Thoughts on my first year at Seminary

I am told (and I vaguely remember) that when I was a little kid I would preach to anyone and anything (usually standing in the shower). By the time I was in middle school, I wanted to be an architect or and engineer; anything but a pastor or a preacher. In high school God began to work in my life in a major way. I knew I was going into the ministry then, but it seemed like a long way away. Plus, in high school, they had a guidebook on what degrees would take you to the path of job you wanted. When I saw Masters of Divinity, I thought, "oh know, I'll never do that." So then I wanted to be a teacher, then a computer programmer, then an accountant, and then finally I graduated with a management degree and went to seminary. I got married during the last year of my undergrad. One week after we moved to Waco, we found out my wife was pregnant. This is the scene for my first year in seminary.

Back when I was in college, I always wanted to know what to expect at seminary. I heard a few jaded ministers who went to other denominational seminaries and they were not thrilled with their experience. I met a guy who went to Southern who wasn't happy with his education either. So, here is what I think so far about Truett.

I have heard Truett called a liberal school, but I am finding that if anyone disagrees with someone else, they are liberal. Truett by far is the best academic environment I have ever been in and spirituality is emphasized just as much as the academics. Truett trains ministers, not just scholars, although there are a lot of top notch students who will be incredible pastors and professors one day. I think any school that fosters scholarship and free thought in education will be accused of being liberal, but Truett is extremely far from being a Protestant Liberal seminary.