Competition at Seminary

It was an odd way to begin an academic career.  Almost from kindergarten, school has been a competition.  But when Dr. Guthrie addressed the incoming class at Covenant Seminary at the beginning of this past semester, the tone was markedly different.

He stood up before a room of eager incoming students and told us that our career in seminary was not about us.  It isn't about us looking good.  It isn't about us looking smart.  It isn't about having our intellectual itch scratched.  It is about the people that we would be pastoring when we leave seminary.  It is about our brothers that we will minister with.  It is about growing in our love of the Lord.

Because of these things, our experience at Covenant  is to be an experience of community.  Instead of competing with each other, we support, love, and care for each other.  The professors intentionally give us group assignments, and even finals, because it's not about us, but about the community of believers called the church.  If we do not learn this here, we may never do so.  If we don't learn this at seminary, we will do damage to our churches when we leave.

It is a lesson that is hard to learn.  Most of us at seminary have a certain type-A personality and a drive to learn.  It can be hard to take an exam and not wonder how you measure up.  It is difficult to unlearn what our educational and cultural institutions have taught us for so long.  But it is an important message.  It is something that, once grasped, will benefit others.  And that is a good thing, because, after all, it's not about me.

"Cor meum tibi offero, Domine, prompte et sincere."