Seminary... a covert ministry opportunity??

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School... the home of boasted professors such as D.A. Carson, Dr. Vanhoozer, and Graham Cole; partnered with internationally renown leaders such as Ajith Fernando; the departure point of celebrated alumni ranging from missionaries hidden away in closed countries to world-traveling speakers such as Ravi Zacharias. As a school, TEDS' voice is loud in the who's who conversations of fame and significance.

However, Trinity is not just an educational institution. It is a community—a community of people committed to one overriding vision: a vision of loving God wholly, not only with their minds but with all their might, all their souls, and all their spirits. It is a community of people committed to one passion: that of serving God through his church.

The students of Trinity are also young, hungry to see a movement of God, filled with the power of the Spirit and with sound doctrine. Some students here are grounded in the Word, seasoned in ministry, certain of God's character, and aware of the calling on their lives to minister. Yet, this may not be the majority. Many here are on a journey... to know the Word, to know the Lord, to discern their purpose and calling, and to learn how to minister.

I have bee surprised by the "young-ness" of our student body. And surprised by the number of opportunities I have had to minister. Here's a synopsis:

1. An opportunity to affirm:

Trinity is a competitive environment that needs to hear the gospel. So I have the opportunity to say, "Jesus is gracious; it matters little if you are a Hebrew scholar, a smooth preacher, or a prolific writer. Success in ministry does not earn you security, privellage, or righteousness. In Christ, and him alone, you already have those things. He has made you are a minister of the gospel-- not because you are good at it, but because he is gracious. Trust the Spirit to use you and speak through you. Believe, rest, and cease striving."

2. An opportunity to yell like a prophet:

The Church needs the whole gospel. The church (and seminary) needs to hear they are justified by grace and called to walk in holiness. Pastors must preach the gospel and disciple their people. We must not neglect these crucial tasks; yet so often the church struggles to fulfill this call. We must learn to do both and do both well. In a place where pastor-in-the-making are being training, I have had the opportunity to say, "Learn to shepherd your friends, your family, your neighbors well. Knowing the Greek and Hebrew word for maturity or sin is world's away from responding to it in the church. Pray, plan strategically, and strive to build disciples and help others grow to maturity. Shepherding will demand your life-- your energy, your time, your money, and your pride-- but great is its reward!"

3. An opportunity for encouragement...

Seminary provides a space to boast in the Lord and in his body. Many times I have seen fear and discouragement overtake my peers. What place is there to fear when God has equipped his Church and promised to walk beside them in power? There is no room for fear in the midst of such promises! Yet, like children, we so often give into our fears. So, I have had the opportunity to say "If you have a word do not be afraid to speak it vulnerably, humorously, humbly, counter-culturally, cheerfully, and obediently. God has gifted and equipped you, walk humbly in his power."

Seminary is filled with broken people, seeking God... needing redemption. Perhaps the frightening thing is that these same people are the future leaders of the Church and the mission field. But isn't this the foolishness of the gospel? God using broken, weak people to glorify himself and grow his Church. Pray that Trinity, as strong of a voice as it may be in the who's who competition, would genuinely believe the gospel and grow God's people.