What now?

It has been nearly 6-months since I have written anything on this blog. It's been 7-months since I submitted my final test in the Doctor of Theology program that I took through Andersonville Theological Seminary. This past Friday I finally was able to walk through the commencement exercises in Albany, GA.

I can't even describe to you the joy it has been obtaining this degree. While it was very time consuming trying to complete each assignment, work in a full-time job, pastor the Church full-time, and be a full-time husband, and father, I've got to say it was well worth it. Getting to walk across that stage and be recognized for the hard work was very satisfying.

There is no way I could have accomplished all of this without the love, patience, and support of my entire family. They have been with me through thick and thin. My parents were also a huge help in seeing that I was able to go through the graduation ceremony and afford the trip to Albany.

The question that everyone keeps asking me is, "What now?" Everyone wants to know if I am going to stop earning degrees. So far in my life the Lord has enabled me to complete my AS in Electronics from T.I.E., a BS in Management from Fountainhead College, a M.Min. from The Crown College & Seminary, and now my Th/D. from ATS. Honestly, the only other degree that I am toying around with in my mind is my Ph.D. and I'm already looking into possible schools to attend. But, I think I will take a year or two off from school and work on the book that my dad was always urging me to write.

As I have told everyone, this life is short and there is no time to stop. We need to accomplish all that we possibly can while we still have the time. Or as the Apostle Paul puts it, "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." ~ Ephesians 5:15-16.

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Less school more sermon prep!

I have noticed a huge increase in the amount of time I have available nowadays since completing my doctorate degree. I guess I didn't realize how much time and attention it was taking away from my sermon preparation. Although I often combined school work with sermon studies, and at times the Lord led me to preach from my school studies, I wasn't really spending enough time researching like I used to.

Ever since turning in that last final exam it is like a load has been lifted from my shoulders. My mind seems clearer and I am back in the swing of sermon preparation all through the week. Instead of having my head in the seminary books, I can now spend more time in the Bible and commentaries. I've also been able to increase the number of sermons that I listen to every week instead of listening to lectures.

Don't get me wrong, I don't regret all the time I spent earning my degrees but it is nice to have a bit of normalcy back in my life. I have a renewed excitement about preaching and feel a lot more focused. I've even been able to prepare 3 or 4 messages a week to use for future sermons.

Not sure why I am sharing this, more or less just to write it out for my own benefit. But, anyways, thanks for spending time reading.

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Final Doctorate Exam Submitted

I really don't know how to feel right now. I am excited, anxious, and tearful knowing that I just submitted my very last Seminary paper to be graded; NTBB8538 Exposition of 1 & 2 Thessalonians. This one took me a little longer than I expected. Even though there were only 19 exam questions, they were pretty lengthy and detailed. I've also been very covered up lately with work and ministry duties. It seems nearly half of my congregants are sick right now so I'm stretched pretty thin.

All in all this last course took 27-days. Below are the specifics of the course work:

• Read all of 1 and 2 Thessalonians.
• Listen to and take notes on 17 lectures containing 12-hours of instruction.
• Complete a 19 question exam which ended up being 15 pages and 5,652 words.

It was so strange to click on the "send" button when I submitted my exam. It was almost like I could feel a load being lifted off of my shoulders. It is similar to after you have worked and practiced for hours for a large event such as a cantata or concert and when it is finally over you just feel overwhelmed.

I still have to wait for Crown to send my transcripts from my Master's program and then submit my diploma request and intent to graduate form to ATS and receive back my grades from the final two courses that I have submitted before I can officially graduate. Right now I feel like this is it for my education but you never know what the future holds. I never dreamed I would have went this far. I may still take some Greek and Hebrew courses for my own personal benefit.

I really appreciate the prayers from my family and friends and anyone that may have kept up with my progress. It is only by the Lord's good graces that I have been able to achieve my dreams.

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THEO7340 Doctrine of Christ - Complete!

The past 27-days have been like a roller coaster ride. So many things going on yet I have relentlessly pursued completing this course. This was a tough one for sure. Below is an outline of the work I did:

• Listened to 20 lectures totaling 14 hours.
• Read over 300 passages of Scripture.
• Took a 49-question final exam.
• Typed out 26 pages of notes totaling 6,675 words.

It is only with the Lord's help I was able to complete this course in the time that I did. I have also studied, prepared, and preached 12 sermons and prepared and taught 4 Sunday school lessons in that amount of time on top of my other pastoral duties and father/husband duties and of course my full-time job. Again, this isn't bragging, I'm letting you know that obtaining an advanced degree is no easy task. Anyone who thinks so has never attempted it. I will tell you this, it will be worth every minute and dollar sacrificed having the satisfaction of completing this degree. It may not mean much to the rest of the world but it means a great deal to me. As always, I desire your prayers as I have only one more course to complete before I graduate.

Last but not least: NTBB8538 Exposition of Thessalonians

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Much Learning Doth Make Thee Mad

"And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness." ~ Acts 26:24-25

I was listening to another preacher recently preach a sermon. He did a fine job capturing the attention of folks and his delivery was spot on, but as I carefully examined the content of his sermon I felt that I was being cheated because I hadn't really learned anything. Perhaps my view of preaching is not the norm but I have always believed that if a man of God preaches he should be preaching and teaching the Bible, not just pulling out a passage of Scripture to go with his own thoughts and ideas or spending 30 minutes telling cutesy little home-spun stories and anecdotes, but actually trying to relay to the audience the purpose of the written Word of God. 

All of the Seminary work that I have been doing for the past 6-years sometimes leaves me feeling that I may be going mad. My brain certainly feels like mush at times and my eyes are begging for a break from studying and staring at a computer screen. Sometimes I question myself as to whether or not it is all worth it or not. I know that's just my flesh speaking though.

When I first began preaching nearly 22-years ago I approached preaching much differently than I do now. I thought it was my job to dazzle the listening audience and to prove how witty I was. Most of my early sermons were topic based - topics that I had came up with on my own and used the Bible to back up my thoughts. How I wish I could go back and erase all of my mistakes of the past, but I cannot. But, I have learned over the years that nothing can substitute for good straight Bible preaching. There is nothing more satisfying than to take a verse of Scripture and expound upon it and letting the Holy Spirit do His work.

Expository preaching may not be popular or garner crowds of people but is that really what the ministry is about, some kind of popularity contest? I don't think that is what the Lord has called preachers to do. I know that one day I will stand before the Lord Jesus and answer for the way I have treated His Word and His Church and I would have to stand before him and try to find excuses as to why I wasted away the ministry telling jokes and stories instead of preaching the Word of God. Friends, time is too short and too many souls lay in the balance to water down the Gospel. We must teach and preach the Bible with great urgency, fervency, wisdom, power, and compassion in order to see lost souls saved and to please our Lord.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."~ 2 Timothy 2:15

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NTBB8102 Exposition of Matthew II - Complete!

I have to admit that I spent way too much time over the past 2-weeks working on this course. This course along with the 1st Exposition of Matthew are two of the toughest courses in this entire program. I wanted to get this one knocked out so it would be a little easier on my downhill ride toward the end of my Seminary studies. Only two more courses left to go!

Here are the details of the work I did in this particular study:

• Listened to 28 lectures totaling 17 hours.
• Read the Gospel of Matthew chapters 14-28.
• Took a 100 question Final exam.
• Read “Understanding Controversial Passages” by Dr. Hayes and wrote a 923 word summary on the book.
• Wrote a 15 page graduate level term paper on the subjects of "The Last Days" and "The Characteristics of the Present Age." 

Like I said, I probably spent way too much time on this in just a short 2-week period. I filled every available slot in my days and nights to do school work and my brain is nearly mush. But I have a great feeling of accomplishment and am ready to wind this thing down! Please continue praying for my ongoing efforts. Up next: THEO7340 Doctrine of Christ. 

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THEO7330 Doctrine of the Holy Spirit - Completed!

It has been 21-days since I submitted my last course so you know I have really been going at this course relentlessly. I will say this has been my very favorite course out of all of them I have taken so far. I've studied the working of the Holy Spirit for years but never on the level that I have been studying these past 3-weeks. I have learned a lot through this course especially concerning the work of the Holy Spirit during the Old Testament times as opposed to how He works in the New Testament times.

The Lord has already directed me to preach two sermons dealing with the Holy Spirit out of my studies and I feel that He wants me to preach more. I may end up doing a complete Bible study series on Wednesday night's concerning the Holy Spirit.

So, work involved in this course; I listened to 24 lectures totaling 17 hours of audio, typed out 78 pages of notes totaling 28,518 words, took a 9 page 2,293 word final exam, read a 223 page book and wrote a 1,206 word summary on it.

Next up - NTBB8102 Exposition of Matthew II - as always, prayers appreciated!

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Exposition in Matthew I...COMPLETE!

I believe out of all of the courses I have completed thus far this one was the toughest of all. Just in case you are interested in what all was required in this course let me give you a run down:

1. Read the entire 28 chapters of the Gospel of Matthew and write a 500 word minimum summary.
2. Read course textbook, Matthew Thy Kingdom Come, by John Walvoord and write a 500 word minimum summary.
3. Read course textbook, Matthew, by H.A. Ironside and write a 500 word minimum summary.
4. Listen to 20 lectures totaling 13 hours and taking notes.
5. Take an 81 question final exam.
6. Write a 5 page minimum research paper on the Roman Catholic theology of Mary as Mediatrix aor Co-Redeemer explaining their beliefs, Scripture references, and to refute their beliefs. (this was by far the toughest of everything in this course.).

All in all it took me over 2-months to complete working nights, lunch breaks, and any available free time. My brain is completely fried right now but I am excited that I only have 4 more courses remaining before I complete my doctorate! Next up: THEO7330 Doctrine of the Holy Spirit. As always, prayers are appreciated.

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NTBB8870 Epistles of John in the books!

I've been working nearly non-stop on this course. After 13 days, taking 22 pages of notes with 9,848 words, taking a 7 page final exam with 50 questions,listening to 14.4 hours of lectures, reading all of the Epistles of John plus reading a 296 page book by Zane Hodges about the Epistles of John, I have spent 65 hours total on this course.

Bear in mind, I am not telling you about this to brag, I am letting you know that acquiring an advanced education is very time consuming and not for the faint of heart. I will say that I do not regret a single second I've spent on my education through the years and although I still have more to go before I finish this doctorate course, I feel that I am on the downhill side from here on out!

Next up NTBB8101 Exposition of Matthew I

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THEO7200 NT Theology in the books!

Acts 26:24  And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

I think I understand what Festus meant now! Nine straight days of relentless studying listening to 15  hours of lectures, reading through all of the Gospels and most of Paul's letters, taking 48 pages of notes with 17,477 words and a 19 question final exam, studying, preparing, and preaching 4 different sermons plus working my full-time job at work and being a husband and dad... I believe I am truly beside myself and gone mad. I could use a vacation.. It was very challenging but very rewarding but I'm glad to have THEO7200 NT Theology in the books!
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Next up is NTBB8870 Epistles of John. I'm ready to get to working on it. Keep praying!

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NTBB8525 Exposition of Galatians in the books!

After 3-months of work, listening to 15 hours of lectures, writing 11,698 words on 27 pages of notes, taking a 25 question exam requiring 250 word answers for each question making it 9,556 words and 26 pages long, I am finally finished with NTBB8525 Exposition of Galatians! That along with the previous two expositions, wraps up the first section of three courses before completing my Th.D in Pastoral Theology. Lord willing I hope to graduate this time next year. Prayers appreciated.

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OTBB8865 Exposition of Daniel in the books!

I am so relieved to have this Daniel course completed! To say it has been challenging would be an understatement. I shared the following on Facebook today: "Well, after 90+ hours of work, listening to 13 lectures, writing 29 pages of notes containing 10,186 words, a 50 question final exam, and 4 detailed sermon outlines, I am officially finished with OTBB8865 Exposition of Daniel. That's two courses down and eight more to go. Up next; Exposition of Galatians. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!"

I started this course around Christmas time, shortly after I received my grades back from the first course. With work, family, and Church it has been tough finding the time to get it completed but working on it through my lunch breaks and slow periods as well as late at night, I finally got it done. 

As always, prayers are appreciated. 

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Doctorate Update

Old Testament Theology Grade

It's been a while since I posted anything about school. I finished my first course, Old Testament Theology, This course was challenging but rewarding. I enjoyed getting deeper into the Scripture and listening to the lectures. I ended up with 100 pages of notes and I took a 27 question exam as well. I sent my work in this past December and received my grade back about a week later. I was thrilled to receive an A for my grade.

Next up is Daniel. I have been working on it off and on for the past 3 months. There are 13 assignments and I am on the 10th assignment. I have taken 20 pages of notes so far. There is also a 50 question exam at the end of the course that I have to take.

As always prayers are appreciated.

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THEO8100 OT Theology in the books!

It has been one month since I received my curriculum and syllabus from Andersonville Theological Seminary. Today while on my Thanksgiving break I was able to send in my first assignment, Old Testament Theology. I spent numerous hours (around 16 I believe) listening to lectures on each and every Book of the Old Testament and writing an outline on each lecture. At the end I had to take a test which had 37 questions that pertained to the material in the lectures. I also submitted 94 pages of notes.

I will say that this has been a very rewarding experience so far. I always love doing school work when it involves Bible study. That's what I do most of the time anyway so it feels very good to actually be working toward my doctorate while doing the thing that I love most.. I also love how the Lord deals with me in the different books and leads me to preach messages and sermon series based on the subject I'm working on at the time.

I tried to calculate how much time I will be spending on earning this degree. It is a little hard to put a specific date or number of hours on it because of the way I have to fit it into my schedule. I work on the assignments during my lunch break at work and late at night before bed after I have my sermon preparation finished. On days like this week when I'm on break from work for Thanksgiving I have been able to spend several non-stop hours doing nothing but school work. But, I think I should be able to complete everything in less than a year. Hopefully by this time next year I will be able to graduate.

Next, I move on to New Testament Theology. As always, prayers are appreciated for me and my family.

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Don't call me doctor

It has been over a year since I completed my studies at Crown Seminary and earned my Master's in Ministry degree. Time sure does fly when you are having fun (and even when you aren't having fun). I really didn't think I would be longing to hit the books again for quite a while, but I was wrong. It's kind of strange the way I have gotten my education. I graduated in 1990 with an A.S. then I graduated in 2004 with my B.S. and in 2014 with my Master's, so they have come every ten years. But this time I just have a sense of urgency to get back to it. So a few weeks ago I applied and was accepted at Andersonville Theological Seminary in their Th.D program in Pastoral Theology. The only problem was that I didn't have the money to pay for it.

I began praying for the Lord to make a way for me to attend. The next week I was sitting at work and suddenly it was like the Lord just knocked me in the side of the head and reminded me about an IRA account that I took out around 10-years ago with H&R Block. I had completely forgotten about it. So I got to looking into it and discovered that there had been some kind of class action lawsuit against H&R Block concerning the type of IRA accounts that I had taken out. All of my money that I put into it was still there and accessible. I made a few phone calls, faxed some papers and am happy to say that the money went into my bank account this morning. So, along with those funds and some money I received for Pastor's appreciation and a scholarship that I received in the mail, I am able to begin my studies!

Some have asked me with working full-time, pastoring full-time, and my family responsibilities, how I have time to do anything else? My answer is, the Lord works it out. All through my Master's studies the Lord greatly used my study times as an aide to my sermon preparations. He was always leading me to preach messages from the Scriptures that I was studying at the time. So, it's almost as if I'm not doing anything extra, I'm just leveraging all of my resources effectively.

I'm really excited about getting started, the topics of study for this course are right up my alley:

30 Semester Hour Curriculum Overview

Section One

• THEO8100 OT Theology
• OTBB8865 Exposition of Daniel
• NTBB8525 Exposition of Galatians

Section Two

• THEO7200 NT Theology
• NTBB8870 Epistles of John
• NTBB8101 Exposition of Matthew I

Section Three

• THEO7330 Doctrine of the Holy Spirit*
• NTBB8102 Exposition of Matthew II
• THEO7340 Doctrine of Christ
• NTBB8538 Exposition of Thessalonians

Please pray for me and my family as I go through this program. One thing I do ask of you though, after I graduate I will have a Doctorate degree, but please don't call me Doctor...

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