"And we've reached a verdict . . ."

Well, I know I previously wrote about my struggle with whether or not to attend seminary next fall. I'd just like to say that I've come to a decision. Much prayerful consideration has led me to apply and attend seminary in St. Louis in the fall of '07. As time goes on, this is becoming more and more exciting to me, especially since my fiance and I will be attending together. It will be a great experience to learn how best to minister to the lambs of Christ, knowing that God goes with me wherever I go.

A Tailored Education?

I was thinking today about the idea of an undergraduate degree. What does this really mean? Here I am, in my fifth year of college, with 140 some odd credits under my belt and 6 weeks away from earning my degree in Psychology. Reflecting back on my years here at Concordia, I've been wondering how I can actually apply what I've learned. I figured out that the majority of my classes as a Psychology major have been tailored to those people who will be actually starting a practice somewhere, counseling people and helping them with their problems. That's all fine and dandy, but what my concern is that since this is a Synodical school that puts out a majority of churchworkers, how are they tailoring their classes to best aide those people going into churchwork? Sure, my psych. classes will be applicable in some situations, but the majority of them were just interesting. I know this is a fine balance when the Concordia system prides itself in its accreditation, which I respect highly and am very thankful of, being that I'm a transfer student. However, the fact the my favorite and most applicable classes were my electives, really says something about how this institution prepares churchworking psych. majors.

Also, I've been having conversations with various students about the concept of Servant Leadership that has been ingrained in our minds since before we all started attending this institution. There is a general consensus that this catch phrase is overused and marketed beyond belief. It has turned a biblical principle of Jesus into a marketing campaign to put a pretty face on Concordia to draw students here and to build a firm reputation in the Synod. I've had my frustrations with it as well. It also makes me wonder about the faculty of the institution. The students here are taught to think critically about situations and ideas so that we can make a meaningful impact in the world and perhaps change some of the poorly considered situations that we encounter. However, the very people teaching us this principle are overlooking a problem on their very campus in which many students see a problem. I can understand overlooking a few students complaining about a stupid required class, but when an overwhelming percentage of students that have a firm understanding of ministry see a problem with the program, what does this say about the ability of the administration to serve the students as they so diligently strive to do. And don't get me wrong, they do a wonderful job at that in most other areas of campus life and education. But this one thing seems to constantly get overlooked and students seem to get ignored. They said, "Give it time." It's had time and is still not improving. Again, what does that say about the motivations of the concept? I challenge a reevaluation of this servant leadership, which could be used as an amazing tool with which to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Christian (Music) Experience

So, as you may have discovered by reading my profile, I am a musician. What does it mean to be a musician? Well, to me, it means to utilize a skill into which a person can pour the heart, soul, and mind so that others, upon hearing the product, may be edified. It's been going on for millennia. I have been influencing the musical world for less than a fraction of those millennia. So where does my place lie in the creative process? It seems that God has led me to a place where I can use the musical gifts that he has given me, not only to edify others, but also to edify him. Now, I've heard a common phrase lately about artists of the Christian persuasion that are 'watering down' their lyrics compared to previous album releases of theirs. This tidbit has gotten my neuro-gears cranking. Automatically it is assumed that because an artist-formerly-known-as-having-Christian-lyrics changes them to be more 'watered down,' that they have forsaken that which they once proclaimed. I find this to be a narrow and naive train of thought. I would say that Christians gifted with any talent - be it music or weaving baskets underwater - are called to use it in such a way that is edifying to Christ. Now the trouble with music is that some Christians believe that music is not Christian if it does not blatantly say, "I love Jesus and I want you to love him too," or something of this nature. But in my experience as a Christian musician (that is, a Christian who is a musician), we experience all of the struggles that everyone else faces. It just seems that we aren't allowed in the Christian community to write of said struggles. We can only write about being happy about Jesus. My experiences tell me otherwise. My thoughts, my soul, my heart, my motivations, and everything about me is a dynamic organism that has been and continues to be in constant change. The lyrics to my music through the years are a testament to this very fact. Who am I to say that what a musician composes at a specific instance in life is invalid because they claim Christ as Savior and yet 'leave him out' of their music? This is why some of my favorite music is by Christian indie artists that I have personal relationships with. I know their struggles and I know their joys. And if they don't mention Christ in one of their songs, I still have the assurance that they have not forsaken him or any of the gifts he's bestowed.