The Center for Pastor Theologians

A little over a month ago I stumbled across an organization called the Center for Pastor Theologians through a colleague also studying at the University of St Andrews. One of the aims of CPT (which used to be called the Society for the Advancement of Ecclesial Theology, as it's referred to in the video below) is to foster a network of pastors who understand theological writing to be a part of the expression of their pastoral vocation in the local church. You can get a sense of the vision of the program in this video:


When I heard about the fellowships that CPT offers, I contacted Gerald Hiestand, the director of CPT, about the possibility of applying even though I'm not currently serving in the local church. He told me to go ahead and send in an application, and about a week ago I had a skype interview with the leadership of the organization. Last weekend, I got the word that I'd been accepted as an Associate Fellow (I'll drop the associate tag upon completion of my PhD and return to local church ministry). What this means is that this summer I'll fly over to the States for a three day symposium where I'll meet with the other pastors in my group to discuss a book and engage with our fellowship's mentor (in our case Doug Sweeney, a professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) and another guest consultant who has expertise in our particular topic. In the past, the books have been Kevin Vanhoozer's The Drama of Doctrine and James Davidson Hunter's To Change the World, and this summer we'll be looking at the book Christian Theology and Market Economics, with Dr. Stephen Gabrill coming along as our guest consultant.

I continue to feel strongly that my calling is to the local church, but at the same time we've felt quite sure that getting a PhD at St Andrews was the right next step for us.  I know of quite a few pastors who have pursued an academic PhD as a part of their calling and have integrated that into their particular set of gifts.  For me, the CPT provides a network of relationships and also examples in the other pastors I'll meet for how what I'm doing in St Andrews can be a part of the larger calling that I've been given to ordained ministry in the local church. 

I'm looking forward to the trip and to getting to know some of the other folks in my fellowship.  I've met some of the folks in the other fellowship -- Trygve Johnson, who is the dean of the chapel at Hope College, and Greg Thompson, who pastors Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, VA (and who Kate heard preach quite a bit during her year in Cville) -- and they are great pastors whom I respect greatly.  Grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to the experience.

Giving Thanks (Belatedly)

"Thou that hast giv'n so much to me,

Give one thing more, a grateful heart."

Celebrating Thanksgiving in a country that doesn't recognize it as a national holiday was a little bit of a strange experience.  No four-day weekend, no sitting around watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, no (American) football.  Of all the small changes and adjustments that we've had to make, this was one that I hadn't seen coming.  And of course we were about as far away as we've ever been from family for a holiday. 

That's not to say that we didn't take time out to celebrate our native holiday.  On Thursday evening after we picked up the kids from school we joined our friends the Buchanans at the flat of another American family, the Buckners.  It was a great time, and the Buckners had some great things planned for our kids to do so they could experience the spirit of the holiday.  And in early November, we gathered with the folks I share my office with (the Black room, named after former St Andrews professor Matthew Black) and their families for an early Thanksgiving celebration.  Both were amazing meals and great times with our new friends here.  

This Thanksgiving season it's been particularly easy for me to reflect on all the things for which I can give thanks.  The last year, and particularly the last year has been full.  Full of changes, full of new experiences, and full of God's provision. It's amazing to pause and to survey it all.

Kate: I couldn't ask for a better companion in this journey.  The move to Scotland has been in the first place a move for me - a great opportunity, a chance to study and pursue the dream of post-graduate work that I've had for some time, and more besides that.   While the decision to move has involved some sacrifices for all of us, Kate was sacrificing the most - moving away from her family, from her friends, and to another country.  Her willingness to take this step, the courage that she's had at every step of the way, and the continued sacrifices she makes for our family - I can't thank her enough.

The Boys:  These guys have really risen to every challenge over here.  Joseph - who we once (very mistakenly) thought was our shy child - has flourished over here.  We've started calling him "the Mayor" since he is saying hello to everyone (classmates, older kids, little siblings of his friends) when we're going to and from school.  His teacher selected him to be the class representative for 'pupil council,' the school's form of student government.  For James the move was harder, but after a rough few weeks when we were moving from house to house and our schedule was really irregular, he's found his stride.  He remains, as ever, our crazy curly-headed child.  They have loved the new patterns of our Scottish life - the new friends, all the parks and playgrounds, the dramatic increase in the amount of walking we do.  

Our families:  Probably the most nerve-wracking part of our decision-making process was talking to our families about Scotland.  At every step, they have been gracious and understanding.  We know it's not easy, particularly when the grandkids are involved (let's be honest - we're chopped liver in comparison), but their support has been great.  The support of my sister in particular has meant the world.  We're looking forward to a few weeks in the States and visiting with both of our families over the Christmas holidays. 

Our church family in Starkville:  These folks have blessed us so much.  They chose to be excited when we announced our move to Scotland and have supported us in so many ways.  Kate and I still talk about our last Sunday and how special was that day to us.  It is great to hear about the new senior pastor's start at FPC - Dr. Lifer seems exactly the person FPC needs for the next step in its ministry.  There are great things ahead for this congregation, and we're thankful to have been with these friends for the past six years. 

The St Andrews Community: Since we touched down in Scotland, folks from the divinity school and from the community have welcomed us and done whatever they could to help.  Within the first month, someone had driven me 30 minutes away to pick up our car, we had been over to three houses for dinner, we were given things for our house, playdates for the boys were scheduled, and more.  Culture shock here comes more from the lots of little changes that are made as opposed to something like a completely different language or a totally different diet.  The folks here go out of their way to make the transition as easy as possible.  It's an amazingly generous group considering that we're all living the graduate student life.

New Friends:  We had a wonderful community in Starkville.  One of the things that caused the most fear for us was wondering what it would look like to start over in St Andrews.  While we're still developing friendships here, the transition has been easier than we could have imagined.  I've found in my own program some kindred spirits.  Forrest Buckner is a fellow PCUSA pastor who has been a great friend and has encouraged me a great deal as I think about how my studies can be a blessing to the Church.  Esau McCaulley and I have had some great conversations about ministry (he's an Episcopal priest who served in Japan) and about his work under N.T. Wright.  And my office (The Black Room - Garrick, Gisela, Hauna, Matt, and Sarah) has been a great place to learn and to have some great discussions.  And there many, many other friendships that are forming here; there are so many great folks studying here.  Kate has joined a women's Bible study, a Downton Abbey viewing group (no spoilers, don't worry), and there's a great group of mothers who all have kids at Canongate.  I still keep in touch with folks from back home regularly (including a spike in communication with a certain group of friends before and after the Egg Bowl) but God hasn't left us alone here.

The Beauty:  It's really just amazing how beautiful it is here. The fall has been pretty glorious by Scottish standards, with temperatures regularly in the 40's.  The blustery days of grey, wind, and rain have been few and far between.  I will often catch a view of the North Sea from my office and am reminded just how amazing all of this beauty is.  When I run in the morning, my path takes me by the North Sea while the sun is rising and through the walking path of the Old Course.  My trip to the Highlands for the Torrance retreat has me eager to see the rest of Scotland - more of the Highlands, the West, and the Islands.  We hope to take advantage of that sooner rather than later.

God's Gracious Providence:  The past 18 months or so have been a period in which God's providence and active presence in my life have been clear and immediate.  There have been things over that period that have been difficult, as difficult as anything I have ever had to deal with.  And yet the sense that I have been carried along, that I have been been the object of His compassion in a way that has been amazing personal, has been with me.  It has been a special season, and for this I am particularly grateful.

"Not thankful, when it pleaseth me;

As if thy blessing had spare days:

But such a heart, whose pulse may be

Thy praise."

- George Herbert