A New Set of Classes

Today was the first day of our new set of classes. I am taking a morning class called Theology in the Wesleyan Spirit. Our instructor is in his first year of teaching course of study. I appreciate his laid-back style. He creates an environment conducive to honest discussion. When you are dialogging about theology, this is helpful.

Our afternoon class is called Pastoral Leadership and Administration. I know that this class will be helpful in my ministry, but the content is a bit drier than my other classes.

I continue to learn great stuff!

Free Day

Today is a free day between classes. We slept through breakfast this morning, so we made a trip to Dunkin' Donuts. ;)

We had the opportunity to visit the Cokesbury Store. I am only familiar with their website, it was nice to see the actual store. As Course of Study students, we get a 20% discount on anything we buy. They also have a 5o% and 75% off section. Hopefully I don't accumulate too many books.

Tonight Justin and I are probably going to head over to the Saint Peter and Paul Catholic Church for a Latin mass this evening. They have a beautiful sanctuary and organ. I am intrigued to see it all in action.

In the meantime, I have to work on the August newsletter. I am also working on preparations for Oakfield and Tabor VBS. I also think I will make a few changes for the August 1st bulletin. I am greatly looking forward to being back in worship at the Oakfield and Tabor churches.

I also would like to get some reading in, as well as another run around the city. I think that's all for now. Take care!

Halfway Point!

We have completed our first two classes for Course of Study!

We have the rest of today, as well as tomorrow, off. We begin our second set of classes on Thursday morning.

I have made some wonderful friends, learned some incredible things and I look forward to coming back home for our worship service on August 1st!

The Trinity

Justin and I led a devotional for the beginning of our morning class. The focus was on The Trinity of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We decided to provide a slightly humorous introduction. We'll keep things light today. Enjoy a throwback to the days of School House Rock.

Reflections on Being a Pastor

Over this first year in pastoral ministry, I have done a great deal of reflection on what is means to be a pastor. The first few weeks were an adjustment to the idea that people were even calling me "pastor." It took me a few months to begin to understand that being a pastor was more than just a title...I continue to learn more about this.

I have been facing a struggle about the pastor that I want to be. It is certainly not a definite dichotomy, but I think about my lifestyle as a pastor going one of two ways:

1. Do I want to be appear more approachable and interact and do things things more like the layperson would do?
2. Do I feel called to live life with a high standard, realizing that some things that I enjoy doing or that are meaningful to me may not fit within that call to a higher standard of living?

This is a choice that I still struggle with and think about. We talked a little bit about this in class today. It didn't help in my decision, but it offered additional perspective. It would appear for now that I still feel safe playing Dungeons and Dragons ;).

Course of Study:Two Days of Classes Done!

I meant to write this entry this morning, but I did not have time. So, in writing this entry I have been through two days worth of classes. I will admit the days are long. Between the two classes, we have about six hours of instruction each day. We have a thirty minute chapel session, plus papers and group projects in the evening. It is making the week go by pretty quick.

So far, I realize that there is a lot I have to learn. Right now, the focus is on pastoral care and Biblical interpretation. These are two areas in which I would appreciate some help. So far, the classes have been wonderful and very informative.

For these two days, I have managed to run at night. I am used to running Oakfield with country roads and minimal traffic. A Chicago suburb does not provide that kind of environment. I have been trying to dodge the crazy Chicago traffic.

My prayers go out to the family of Don Grahl, who passed away on Monday morning. I was thankful to have the opportunity to sit at Don's side at Rolling Meadows with some of his family this past Friday. I appreciated the time I had to get to know him, and I am continually amazed to hear about the lives that he has touched and the difference that he made.

Course of Study: Day One

Justin and I embarked on our journey to Naperville, IL not too long after my second worship service of the morning. We made pretty good time and arrived at North Central College in plenty of time to unpack and get settled before our orientation.

I realize that I have lived in residence halls for quite a few years, but by the time I became a residence hall director, I figured I was done with communal bathrooms. I was wrong. That was a bit of an adjustment.

Here is a picture of my half of the room. Justin and I are going to be roommates for our three week stay at NCC. Thankfully, we were able to find the internet jack. We still haven't exactly figured out how the air conditioning unit works. It is over the door and never really makes any sound. Somehow, though, cold air does come out.

In a few minutes we will be heading out to breakfast and our first class which starts at 8:00AM. Tomorrow's entry will reflect on the first day of class.