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

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.

Dr. Adam L. Hughes is the Dean of Chapel and Assistant Professor of Expository Preaching at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. With over sixteen years of pastoral experience, Hughes’s practical experience and academic prowess not only make him the perfect professor, but also the perfect Director for the Adrian Rogers Center for Expository Preaching.

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

This paper is the final results of my internship ministry practicum II experiences reflection in my church organization work settings and training. My experiences from different areas of exposure sharpened my skills for my professional role of the Doctor of Ministry Program in the theological field of counseling and teaching. My ministry practicum consists of direct involvements with hands-on, real-life interactions under the supervision of my Supervisor, Chaplain Andrea Fletcher. This Comprehensive Written Review analyzes the full spectrum of my observation and participation in tasks from my Ministry Learning Agreement Form. The opportunity allowed me to view other leaders in ministry exercising their gift and in turns

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.

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.

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

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

Throughout the assignment, I have explored key themes that I connected with and considered how they relate to my spiritual and religious growth, both personally and professionally. Perhaps the themes that I connected with from Mackay’s book were not the most obvious, however, they allowed me to experience reflection on my journey of Christian Life. The personal reflection required for this assignment has in itself provided an opportunity for my spiritual growth as I was challenged to recall and deal with previous issues I had, up to this time, intentionally

After adding in Root and Nouwen into exposing what happened, why it happened, what should have happened, and what I can do about it, I’ve come to terms with both a challenge and a relief. These authors have set me free from viewing my ministry as a failure that is my fault, yet they have also sobered me into a challenge to share their vision. The three don’t always harmoniously unified, as Osmer says that “leadership is the exercise of influence” (Osmer, 26) while Root says that “influence was not only threatening but deadly to relational ministry” (Root, 764). So where do I go from here? I have never been more confident to say that the answer is that I don’t know. Because as my view on ministry matures, I become acutely more aware that “Jesus has a different vision of maturity: It is the ability and willingness to be led where you would rather not go” (Nouwen, 81). Until then, though, I’m looking forward to my interview with the Sioux County

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.

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 the latest publication, it was stated that, “Our goal all along has been to create a new venture in theological education that enables us to better prepare leaders responsive to the challenges of the day…”

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.

This course has had a great impact on my walk with Christ as well as my witness for Christ. I pastor a church and teach two classes and for me I thought that I was doing plenty. However this course has helped rekindle my passion for sharing Jesus Christ with people through personal evangelism. This paper will demonstrate what I have learned throughout this course.