I had been on staff with Young Life during my entire tenure at
Fuller. My position had changed several times during those nine and a
half years. However, with each change, it seemed my classes were complimenting
what I was doing.
I took a conflict and conciliation class and found myself right in the
middle of a conflict with some leaders on my team. I was able to use the tools I learned in this valuable class
to work through the issues and reach a resolution.
I took a preaching class and was asked to speak at a weekend camp for
middle school students. It was
timely to use some of the pointers and methods from the class to really refine
my talks to be applicable to this age group and well executed. I remember one girl came up to me after
one of the talks and said, “That was a really nice speech.”
However, I think the most valuable lesson I learned was the importance
of being both theologically sound and pastorally sensitive. This comes into play all the time. Just the other day I was headed up to a
Young Life camp in Canada. Another
woman and I struck up a conversation with the man who was driving the
boat. He was asking us why the book
about Jesus being married and having children was not being talked about in
Christian circles and in church. I
told him it was because the book was fictitious. He thought he had read a true story. My friend asked him if he knew about
Young Life and what we were about.
His only dealings were with our camp. He said he loved what we did because all the kids at camp
seemed really happy and to be having fun.
I told him that they aren’t always happy but that we give them truth as
we share Jesus with them.
Shortly after graduating, I began a new role in Young Life as
Associate Regional Director of Western Washington along with being the
Regional Trainer. I feel that my
degree helps me be a better trainer of our new staff and supervising Area
Directors. I often have the opportunity to address groups of leaders,
teach Bible study or give a seminar.
Sometimes I reference my seminary training. When people realize that I have gone to seminary and have
graduated, they usually applaud. I
am aware that this training has given me a platform to speak with authority
about Jesus and I am humbled. I am grateful for the staff at Fuller
who helped me achieve this goal; for their experience and expertise in guiding
and teaching me. I use the
tools I learned in seminary every day to support our staff, research specific
topics and pastorally care for others.