I’m Going to Seminary (Again)

For the last few years, I’ve sat with my cursor hovering over the “submit” button but could never push it. Something always felt like it was holding me back. And maybe something was. But was it fear? The Holy Spirit? Honestly, I can’t say for sure. But for years, I’ve wanted to continue the seminary journey I began way back in 2015.

This week, I’m finally doing it as I begin working toward a Masters of Arts in Biblical Studies through Redemption Seminary.

Why did I wait so long?

Realistically, even working at a slow pace, I should have been finished a degree years ago. However, clearly didn’t happen. Finances played a huge part in that because immigration is expensive. This was the most greatest barrier to me pursuing my education. I just couldn’t afford it.

But I also had to wrestle with a few different things. The why of going back to it at all. Checking my motives and my heart. Researching which schools to apply to. Trying to count the cost financially and personally. And up until now, I felt unsettled.

But earlier this year, I started to get the sense that, yes, this was the right time and the right direction. Sure, I’ve got lots of stuff on the go (I always do). But Emily and the kids are supportive. My church is too. And so is my employer, an organization that encourages its employees to pursue learning opportunities. And after completing two different professional certifications, this seemed like a good next step—something that would not only benefit me now, but would support my future growth.

So why Redemption Seminary?

Earlier this year, I narrowed my choices down to three different schools, all of which would have been excellent choices. Ultimately I went with Redemption Seminary for three reasons:

Thoroughly orthodox and interdenominational. Redemption Seminary is not tied to any one denomination. Its faculty and mentors all share a commitment to historic orthodoxy and would all be considered evangelical in their convictions (before that word lost any meaning). But they represent several different denominations and traditions within those shared commitments and convictions. That’s something I need. Something that’s really healthy for me—and I think for most of us.

Self-paced. Courses work on a self-paced structure. While not entirely working in isolation (students are connected with mentors and cohorts), they are able to work at the pace that works for their season of life as well as the specific coursework.

Competancy-based. The curriculum and assessments are focused on personal development and demonstrated application of the material. This model takes something that I think all seminaries desire and turns those into the primary means of evaluating a student’s success in the program. It’s an approach that benefits me, yes, but more importantly, benefits the people in my life. And I love that.

Nervous, excited, and hopeful for what is to come

This is early days, of course. I’m literally only getting started as I share this. I am nervous about it, of course. I want to do well, but I also want to be wise in how I use my time.

But even so, I am excited, because I finally took that big step. (Doing something new is not easy.) And I am hopeful that good will come from it; that it will help me to serve my church and the church well in the years ahead.

Because that’s the goal in all of this. It’s not just something for me (which is itself a good thing). It’s for others too. And if there is one thing I could ask anyone reading this to join me in praying, it would be that.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash