Memorial Service

Today I was the sexton for a memorial service in remembrance of those who died in the earthquake in Haiti. Now I'm trying to study for my New Testament midterm, and it's difficult.

Recently a prospective student asked me to name the pros and cons of my seminary. This is both a pro and a con, and I think this is true for all seminaries. You become aware of how powerless you are and how dependent you are on God.  The question of "why" starts to really eat at you. The paradoxes we live with everyday suddenly seem impassible... yet you're in this community of people who each have their own story about how God had led them through difficulties you never thought about. People are willing to stand up and trust in God. I think this is why PTS is so focused on community living. I couldn't have made it through my first semester without this community.

So if you're looking for a seminary to attend, don't just look at the academics or housing or financial aid. Look at the community. The other day I sat down with at a table of students, and we started talking about a hot button issue of the church today. Instead of defensive team-taking, we had a very honest conversation about the Biblical witness around this issue. No plates were thrown. No yelling happened. We just... talked and were willing to listen and were willing to say "I don't understand" or sometimes "I was wrong." No names were called. No labels were given. That is this community. Now that sounds like we're all constantly getting along and singing The Happy Song together, but we're not. We have a lot of different opinions and beliefs and interpretations, but that all seems secondary to the community. When our opinions, beliefs, and interpretations become primary (which they do sometimes) then we become "us" and "them". But I feel like those labels aren't easy to keep up here, especially when you're worshiping with the person or persons who have become the "them".

But today in the memorial service, there was no "us", no "them". No one tried to paper over the question of "why" even though no one could give an answer. Instead, we lamented and pledged ourselves to the continuing aid of Haiti and the Haitians.

If you find yourself in a place where you can give money to Haitian relief, please donate to the Red Cross. You can choose to give directly to Haitian Relief and Development.