The End is Here

Today I am to be graduated from Seminary and back into the "real world" (whatever that is). This, I believe, I am ready for. It has been an interesting four years to say the least. From learning Greek in the summer of 2005 to barely passing Clinical Pastoral Education the next summer; from Hebrew to Systematic Theology and Internship to Preaching, the entire process has been marked by a number of significant highs and much struggle. My candidacy committee through the Nebraska Synod, ELCA has been wonderful and helpful for my preparation. I am also very thankful to the professors at Wartburg Theological Seminary who, despite whatever early misconceptions I may have had of them, have been nothing but supportive and collegial to me. I hope to get to work with some of them in future years on congregational and synodical projects.

For most of the previous 17 years of schooling in my life, I lived a life marked by the law. I struggled with trying to get good grades, with competing with fellow classmates, with the demands of professors and teachers, and with behavioral expectations - few of which I truly lived up to well, given all of the "potential" I was repeatedly told I had. But at WTS, I experienced for the first time in my life, a place truly rooted in grace. I didn't feel the demands listed above; somehow, I was able to get past the law of having to learn and experience instead the grace of getting to learn. What a joy that has been! I hope to carry this with me into my first call and beyond. Grace to you and peace from the God the father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

The End is Near

T-minus 5 days and counting until graduation. Yep. My four years of seminary studies are nearly complete. The notion of mixed feelings might be cliche, but there is truly much ambiguity for me with all of this. On the one hand, I'm excited about getting started in my first call. On the other, I will miss the safety of this place - a place where we can discuss ideas and theology and not have to worry about congregational ramifications (i.e., people holding fast to traditions or folks getting upset over whatever else might happen in the wake of such things happening in such a setting).

So sometime after this Sunday, I will be opening a new blog. I'll post on here beforehand so that the one or two of you faithful followers can make the switch with me. :) See you on the other side...