The time is coming…
Soon I will be leaving…
New adventures are coming…
The Time is coming soon
It is time to prepare,
It is time to pack,
It is almost time…
In a few weeks I will be leaving God’s Country (The Pacific Northwest) to head to a new place. That place is Delaware, Ohio. I have never been there, and I do not know what to except. I don’t know where I will be living, just where I will be going to school. I know not how I will get to church, or for that matter what congregation(s) is/are closest to Delaware, though I know there are several in the greater Columbus area. At first my only modes of transportation will be my two feet and my bike (which has some problems, hopefully we will get it fixed before I leave). So it will be an interesting experience.
In the next few weeks I will be slowly going through all my stuff, that which has never been unpacked and that which has and figuring out what I need to take, what I need to keep but not necessarily take with me, and that which I need not. My goal is that all I need/want to take will fit in the van, nothing more. In my mind as I go over the things that I need to take, I think it will all fit, but I am unsure, only time will tell.
At this time my Dad and I are looking to take off on the 18th of Aug, maybe the 19th. Depending on how many hours we drive a day it will probably take 3-4 days to get there and thus give me a couple of days there before Orientation on the 25th. Hopefully on the 26th or 27th we will drive up to Kirtland and spend a bit of time there. On the 28th classes start.
For my first term at MTSO I will be taking the following Classes:
Mondays:
Consultative group
Ministry of Evangelism: Theology and Practice
Tuesdays:
Exegesis Practicum
Introduction to Christian Ethics
Wednesdays:
Church’s Educational Ministry
I am unsure from titles alone how these classes will be. The one I am most unsure about is probably “Ministry of Evangelism.” I’m just not fond of the word “Evangelism” I think in part because of how much harm has been done in the world by people saying that is what they were doing, when in truth they were not but rather trying to promote and push their secular culture as if it was part of their sectarian teachings. I am for sharing the Peace of Christ, and inviting others to know Christ, which I know is technically “Evangelism” but for me the word often brings up the negative that has been associated with it by those who have not respected the worth of all persons, or the wonders of diversity of cultures and understandings. I am fairly confident that the class is not connected in any way to those negative feelings I have toward the word, but still I prefer other phases, such as “Share the Peace of Christ,” “Invite others to Christ,” for with these terms there is less of a push to “convert” (Convert to what? Historically and even still for some religious traditions it has been to secular with a dash of the sectarian, when it should only be about aiding others to know God through Christ and honour their current relationship with God and their culture, history….), and more of a respect of the worth of person, culture and current relationship to the One who Creates. The One known by many names, among Christians one of those names sound like three “Eternal One, Christ and Holy Spirit” or the traditional wording “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” or “Father, Son, and Holy Ghost”, a single name, yet one that sounds as if it is three. A name that reflects the triune understanding of three that are but one. From that understanding comes also a desire, and an understanding of being in right relationship in community. (But, that is a discussion for another time, such as in the past when I wrote a paper for Christian Anthropology entitled “Human in Community,” and possibly for the future as well).
Form titles alone “Exegesis Practicum” doesn’t sound all that “wonderful” and yet it is the class that without experiencing them I am looking forward to the most. I am sure all of them though will be interesting experiences and will present new opportunities to challenge me, cause me to think, and to grow.
Time seems to be flying and yet seems to be standing still, it is hard to explain…
If anyone who reads this has any advice, be it good inexpensive places to live in Ohio that welcome cats, info about congregations in the area, or anything else, or anything else you want to share with me, please do.
Peace,
— Lyle II