Darren's Page

When I was considering attending seminary, many people asked me why I wanted to go. I told them that I was interested in studying theology. I now realize that I didn’t really know what I was talking about. It is true, in a sense, that theology is a field of study as is history or science, but it is much more than simply an academic discipline.

When one thinks of a theologian, great thinkers of the past like Martin Luther or Augustine may come to mind. Perhaps one may conjure of an image of… Continue

I have, numerous times, been told that in the near future many seminary graduates will need to get a second job. Was there some memo that I missed about this? I get the idea, but i feel like i missed the boat on some source for this info.
Does this mean that i need to become a doctor to supplement my work in the slums (in the case that i do get placed in an urban parish)?

nevermind, i'll just invent some 7-step program for health and prosperty and hawk in on tv.

there seems to be a big debate on worship styles at my institution. sometimes it is like a rotten can of moldy puke worms. Or like debating the iraq war in west hollywood.

i like organs. and guitars. and drums. and harps. and mandolins. and trumpets. and tubas.

at certain times and places.



i like theologically orthodox words the best. whatever musical form they take.



I like Christ and the cross even more than that.



when did going electric take the… Continue

I've heard it claimed about one's church body that "This isn't your grandfather's church." If that implies that one desires that his church not be outdated and behind the times, what does that mean if you're a grandfather and you are saying that? Doesn't the same principle apply?
Oh, and my grandfather wasn't Lutheran. Nor my father, nor me until a few years ago. For whatever that’s worth.

it is amazing to me how many "mission" churches are stared in rich white suburbs not far from pre-existing churches of the same church body. I hear a bit of lip service to cross-cultural this or that, but it seems that when the powers that be desire to do mission work, the money and effort gets spent on the rich, white people in the suburbs instead of on say...urban, poor, non-white people and congregations (not to mention overseas mission work, or the reduction thereof) Is this a suprise? I… Continue