In Answer to a survey from Seminary

Today I filled out an online survey from Reformed Theological Seminary, where I received my Masters' degree. I kept getting emails encouraging me to do it, and kept deleting the emails, but finally gave in today, and decided to let my voice be heard. At the end, here's some comments I put:

I hope RTS and other seminaries will move toward ecumenism and training men and women to lead churches and ministries that are effective in bringing the gospel to our society. I fear many churches are like little country clubs operating much the same way they did in the last century. We're focused on keeping things going, perpetuating the status quo, because that's all we're trained for. We're so focused on right doctrine...but it doesn't necessarily lead to right practice in the lives of not only our congregants, but also our leaders.

I hope RTS and other seminaries will learn from some of the emerging "new Calvinists" like Mark Driscoll and Mark Chandler, and dare I say, be willing to reach across denominational boundaries and learn from today's leaders like Craig Groeschel, Andy Stanley, Steven Furtick, Ed Stetzer, and Francis Chan, to name a few. I hope practical theology found in the writings and conference speeches from men like these will be brought more into seminary training.

My current ministry position is "administrative director." I have had to learn nearly EVERYTHING from the ground up--how to lead teams and volunteers, how to run an office, how to do budgets, how to do bookkeeping, how to run a portable church,...

I've been so thankful God called me into the direction he did. I love the church I'm a part of, leading and growing as a follower of Jesus alongside new Christians, young Christians, and those from other denominational backgrounds. Gone are the days of pastor do-it-all. Let's move into the future bringing the best of what the Reformed faith offers and humbly offering it to the world and the church, helping the bride shine as bright as She can for her Groom, Jesus!