Joel and I wore our Army Service Uniforms to the AGTS Christmas Banquet.  Here’s a photo:

P.S. Joel will be a Captain any day now.

I just finished reading The Radical Wesley and Patterns for Church Renewal by Howard Snyder.

I loved this book!  Not only does it tell the exciting story of John Wesley, but it gives a model of church renewal.  Snyder convincingly argues that Christian fellowship or community are essential elements in renewal. He says, “A personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior must be tied to a covenant commitment to the body of Christ.  Believers must be ready to take some agreed responsibility for their own lives and for the lives of their sisters and brothers in the faith.”

Beside the unfortunate tea stains, the pages of my book are covered in scribbled notes and underlines.  In my excitement, my comments didn’t remain in written form.  While reading, I actually heard myself proclaim, “Hooah! Wesley!”  This book makes me want to read a Wesley biography or two, start a small group, feed the poor and live a holy life.  That’s not bad for a church history reading assignment.

Today marks the beginning of my third year at AGTS. I’m half way done!

My classes:
Christianity in modern & postmodern eras
Communicating Christian faith in a pluralistic society
Practicum in Pastoral Ministry – With Pastor Loralie at Central Assembly of God

I’m really excited about this semester.

Jeremiah and Sarah started school yesterday. Joel starts a grad program on Thursday.

Hello friends,

I’m preparing to write a paper on Unitarian Universalism. If you walk too closely to me in the library, sit by me in a hospital waiting room, or talk too long on the phone you’re destined to hear about this religious group.

Feel free to add your insight and suggested resources in the comments section. ESPECIALLY if you’re an Unitarian Universalism chaplain or minister. I’d like to add a section in the paper about how to provide religious support for UUs… I’d also like to know what UU Army Chaplains think about wearing the cross on their uniform.

P.S. Pestered friends, if you’re terribly tired of hearing about UUs… hold on. Next week I’m going to talk of nothing but Church history. [Which conveniently has a lot to do with this paper too...]

I have a pile of books I can’t wait to dive into this summer. They’re not exactly ‘light’ reading… but they cover counseling and theological topics that I can’t fit into my seminary schedule.

Here’s the list.

I’ll post a photo of my pile when Amazon ships the two I just ordered.

P.S. Fellow seminarians, I know I’m not the only geek.  Let’s see a list of your summer reading.  Chris, I know you’ve got a pile of book twice as high as mine.

I recently turned in a 20 page paper for the Military Chaplaincy course at AGTS. It covered my call, my strengths and weaknesses as it pertains to the chaplaincy, my vision of ministry opportunities and challenges, free exercise of religion, pluralism, working with chaplains of other faith groups, and a personal fitness plan addressing spiritual, physical, emotional, mental and career growth.

Here’s the section explaining my call.

Me and my man.
[He was still in uniform because I made him come straight from work... just so I could get this photo.]

I’ve finally gotten a few opportunities to pull my ACU’s out of the back of the closet. Friday was Seminary Day at AGTS. Lunch and dinner were provided for prospective students by the Army, Air Force and Navy. Chaplain Candidates wore their uniforms all day and answered questions about the chaplaincy and about our Chaplain Candidate Fellowship Group. We also nabbed some swag from our recruiters.

Dr. George O. Wood, General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, [aka the head AG guy in the USA] preached during chapel. This was my fourth time to hear him speak. He’s hilarious, intelligent and insightful. Really, he makes me happy to be in this denomination.

Saturday I spent the morning hanging out with single moms while they got their oil changed for free at Central Assembly… no uniform… but free donuts.

This morning our church focused on missions. We filled the lobby with tables representing many of the Assemblies of God foreign and U.S. missions ministries. Nicole and I manned the AG Chaplaincy Dept. booth. We shook hands, handed out pens and dog tags, and heard about EVERYONE’S couisn/brother/nephew/neighbor who has served in Iraq or Vietnam or Korea or the Civil war… People love to tell these stories.

We had several cheerful men come tell us how important chaplains were to them when they served their country.

I also had a few interesting characters insist on saluting me… I know you’re not generally supposed to salute indoors… but really what could I do? Sometimes I just smile, but sometimes it’s just better to place people over protocol and salute the crazy old guy eccentric gentleman.

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Well… now I need to recover from all of this mandatory fun and start writing some papers! I only have 25 or 30 pages to write by Tuesday.