Liminality

At Pentecost stand all members of the “Jesus Movement”-- few in number and weak in voice. But out of the clouds come roars of sound and violent winds. Flames of all sizes appear and spread from one Jesus Freak to another. One by one they speak in the languages of every tribe. One by one they get the attention of the people. One by one they talk about God’s power and draw a crowd to hear God’s message. But not knowing whether to be horrified or astonished, antagonistic pilgrims hold up their hands and shout, “Wait a minute. Aren’t all of you Galileans? How in the world do we hear our native languages being spoken?” Then hostile skeptics in the back shout, “The pilgrims are right. These crazy fools, these disciples are all drunk!” What’s going on here? The pilgrim crowd is attacking the disciple’s home community. The skeptics are attacking the disciples’ character defects. Both groups are trying to dismiss the validity of the disciples’ message. Imagine you are standi...

Seminary may seem like a marathon but it feels like a sprint. For the past three years I have been attending McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia. I just finished the semester yesterday and over the next few weeks (probably even years) I will be reflecting on how this experience has changed my life. McAfee has been a place of affirmation for me. I came here three years ago with a calling to pastor and McAfee helped me find a church. I came here to deepen my knowledge of faith and practice and McAfee walked beside me as I explored the contours of my faith and Baptist beliefs. I came here with theological assumptions and hunches and McAfee provided me the space and freedom to “work out my own salvation with fear and trembling.” I came here in search of a moderate Baptist community and McAfee made me feel appreciated, valued and loved. For all of these things, I am thankful. McAfee has been a place of learning for me. Because of McAfee I kno...