We’re coming up on the three year mark of announcing that I was going back to school. This is my sixth semester at Dallas Christian College, and I have roughly three more after this one. By the time I’m done with DCC, I’ll have received my B.A. in Ministry in Leadership in a span of 5 years while maintaining a full time corporate job. I’m only missing graduating in the standard “four years” by one semester, and I will only have to take 2 (projected) classes in that last semester. I’ve had to sacrifice some things, and there certainly are times when my daughters probably want to punch me in the stomach, but for the most part I’ve maintained a balanced life. When I started this journey back in May ‘07, I had no clue where it was leading. It took me two years (going back to ‘05) of wrestling with the idea of school before I finally released myself to jump in. I felt like God was leading me to equip myself for His ministry and I realized that all I had ever done is try to do things my own way and it wasn’t working out. …
When I originally met with the admissions councilor I admitted that I wasn’t sure where I was heading, but I had some ideas based on previous ministry experience… Music ministry? Youth ministry? or even head up a church plant? “Don’t worry about it,” he said. “Most students come in with one ministry in mind but end up in a completely different area. It’s not that they were wrong, God just has a funny way of showing us things bits and pieces at a time. You’ll figure it out while you’re here.”
For the first three semesters I prayed and discussed future ministry constantly. As early as my first semester I had a fleeting thought about a possibility… fleeting in the sense that I threw it out my mind pretty quickly. But with almost every biblical studies class (and even some basic classes such as World History 2), the thought reappeared. Soon I was connecting dots between past experiences, current passions, newfound interests, and scholastic feedback. This past August, I finally owned up to it.
Suddenly, though, I wasn’t the one asking the question. For 2 years I had somehow avoided answering the question that now seems to be on everyone’s lips “What are you going to school for?” Sure, I had to deal with the occasional inquiry, but up until then a simple answer stating my major seemed to suffice. As soon as I came to grips with where I think this journey is leading, everyone started wanting details…
… and so, here we are…
There are two places we’re going with this:
1) I hope to serve at a church as a role of a “Spiritual Formation Pastor.” Like most things in our faith, labels have multiple meanings and carry different connotations for everyone. In a nutshell I explain it as an upgraded Christian Education Pastor that focuses on all aspects of discipleship, not just “educating” people. I could unpack this at a much deeper level, and probably will as things move forward. But, for now, take it however you want…
2) I hope to serve as an Adjunct* professor at a undergrad program similar to what I am in now. I would love to serve at DCC, but I haven’t even approached that yet. Yes, this means at minimum I need to continue on and receive my Masters. I’m still not huge on sheets of paper that supposedly confirm my status in this world (i.e. – degrees), but if “Prof-ing” is part of what I want to do, then a grad degree is necessary. I stress Adjunct* because I do not (currently) care about being tenured. The goal is two fold: Primarily, it is to enable others in my situation (corporate world adults) who realize they want more out of life and ministry. Secondly, I hope to supplement my “church” salary so I am not tempted to chase the dollar in ministry.
If this was simply about church ministry, I don’t know that this is the path I’d be on. I am convinced that everything I am learning here I could technically learn on my own. If I have the honor of serving you in the future, you will not see degrees hanging on my office wall and I won’t ask anyone to call me Master… It’s just how this world turns, it’s a means to an ends… but it’s one that is well worth it. I’ve loved *almost* every minute, ever class, every discussion, and especially ever essay I’ve written to this point. I don’t expect that to change.
Maybe God is still only revealing pieces, but I feel pretty strongly about the direction this thing is going, and it’s so far beyond anything I would’ve tried on my own I can’t help but trust in the vision that God is working in me…
So… now that you know… what do you think?
I’m proud of you for going back to school and finding a way to do what you know you were meant to do in life. You aren’t settling on a career that provides income but no fulfillment…I look up to you for that and so much more!
Why would you ever want to leave Corporate America
I really respect someone who takes there ministry serious enough to get a degree but still credit it to God and not to the school. I’m excited to see that your schooling is coming to a end and soon enough you’ll be working for a ministry and with your vision and passion God will definitely reward you and your family for all of your hard work.
you guys are too nice… thanks for the kind words.
Glad you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Keep pressing on (as Relient K would say). I’m going to be watching closely as you get into full time church work. Who knows how paths may cross!
and now that song will be stuck in my head for a while. I’d certainly like our ministry paths to cross… or at least hit up some of the same conferences every now and then.
That’s awesome. I am a fellow aspiring adjunct professor myself. Now if I could just get started on a Masters degree.
John, man, you FLEW through DCC… what’s the hold up on the MA side? You got a place / plan picked out yet?
Most times asking the question means you’re on the right path. Good stuff – rock on.
well, i am certainly proud of you. it’s a journey and an adventure to go to school full-time, work full-time, raise three girls, put up with the wife and be heavily involved in your church. and, all the while maintaining a very high gpa (i won’t say what it is so as not to embarrass you on your site). i’m glad God is finally revealing His plan for your life. it definitely calms the waters a bit to know that you are on the right path.