And I am not just talking about my future though I am excited as I begin my last semester of seminary this week. The last three years have flown by, but I digress. I am talking about the future in general. As someone who is specializing in ministry to youth and young adults, the prime age of most in the military, I tend to work with those who will be shaping the policies and daily things in our lives over the next few decades. What I have found interesting is how many people as they get to my age, but mostly those a few decades older seem to think that the younger generation will not live up to their own accomplishments. I haven't been able to see much of a difference on a macro scale that others with more wisdom and age claim. On the micro and individual scale I do meet many younger people that leave a lot to be desired. I have also come to realize that my views may be a bit skewed due to my extensive work with youth and young adults that is long term in nature. But it still doesn't prevent me from defending those who are coming into their own right now. They have changed my life and will soon have that effect on others as they go forth in the world. This weekend showed me that there are many bright spots out there beyond just my own circle of youth and young adults that I work with.
I had the privilege of interviewing a number of high school seniors this weekend for a highly selective scholarship at Georgia Tech. I have never met or heard of any of these students before so they were definitely outside of my circle of youth. And from what I heard from these students, the world is definitely in some pretty good hands. They will not all go to Tech nor will they all get a scholarship there but they each have some great enthusiasm and energy to make their mark on the world and each in a different field and for different reasons. There were a few that humbled me in what they have already accomplished at a young age and just how amazing they are compared to me now, much less when I was back in high school. It was a pleasure to have a vivid reminder of just how amazing the youth that we run into truly are. Sometimes I get used to the wonderful students that I work with and think that I get to work with all the good ones when in fact they are just a sample of the talent in the youth and young adults all around us. Now if I can just figure out a way to make the church understand and tap that talent, I think things would be better not just for the church but for the world in general.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Time Flies By
It kind of hit me today that I only have one more semester left before finishing this whole seminary thing and I can't believe how fast the last two and a half years have flown by. This also reminded me of how much work towards ordination I need to complete in the next few weeks. I have to fill out the necessary paperwork for three bureaucracies so I can get interviews for them all. And it has to be done in a certain sequence so that it all fits together nicely. Hopefully, by the end of July it will all be done and I will just be waiting for orders of where to start the next phase of my military career.
I am also excited about the future chapter and that makes the necessary pain of all this work easier to bear. I can't wait to get it all done and then get out there as a full Chaplain and see fruits of the last few years of work and lack of income. It is also going to be nice as I get a four day weekend each week because I am only in class Monday-Wednesday next semester. Don't know how I got that lucky, but I won't complain too much. What is even more exciting is that I won't have an internship next semester, so I might actually have a lot of free time to work on this stuff and also to get out and see some of the more out of the way places of NC and also to go visit friends in neighboring states.
I am also excited about the future chapter and that makes the necessary pain of all this work easier to bear. I can't wait to get it all done and then get out there as a full Chaplain and see fruits of the last few years of work and lack of income. It is also going to be nice as I get a four day weekend each week because I am only in class Monday-Wednesday next semester. Don't know how I got that lucky, but I won't complain too much. What is even more exciting is that I won't have an internship next semester, so I might actually have a lot of free time to work on this stuff and also to get out and see some of the more out of the way places of NC and also to go visit friends in neighboring states.
Monday, November 16, 2009
It Finally Hit Me
It took a few days to finally realize that a mentor and friend in this seminary journey to becoming a Chaplain passed away on Saturday morning. David was my Hebrew instructor my first year here and he was only 38. He was jogging like he was wont to do, he lived in my neighborhood before he left to be a missionary Old Testament professor in Brazil, and had a heart attack. He was having issues getting a visa so was in Atlanta preparing and waiting. We had planned to go to a football game on Nov 7th with his two oldest sons, but he and the family went out of town that weekend. I got the call while out at dinner with non-seminary friends and it didn't fully register until tonight.
I really didn't like David the first few weeks of class. He was dead panned and seemed to have no care for us or any sense of humor. I thought about dropping the class or switching sections. Something told me to stick it out. Our class of 20 dwindled to 8. It seemed ominous. Then we got to know him. He was one of the most caring and able teachers I have ever had. He never gave up on me learning Hebrew. I know that had it not been for David I would have thrown in the towel. I literally remember throwing my books and notes a few times that first semester. He loved teaching, loved Hebrew, loved the Old Testament and it showed. He taught me a new way to read the Bible and a new way to preach what I was reading. He stuck with me and kept helping me out, despite all my frustration and complaining. He saw what I didn't. I came to love Hebrew. After that first semester, I made great grades in Hebrew. I even chose to exegete Psalms for my ordination exams and did fairly well. I never would have had the confidence to tackle Hebrew if not for him.
But it wasn't just the Hebrew class that got my respect. He really, deeply cared for each of us and always wanted to make sure we were doing well. I was glad to live down the road from him. I got to know him and his family, he had a wife and 4 wonderful kids. They would occasionally stop by when walking the neighborhood and always would take time to talk with me when we passed each other running in the area. Great people. It makes you realize how fragile this whole life thing really is. I knew that from working in the hospital, but when someone close dies it hits a bit harder.
David, you will be missed and the world is groaning a little without you here. However, you are now talking with the Biblical characters you so loved.
I really didn't like David the first few weeks of class. He was dead panned and seemed to have no care for us or any sense of humor. I thought about dropping the class or switching sections. Something told me to stick it out. Our class of 20 dwindled to 8. It seemed ominous. Then we got to know him. He was one of the most caring and able teachers I have ever had. He never gave up on me learning Hebrew. I know that had it not been for David I would have thrown in the towel. I literally remember throwing my books and notes a few times that first semester. He loved teaching, loved Hebrew, loved the Old Testament and it showed. He taught me a new way to read the Bible and a new way to preach what I was reading. He stuck with me and kept helping me out, despite all my frustration and complaining. He saw what I didn't. I came to love Hebrew. After that first semester, I made great grades in Hebrew. I even chose to exegete Psalms for my ordination exams and did fairly well. I never would have had the confidence to tackle Hebrew if not for him.
But it wasn't just the Hebrew class that got my respect. He really, deeply cared for each of us and always wanted to make sure we were doing well. I was glad to live down the road from him. I got to know him and his family, he had a wife and 4 wonderful kids. They would occasionally stop by when walking the neighborhood and always would take time to talk with me when we passed each other running in the area. Great people. It makes you realize how fragile this whole life thing really is. I knew that from working in the hospital, but when someone close dies it hits a bit harder.
David, you will be missed and the world is groaning a little without you here. However, you are now talking with the Biblical characters you so loved.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
On The 11th Day of the 11th Month
I think this photo from the WWII memorial sums it up better than I can. A veteran paying respects to his fallen brothers in arms. Thank you to all who have served.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
"Sir you are the craziest Chaplain I have ever met"
So said a Gunnery Sergeant yesterday as I was getting ready to run a 5 mile run with the candidates at 0530. I asked him why he said that and he told me he had never encountered a Chaplain that routinely ran and hiked with his unit. I thanked him for the compliment, but when I got back home yesterday that comment really bothered me. I really enjoyed the compliment and am thankful that the Gunnery Sergeant at Chaplain School was adamant about the need to PT with your unit in order to get the street cred to minister to Marines. I took that advice to heart and it is paying great dividends this summer. The more I PT and hang with the unit, the more they feel comfortable talking with me. The respect I get from these runs and hikes allows me to do my ministry in a more effective manner.
The real rub of the conversation was the fact that this senior enlisted Marine doesn't remember his Chaplain walking alongside the unit. That really began to bother me and the more I think about it the more it pains me that some Chaplains let down their units and decide to minister on their terms and schedule not that of their congregation. This may work when one is with a standard parish, but the congregation for a Chaplain just doesn't work that way. They have to see the Chaplain as one of them who is not there only when things go bad. I had another experience along the same lines last week when visiting a candidate at medical. A group of Marines made the joke that their quarantine watch was no longer necessary because if I was there it was a dire situation.
I now know that part of my goal when I finally get back to active duty is to change these stereotypes. We should minister in a way that it is normal to see the Chaplain at every PT session and hike. The Chaplain should be present in all aspects of the life of the unit, just as a normal parish pastor is present in the joys and sorrows of the congregation. At dinner with a friend on Sunday she commented on how similar my experience this summer was to the manner in which Jesus ministered, walking with people in their lives regardless of their situation. I have to admit, her comment really made sense and convicted me to work with my colleagues to limit the number of senior Marines that have limited interaction with their Chaplains.
The last two weeks have been amazing and I am learning a great deal from my Marines. I see such dedication from both staff and student and it drives me during some tough PT sessions. I have seen people in tears pushing through the frustration and pain to complete tasks. I have seen acts of selflessness that show me ways that I fail in that area. Lessons and images that I will carry with me forever. And as one would expect, I have learned new ways of exercising that will keep me fit without the need for a gym. These few weeks are definitely a highlight of my Naval career and I can't wait to get out there full time with the Marines.
The real rub of the conversation was the fact that this senior enlisted Marine doesn't remember his Chaplain walking alongside the unit. That really began to bother me and the more I think about it the more it pains me that some Chaplains let down their units and decide to minister on their terms and schedule not that of their congregation. This may work when one is with a standard parish, but the congregation for a Chaplain just doesn't work that way. They have to see the Chaplain as one of them who is not there only when things go bad. I had another experience along the same lines last week when visiting a candidate at medical. A group of Marines made the joke that their quarantine watch was no longer necessary because if I was there it was a dire situation.
I now know that part of my goal when I finally get back to active duty is to change these stereotypes. We should minister in a way that it is normal to see the Chaplain at every PT session and hike. The Chaplain should be present in all aspects of the life of the unit, just as a normal parish pastor is present in the joys and sorrows of the congregation. At dinner with a friend on Sunday she commented on how similar my experience this summer was to the manner in which Jesus ministered, walking with people in their lives regardless of their situation. I have to admit, her comment really made sense and convicted me to work with my colleagues to limit the number of senior Marines that have limited interaction with their Chaplains.
The last two weeks have been amazing and I am learning a great deal from my Marines. I see such dedication from both staff and student and it drives me during some tough PT sessions. I have seen people in tears pushing through the frustration and pain to complete tasks. I have seen acts of selflessness that show me ways that I fail in that area. Lessons and images that I will carry with me forever. And as one would expect, I have learned new ways of exercising that will keep me fit without the need for a gym. These few weeks are definitely a highlight of my Naval career and I can't wait to get out there full time with the Marines.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
OCS Week 1
No I am not a candidate at OCS here in Quantico, I am actually on staff for the next few weeks for some summer training as a Chaplain. I have been assigned to two companies of officer candidates to serve as a semi-Chaplain since I can't do everything a Chaplain does, but it has been a great first week. I can really see myself doing this job for the rest of my working life.
I was able to see the candidates on their first day when the DI's picked them up from the orientation leaders and have been alongside them in many evolutions since then. I have been doing some heavy PT that I have to arrive at around 0510 in the morning to get the brief and get ready to run, etc. I will be going out in the field with the companies, doing the hikes and such with them. I have been sitting in on their classes and of course helping out with worship here on base for the candidates. Today was great seeing about 700 people at worship, even if some of them were just there to catch a few moments of shut eye.
I was able to see the candidates on their first day when the DI's picked them up from the orientation leaders and have been alongside them in many evolutions since then. I have been doing some heavy PT that I have to arrive at around 0510 in the morning to get the brief and get ready to run, etc. I will be going out in the field with the companies, doing the hikes and such with them. I have been sitting in on their classes and of course helping out with worship here on base for the candidates. Today was great seeing about 700 people at worship, even if some of them were just there to catch a few moments of shut eye.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Catching Up
Wow, it has been a while since the last post. It was a busy semester that is now done and I am officially 2/3 of the way done with seminary. I am so ready to get back to doing work everyday. I have learned that I am better off doing things than talking about them. At least next semester I get to do Clinical Pastoral Education at a local hospital and that should be a good balance to the talking of the classes. A weird thing happened this semester however. It was my busiest and most difficult semester but I got the best grades so far. I guess that was the submarine training in me coming out as I played up to the competition.
In other things, I am now officially a candidate for ordination as my presbytery approved me last week. Now I just need to actually buckle down and study for the ordination exams coming up in August. If I pass those I am just some paperwork and interviews away from ordination. Oh yeah and I have to find a job, but the Navy paperwork shouldn't be too difficult. I get to head to Quantico at the end of the month for 6 weeks of training by working as a Chaplain U/I with a company of officer candidates at USMC OCS. I am extremely excited about that and actually know a few of the DI's heading there and my dad knows a few of the candidates heading up that way.
But before all that I get to spend time cheering on Georgia Tech at the ACC Baseball tourney that is here in Durham for the next five days. Plus, Duke made the tourney and is in the opposite group so I can cheer for them both. The fun all starts tomorrow at noon. I think we are heading to two games a day including each 8pm game for all 4 days. It is nice getting a 1/2 off discount because of being a student. It is nice to actually get a significant amount of relaxation time this summer that I didn't get last year.
In other things, I am now officially a candidate for ordination as my presbytery approved me last week. Now I just need to actually buckle down and study for the ordination exams coming up in August. If I pass those I am just some paperwork and interviews away from ordination. Oh yeah and I have to find a job, but the Navy paperwork shouldn't be too difficult. I get to head to Quantico at the end of the month for 6 weeks of training by working as a Chaplain U/I with a company of officer candidates at USMC OCS. I am extremely excited about that and actually know a few of the DI's heading there and my dad knows a few of the candidates heading up that way.
But before all that I get to spend time cheering on Georgia Tech at the ACC Baseball tourney that is here in Durham for the next five days. Plus, Duke made the tourney and is in the opposite group so I can cheer for them both. The fun all starts tomorrow at noon. I think we are heading to two games a day including each 8pm game for all 4 days. It is nice getting a 1/2 off discount because of being a student. It is nice to actually get a significant amount of relaxation time this summer that I didn't get last year.
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