Dreaming Out Loud
I've now reached the point in my degree program where a mere five courses stand between me and graduation. I have mixed feelings about this; on one hand, it's becoming more and more clear to me that I'm running about as close to empty as one can get. I'm looking forward to being able to read for pleasure again instead of trying to sneak in some extra reading on the weekends, not to mention the fact that I'll have a lot more time to give to my family and faith community. On the other hand, I love being a student. I've developed some wonderful friendships with folks in my cohort, and I look forward to spending a couple of hours a week with them. Intellectually speaking, I like being forced to read things I wouldn't otherwise choose - it keeps my studies from becoming some grand echo chamber or something. But the looming question for me is one that gets asked more and more often the closer I get to graduation: so what's next?
I wish I had an answer to that question. My long term goals are to pursue a PhD program in theology and teach on the graduate level. But I also want to keep my feet grounded in the real world, so there's an element of ministry / mission that I think I need to pursue, and I don't know what that looks like yet. In any case, I need a bit of time to prepare for a doctoral program, so I have this mid-range scenario that hasn't begun to take shape yet. At this point, I'm getting somewhat anxious to know what's next, but all I get is this vague sense that something is coming and I'll know when it gets here.
Last night I sat on my deck under the stars and thought about what I'd love to do. It was surprisingly mild for November, so I thought a pipe before bed would be in order. I sat out under the November stars, a bowlful of fine Virginia flake in my pipe, and tried to put all of these thoughts in the hands of God. Here's what I'm wondering as a result of my midnight smoke: what's the space called between the academy and the congregation? I think that's where I belong. I think there's a need for some good applied theology, to borrow a phrase. Something on the order of ethics and missiology and biblical studies and apologetics all rolled into one. Who is it that takes theology and finds the meaning in it, the stuff that matters when I hit the pavement on Monday morning? I read a lot of stuff on either side of that divide, but not much that bridges it.
One of the books that arrived in my goodie box this past week is Models of Contextual Theology by Stephen Bevans. This is one of those that turned up on a syllabus for next semester but that had also been floating around on my wish list for a while, so besides the fact that I'm really jazzed about that class, I get to double up on my pleasure and academic reading. (Am I a geek or what? ;) At any rate, I was flipping through the book and found this definition of praxis - "acting reflectively and reflecting on one's actions". In other words, there should be an interconnectedness to our theology and our practice that results in each influencing, directing, challenging, and critiquing the other. When I started this blog almost two years ago, that's what I had in mind for this space - somewhere I could reflect on the practice of my faith. It's been that and more, I suppose. What I'm wondering now is whether there's something bigger I can do with that.
Models of Contextual Theology is a great book that clearly delineates the various ways of forming theology in context. If I can ruin the ending for you, I love his conclusion, "The best model for contextual theology depends on the context." Pure genius I tell you!
A few thoughts related to your post. First of all, I know that you have already drunk from the well of goodness that is ETREK, but I thought I should mention it as a possible interim thing to keep your grounded in learning while leaving room for ministry. Heck, I think that you could even lead an ETREK class. I'd drive down for it.
As far as something between the academy and the congregation, I have also given this some thought. Here's a quick synopsis of my idea.
I think that it could be helpful to start a center for faith and culture that would offer some courses, research opportunities, networking with social organizations, etc. It could be a place for classes, but not exclusively. The idea is to network churches and other community resources, while also providing some education. Some classes can even be self-guided with a resident faculty member, or at least classes could be tailored to fit the ministry situation of each participant.
I don't know how clear that is. It's all just rolling around in my head at the moment. But I think that something like that could at least be good for a state like Vermont that has a huge void in the area of religious education.
Posted by Ed C on November 14, 2005 08:18 AMScott,
While I would choose a cigar over a pipe, your reflections here sound wonderful--ecclesial dreaming at its best. It does my heart good to know that there are promising intellectuals like yourself out there that are even thinking about bridging this chasm that separates the academy from the congregation. But I guess my push back on that is that I don't think there really is a chasm or a need for a bridge. Rather, I think the real issue is that there has been a very substantial wall built between the two and it is time for the wall to come down. My hunch is that if that wall could come down we would find in that space between the two a church that was built on the mind of Christ where everyone could bring their charisms to the table for the edification of all the others. I have a ton of ideas germinating on this, but as one who lives on the congregation side of that wall, I doubt I can have any meaningful influence here. But as I said, I am very grateful that you, and others like you, are thinking this through and dreaming new dreams. Thanks for this very encouraging post and best to you as you continue your education and ministry.
James
I'll skip the pipe and the cigar thanks - but wouldn't mind a mild evening that I could be outside and contemplate the universe and the stars!
brrrr
scott, may God guide you right now - to find the place and the calling for this season. Amen
Posted by Lorna on November 14, 2005 03:37 PMEd - I'm humbled ;). Etrek is definitely on my radar for next year - the complication is arranging my work schedule to accommodate it. Time will tell, I suppose. On the other hand, your idea sounds interesting - I'd love to hear you elaborate on that some more.
James - I think we're essentially saying the same thing here using different metaphors. The challenge is in connecting the academy and the faith community. I think that scholarship has a great deal to offer the church, but it's too often, in my opinion, a sequestered discipline. For a while I was digging around to find info on programs in Practical Theology, but I was disappointed to only see courses connected to preaching and counseling in those programs. On the other hand, programs that focus on Biblical Theology end up being, from what I can tell, largely isolated from that same context.
I know that something of what I'm looking for might be better found in a DMin program. The problem with that is that I want to be able to do scholarship with an eye towards the body - and the academic world looks for a PhD. I don't know if I'm making any sense here - it makes sense in my head, but then I try to put it in writing and it doesn't come out quite the same way. ;)
Lorna - thanks for the prayers!
Posted by ScottB on November 14, 2005 09:44 PMHey Scott,
We must chat about a way to train people for ministry with an emphasis on excellence in Biblical knowledge while living in the trenches doing everyday ministry.That is where I am at lately as we look forward to graduating in May.I know many in the emergent conversation are hashing this around-kind of a step before seminary-that is the God-sized dream i am dreaming lately -so far I haven't found anything like it so perhaps it will have to be that we start it.Hey I know this church that's just starting in NE Pennsylvania.....Terry
