Spring 2011 Module, Nazarene Theological Seminary

After a year away, NTS called me back for my last set of 2-week module classes. I still have another year left, but all the remaining classes will be online.

I took Worship: Proclaiming and Enacting God’s Story in the morning (8:30am – 12:15pm) with Dr. Kieth Schwanz and 6 other students from Kansas City, Washington, and Chicago. We had lunch together once (at sweet tomatoes, where we presented a “condolences” card for the professor’s birthday), traveled to a couple area churches for discussion of liturgy, organized and led a chapel service, and spoke with Tim Suttle, recent NTS grad, musician, author, and pastor.

The evenings found me with Dr Judi Schwanz (Keith’s wife) from 5:30 to 9:45 for Core Relationships for Christian Ministry. There were 15 of us, including my roommate Richard and longtime friend Ryan Ardrey. This class is designed for first-semester seminarians, but I just happen to miss it until now – and found it incredibly insightful as in-service student with a local ministry context.  It was primarily a discussion on self-care for surviving in ministry for the long haul, rather than burning out and making my personal life and family suffer in the process.  Highlights include MBTI discussion (I’m an INFP!), meeting new friends, assigning a new type to Richard (IJJJ), opening class in prayer and mediation, andsmall groups.

Traveling was a lot of fun, and was facilitated by the VanAmburgs and Crystal Quinlan. Got to spend some time with Brad Hays (bang!), Beth & Steve O’Neill (and fam!), Jay and Kelly Wilson (brinner!), Arthur Bryant (and Jack Stack).