Upon Further Reflection

So, along with being sick all this week, and being left to myself, I've had a lot of time to think through a lot of things. Sure, I've had to be careful about how much weight I give this reflection, having had some mild delirium most of this week and all, but there've been some thoughts rolling around in my mind that make a lot of sense.

See, I've been thinking about what will come after I finish up here at Florida Christian College in a year and a half. That's a year and a half away, and God only knows what will happen between now and then, but I'm starting to feel like I'm going to end up back in the Northwest when I'm done here.

It's funny. I've absolutely loved it here in Florida. I haven't missed the Northwest at all. It's where I've spent most of my life, but it doesn't exactly feel like "home" to me. Then again, neither does Florida or even my much loved Texas. Maybe it's possible that (subconsciously) I just don't consider any earthly dwelling to be "home." That's kind of cool, really.

But I digress from where I was going with this. See, as I think I've mentioned here (or on one of my Facebook Notes), I have this feeling that I'm intended for formal ministry. Realistically, the Northwest is least churched region in America. Then, like I said, it's where I've spent most of my life. This gives me a natural, firsthand understanding of the culture. If I were to return, I think I would also be fulfilling the aspect of the Great Commission that says "go into all the world."

Moreover, I've seen a lot of things go wrong with ministers' hands are anywhere near ministry money. Because of that, I've more or less decided that I don't want to be a paid minister even if I minister formally. Unless if God reveals this to be a pride issue (though I really don't think it is since I'm wanting to follow in the apostle Paul), my goal is to make a living through traditional means.

The added bonus to the Northwest is that I'm a formally educated computer guy (complete with degree), employed general tech guy, and, above all, I really do want to do something significant with music (and feel that God has given me musical talents for more than just my own enjoyment and occasional music leading for church functions). The Northwest is home of a great deal of technology-driven businesses, and, though I'm not particularly artsy, the culture is well suited to rising musicians. Which makes me say "Hmm. This actually makes a lot of sense."

To top it all off, I still very much plan on going to seminary. The more I think about seminary, though, the more I wonder if I really do need to go to Dallas Theological Seminary. Yes, I would love to go there. Yes, it is probably the most influential school in the reformed sector of Christianity. However, do I need to go there to accomplish God's intentions for me, or do I want to go there for the sake of going to what I consider to be the most prestigious seminary option for my purposes?

There's nothing wrong with going to a prestigious school, and the education there would be phenomenal, but would it excel significantly beyond an education elsewhere? Is it possible that God's purposes for me could just as soon be achieved with Master's work through another seminary? I'm inclined to say that the latter is likely to be true. As I see my student loans piling up for my Bachelor's degree, and I know that I could get into a completely legitimate seminary in the Northwest for a much lower price tag, financial responsibility starts to become a consideration.

Ah, but that's all that these things are right now: Considerations. I'm not saying that I will definitely be returning to the Northwest for good in a year and a half. However, I am saying that I'm not bent on staying here. I'll go where God leads, and the possibility of that being back to the Northwest is starting to look reasonable and even likely.

That's the latest in the mind of Kenny.