Where have the days gone?

Happy Birthday to Me and other such stuff...

It's official. I'm 24. I've been 24 for a week, and it's not that great. The only difference is now I have to buy my own health insurance-which basically means I'm going the buy the cheapest plan and skip any annual check up visits until I get a "real job..." The good things is that I'm pretty healthy and don't have any major meds that I take.
The birthday itself was uneventful because I spent most of the day in the airport and driving back to GR. I was going back to school from spring break in TX. All in all it was a good trip. We spent most of the time pool side and playing cards. (Pictures to come)
My elder sent me a card asking me to let the church know what I was up to, so I thought I would include the letter on my blog for your enjoyment...or just stop reading after this if you aren't interested. (I won't be offended because it's kind of long...)

Things are going pretty well at Calvin Seminary despite that it keeps me very busy. I’m finishing up my 3^rd quarter of my second year at seminary. I finally seem to be getting the hang of this seminary thing. My first year was very hard adapting to a different kind of learning and environment. This year, I’m more familiar with what the professors require, but this year has been difficult I’m learning Greek and Hebrew at the same time! I have about 500+ Greek and 300+ Hebrew vocabulary words getting jumbled around in my mind. God has been so faithful in guiding me and strengthening me, so that I have been able to maintain a high GPA to be eligible for scholarships each year. I am anticipating graduation in May of 2009 with a Master’s in Divinity degree. Due to the curriculum changes in the last year, I have decided to finish my Master’s of Divinity degree in three years instead of four years. This requires me to take a couple of summer classes right after the 3^rd quarter ends. I can’t believe only have a year left! I will have to finish my 10 week congregational based internship after I graduate. I’ve been debating about extending my internship to a yearlong internship at a Christian school (maybe at an overseas missionary school?) I am planning on receiving my degree, but I am not going to candidate or seek ordination. I really feel God calling me to teach in a classroom setting. Part of my program requires that I preach 6 sermons, but since I’m not going to be ordained the field education coordinator will allow me to replace the sermons with chapel speeches at local Christian schools.

While in seminary, I’ve grown so much and been challenged to evaluate my beliefs and my reasons for why I hold those beliefs. Don’t worry, I’m still Reformed to the core! Some of the issues I’ve been wrestling with:

1. Women in Office/Ministry. I feel caught in the middle at times in discussions surrounding this topic because of the stance of our classis and church, my female classmates, and what the Bible says. I do not feel God’s leading me to be ordained to serve in the church, but after studying the Scriptures I am still somewhat confused. I do not see a clear “answer” in the Bible other than to continually be faithful to God’s laws and be led by the spirit. I see and cannot deny the God given gifts of preaching, pastoral care, and leadership in my Christian sisters, and I have listened to their call stories to the ministry.

2. I just got back from a week long seminar called SCUPE: God’s Reign in Our City sponsored by the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education. The seminar focused on God’s work in urban settings and the challenges and issues that are relevant to that setting (which could spill into our future ministry. During the seminars focused working poor, returning citizens who have been incarcerated, evangelism to Muslims, and unjust wars, I felt convicted through the workshops that I attended to begin to identify injustice that I see around me-the systems that perpetuate and exacerbate injustice. Also how I contribute to and if I fight against injustice. Social justice is often seen as a negative thing, but it’s our calling to love ourselves but also to love our neighbors. I’ve been evaluating how the church that I am attending in GR is loving and ministering to their immediate local community. What ministries are they doing to meet the needs of those in the community and at the same time living and speaking the Gospel in the world.

After I finish my summer classes in mid/late June, I will begin preparing to help lead the “Facing Your Future” program hosted by the seminary. The focus of the program is to promote ministry as a lifelong vocation. I attended when I was in high school after being nominated by Pastor Zeilstra and Mr. Jason Leif, and I learned so much. It helped discern my calling, introduced me to lifelong ministry friends, and challenged me to think about how my knowledge of God should really influence my daily life. For the first 10 days, the participates listen to lectures by seminary professors, learn about the different CRC ministries, and visit different CRC churches in Grand Rapids and other religious worship spaces. I encourage the council and pastor to evaluate the young people in our congregation, search out leaders, and nominate them to participate on the program. The “Facing Your Future” program was the best high school program I have experienced due to its focus and depth.

Thank you for letting me take your time to share with you what is going on in my life. I’m excited to see how God is working in our church and community. I’m planning on visiting home for Tulip Time. Lola Spoelstra is making me a new costume, so look for me in the baby parade! If you have any questions or comments please find me after church on the Sunday after Tulip Time. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support not only during my time at seminary but throughout my life as I’m discerning God’s leading in my life.

posted by Sarah @ 10:07 AM