Reflections From Seminary, Year Two

A TLS Blog

I finished my final, 'final' exam today. It took me almost three hours to complete. And though it was a bit stress-inducing, I found that I had learned so much in my Old Testament course. That shouldn't surprise me. I've learned so much from my whole seminary experience thus far.

I briefly want to reflect on some of the great experiences I've had so far this school year. I am now in my second year—my 'middler' year at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. Not only have I met a whole new set of friends and colleagues, but I've become a better and more well-rounded person by getting to know them, listening to them in class, and sharing my faith journey with them. I've learned more than I can yet process as I 'sit at the feet of the masters' in each of my seminary classes. These professors have taught me about the complexity of the scriptures, the relationship between God and the poor, and how to speak the gospel with integrity. I've enjoyed "Walking Dead" nights with my friend, Austin (and others who have joined us in our apocalyptic TV craze). I was a part of our flag-football team, winning the coveted "Book of Concord" at Luther Bowl 2013, held at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. I had the privilege of creating videos that have captured the history and future of Trinity Lutheran Seminary. In a world of institutional hierarchy, the faculty and staff of Trinity have become my colleagues. I've been stretched outside of my comfortable limits in classes such as Ministry of Preaching, where I constructed poems and sermons, performing them for the critique of my classmates and friends. And it was this past Sunday, as I preached three services at my home church in New Palestine, Indiana, when I realized how far I've come as a person. It wasn't long ago that I was comfortable being in my own 'shell.' My shell was a place in which I didn't have to push my limits and my potential. I was able to remain behind the scenes. God was moving me to a more public place of ministry, but I didn't want to go there. Slowly, though, ever slowly, I've been allowed to take small steps of faith. My journey to seminary has shattered me ... and in a good way. I've come to examine myself in ways I have never before. My summer unit as a chaplain at The Ohio State University's Medical Center taught me not only to confront others, but to confront myself and look within my soul. I have broken through now and I'm a different person. There's no going back. Praise be to God.