2 Down, 8 To Go

That actually is a little how I feel after my first 2 Graduate classes and here's why. I have never been one who really loves the world of academia. Not that I am a bad student, it's just that spending tons of time researching and writing papers is never something that lit my fire. So after finishing two classes now, part of me feels like I just can't wait until it's over. Now I know it will be rewarding and it will be a great accomplishment but is that all it's going to be?

I have been doing some thinking about the best way to obtain a better knowledge of scripture and ministry and how to make the most of my time here in Indiana. Is going to school for ministry really going to be as effective as, lets say, putting all of that time in at the church and gaining experience that way? Choosing to pursue a master's requires a great deal of time and money. And if I am going to give those two things, am I going to come out that much farther ahead when it is all said and done? Think of it this way. Everyday, the Church is pressing forward into uncharted territory. They are laying the ground work for new styles of ministry and new ways to be effective in building the kingdom and engaging as many people as possible in that. And so if this is all new, that means that it can't be taught in the classroom yet because it is still in documentation mode. By the time it hits the shelves and begins to be taught, it will be outdated because the Church has continued to press forward into even newer and fresher ideas.

So my question becomes, will what I learn in the classroom and the time and money spent there, really help me to be that much more effective in ministry or would it make more sense to spend that time and less money in the church where I would be part of a team that works together to blaze new trails and learn that process first hand? Just something I have been thinking and praying about. My goal is to learn to be more effective in ministry understand God's Word and to think outside of box. What are your thoughts?