Seven Years and Counting...

A number of years ago I discovered a place of refuge where I could grow in my understanding of who I am and explore a deeper understanding of who God is. In this place I experienced glimpses of true community; regularly scheduled times where groups of people would gather to listen and learn from each other, and in the midst of these encounters, begin to trust one another despite differences of opinion or diversity of expression. I was only ever able to participate once or twice a week, but I think that was the whole point as such a schedule required me to put into practice in my life what I was being taught in this place. Even today, I make the journey into Portland every now and then in order to remain connected to this atmosphere of spiritual and intellectual engagement. Although I am not well known in this place, I know it well. And for some reason, it fills a need in my life that little else seems to be able to fill.

I started attending George Fox Evangelical Seminary full-time seven years ago. At the time, I was seeking intellectual and spiritual renewal. I wanted to deepen my theological understanding and discover ways to apply it to my everyday, ordinary life. I remember my first day of class, almost as if it were my first day of kindergarten. I walked in Greek class and sat cautiously near the back. The Professor seemed to jump right in, as if we already had a grasp of the original language of the New Testament text. I just hoped she wouldn’t call on me to take a stab at pronouncing the Greek alphabet. In fact, most days of Greek class began with such intensity. But what made it worthwhile was the investment our professor had in our learning process and in our individual calls to ministry. She worked hard to bring all that we were learning back to these realities. Other classes seemed to hold fast to this distinction as well: there were expectations on every student to strike a balance between our intellectual and spiritual pursuits. While the teaching methods of my professors varied, this seemed to be the objective from which they all worked within the classroom setting.

I don’t keep in touch with many of my classmates from my early years of seminary, but that doesn’t mean the conversations and experiences I shared with them don’t touch me to this day. Many of us stumbled upon a newfound freedom to share our insights, perspectives, and faults with a clarity and certainty we hadn’t experienced before. Whether in the classroom, or in the dining hall, my love for meaningful conversation was certainly satiated.

About two years into my seminary experience, God opened the door for me to join in ministry at Twin Rocks Friends Camp. This was a much needed step in my ministry pursuits, though it did mean a significant downshift in participation at the seminary. Over the past few years I’ve taken a class every now and then, but never with the intensity of those first two years. I recently read my journal from that time in my life and can only marvel at the scope of honesty and vulnerability evident throughout: ideals I was wrestling with theologically and they ways in which these truths were beginning to take shape in my daily life.

My motivation for writing these reflections comes from some recent experiences I’ve had at the seminary this semester as I work to finally finish my degree. Each time I walk into a classroom I still get that nervous excitement in the pit of my stomach. But I’m beginning to notice some changes in student attitudes that vary from my earlier experiences. These days, students seem more open to tackling challenging theological issues in the classroom. Rather than just one or two voices chiming in on a given topic, it is common to have more than half a dozen people sharing viewpoints or questions about how church history and theology shape and impact our daily lives (often more than we realize). Also, many students aren’t attending the seminary out of locational convenience, instead I meet more and more who have moved across the country to be a part of this thriving spiritual and intellectual community. And these are men and women who get me excited about the future of the church. Somehow, many of them seem to naturally grasp the cultural currents shaping the church today and address these ideas in ways that strike a much needed balance between theological integrity and everyday practicality. I’ve also observed a heightened interest in the Quaker heritage of the seminary from students of diverse denominational backgrounds. Many students seem drawn to Quaker ideals and practices as they strive to put together various pieces of how they will practice and articulate their journeys with Christ.

If all goes according to plan, this will be my last two semesters at the seminary. But I can wholeheartedly affirm the direction and ministry of this important, well balanced and well intentioned learning community. It gives me some much needed hope for the future of the church. I’m so thankful to be even a small part of this thriving community of Christ-followers.