The Religious Life Of Theological Students

This sermon provokes the one who has had their own hearts weaken to seek holiness from the transformation of love. Wesley desires every Christian to attain the status of perfect love, where the love of God and neighbor would reign in their hearts. As evidence he quotes St. Paul, “Earnestly desire the higher gifts, and I will show unto you a more excellent way.” (The More Excellent Way,

Earley & Gutierrez (2010) “Ministry Is…How to Serve Jesus with Passion and Confidence” (Nashville: Broadman & Holman).

Upon reading the chapters written by both Kessler and Martin this week I believe that this will be an interesting course for the seven remaining weeks. Even though I identify myself as a follower of the Christian faith, I think it will be nice to have a fresh outlook on religion from the outsider's point of view. From my time as a first grader through my time as an eighth grader, I spent at least an hour or two each week learning about the Catholic faith in a religion class. Also, I would like to see how this course will possibly change my outlook or open my eyes to different aspects of religion. In addition, I expect to have discussions about several religions from the various regions of the world. I hope that these discussions will help me broaden my understanding and appreciation of other religion and cultural backgrounds

When it comes to ensuring the fulfillment of the vision and mission of the church it is important to sweat the small stuff. Toler and Nelson gives insight as to how important it is to be proactive when it comes to ministry. We should pay attention to the seemingly insignificant details because the minor details can make the difference in the ministry’s success or failure.

Stephen Seamands proffers a Trinitarian description of Christian Ministry as the ministry of Jesus Christ, the Son, to the Father, through the Holy Spirit, for the sake of the church and the world. The author seems to presume that many in the Christian faith have not adequately observed or applied the doctrine of the Trinity significantly in the vocation of ministry. It is with this perception that he postulates a Trinitarian approach of ministry that emphasizes communion with God shaping our language about God to shape our heart so we might share in the life of God. In arriving at his conclusions, Seamands uses well-grounded Scriptural foundations, along with a descriptive of the Icon of the Holy Trinity painted in 1425 by a Russian Monk, Andrei Rublev, including the historical significance that is traced back to the Enlightenment, and the findings of renowned theologians beginning with Karl Barth. The preponderance of evidence provided supports the author’s contention that the grammar of the Christian faith and life is rooted in the doctrine of the Trinity having created the current Trinitarian renaissance.

On Tuesday, November 26, I critically listened to a sermon at The Word of Faith Christian Church delivered by Pastor Julius Stephens. It was a regular Tuesday bible study with about eight people. Pastor Stephens 's topic for the day was everybody has a purpose. In this paper, I will critique Pastor Stephens 's sermon based on its introduction, body, delivery, conclusion and finally my overall reaction to his speech. The reason for the speaker 's sermon was to ensure his audience realizes their worth.

Spiritual practice and theological inquiry are not mutually exclusive, rather they possess an intrinsic connection. This relationship also exists between spirituality and self-reflexivity, promoting an examined life which connects to a larger moral vision that extends beyond the self into the community. Spirituality, theological inquiry, and self-reflexivity interact as a paradox of religious identity rooted in one’s being while also being critically open, fair-minded, and participatory in dialogue. Karl Rahner’s “The Hearer of the Message” delineates the inherent connectivity between academic and spiritual life, religious tradition and community, theology and self-reflexivity. Through the lense of Rahner, I will argue that the self-reflexive writing and pursuit of philosophical theology in both religious and academic contexts is a spiritual practice.

As Smith closes out his book he shares some sound information concerning we we flourish in our ministry. A calling is sacred, the preparation for that calling in ministry is essential, but if I cannot find a place to exercise my calling in the body of Christ I am likened to the unfaithful servant who buried his

Ministry can be measure into a career spans. Some of us can and will handle it others will not. The words to describe it overwhelming and bewildering, samples of these are:

Missio Dei covers everything in connection to mission: discovering what Father is doing, joining Christ’s mission, understanding the complexity and the mystery of Trinitarian ministry, partnering with the Holy Spirit, and surrendering self before God. God has reminded me once again that even though the right theology, vision, and methods are important, yet the authentic ministry flows from the relationship with Him. My desire is to continue learning how to "discern the presence of God’s reign in the ordinary circumstances" (2014, 76) and how to pay attention to my surrounding culture and listen well. This is so relieving to know that I do not have to pretend, and I do not need to cover my weaknesses when joining God’s mission – this is because His mission is done through a paradox of strength, weakness, and suffering. This course left me with the question that I ought to ask myself every day - "What price am I willing to pay for the sake of the church and the world?"

It has been a good first year in pursuing my doctoral study at Talbot School of Theology although the study was challenging. As I take time to reflect on my calling and to seek God further guidance, I thank Him for the opportunity to pursue this academic journey. I am also grateful for the support from my wife and children, followers of Christ at my church and at Biola community. My sense of God’s call for me became clear early in this year as a result of my understanding purpose and growing commitment to serve His Church. My fervent desire to serve other’s needs in spiritual dimension through teaching God’s Word and preaching the Gospel led me to leave my engineering career after two decades in order to devote full time and energy for the

As a result of my passion to plant churches, I have set forth to earn my ministry degree with honors, on the path to qualifying for ordination. Through this course I have not only identified strategies to best manage time and effort, but my strengths as well. Moving forward successfully will require the application of the concepts addressed in this course in the utilization of time and strength to accomplish these goals.

Some may regard the study of theology as tedious while others deem it irrelevant. The importance of studying theology, however, cannot be understated. McQuaid recognizes that “We practice what we believe to be true, so doctrine does make a difference! It reveals the very meaning of our existence and, therefore, provides the means to experience fulfilled and fruitful lives” (as cited in Showers, 1990, p. ix). The field of theology is, of course, a vast subject and beyond the scope of this paper to introduce. However, this paper will discuss a few important themes related to the Trinity and the Church and reflect on the meaning of these themes for life and ministry.

The “ever deepening connection” with God and community, like the previous elements, deserves careful attention. While community is defined above, God has yet to be. I cannot, of course, muster a clear and concise understanding of whom or what God is; I can give a conceptual understanding in relational terms to help clarify this ministry’s definition. I understand God to be the triune God, encompassing the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe these titles represent a relational understanding of how God actively participates in creation throughout history. I believe that as individuals actively participate in vocational discernment, their connection with the triune God grows ever deeper.

I fully appreciate Piper’s description of life and missions as warfare with ultimate power of God on our side. This war time mentality brings urgency in our prayers. Piper, however, warns against the “danger of overstating the role of prayer” (p. 63). The work of missions is not prayer, but “proclamation of the gospel in Word and deed,” and “prayer is the weapon that wields the weapon of the Word … by which the nations will be brought to faith and obedience” (p. 63). I think this balance between our role in missions and the providence of God is very much needed. Likewise, I believe there should be a balance between our passion for the glory of God and God’s passion for his own glory discussed in chapter one, so as to prevent any mistaken notion that God needs us to worship him to glorify himself.