SINCE SEMINARY

Two kinds of learning, both valuable, during and since seminary

I studied to exegete Scriptures

To parse Greek verbs

And comprehend the historic sitz em leben.

I live in exegesis of communities

To perceive neighborhood nuances

And understand the spirit of these times.

I trained to perceive divine vision

To cultivate prophetic imagination

And stand up to proclaim.

I live in articulation of that vision

To cultivate the Kingdom

And speak the truth in love.

I learned the disciplines of pastoral care

To map the terrain of the soul

And discern the heart.

I live in reflection of shepherding

To travel soul-shaping terrain

And guard my heart.

I studied the history of Christianity

To appreciate church antiquity

And apprehend its cycles.

I live in a dynamic chapter of the story

To influence the present generation

And fulfill my calling.

I learned how to advance my denomination

To accentuate its unique subtleties

And increase its market share.

I live as an expatriate of that denomination

To celebrate the church without walls

And draw the circle ever wider.

I learned to be a student of theology

To study the ways of God

And plumb the mysteries divine.

I live as a student of life

To reflect God's active presence

And bear tangible mercy and grace.

In the spirit of dialog, I welcome comments and/or questions. Click on "responses" below to post. They're moderated only to reduce incivility.