On Sabbatical

I think it's well past official by now, that I am on a sabbatical of sorts. The Chicago Seminarian newspaper, the SeminaryAction project, and the Interfaith Peace Teams are all on hold for at least a semester. At GlobalServe, we're taking time to get settled--all 45 of us--and continually get to know each other.

Personally, it's been a time of much transition. Jorge and I are merging households to prepare for the marriage, and each weekend we get a little more done on simplifying and reducing our material possessions. We also try to spend 'Preacher's Sabbaths' (Fridays and Mondays) together, since we often work or have other commitments on the weekends. We've also been trying not to schedule meetings before 10am, so that we can spend a little time with each other before the busy days.

I just passed my last written ordination exams, and will turn in my preparatory paperwork for the final ordination interviews with my committee next week. I need to prepare a worship service, sermon, and sermon exegesis; along with an updated statement of faith. I'm less worried about preparing the statement of faith, than the sermon and exegesis. Usually I like to speak to current events, but this is going to be turned in a month ahead of time. But if all goes well, I'll be able to begin searching for calls just before Christmas. I still hope to do new church development, church transformation, or a combined parish/non-profit leadership call.

I turned in my Ph.D. application to CTS, and we'll simply see what happens. I finish my constructive theology in January; I would start the doctorate, if allowed, in February. There's a question as to whether I can start if my oral defense of the theology won't be until March. It's just half an hour I've been told, but some of the faculty could insist I not start until the fall. Hopefully the MA I already have lends weight to my being able to start sooner. I have also thought of going over to CTU, for their Doctor of Ministry in interfaith peacebuilding, and also for spiritual direction. It all depends on which doors open.

As for the writing projects, they continue on. After giving a presentation on the results of the Center for Faith and Peacemaking these past few years at the AAR (American Academy of Religion) conference, I also got the opportunity to meet some new prospective publishers. I will post a list of my projects soon. As one editor said, "well, we know you'll be prolific."