Being Thankful for the Blessings and Appreciating the Process - The Journey of Spiritual Formation and Surviving Seminary
Being Thankful for the Blessings and Appreciating the Process - The Journey of Spiritual Formation and Surviving Seminary
Contents
Total Submission and Submersion. 1
Embracing Spiritual Formation Online and In the Physical Real World. 2
Dear Seminarian – My advice for the new seminary student 4
An Ecological Approach to Spiritual Formation - based on principles of Christian Discipleship from Ecologies of Faith in a Digital Age by Lowe and Lowe
As an adult Seminarian, it is challenging balancing work, family, church obligations, friendships, and personal health. It is not easy realizing that following Jesus and accepting the call to ministry growth through formal academic education requires making some sacrifices, however, Jesus’ command of “follow me” is not a request, it is a calling. Now that you have accepted that call, there is work required. Two things that are required for success in seminary are total submission, and personal ownership and investment.
Total Submission and Submersion
Discipleship in Christ is not a stagnant state of existence, it is a process of continual growth and productivity. Lowe and Lowe give us a clear and elaborate picture of how God’s divine design of all things, including the universe, the earth, the human body, and the body of Christ. We are all divinely connected. Through connection as part of the body of Christ, we commit to accepting our new life in Him, as we were once dead in sin, but now having new life in Christ Jesus. (The Holy Bible, KJV, Ephesians 4:22)
Being led to seminary, your discipleship journey of growth continues to flourish and grow, however, embarking on this important aspect of the discipleship journey, one must consideration of the costs.[1] This is not a casual undertaking to embark upon, and it requires focus and dedication to be successful. One lesson I have learned in my journey is that you must be comfortable saying, “I am in seminary.” In proclaiming this new reality, you are informing the people around you that you are not just “taking classes,” but you have prioritized a commitment to this scholarly pursuit. This proclamation says to others, and yourself, “I can’t help you move this weekend,” “I can’t hangout or go to the game,” “I am not available to participate in every activity or attend every event,” “I have prioritized my studies, for I am a seminarian.” In my experience, the people in my circles – family, church, work, friends, respect this commitment.
Make sure that you are surrounded by those who are spiritually like-minded and can mentor you and pray for you. According to Lowe and Lowe, the spiritual connection that we have with other Christians provides you with vital and necessary nutrients that will sustain you for your scholastic journey.[2] This is part of the beauty of being an immersed part of the body of Christ, having the much-needed support and encouragement that you need while in seminary.[3]
Submitting to Christ is represented in your submission to the study of His Word. This is the difference that separates secular studies and seminary. Commitment to seminary, as a part of the discipleship journey requires, not only commitment to learning of God and Christianity, but it also further requires commitment to living the new life of discipleship. This life of full submission and commitment makes it easier as you are no longer bound by sin, now embracing Christ in all aspects of your life.
Embracing Spiritual Formation Online and In the Physical Real World
In today’s world, we are reliant more and more on our digital devices for connection and communication, social interactions, and sharing of information. This digital world has enhanced how we are connections as we are ecologically connected and influenced through spiritual pathways, physical presence, and relationships. Now, more than ever before, we are influenced through digital technologies. According to Lowe and Lowe, the term “social contagion” describes our ability to influences others, as well as how we are influenced by others. Seminary is an immersive experience in which we are surrounded by others who are on a similar path of growth. We are influenced by fellow scholars and professors. This influence affects our moral, social, emotional, intellectual, physical, and spiritual development. Likewise, we are positioned to have impact on the hearts, thoughts, and even opinions of those around us.[4] This contagion is not dependent on face-to-face interactions. As the utilization of social platforms and digital communications has grown, we find ourselves living in a virtual world as well a physical world. These environments are no longer separate spaces, as we are influencers and receive influence through reciprocal interaction both online and in person. According to Lowe and Lowe, we exchange resources as human beings through multiple modalities.[5] Lowe quotes Urie Bronfenbrenner stating, “There is always an interplay between the psychological characteristics of the person and of a specific environment; the one cannot be defined without reference to the other.” [6]There is a symbiotic and reflective relationship between our physical and online presence, which, as seminarians and as Christians we must always be mindful of.
As seminarians, we not only represent ourselves, even online. We represent our scholastic institutions, our church, our family, and Jesus Christ. As we engage online through social media platforms, text messages, search engines, messaging services, et all, we must be mindful that our physical lives and our digital lives are not our own, as we have submitted to Jesus Christ and his Way.
Whether in flesh or online, we are commissioned to be the eyes, hands, and feet of God, spreading the Good News, and being living representatives of Him to all men. The formative principle of total submission to Jesus Christ, both online and in the physical world, gives us divine access to the faith ecology of the body of Christ, where we can thrive in the living environment of discipleship, being nourished, and growing in discipleship. As part of God’s ecological system of discipleship, we are also contributors to the body of Christ by discipling others into the body of Christ as we love our brothers and sisters within the Church.
Dear Seminarian – My advice for the new seminary student
This is an exciting time in your journey through Discipleship. I advise you to submerge immediately. This is not a “Walk on water” moment. The is a “Get in the water and swim” moment.
Your professors are not your teachers of early education. They will provide you the resources to utilize for success, application is your responsibility, so be sure to use every resource available, such as online libraries, books, tutors, advisors, and your professors who are usually available and responsive.
The first few times that you see grades that are less than you are accustomed to receiving it will hurt your ego, I know from experience. Do not let the experience hurt you, use it as motivation, and make corrections going forward. Make sure that the corrections follow the professor’s instructions and the grading rubrics and apply them to upcoming assignments.
Prioritize time daily for study and schoolwork.[7] If you wait until the weekend, you are already a week behind. Dedicate at least an hour or two each day, morning, or night, depending on when your brain operates best. Personally, I have always known that my “morning brain” is sharpest. Therefore, I get in bed as soon as I can and get good rest, awaking early to read and even do assignments, as I sometimes awaken with fresh ideas and clarity towards challenging assignments.
Do not neglect your intimate time with God. Your prayer and meditation are key to your relationship with Him. Although you may have to decrease your participation in church activities while you are in seminary, do not decrease your connection through the Holy Spirit. Have prayer warriors and mentors whom you can call on and who keep you constantly in prayer.
Finally, you must say the words, “I am a seminarian!” Fully embrace the experience. Personalize it and own it. Give it your all, remembering, that whatever you do, do it to the glory of God. (The Holy Bible, KJV, 1 Corinthians 10:31)
Bibliography
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Discipleship. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003.
Dempsey, Rod and Earley, Dave. Disciple Making Is...How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and Confidence. Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Academic, 2013.
Lowe, Stephen and Mary. "Orienting Adults to Learning in Graduate Theological Education." Chapter 3. 2017.
Lowe, Stephen Lowe and Mary. Ecologies of Faith in a Digital Age. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press. 2018.
[1] Rod Dempsey, p 27.
[2] Stephen Lowe, p 216.
[3] Stephen Lowe, p.138.
[4] Lowe and Lowe, p17-18.
[5] Lowe and Lowe, p108.
[6] Ibid, p 108.
[7] Stephen and Mary Lowe, Orienting Adults to Learning in Online Graduate Education. 2018