Seminary Social Media Sound-off
Written by W. Ryan Burns · August 15, 2008
This afternoon I upgraded GoingtoSeminary.com to WordPress 2.6. Along with doing that I added a social networking feature that allows you to share articles on a couple social media sites (please share the love). After doing that I started playing with some of these social sites and got to thinking about how amazing the internet is. While, sure, it can be a big distraction during those long seminary classes… and when your writing papers… and when you supposed to be reading… and… yeah, it is always a potential distraction. That said, how amazing is it that you can get stay in touch with people all over the world with the click of a mouse. Not only that, but think of all the people you’ve met online! Heck, of the people who write for this website, I’ve only met 1 in person… I’ve never even heard these guy’s (and gal) voices before… CRAZY.
Well, that all said, I thought it would be a cool experiment to have everyone share their social network connections in one post so that we can connect on other sites. That said, leave a comment below and link to your social connections.
Here are mine:
Daily Hebrew and Daily Prayer
Written by W. Ryan Burns · August 14, 2008
Said at Southern give us a solid double this evening with your Daily Hebrew and a call by Terry to pray for your professors.
Called To Preach?
Written by Terry Delaney · July 21, 2008
If you were to ask most seminarians what their calling is, they would probably respond with something like, “I am called to preach.” For most seminarians this is true; however, I have had some recent experiences that leads me to question what it means to be “called to preach.”
I am not saying this is inherently wrong, but I have discovered (and have been found guilty myself) that because most of us are “called to preach”, we fail to see the other opportunities for ministry that come available. For example, I have been in a two month interview process with a church regarding a children’s ministry. When I was first approached about this ministry, I thought “no way! I am called to preach. I am not called to baby sit.” However, as I had more and more opportunities to preach from the pulpit for churches looking for a pastor, I have realized that God wanted me to look more closely at the children’s ministry.
Something funny began to happen the closer I looked. For the first time since my first time in the pulpit, I began to feel a little uncomfortable preaching. Next, I discovered I had a heart for the children (especially in the particular neighborhood of the church) and wanted to reach out to them and their families for the gospel. As I began to pray more for the children’s ministry, God poured such a deep love into my heart that the children’s ministry began to consume my every thought. The next thing I knew, I turned down an opportunity to preach at a church looking for a pastor because “God was taking me in another direction” is what I told the man on the phone.
I wish I could say that I came to this understanding of ministry and seminary life during a quiet time or time of communion with God, but that would be lying. No, it took an off-hand comment by one of my wife’s girlfriend’s as we were leaving her house after dropping our children off for the evening so we could interview with the church for the children’s ministry. She told me that she and her husband had been looking all over the Louisville area for a children’s ministry to no avail (I know of a couple good ones, but they have only become a major focus of the church in recent months). She said everyone tells them that “they are called to preach” and that children’s ministry would be like taking a step backward from their goals. (OK, that one kicked me right in the gut because that was my initial thought when I receieved the email about the position–I had served as youth pastor for a couple years about three years ago.) I don’t know why, but it struck a chord in me that I did not know was there to be struck. Between her house and the church (10 minutes), I was moved deeply to seek after this position with a passion that I can only explain as a gift from God.
I guess what I am trying to say is that while you are attending seminary, do not put on the blinders of being called to preach. When I was ordained, I was ordained not to the preaching ministry, but the gospel ministry. The gospel should be what drives our motives behind all we do. Sure, you will get more glory in the pulpit, a demon I am sure we will all have to fight, but do not deprive yourself from blessings because you are only “called to preach.”
Thrifty Thursday - Free Family Fun
Written by W. Ryan Burns · July 3, 2008
Having kids can be expensive… especially when “fun” is involved. Being an Orlando resident affords us many fun activities, however many of them cost a LOT of money. A trip to Disney with the kids would cost almost $200. So, needless to say we haven’t visited the oversize mouse just yet.
So, what do we do on our tight budget for family fun? Well, here are a few things but feel free to add your own in the comment section:
- Public Library - With younger kids this is a real winner. Most libraries have a kids section and numerous events just for kids throughout the week. Currently my wife takes the kids to story time once a week and the kids love it. Even when there isn’t a story time the library offers lots of fun stuff for the kids.
- Barnes and Noble - Typically once a week we go to B&N after dinner. It is a good way to blow those couple hours between dinner and bed time when you want to get out of the house but the weather isn’t cooperating. The kids section is great and, of course, there is the Thomas the Train toys to play with.
- The Park - If you’re a parent then odds are you know where every playground is within 20 miles of your house. This is a great option because it affords the kids a chance to play with other kids their age. Also, it is a great way for you to meet new people. Now, if you’re like me, you live in Florida and you only go to the park in the winter when it is 78 degrees. The summer heat is typically a bit too much for the park on a regular basis.
- Mall Playground - Sadly, the malls in Orlando have crummy playgrounds. When we lived in Richmond the mall was a weekly destination for the play area.
- Family Walk - Again, with the heat, these have become less popular with the family, however, when the temprature was right we often took an evening stroll together.
Now, I’m sure there are lots of other ideas out there, so lets hear’em…
Seminary Writers Wanted
Written by W. Ryan Burns · May 7, 2008
The semester is winding down and summer “break” is approaching. On my to-do list this summer is launch goingtoseminary.com version 2.0. One aspect of version 2.0 I am really looking forward to is the addition of more writers. As the comment sections will show, I am not the end-all of seminary information. There are many seminary students out there who have a wealth of experience and insight that would be tremendously valuable.
So, with that in mind I am now accepting applications for anyone who would like to join the goingtosemianry.com team. At this time the job is unpaid. Writing experience, link love, and the warm fuzzy feeling of helping people out is all I really have to offer. Should the Lord provide some sponsors for the site then I fully intend to share the love with the contributors… but, right now, I can’t promise anything. That said, here are the details:
Job Opening: Writer
Qualification: Current Seminarian, strong writing skills
Details: The position requires you to regularly provide articles relating to all aspects of seminary life.
How to Apply: Use the goingtosemianry.com contact form to let me know you are interested. Provide your name, seminary, and a link to your blog if you have one. In particular, if you’ve written any posts online that you would consider goingtoseminary.com material, please send me a link to that as well. For those who do not have an example piece posted online, I will need you to send me an example article of something you would write for goingtoseminary.com.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. I am truly looking forward to this next step in the life of this humble little blog…
OH, and part of the v2.0 launch will be the reveal of who Just a Guy really is… that’s right, for both of you who haven’t figured it out, I will finally reveal my true identity… I know! You can just about cut the anticipation with a knife!
Two Cent Tuesday - Term Papers (again)
Written by W. Ryan Burns · April 22, 2008
So, I have another paper to write this week. Honestly, I hate writing papers. It just doesn’t come naturally to me. I fell like I might overthink them too much or something. Anyway, I spent 7 hours in the library today working on this paper and have, basically, nothing to show for it. I’d say it takes me at least 10 to 15 hours to write an average paper. Is that normal? How long does a typical paper take you?
How long does it take you to write a paper?
Two Cent Tuesday - Praying for your seminary professors
Written by W. Ryan Burns · March 11, 2008
So, ever since I read Terry’s blog post Adopt a Seminary Professor I’ve been mulling over the fact that it never even crossed my mind to pray for my professors. Talk about lame. These professors are giving themselves to my (our) training. Does it not make perfect sense that I should pray for God’s grace in their lives and in their families… that he would bless their teaching and guard their hearts and minds?
So, by way of provoking us all to pray, this weeks Two Cent Tuesday wants to know how often you pray for your professors. Time to be honest here… and, I’d assume for most of us, it is time to make some changes.
Also, for what it is worth, after I was challenged by Terry I decided that, at the very least, I would pray for my professors at the start of their class. Why don’t you join me?
How often do you pray for your professors?
Your Seminary Blog Could Win You $10,000
Written by W. Ryan Burns · March 2, 2008
Oh Happy Day!
Good news bloggers, someone FINALLY wants to pay you. The folks over at college scholarship are hosting scholarship competition for BLOGGERS!
Everyone rush over and drop in your application. Now, the scholarship isn’t awarded until October but, hey, go ahead and get your entry in… then you’ll forget about it… until you get the $10,000 email!
E.R. and Atonement
Written by W. Ryan Burns · February 19, 2008
We interrupt this Two Cent Tuesday for a video clip from E.R.
Why do I go to seminary? Because I want to be that “real chaplain (minister) who believes in a real God and a real hell.”
This is intense:
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