Last year I returned to school and began to reflect on my time at Seminary and it’s impact on me, my family and my ministry. I thought I would share some “rules” that I’ve learned over my time. This is a series of posts, ten in total, that I will post over the next two weeks.

RULE #1 – Don’t Drink The Kool-Aid
RULE #2 – Avoid the Networking Trap
RULE #3 – Temper Everything with Scripture
RULE #4 – It’s Supposed to be Difficult
RULE #5 – Check your Pride at the Door
RULE #6 – Be Weary of Comparison
RULE #7 – Go to Class to Learn, Not Teach
RULE #8 – Think Critically, but Don’t be a Critic

While in class, it is always a good idea to process and think through what you’re hearing – just make sure you’re hearing for clarity! Often though, I hear things I don’t really understand – sometimes that is due to the lack of my intellectual skill, other times it is because the way it is being explained doesn’t make much sense. Either way, I would never suggest to you to blindly agree with whatever your professor may say. That’s why this rule is in place, you should think – and think critically without becoming a critic! I covered that already in RULE #1.

At any rate, during a lecture, if you hear something you disagree with or are wanting to explore more, I might suggest approaching your professor after class and simply ask them how they came to that conclusion or thought. Every professor I have approached has always encouraged me to continue to think critically, and then has been more than gracious to suggest articles or books to read-up on the subject. This really is the “fun” work of Seminary training, doing research and thinking outside of class.

The temptation in Seminary is to hear something from a professor and automatically become a critic of them merely because you disagree with them. I don’t think disagreeing with someone is a valid reason to be critical of that person. We should be more gracious than that… especially in Seminary. If you take the time to tease out your thoughts on a subject, you can expect your professor to sit with you and hear you out – just make sure your arguments make sense. Seminary is for thinking clearly and critically, but not set up to become a critic.

The Latin phrase goes like this: In necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas  - In necessary things unity; in uncertain things liberty, in everything charity. This is a much appropriate posture to approach when in the class.

Last year I returned to school and began to reflect on my time at Seminary and it’s impact on me, my family and my ministry. I thought I would share some “rules” that I’ve learned over my time. This is a series of posts, ten in total, that I will post over the next two weeks.

RULE #1 – Don’t Drink The Kool-Aid
RULE #2 – Avoid the Networking Trap
RULE #3 – Temper Everything with Scripture
RULE #4 – It’s Supposed to be Difficult
RULE #5 – Check your Pride at the Door
RULE #6 – Be Weary of Comparison
RULE #7 – Go to Class to Learn, Not Teach

You all know the guy who inserts himself into the Professors Lecture, thinking because he’s read Jonathan Edwards Resolutions, that he is now an “expert” on him. Don’t be that guy. Go to class, knowing that you don’t know half as much as you think you know, and the half that you know, you probably know half of it… and that’s okay.

You are in Seminary to learn, to grow, and to be taught. If that is the case, then it should be no surprise to you that there are terms, ideas, concepts, philosophies, theologies, preaching, evangelism, hermeneutics, discipleship, Christian Ethics, social involvement, worship, church structures leadership, Bible translation (Greek/Hebrew), education… that you flat out don’t know. Even if you are well read. And that chance you do know much, great! Keep growing!

What I find actually quite interesting about this rule is that how you approach Seminary will in some ways reveal how you will approach your role as a pastor. If you think you’re there to teach everybody, then you understand part of your role as a Pastor, but there is so much more. I may get into that later, but let me say this: you will never be as good a teacher unless you’re a good learner of your people. Be a good student and a good student you’ll be. Learn and keep learning… besides, isn’t that what we’re called to do? (see Matthew 28:20, 2 Peter 3:18)

Last year I returned to school and began to reflect on my time at Seminary and it’s impact on me, my family and my ministry. I thought I would share some “rules” that I’ve learned over my time. This is a series of posts, ten in total, that I will post over the next two weeks.

RULE #1 – Don’t Drink The Kool-Aid
RULE #2 – Avoid the Networking Trap
RULE #3 – Temper Everything with Scripture
RULE #4 – It’s Supposed to be Difficult
RULE #5 – Check your Pride at the Door
RULE #6 – Be Weary of Comparison

One of my favorite things about returning to Seminary has been the opportunity to have fellowship and camaraderie among fellow Pastors and Ministers. Some come from difficult situations, others not so much. But we’re all in this difficult labor together, and it is nice to just be among friends, talking “shop” and sharing sob stories of pain and difficulty among the wounded sheep. It is also nice to hear of friends who are seeing amazing fruit being birthed by the Spirit in their churches.

But, sin crouches ever so closely. Amidst this camaraderie comes the weary trap of comparison. It starts out just trying to get to know someone, asking about their situation and setting… but then “that” question is asked – “How many attend your church?” I will be completely honest. I hate this question. For some, it will speak of validation, and to others, it speaks of their failure. Yet neither is really true, and both are filled with pride and envy.

If you feel a sense of accomplishment when many people attend your church, it could easily be pegged as pride – you’re ungrateful and you think it is all up to you.

If you feel a sense of guilt and sorrow when few people attend your church, it could also be easily pegged as pride – you’re ungrateful, and you think it is all up to you.

Look – God has given you a ministry. He ordains that ministry. He has planted you in the garden of HIS choosing. So, be grateful that He even allows us to participate with Him in His mission. Read 1 Corinthians 4:1-2. Then go read 1 Corinthians 12:4-6. God calls us to be faithful, so be faithful. God gives each of us a gift – and He gives each of us the impact. When we are faithful to Him in these things, the temptation to pride, or despair, will be cast aside, and we will press on to what God has laid out for us ahead.

So be at peace where God has planted you… and be weary of coveting someone else’s garden.

Last year I returned to school and began to reflect on my time at Seminary and it’s impact on me, my family and my ministry. I thought I would share some “rules” that I’ve learned over my time. This is a series of posts, ten in total, that I will post over the next two weeks.

RULE #1 – Don’t Drink The Kool-Aid
RULE #2 – Avoid the Networking Trap
RULE #3 – Temper Everything with Scripture
RULE#4 – It’s Supposed to be Difficult
RULE #5 – Check your Pride at the Door

Pride may be the biggest threat to the Seminary student. Pride has easily permeated our culture by way of entitlement. I personally think that the culture of entitlement within America may be the rumblings of demise for our country, but more specifically, the church. The root of entitlement is actually pride. Entitlement is thinking that you are owed something, or that you deserve recognition, better grades, bigger church, etc. It comes at us in our weakest, and we need God’s grace to overcome.

So here is my encouragement to you… recognize the moments where you begin to think you deserve something. You and I deserve nothing! The sooner you check your pride at the door will be the sooner you begin to learn.

I will tackle my next five rules beginning on Monday! Thanks for reading.

Last year I returned to school and began to reflect on my time at Seminary and it’s impact on me, my family and my ministry. I thought I would share some “rules” that I’ve learned over my time. This is a series of posts, ten in total, that I will post over the next two weeks.

RULE #1 – Don’t Drink The Kool-Aid
RULE #2 – Avoid the Networking Trap
RULE #3 – Temper Everything with Scripture
RULE#4 – It’s Supposed to be Difficult

There is a trend at times in my own soul that if something isn’t easy, then I quit. When we do this, we tend to give up before we’ve actually even started! There are times during Seminary that you look at all you have to do, the things that demand your attention, Greek or Hebrew is difficult, nuances in systematic theology is complex, and quite frankly, you just want to quit.

This rule is to be more of an encouragement… if Seminary (or anything for that matter) were easy, it wouldn’t be worth doing. Seminary is difficult, but we plow through the tough parts so that we may serve our churches as better equipped men and women. No one should ever give up because something is hard, or difficult. So if you’re frustrated, press on and know that the labor you put in now will result in benefit and fruit later.