[Not] only for pastors
This week, I attended for the first time my M. Div. classes at Wesley Divinity School (WDS) of Wesleyan University-Philippines (WU-P). Yes, WDS is back in the WU-P fold starting this semester. The bishop and some church leaders and all students came for the inauguration of the students’ apartments and rice assistance distribution. I know most of them and they know me, too. And the common conversation was:
Them: Are you student here or teacher?
Me: Student, Junior.
Them: Owwss? Really?
Me: Yes, I entered seminary as a layperson.
Them: So you’ll be a pastor.
Me: No. I feel I am called to be a layperson.
Them: But why do you go through M.Div.?
It may seem that I am a confused young adult who doesn’t know what to do with her life and took a seminary degree, but I know in my heart that I am sure of what I am doing. Many people, including my mom, still asks the question why M. Div.? What are you going to do with that degree? Some think that I might be crazy enough to enter seminary considering that I am newly married and have a full time, rewarding job.
Seriously, as I write, I don’t know. But what I know is that the church needs theologically-educated lay people who understand the life and ministry of the church (including not criticizing pastors for what they are not, and assuming that seminary teaches everything about ministry).
Honestly, I was convinced to enter seminary because of the encouragement of my mentor. But like most people, I have a plan. I am not the kind of person who is persuaded to do something because of influence. I think through every decision and prayed for discernment.
I am in place where young adults are expected to have a booming career and climbing the corporate ladder. But I have long accepted that my career is in the church ministry; thus, my participation in the local, conference- and national-level leadership. I am also in a place where it is not a custom for lay people to go to seminary. When I took my M.Min. few years ago, I was already bombarded with a lot of “why” questions, even if the program was tailor-fit for lay people. Like one of my professors said, I am breaking tradition and many people may not be open to it.
Not being a local pastor and entering seminary or not even planning to go through the ordination process after coming out of it, may be unusual; but quoting a friend, I believe that “seminary-trained lay person just as valuable, useful, and gifted to the church.”
If later on I will decide to be ordained, that would be following God’s leading. Or if later on, I would step out of church ministry and take another career path; at least I would know and understand the life and ministry of the church that I chose to attend.
What an important statement to make! even though I AM in the ordination process, I completely agree that a seminary education does not require us, nor should it, to be ordained. More importantly, the church doesn’t need more preachers! We need more engaged, empowered, transformed and transforming lay leadership who are able to move our congregations (and our pastors!) toward places of vital ministry. This is something I know you will do! Thank you so much, Earlie, for our relationship and your willingness to honor the call God has so obviously placed on your life.