|
Commentary
Living by the gospel
EDITOR’S NOTE: In what follows, "Towers" contributor Josh Hayes interviews Don Whitney, professor of biblical spirituality at Southern Seminary, about how seminarians can avoid entrapment in a seminary bubble. JH: To what level of ministry involvement should students aspire during seminary? DW: Students should seek for as much ministry involvement as their other responsibilities will permit. There’s so much about ministry preparation that can never be learned in a classroom. And there’s so much about ministry in the field when it occurs simultaneously with seminary study that deepens and clarifies the academic work.
14
towers
Whitney talks spiritual life in church, fellowship and burgers
JH: How can students stray from catching "living in the bubble" syndrome? DW: Once again, involvement in a local church is the key. By that I do not mean mere attendance, but also ministry in and through the local church. And the higher the percentage of seminary students in the congregation where the student is a member, the more the student should seek for ministry opportunities through the church to people outside the church. Ministries to nursing homes, prisons and other venues outside the place where the church gathers can be critical for giving the student a sense of regularly encountering the real world with the gospel. Seminary fellowship can be so enriching that students often have to be very inten-
tional about getting outside “the bubble,” otherwise, they may find themselves growing very content to live entirely within its safety and comfort. JH: What are some of the best ways students can create opportunities for evangelism? DW: The primary way always, of course, is to “think evangelism” as they are going about their daily lives. When we go to the grocery store, we should think evangelism. When we go get a burger, we should think evangelism. This is just part of loving Christ above all and living by the gospel. Further, students should see what opportunities for evangelism already exist through their local church. Third, they could talk to the leadership of their church about some
evangelistic opportunities that may have been considered but have not yet been pursued due to a lack of people to send on those evangelistic opportunities. Failing that, students should talk to some of their professors. One of my colleagues regularly laments the fact that he can provide opportunities for students to preach each week to prisoners who are eager to hear biblical preaching, but hardly anyone ever accepts his offer. JH: What is the greatest spiritual threat for seminary students? And, relatedly, how does the health of one's spiritual life relate to fostering a sense of community? DW: There are many spiritual threats that are especially dangerous for seminary stu-
September 2012 news.sbts.edu