Why I am going where I am going

I have been asked by some why I am moving. I am pursuing a Ph.D. degree for three primary reasons and a number of secondary ones. The main reasons include my desire to expand my influence on the emerging leaders of tomorrow’s church, to make a scholarly impact upon the church, specifically upon my church tradition, and to fulfill what has been a years-old vision for my personal life.

I taught Music Theory and Composition at Gordon College for a time. It was a successful and rewarding experience where I was well received and saw the impact that I was able to have on the lives of young adults. Through this experience, my teaching aspirations were confirmed. My experience left me with a greater desire to touch young lives for the kingdom of God. I presently work as the dean and primary teacher of a small local-church Bible school where I have the joy of collaborating with other men in ministry, teaching young adults the things of God and seeing them go on to serve in the world. I also work as the campus minister from our church to the four local colleges. In so doing, I am giving my life to teach and disciple young men and women who are at the threshold of adulthood and the leaders of tomorrow. Ultimately, I want to expand my circle of influence to the college aged leaders-to-be by serving the church through a faculty position at a Christian liberal arts college.

As a scholar in the charismatic tradition, I am aware of the need for teaching voices in a church culture that is largely pragmatically driven. It has been a desire of mine for over twenty years to be one of those voices. My goal is to serve the church by making a positive theological contribution to a stream that is conspicuously missions-minded and shore the underpinning of a passionate people.

Lastly, the vision of God’s path that accompanied his call pointed in the direction of teaching young adults. I see a Ph.D. as the next step of obedience to this vision. By taking this step I position myself to teach a broader group of people.

In addition to these major reasons, I would enjoy devoting more time to further study. I would like the opportunity to be sharpened by the acumen of the professors with whom I would study. I would also find it exhilarating to be challenged by a larger circle of scholars than I presently enjoy.

That is why I am going where I am going.