Nazarene Theological Seminary

 
Josh and Nell Sweeden graduated from NTS this past May, both with Master of Divinity Degrees.  Both have been accepted to Boston University Th.D. programs and will begin doctoral work there in the fall.  Before they headed out of town, we asked them about their NTS experience.  Here is what they had to say: 

 

 

Where is “home” for you?
Nell:  Ojai, CA
Josh:  Napa, CA

What are your undergraduate degrees (both from Point Loma Nazarene University) in?
Nell:  B.A. in Spanish, Philosophy and Theology
Josh:  B.A. in Bible and Christian Ministries

What will your Ph.D. Studies be centered on?
Both will be centered on practical theology with a concentration in congregation and community. Josh plans to focus on pastoral theology and Nell is interested in multicultural theology pertaining to unity and diversity in the church.

Why NTS?
NTS was the place where we felt we could be theologically trained amongst a unique community of students and professors while also being intimately connected to the Church.

Aside from the coursework/studies themselves, what about NTS has most positively impacted you?
NTS shaped us theologically in a way that allowed us to explore practical implications of our Nazarene heritage and theology. At NTS we fell in love with our Nazarene heritage and community. We had the opportunity to develop life-long friendships and grow in our faith.  And of-course, the Faculty had a profound impact as well.  

You both held very responsible ministry positions while going to school*.  How did your work experiences in NCM and at NTS impact your studies, your call, etc.?
Working at NCM and NTS gave us a context for what we were learning in the classroom. These opportunities allowed us to apply what we learned theologically to “real life” situations in the broader Church of the Nazarene.

These positions also particularly allowed us to see the broader ministry of the Church of the Nazarene both inside and outside local churches. The structure, heritage, and theology of the church play out in a number of ways and we were given a unique perspective into the life of our church.

*Nell worked in NCM for the past three years; she continues on as Compassion Education Coordinator.   Josh worked in NTS Admissions, where he served as an Admissions Counselor for nearly 2 years and then was appointed as Director in 2006.