Why Seminary?

This summer Sadie and I got to take a month-long vacation. It was by far the longest we had been away from Albuquerque and the week-to-week rhythm of ministry since Refuge was planted in 2015. For me, the break was a time for questioning personal and vocational direction. I remember reflecting on two things. 

First, as I thought and prayed and imagined my future, I could see myself capable of doing many things. I’ve had a personal mission statement for a few years: to inspire people to take lifestyle risks for the good of the community. I’ve imagined that I could do this in business, or in the marketplace in many ways. But over and over, and very clearly on this vacation, my heart settled on doing this as “pastor.”

Second and more importantly, during this summer's trip I reflected with Sadie about how I’ve always felt called to some sort of radical life with Jesus. And Sadie would laugh in agreement. I’m the one in our relationship who has initiated conversations about a rule of life, or taking screen-time fasts, adjusting our budget to be able to give more, and the like. I’m sure I wrestle with legalism, and I know I struggle with “doing for” vs “being with” God, but I feel a deep longing for Jesus to be everything, my center, my daily companion.

And so in deciding to pursue seminary, yes, I do want to grow into my vocation and pastoral identity. I am eager for the reading, and mentorship, and opportunity to be poured into—a welcomed help after graduating college and going straight into planting a church at age 22. But deeper than that is a desire to fall more in love with Jesus. To gain tools and experience and knowledge for a lifetime of ongoing transformation, learning to walk in step with the Spirit, and hopefully inviting others along with me.