“You’re mad!” That was my response when our founding director suggested investing in non-work related training for our team. Yes, training that is unrelated to the job they do. “You want to give all colleagues £1,000 a year to learn basket weaving?”
Yet, here we are – and I have been proven wrong. I am a convert. There is much merit in this idea.
Not many of us have a thousand pounds spare to invest in ourselves – learning about wine, cooking a gourmet Beef Wellington, mastering a language, or perfecting Krav Maga moves. Yet each of these endeavours broaden our circles of influence, enrich our experiences, and expand our knowledge beyond the echo chamber that is the political realm. Which, in our intense environment, can only be a good thing.
Soul stimulating
How am I using this investment? By pursuing a Masters degree in theology. It’s going to take me four years of bite-sized chunks – because my grey matter is somewhat slow to process these days, and new information takes some time to assimilate. But I think my soul is being enriched.
I’m studying with Union School of Theology, through their ‘learning community’ model. For two blocks of four days a year, I hunker down for intensive studies at Westminster Chapel, a short walk from our office. My dozen or so fellow students are mostly in full-time pastoral ministry, and range in age from their 20s to their 50s. Some have undergraduate degrees in theology, most don’t. They come from across the UK, from churches with just a few dozen members to those with many hundreds. It’s a stimulating environment.
After each intensive study session, we set about further reading and research before settling down to restlessly tap out 5,000 words. I procrastinate. Staring at the blank page. Eventually with my wife’s gentle encouragement, the ticking of the clock, and the aid of caffeine, I start to write.
More than mastery
It’s an excellent experience. The process of reading and thinking, pondering and praying, meditating and mulling. Acquiring knowledge is intrinsically edifying, but making it meaningful by allowing it to shape your thinking and character is even better. I’m grateful to my lecturers and course leaders, to my fellow students, and to College Green Group for part-funding my postgraduate studies. I’m also grateful to God.
I’ve submitted 20,000 words, so far. Passes disappoint me, merits bring relief, and distinctions delight. I’m a work in progress.
Session five is in September, on Scripture and Hermeneutics. This is to do with the principles of interpreting a text – and, more specifically, the observation, interpretation and application of the language therein.
What does that mean? It boils down to the fact that some of the Bible is meant literally, other passages convey a moral story, some texts are clearly allegorical in nature, and others could be described as anagogical, or mystical. Understanding the original authorial intent is key, and being able to read a passage in light of this, together with its context can open up a dull-looking block of text, and transform it to make the words come alive in a practical way.
Narrative matters. It’s memorable. Stories remain in our minds and move us. They stir us to thought and reflection, opening our minds and fuelling our imagination. They can inspire us and motivate us. I guess that’s why so much of the Bible is narrative.
The end is in sight (for the MTh, at least). Well, it will be after two more sessions and a 15,000 word dissertation. Wish me success, please.
