore and get it.  I live in Texas.  I have to wait.  Then, when the book finally does come I’ll have to find the time to read it, and read it well… with a college small group to lead on Tuesday night, youth group to lead on Wednesday night and a board meeting on Thursday.  This is going to be fun.  It’s a challenge.  Challenges are fun, right?

When I complain my husband just laughs at me because he knows I thrive on chaos.  He knows I enjoy the challenge of having too much to do.  It’s a dangerous pleasure, really. 

As much as I am dreading the deadline of this paper, I am looking forward to my classes this semester.  I’m going to be studying 1&2 Thessalonians with the guidance of Andy Johnson, and that is a wonderful thing.  Of all the classes I have taken at NTS, the classes I have taken with Andy have been both the most challenging and the most rewarding.  Take one.  Whatever books of the Bible you study with him they will come alive in a way you could have never imagined. 

I’m also taking Theology and Practice of Worship with Keith Schwanz.  I really enjoyed the Preaching class he taught with Tim Keel (from Jacob’s Well) last spring.  This will be  one of those classes that forces you to think through what you prefer to just experience, but once you’ve gotten through the pain of thinking through it, reassessing it, and most likely altering your practices, the experience is all the better for it. 

It should be a good semester.  Difficult, but good.

Hi.  I’m Jennifer Chapman.  And I just began my second week of life in full time pastoral ministry.  After three years of seminary in Kansas City, I have moved to Texas where I am now serving as Pastor of Student and Family Ministries at Denton First Church of the Nazarene.  I will be finishing my classes online as an in-service student, and I plan to graduate in May. 

So what exactly is a Pastor of Student and Family Ministries?   Basically, it is just what the title says.  I will be ministering to both students and their families, spending time in both children’s and youth ministries but also designing events and activities that disciple families in the church and reach out to families in the community. 

As I begin to embark on this new journey, I am thankful for the education that I have received thus far.  Often I have heard ministers say, almost bitterly, that there are so many things about ministry that seminary just can’t prepare you for.  While I know I am still young and have SO much to learn, on the other hand I honestly feel pretty well prepared.  From the professors and theologians who have prepared me theologically to my own ministry experience that helped me to learn to put theology into practice, plus the endless opportunities to discuss the interplay throughout my seminary experience with fellow students and ministers, I have received a wealth of knowledge that will be essential to my ministry here.

Our church is in the middle of a building project and in the meantime we are meeting in a warehouse-like building in a lower-income and culturally diverse area of town. 

I was encouraged by my pastor who said to our Board of Ministries last week, “we are not here in this community by accident.”  As this church seeks to reach out to people who are different from them, I am excited to be here to help them build bridges.  I spent my last two years in Kansas City living and ministering cross-culturally, an experience that will mark my life and ministry forever.   Also, last spring I took the class Ministering With and Among Hispanics, and the knowledge gained from this class will certainly be helpful as the community around us is mostly Hispanic. 

I have spent my first week here in Denton getting settled, meeting with leaders, and attending various events and activities – watching, observing, and beginning to build relationships.  I am excited to journey with this church as we seek to follow Christ together, discerning the mission of God in our community and joining in. 

I have learned quickly that full time ministry is quite an adventure.  It’s unpredictable and it’s all-consuming.  Praise be to God.