Well, it’s now official. I’ve been accepted into the M. Div. program at Beeson Divinity School for the Spring ‘08 semester. I had a pretty good feeling that I would get in, but it’s good to finally know for sure where I will be in two months, barring some massive unforseen event which would hinder me from going. For those of who who don’t know, Beeson is a part of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. The plan at this point is that I will be there for approximately 4 years to finish the program. I also recieved the base scholarship, which covers a little less than half the tuition, which I also expected would happen. I wouldn’t have even applied if I knew I wouldn’t get any kind of scholarship help. The thing that I didn’t expect was this: They are awarding me an extra $1,000 on my first bill to cover my moving costs to Birmingham! I didn’t think schools did that; but I was very grateful and surprised. I was beginning to cringe at what it would cost me just to move that far. So the next chapter for me seems to be in place. I’m sure most if not all of you would agree that it would be a good thing for me to go to seminary. It’s not for everyone, but I feel that it’s something I should do if I can, and I can at this stage in life, so I am!

The rest of this entry has little to do with Uganda, just to warn you. 

But let me share with you some of the reasons I am going to seminary. There are good and bad reasons to do just about anything, including the training I am in for. But here are the reasons I am going to seminary, and going to this particular school.

1. It’s been my plan since I was 19 years old. This is not a very good reason to go, but it’s part of it. Before I left to attend Moody Bible Institute in ‘02 I was completing an internship at my home church, Fox Valley Bible Church. During that time, two ministry passions rose to the surface, and both passions emerged from a general “calling” I felt to serve God in vocational ministry. This was not TO any specific place or people group, but just what I felt God was moving me toward. One of the passions was music ministry. I loved, and still love, to lead God’s people in true, heartfelt worship. I have grown a lot in this area since then. But the other passion was to preach/teach and disciple. I was very inexperienced at this, but felt that it was something God was perhaps gearing me for. So the question was, should I major in music or in more of a Biblical/theological/pastor major? After much prayer and counsel, I decided to be a music major at Moody(which I am glad I did), and end my official music education there. But I would have to go on to seminary to pursue more biblical/theological/pastoral studies. So I’m still on this track, and these two passions have developed more, and have become more intense for me.

2. Because of the need out there. I feel that the tools I will pick up from this type of education will help in God’s Kingdom. I believe in a learned clergy. This does not mean that all pastors need formal training; for many, especially outside the U.S., this is simply not possible. But I believe that all pastors should be disciplined and rigorous in their study and exposure to the Word of God, and should use whatever resources they have at their disposal. The reason for this is so that one may, as much as possible, “handle accurately the Word of truth”, and know how to properly wield the sword called the Bible. And the reason we must wield this weapon accurately is because through the clear proclamation of it the Spirit of God will be at work as He wills, lives will be changed, the dead will hear and be raised, and the sleepers will receive an electric shock. I believe that it is the Spirit of God/the Word of God that will transform oppressed people and cultures in Africa, and will have the power to cause the richest man in America to give away everything he has for the Kingdom.

3. Because I want to. That’s another beautiful thing about this. I’m really looking forward to better reading my bible in Greek and Hebrew, to plumb the depths of the Bible, to fellowship with other like-minded men, to face the challenges to my mind and heart, to be discipled, to know Christ more, to have my passion for God’s mission on this earth fueled more and more. I really have a hunger for this, and that contributes to my reasons for wanting to go. I know that there will be times when I wish I hadn’t gone, but that’s all part of it, and I’m confident I’ll pull through, if He wills and enables it. Someone once said, regarding finding God’s will, “Just love God, and do what you want.”

4. Because I need to. I need more preparation both in my mind and heart for what God is preparing me for. I have a hazy idea of what that will be, but I feel that I need this preparation. It will not be a waste, no matter what happens afterward. But I have a strong sense that I need to have more time of preparation before diving right in, which I’ve been tempted to do more than once. Sometimes I think of Spurgeon, who was shepherding a huge church while still a teenager, and wonder, “What am I waiting for?” Then I remember that I am not Spurgeon. I am encouraged by many other great men of God who have spent a good deal of their life in preparation before beginning their primary ministry. That did not mean that they did no ministry during that time; life was ministry to them in whatever form that took, and this will be true for me. I’m excited about the ministry opportunities in Birmingham. Jesus was 30 years old when he began. I’ll be getting close to that by the time I finish school. I also know that I’m not Jesus, but you get the point!

I’m sure there are more reasons I’m not remembering right now. Chambers had a saying: “Trust God, and do the next thing.” That’s good advice, and that’s what I’m doing. A lot can happen in the next few years, but all I can see at this point is the “next thing”.

On to some things that have happened this week. Something big actually did take place here at New Hope. One of the “sons of New Hope” died suddenly of a blood clot that reached his heart. He was around 21 years old. He had grown up here, and was one of, if not THE best guy that has been produced here. Very godly, responsible, headed in a great direction. I heard that if anyone was going to be put in a place to really change Uganda, he was the guy. God took him out, leaving a lot of real hurt and pain and questions. I won’t go into detail on all of that, but the past few days have been very somber, as it really hit the community here very hard. It was a massive kick in the gut. His mother had died a number of years ago, so this family has already suffered a good deal. He was the firstborn son of their family. So I’ve been experiencing a community in heavy grieving over this. Things have moved on outwardly, but it will take some time for a lot of the people to get over this.

Two weeks from Tuesday of this week the Institute will be over. How it has flown by! I can’t believe my time here is coming to an end. Please pray for me as I try to seal in cement the things I have learned here. For my last two entries to come I will write about the top things I’ve learned since coming here. I’m grateful to you all for your prayers, whoever is still reading this blog! Please pray as I come to the end, and pray as I come home and experience the West through different eyes.

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