For What It's Worth
by Anonymous
Last year's Student Council and Dean Lull approved a mentor program that will pair new students with returning students. Thinking about this program and the friendships that might blossom reminded me of all the questions and confusion I had upon my arrival three years ago. I'm hoping other returning students will post comments here and add to (or disagree with) my two cents, offering advice and helping to calm some nerves that might be out there.
If you are interested in being a mentor or learning more about the program, email Judy Hedman (jhedman@luthersem.edu) in the Student Services office.
BPE (Bible Proficiency Exam) ~ Studying for the BPE before taking it once is like driving around a new city without a map and hoping that you'll happen upon your destination by chance. Take it once or twice and let yourself fail so you understand what you’re studying for. We all fall on our faces sooner or later in seminary and ministry – the BPE isn’t the time or place for perfection, so practice failing now – at the very beginning.
Financial Mentors ~ I had a financial mentor during my junior year. I was straight out of college and trying to figure out student loans, scholarships, a monthly budget. I was placed with Tom, who has a daughter about my age. He got to tell me everything he tried teaching his daughter and I listened to Tom's financial advice the way my dad wished I listened to him. Tom would take me to lunch and come hear me preach at my home church. Financial Mentors are local Christians with a connection to Luther Seminary. They enjoy giving of their time and talents in this way...and it's FREE.
ConEd (Contextual Education) ~ It’s a great way to connect with a congregation and lead if you’re not from the Twin Cities. It’s an even better way to find mentors and niches of ministry you’re called to explore. Practice boundaries and limiting yourself, which is hard for us people pleasers. The commitment is only ~8 hours a month and an opportunity to find out more about congregational settings and your call.
Discipleship/Advisors ~ It’s important to have (at least) one or two faculty members on campus who really know who you are. Your advisor can be one of these people. Get to know your discipleship group and take a break from the academic/performance aspect of school for an hour each week. Pray for each other. Listen to each other.
Buying Textbooks ~ Books are expensive. Buy the ones you think you’ll want to reference again someday after the course is over. Buy the ones you want to read. Use the library, online retail, your pastor’s collection and used options to lower your personal cost.
CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) ~ Apply early - six or nine months ahead of time isn’t too soon. Applying to several will keep your options open. Consider the commute, whether you will be taking classes during CPE and what your expectations and needs are when applying.
Internship ~ Think outside the box. If you have the flexibility to move geographically, go for it! If you are looking for a local site, try a community that is different from your home congregation or past parish experience. Consider the kind of supervisor you would learn best from (micro-manager, independent, verbal, etc) or the environment that would challenge you (rural, suburban, urban, growing, declining, etc). Read online applications from churches and supervisors in February until you’re blue in the face. Sign up for a lot of interviews – you might learn a lot about what you do need from a supervisor or congregation that doesn’t fit you at all. Don’t rule out supervisors and congregations that don’t come to interview. Ask to have a phone interview if they are too far away.
Talk to your classmates, advisor, pastor and seminary mentor. Ask your questions and be curious about this strange journey called seminary. I hope you have more to add to this discussion and will post your opinions or disagreements – it’s all a little less scary when we realize that other people are wondering about the same things!
If you are interested in being a mentor or learning more about the program, email Judy Hedman (jhedman@luthersem.edu) in the Student Services office.
BPE (Bible Proficiency Exam) ~ Studying for the BPE before taking it once is like driving around a new city without a map and hoping that you'll happen upon your destination by chance. Take it once or twice and let yourself fail so you understand what you’re studying for. We all fall on our faces sooner or later in seminary and ministry – the BPE isn’t the time or place for perfection, so practice failing now – at the very beginning.
Financial Mentors ~ I had a financial mentor during my junior year. I was straight out of college and trying to figure out student loans, scholarships, a monthly budget. I was placed with Tom, who has a daughter about my age. He got to tell me everything he tried teaching his daughter and I listened to Tom's financial advice the way my dad wished I listened to him. Tom would take me to lunch and come hear me preach at my home church. Financial Mentors are local Christians with a connection to Luther Seminary. They enjoy giving of their time and talents in this way...and it's FREE.
ConEd (Contextual Education) ~ It’s a great way to connect with a congregation and lead if you’re not from the Twin Cities. It’s an even better way to find mentors and niches of ministry you’re called to explore. Practice boundaries and limiting yourself, which is hard for us people pleasers. The commitment is only ~8 hours a month and an opportunity to find out more about congregational settings and your call.
Discipleship/Advisors ~ It’s important to have (at least) one or two faculty members on campus who really know who you are. Your advisor can be one of these people. Get to know your discipleship group and take a break from the academic/performance aspect of school for an hour each week. Pray for each other. Listen to each other.
Buying Textbooks ~ Books are expensive. Buy the ones you think you’ll want to reference again someday after the course is over. Buy the ones you want to read. Use the library, online retail, your pastor’s collection and used options to lower your personal cost.
CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) ~ Apply early - six or nine months ahead of time isn’t too soon. Applying to several will keep your options open. Consider the commute, whether you will be taking classes during CPE and what your expectations and needs are when applying.
Internship ~ Think outside the box. If you have the flexibility to move geographically, go for it! If you are looking for a local site, try a community that is different from your home congregation or past parish experience. Consider the kind of supervisor you would learn best from (micro-manager, independent, verbal, etc) or the environment that would challenge you (rural, suburban, urban, growing, declining, etc). Read online applications from churches and supervisors in February until you’re blue in the face. Sign up for a lot of interviews – you might learn a lot about what you do need from a supervisor or congregation that doesn’t fit you at all. Don’t rule out supervisors and congregations that don’t come to interview. Ask to have a phone interview if they are too far away.
Talk to your classmates, advisor, pastor and seminary mentor. Ask your questions and be curious about this strange journey called seminary. I hope you have more to add to this discussion and will post your opinions or disagreements – it’s all a little less scary when we realize that other people are wondering about the same things!
posted by Anonymous at 10:42 AM
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