From Our Students
The Seminary welcomed new and returning students this fall back into our classrooms and into our community. Four Master of Divinity students share their reactions about coming together as they return to (or start) their classes to prepare for the future.
Thinking Deeply about My Faith
Eliza Stiles S’24
On returning to campus: The best part about being on campus is the community. Whether it is in class, during community worship, or studying between classes, I think we are all just excited to be together. Our community dinners are a fun way to connect with staff, professors, and other students who are not in my classes. The friendships I have made with my classmates have become an invaluable part of my Seminary experience.
On preparing for the future: I am working on my Master of Divinity degree. This program perfectly fits my passion for both the academic world of ministry and the hands-and-feet work of the church. I can think critically and deeply about my faith while also always having an ear toward how what I am learning is good news to be proclaimed to God’s people. I am thankful that there is such an emphasis on personal formation throughout the program so I can be thinking about what I am doing right now to prepare myself to be healthy in my ministry for a lifetime.
Highlights: I am taking Gospel Communication this semester with Rev. Michelle Dodson. Our class is a small group, but this has given us the space to have deeper discussions. We all come from such different backgrounds and bring many unique experiences to our class. This class has helped me to ask different questions about our call to share the Gospel and has increased my sense of urgency to share the good news with others while being thoughtful about my communication.
Appreciating a Holistic Education
Andrew Lauber S’25
On starting Seminary: As I begin my Seminary experience, I have been in awe of the community of students and faculty as we complete our studies and prepare for vocational ministry. The residential community is experienced in the classroom, community worship time, and weekly meals together. I believe that I could not pursue theological, biblical, and formational education without the people that I am surrounded by.
On preparing for the future: I am pursuing a Master of Divinity with the hopes of vocational ministry and ordination in the Evangelical Covenant Church. The degree provides an integrated learning process of careful and thoughtful biblical and theological education with its role and function in ministry contexts. The degree is providing a bedrock for a future vocation in ministry. My education, so far, has reached a variety of areas from biblical studies to ministry, and to personal spiritual formation. I am eager to continue this holistic education as I see where the Lord leads me in this time.
Highlights: Rev. Michelle Dodson teaches an interconnectedness of theological reflection and spiritual formation with pastoral implications in our class called Gospel Communication in Context. Our class pays careful attention to the gospel proclamation in racially diverse contexts. Much of our class is centered around the ways in which our words matter in how the gospel is communicated across different social locations. I have learned how vital it is to recognize the interplay of communicating the gospel with history, sociology, history, semantics, and more.
Gaining Confidence and Clarity
Brittany Poku S’25
On returning to campus: I began Seminary during fall 2020. It was difficult for me to nurture relationships during that time as I was afraid of connection for multiple reasons, especially fear of COVID-19 transmission. Yet, as we return to ‘more normal’ times, I find myself able to show up a bit more fully. I linger after classes to engage with my classmates and professors. I regularly attend chapel services in-person and stay for the community dinner afterwards. It has been good to linger and spend time with the Seminary community after being fearful for so long.
On preparing for the future: I am pursuing the Master of Divinity degree. North Park Theological Seminary is helping to prepare me for my future by giving me opportunity to gain confidence and clarity in my vocation. Some individuals already have a vision of God’s invitation for their lives. That is not me. Rather, I could not even begin dreaming without space and time to unlearn harmful theologies and a guided exploration of what is possible. Therefore, the Seminary has been a tremendous blessing for me. The Seminary has given me the space and support I needed to learn more about God and dream new dreams.
Highlights: I am enjoying all my classes this semester, though Christian Worship with Dr. Dave Bjorlin does stand out. I have never planned a worship service before, and the idea of doing so had been deeply intimidating. However, through engaging lectures, readings, and scaffolded assignments, I feel myself growing less intimidated and more excited. Good worship requires prayerful planning and an attentiveness to the Holy Spirit, and when done well, it is transformative. I am grateful for this course because I might otherwise have never seen the beauty, blessing, and honor of worship planning.
Understanding Real Life Impact
Austin White S’25
On starting Seminary: This is my first semester at the Seminary, and it is off to a great start. I have been hoping to pursue a Master of Divinity for 10 years, so I have developed a lot of hope about what a Seminary experience would look like for me. I am so thankful that the Lord has led me to North Park. The entire community of faculty, staff, and fellow students have been more than I hoped for. In just nine weeks of classes, I have already felt welcomed, encouraged, challenged, and affirmed. I cannot wait to see what else God has in store for me (and everyone else) over the next few years.
On preparing for the future: I am pursuing a Master of Divinity with the hope of entering the field of chaplaincy in a medical setting. So far, I have deeply appreciated how my professors are committed to academic learning within the context of practical application. No matter what we are studying, the question “how does this impact our real-life ministries?” is always front of mind and invited into the conversation.
Highlights: It’s hard to think of only one. Each of my professors has been remarkably thoughtful, intellectually challenging, and incredibly supportive (shout out to Dave Bjorlin, Michelle Dodson, and Brittany Kim–all are awesome). However, I think my favorite experience this semester has been our weekly community worship and the meals we have shared together. To be able to worship with the people I am learning and growing with each week, and to develop deeper relationships through mealtime conversations, has been so special.