Today was Orientation for the entering students at the seminary. A great bunch of folks. I was intrigued by the diversity in the group, including the span in ages and life experiences. The group served to confirm the reality that the term “non-traditional student” hardly means anything in theological education any more. God is at work calling people from all walks and stages of life for the Kingdom. And it is humbling to witness that people are responding. And more humbling still, the realization that for some of us, the calling is to prepare those who’ve answered the higher calling.
Two significant parts of the formal pastoral education are wrestling with the question of one’s calling, and, the spiritual formation of the minister (of whatever stripe: pastor, chaplain, counselor, educator, etc.). Today’s conversation with the incoming students brought to mind a poem by Abu-Said Abil-Kheir:
If you keep seeking the jewel of understanding,
then you are a mine of understanding in the making.
If you live to reach the Essence one day,
then your life itself is an expression of the Essence.
Know that in the final analysis you are that
which you search for.
Abu-Said Abil-Kheir (967 – 1049)
Trans. Vraje Abramian
