My Experience During The Recent Cohort Intensives Held At Payne Theological Seminary

For 17 years God has blessed me to serve alongside my husband as directors of Chi Alpha at the University of Texas at Arlington. During my time here, I have served and mentored hundreds of young women and internationals who now fulfill the mission of Chi Alpha in the marketplace and the world as pastors, missionaries, police officers, nurses, teachers, and social workers. I am especially thankful to walk with those students who came to faith, experienced discipleship, and the Holy Spirit empowered their lives through the ministry.

I am a student who is beginning the second semester of the third year at the Lutheran Seminary at Gettysburg. I have discerned a call towards Word and Sacrament ministry and thus far have loved every minute of the time spent at the seminary. From the relationships with the professors to the education I receive in the classroom, working on campus and studying in the library, it is evident that God is at work in this place calling and sanctifying leaders to serve God’s church.

I first read Heidi Neumark’s memoir, Breathing Space: A Spiritual Journey in the South Bronx, the summer before entering seminary. I was in my early twenties, having just served for two years as a campus ministry at the University of Pittsburgh. Attending seminary so that I could eventually work for a religious non-profit. That summer I had no intention of becoming a pastor.

“A Three-month plan for pastoral transition at Oak Grove Baptist Church which will strengthen unity and promote Church Growth”

The new Christian Counsellor: A fresh Biblical and Transformational Approach is a book that aims to teach people and empower them to take possession of their souls in the contemporary life of a multi-faceted approach design. The authors are seasoned Christian counsellors who have a vast experience in dealing with people’s psycho-spiritual issues from a Christian point of view (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015 p.6). Through their noble ideas, the professors seek to guide their reads through the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives, under the influence of God’s word and in a manner that is supportive of the accountability ideas of the entire community.

About a year ago, I began to find genuine interest in spiritual knowledge and learning, and its value and many applications outside of formal education and studies. I began researching philosophers and reading their works regarding spiritualism, new ways of thinking and perceiving things, as well as how our lives as human work in conjunction with the universe around us. I find this kind of thinking, and discovering some of the infinite wealth of knowledge around me, to be both personal and liberating.

While walking out of the building, I found myself walking the same path as a classmate who was also leaving. “What did you think of that, Taryn?” With a smile upon her face, she looked up and said, “I just love how great it is to have that time to fellowship and have with God during a stressful week.” Her answer summed up my feelings perfectly. “Have you joined?” Not

Although this was probably the most ‘rollercoaster-esk’ conversation that I had ever had regarding my personal spirituality, I’m glad that it happened. I now have a better understanding of the habits that I still need to die to and the kind of mentorship I need to seek out and learn from.

Gordon MacDonald is Chancellor of Denver Seminary where he also served as interim president from 2008-09. He is the Pastor Emeritus of Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts, and Editor at Large of Leadership Journal. He has written more than 12 books and was a pastor for over 40 years. Most recently he has served as the senior minister at Grace Chapel, Lexington, Massachusetts. Pastor MacDonald's academic background includes a BA from the University of Colorado (1962), and a MDiv from Denver Seminary (1966).

In reading through Let Your Life Speak, the author, Parker J. Palmer takes the reader through observations from his own life in hopes of enlightening and aiding the reader in their own life and search for vocation. He does this by reviewing various stages of his life. He leads the reader through his time in academia at the University of California - Berkeley (Palmer, 2000, p. 20), his sabbatical period at Pendle Hill (Palmer, 2000, p. 23), a Quaker community and his struggles with depression (Palmer, 2000, p. 56). Throughout each of his recitations concerning the knowledge gleaned from his life, there are major themes that jump out to the reader. Two of those themes are (1) Encouragement for self-reflection and (2) Embracing the journey.

As you work towards reaching beyond your current limitations, your life will metamorphose in ways you couldn’t fathom today. This is true for I have been consciously on the personal/spiritual growth journey since November of 1989, I’ve seen my life and relationship transformed

Sitting in church on a cold Sunday in January, the hair on the back of my neck stood up as my pastor preached a sermon that, for once, made me feel like she was speaking directly to me. I’m not an extremely religious person; I don’t go to church every Sunday or pray at night before I go to sleep. I just go through the motions. But this time was different. “The time we spend in between leaving home and finding our way back home is where people gain the ability to grow into their full potential.” Those words spoke to me, and I was reeled in, just like the rest of the congregation, wondering what our Pastor was going to say next.

Many weeks have passed since I last wrote about my theological perspective at length. I began the class with lots of questions, and I do not believe I can say for sure that they have been answered, but I can say that I am now at peace with the idea that some of my questions may not be able to be answered in this life. It amazes me that I have been able to grow so much in such a short period of time. The growing pains were great, but the reward was greater. I feel that I am in a much better place in my life now. In the past few months, I have tried to reclaim some of the closeness to God that I feel I have been missing. It has not been easy for me to give up control of my life. I have strong tendencies to be in control of what goes on, so that I have some inclination of how to prepare to react. As a result of learning to let go, I feel much less fearful of the future or my place in it. Not only has this class helped me come to terms with the idea that I should not have total control over my life, but it has also reminded me of things I had forgotten about. It truly left me pleasantly surprised with the content of the class.

It has been customary for me to begin these entries with words of how interesting it has been, and unfortunately, nothing has changed. I have had a very challenging and interesting week. It started off with trivial car issues. My car broke down and I have been renting a car since last Saturday. Sunday the Men’s Choir at the Church celebrated their 18th Anniversary. I was asked by one of the members if I could stay until the program. I had already planned to go home, take a nap, and then return, but when he asked I felt compelled to stay. I stayed at the Church form 9:00 – 7:00 pm. They had over 12 guest choirs to come and each choir sang two selections. I thought I would take advantage of this opportunity to mingle with the people and Mrs. Walls was one of the first I encountered. As she sat down next to me I could tell immediately by her star glasses and wrap on her head that she was flamboyant outwardly as well as inwardly. I told her I liked her glasses and how unique they were and she responded, “I know, if anyone else wore these they would look stupid. They only look good on me.” I smiled trying to contain my laughter. She then went on to talk and throughout the course of the conversation, I heard many words of anger, frustration, and hurt projected towards the members of the church. I looked at this as the perfect opportunity inject myself as preacher/teacher. Taking from Willimon; you have to “set the message of a gospel of love.”(205) extracting from

It is always a blessing to have the opportunity to share all God 's marvelous works in my life with believers and non-believers. I believe that every Christian should examine their hearts and return to the roots of salvation through Jesus Christ. This autobiography gives me the liberty to review my shortcomings and Christ’s victories through me walk. As I review His transformation in me, I be in a deep enamor adoration for my sovereign God. He is the potter, who gradually mold me into His effective servant and continue to use me to serve His kingdom. I am grateful that He loves me conditionally and does not hold my shortcomings against me. Here is a testimony of God’s correction and my submissive to the Good Shepherd.