first day

As my first day comes to a close, I wanted to jot down some thoughts to remember what I've heard/learned in my first 24 hours.

I am probably young compared to the overall age of the incoming class, but I feel older than many of my peers. It seems like a lot are fresh out of undergrad and that's cool. I feel like they will do well because many of them studied the bible/religion for the past few years.

In one of my updates, I mentioned feeling intimidated by that and in some ways I am, but I also have a stronger sense of how God has led me here. In the morning session, many of the professors talked about engaging the current culture ("think theologically, engage globally, live christianly") , to bring our heart to the classroom as well as our minds, and to connect both with our hands when we minister. I feel like God has brought my to this point where I know exactly what they are talking about.

A huge part of my decision to go to seminary was based on needing to be better equipped to engage the world with the Gospel. I feel like I can be relevant, but not necessarily with the Gospel. It seems like GCTS will be a place where I will be trained for that. Very cool.

Another part of how God has led me to the decision to attend seminary is because in my ministries I had the heart for His people, but not the mind. Not that I was mindless, but intellectually and academically, I am ill-prepared for the effective ministry I feel called to do. GCTS also seems like it might be good for this too.

Then, there was this concept of connecting the mind, heart and hands, bringing all three to the table and how it is not a complete view of the Gospel without all three. Being able to exegete, do hermeneutics, etc is very important, but it is not as valuable without the heart for people. If you do both of these, this is great, but it is not as valuable without getting your hands dirty for God. This is what I want to be; a smart, big-hearted, filthy-handed, man. Like Jesus.

Pretty good for a first day no?