A Time to Learn

                As you may already know I am currently in seminary pursuing a Masters of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.  Seminary is a time for equipping for ministry; a time to learn.  When I came to Fuller I had a vague idea of the types of classes I needed to take in order to learn the things I don’t know.  Well, now that I am over 2 years into my studies (about 1.5 years to go!) I am beginning to realize that the things I didn’t know aren’t the things I thought I didn’t know. 

                

               This has been a season of learning, but most of my learning isn’t happening in the classroom.  Sure I know a few fun facts about the theology of Pelagius, and I can parse Hebrew verbs.  But those bits of knowledge will eventually escape through the revolving doors of short-term memory, if they haven’t already.    More importantly, I am experiencing spiritual, social, and emotional formation by means of many important relationships I am making with peers and mentors.  I am in an important season of learning things about myself which if I weren’t excavating and repairing during this time, they would ultimately hinder me from effective ministry in the future.

                

              Part of my healing and growing process has been happening by means of working in part-time ministry at Lake Avenue Church.  Sunday mornings I get to spend time with about 60 children in 2^nd and 3^rd grade where we sing songs with hand motions, learn basic Bible stories, make crafts, and share our faith journey together.  After walking through a season of doubt and burn-out, being immersed among small people with big faith has been immensely refreshing as I am reminded what it means to have faith like a child. 

                In about a month I will begin my nine month apprenticeship which is a required part of my degree.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to complete this learning in the Missions and Outreach department of Lake Avenue Church.  The church, and this department in particular, is full of amazing leaders who I am excited and honored to be mentored by.  The apprenticeship is meant to primarily be a learning experience and I hope to gain exposure to many different kinds of ministry.  I know I have a lot to learn, but I probably don’t know what I don’t know. I’m so grateful to get to learn from a church which has been effectively implementing global missions and local outreach for many years.

                Much of my internship will happen locally through outreach ministries in Pasadena, as well as ministries within Lake Avenue Church.  As my supervisor and I mapped out some goals, I threw in the pot the possibility of an international experience.  Well, not too long after that I committed to join a short-term team which will be traveling to Germany to provide refugee relief and discipleship for two weeks.  (My next blog will tell you more about this!)

                I am anticipating an exciting nine months ahead.  I am also anticipating a hectic schedule full of many ups and downs.  And so I need your prayers!   I am so grateful to have such a strong team of pray-ers already built up around me, sharing the journey with me.

What you can pray for:

-Peace, energy, hope and joy as I continue the rigorous schedule of balancing graduate school and ministry

-An open mind and heart as I learn and experience each day

-For physical wellness (I am first and foremost a full-time human… full time student and part time job can make this hard to prioritize)  

-For a roommate!  And closely tied with that, pray for financial provision.  My current roommate moves out on May 30^th, and I’ll start paying double rent June 1^st.  Especially pray for peace in the midst of the instability of these changes.

Please pray week by week:

June 5^th-11: Final Exams

June 12-19: VBS Preparation week

June 19-25: VBS + start apprenticeship

June 26-2: Apprenticeship +children’s ministry

July 3-9: Apprenticeship +children’s ministry

July 10-16: Encountering the City intensive class (outreach immersion into downtown Los Angeles)

July 20-Aug 3: Germany mission trip (refugee relief)

August –September: Apprenticeship + children’s ministry +paper writing

Sept 18-25: Quick trip to New York! (Would love to see you!)

Sept 26: Fall classes begin, continue apprenticeship

Thank you so much for continuing to share the journey with me!!