Origins

I had planned to make this blog a running deposit of thoughts and ideas as I proceed through my seminary journey but sweet merciful crap was summer language hard.

I think I've worked harder in the class for a barely "pass" grade then I have in any class I was working for an A+++ in. But anyhow it's behind me and all those wonderful heady posts about starting seminary will instead be a quick list to catch you up on what I would have written if not caught up in a thousand ways to say "destroy" in greek.

1. I carry the GREEN water bottle. Upon checking in and signing up, I recivied a green water bottle from the seminary. This served two basic functions: hydration and marking me as a n00b. This was good, people seemed to be much more paitent with me and helpful when I carried said water bottle than when I didn't. It may be nice to come up with a way to mark new people for the community, but I'm pretty sure the Nazi's like to mark people by class and a good rule is "if the nazi's did...don't". So instead I'll just continue to introduce myself as "I'm Kevin. Still new."

2. Being in the right place. There are so many little signs and wonders that remind you in that being in seminary is the right place for you. Many of my observations about this have revolved around chapel. I have overheard such things as "Man, I'm fried. Let's go to chapel.". For reference we sing hymns and listen to sermons in chapel. Think an abbreviated church every day. This is what counts as restful and restorative for us folks and I think that's a good sign. Upon picking up one of the knew hymnals that shows a good step forward for hymnals and their use by pastors, I overheard someone behind me comment "These new hymnals are sick dude, I can't wait to use them.". You sir, are right where you should be and have reminded me that so am I.

3. Majority and Minority can be so subjective. Coming from a amalgalmation of christian traditions, being a darwinian christian can often be difficult in christian communities. In one class I heard someone remark "I'm a young earth creationist with a literal reading of genesis and yes I know, I'm starting to think I'm the only one here.". this is the exact opposite experience I and many of my peers of had. It seems Seminary can be Bizzaro world sometimes. But like you realize you yourself are a Bizzaro and needed to return to this home you hadn't known you left.

4. Over Oriented. Our orientation has been long and intrusive. For summer language it's doubly so as orientation is repeated twice with little to know difference in material. All the material is useful, don't get me wrong, but each piece is useful for some individuals in the class, but I have yet to hear anything that was really valuable for all. make them optional and I think you'd get less people doing their reading assignments and "stepping out to go to the bathroom." Mandatory, repetitive, simplistic summer camp activities just serve to unify the students in their disdain for being treated like children. I wish we would have done lanyards so I had something to show for my time. Getting your social calender filled, learning to use a intuitive website and learning how to cite are all fine things if you need them, they're a bit of a burden if it's keeping you from other lifegiving work for school, family and soul.