This should probably be a page, but we’ll keep it as a post. Today during a Bible Study, we were talking about making T-shirts for the answers to the same 10 questions that I have to answer on an almost daily schedule.
I don’t mind answering them, but they can become a little like a thorn in the side. But, as always, you have to answer them with a smile and care because even if you’ve heard the question 1,000 times to the person asking the question it may be the first time they’ve asked it.
So, in an effort to reduce the amount of questions, here are the top 10 answers to the 10 most persistent questions that I get on a near regular basis. I’ll include the question as well.
10. It’s a little south of Beckley, W.Va. If you’ve ever heard of Winterplace Ski Resort that’s actually pretty close to where I grew up. (Response to when attempting to describe where Shady Spring, W.Va., is located.)
9. I really felt a close connection with the faculty, students, and staff. I felt like I was home and I appreciated their concern with not only the education of the pastor, but the spiritual growth of the pastor as well. (Response to why I decided to attend Asbury Theological Seminary.)
8. It’s south of Lexington. It’s a real small town, so small that if you blink you miss the campus. I think there may be more seminary students there than actually regular town residents. (Response when attempting to describe Wilmore, Ky., home of Asbury Theological Seminary.)
7. I tried, but I was wait listed. Ultimately, however, I felt that whatever school admitted me first was where God wanted me to go to school. (Response to why I decided to go to Asbury instead of Duke Divinity School, which is closer to where I live currently.)
6. It’s a three year program, but can be four depending on if you’re a student pastor and other things. I’ll be going for my Masters in Divinity with a focus on youth ministry or pastoral counseling. (Response to both how long the program is and what I’ll be studying.)
5. I’m not quite sure yet. I may stay and do some summer school, and I may look at some ministry options. I’ll let it all work out after the first semester is complete. (Response to what my summer of 2008 plans are after my first year of seminary.)
4. I’m more conservative than I am Republican. In fact if I had to register to vote today I would vote independent, because I don’t believe either party truly represents the conservative viewpoint today. They are both big government and big spending parties. (Response to what my political views really are.)
3. I never pictured myself becoming a minister or wanting to be in ministry. I grew up wanting to be in communication, writing about sports, or news, or politics. However, when I started to feel this desire (calling) to ministry, it was the greatest joy that I’ve experienced to date. In fact, it felt natural, to the point of feeling right from the start, as if everything else was just warm-ups to what God has planned for me. (Response to going into ministry after being a writer.)
2. I’m going to stay in North Carolina when I’m done with seminary. I feel as though this is home. This is where I was called. It’s where I learned where it means to be a follower of Christ. It’s where I feel God is leading me to be, but it doesn’t mean that I’m turning my back on W.Va., and my Appalachian roots. I feel like part of what I will be doing is some form of service/mission in the Appalachian regions. (Response to where I plan on serving upon graduation of seminary.)
1. Aug. 17. Aug. 19. Sept. 4. (Response to questions about the last day of work, last day at Christ United Methodist Church, and first day of class.)
