Another chapter is finished...Thank you God and...

I am writing to say that my three year journey through the Doctor of Ministry program at Wesley Theological Seminary is almost done. At 4:45pm yesterday, I sent two copies of my project down for a final review, binding, and inclusion in their library (does that mean I am published now???). Lisa and I went out to celebrate with a meal at one of our favorite places in town (Penobscot Bay Inn) with a gift certificate that good friends gave us at Christmas. It's been an interesting walk with Christ during the process. I was able to explore and write about a subject for which I have great passion, small membership churches, and to learn many new ways in which we can work to restore the self-esteem of those churches.

I am grateful and will certainly miss the many friends from across the country that I met and the opportunity to spend two weeks each May and January gathering with others who were very committed to growing God's kingdom here on earth. Dan, Tom, Elbert, and Victor helped to create a wonderful and varied group of individuals (African-American, Korean-American, converted Jew, Euro-American, and Louisiana-American)from which I learned a great deal. Some of our conversations about ethnicity, ministry, family, regions of our country, and just everyday stuff were priceless and very educational. Each night we'd head out for our meal and we never really knew what we'd be eating. We had Chinese food in Chinatown, Authentic Korean, Ethiopian, Mexican, American, and of course chicken from Popeyes (I don't know which food group that fits into).

I am grateful for the chance to read a wide variety of books that have helped to shape my vocabulary as well as my ministry. I give thanks for the chance to learn from professors who were committed to us as students. For those who required the traditional papers and those who challenged us to be creative. From those who talked straight through in our classes to those who encouraged a great deal of conversation amongst the students. I will always remember how we rigged up wireless in one of the few rooms without it so that we could stay up with the world on the rare occosians when the lecture didn't interest us. How many times did we use "AOL IM" to send messages to each other instead of the scraps of paper we used in high school...LOL

Most of all though, I am grateful for my wife, Lisa. She pushed me to get my doctorate when I graduated from Duke and when I brought it up three years ago, she said she knew it was only a matter of time (I think that's how long it took me to be willing to open a textbook again!!). She allowed me to travel to Washington DC for a total of four weeks for a couple of years without much comment. During one of those journies, as we were working on the Lilly Grant that blessed our lives last year, she noticed a mistake I had made and coordinated everything at home to make sure the paperwork was submitted correctly and on time. She has been a quiet and supportive presence when I've spent hours reading and writing. She gave up precious family time so that I could spend more time with Weems, Ray, and Kemp. When I finished my paper last night, she seemed just as excited as I was, and she should, for she was a vital part of getting it done.

I do want to thank God for this opportunity and challenge. I don't care about being able to be called "Doc" or "The Rev. Dr...." but rather that I received an opportunity to better serve the small membership churches to which I believe God has called me. It was God who gave me the chance, the drive, the words, and now the responsibility to use what I've received for the glory of God and the good of all.

This chapter has finished but I believe there is another one about to begin...