Which Brings Us to Our Word of the Day....

CREDIBILITY

So much of what I'm talking about is tied up in credibility, that is, the human standard by which we determine who is elligible for ministry.

I have a friend who recently decided to go into ministry. He was an Art major in undergrad, partied like a rockstar. He was a Christian, but he had morality issues in the public university. In my talks with him over the past 2 years I've seen him change. He loves God. He feels like he needs to do more with his life and feels a real pulling need to serve the Lord in His Church.

He is now enrolled in seminary and started classes on Wednesday. He isn't familiar with Theological Vocabulary or the many various hypotheses on pre-millennialism or post-millennialism. He couldn't debate his way out of a hat regarding baptism, glossolia, and couldn't quote a lick of Hebrew to you. He is so refreshing to me.

He was sitting in his class , The Gospels and Acts (sidenote: I even had to explain to him what the word "narrative" meant), and he was doing his best to keep up with the terminology but all he could notice were a bunch of oddly dressed nerds who were so into what they were debating that he felt that there was no way that any one of them would be able to reach someone like him, an outsider. I asked him if there were any guys in the class who were gay for their professors (cuz we all know that there are dudes who would go there in Bible college). They would sit there and talk all hour and be just absolutely fascinated with every word. They would argue and laugh at people who opposed their views and flaunt their spiritual masturbation.

I told him to listen to the words. But read up. Don't just swallow (another gay thing) every word that comes from your professor and don't just eat it up. There are plenty of guys who are willing to do that. He felt that not one of these guys could relate to an artistic, post-modern, secularly educated, young, professional, who has lived in the world from the world and of the world.

He feels like an outsider. That he doesn't belong to this elitist group of theologians. I'm glad for that. I know how many hours I've wasted thinking I was part of some elite caste of theology students. He feels like he may not fit in, but he's actually excited about that. I told him to get the information, to study other things other than what is recommended to read. He's behind and has catching up to do but he has the freedom to think outside the box he is feeding from.

He has a dream to reach lost people. If he gets too caught up in trying to impress his professors and colleagues then his effectiveness will suffer. I told him to stay in touch with who he is and stay in touch with his friends who are not saved. When he is released into the world to make new disciples, this will give him some real.....

CREDIBILITY.