Doctor of Ministry Update

Well, I have attended the all the seminars and completed all the coursework.  The past three years seem to have flown by.  Thanks to everyone who has been praying for me.

On Monday, Sereena and I embark on a three-month writing sabbatical to Los Angeles in which I hope to finish the final requirement of the D. Min. programme—a doctoral dissertation.

My subject is: Listening to Sermons as a Community.

The focus will be on how to maximise the Sunday sermon experience by connecting it to genuine Christian fellowship.  Let me explain. . .  I think that in our individualistic postmodern society, the church has fallen prey to the idea that spiritual growth—via listening to sermons—is a personal journey which we all take alone.  This individualism is evidenced by the huge interest we take in the popular 'pixel pastors' whose sermons are readily available online, and are enjoyed from the comfort and distance of our own homes.

Of course, there are some benefits, but there are down-sides too.  Here's one: I think we have learned to bring that individualistic sermon-listening mindset into the church.  The result is that when we actually come to church, sit and listen to the Sunday sermon, we listen to it alone, never thinking that maybe we have a responsibility to respond to the sermon as a church, not just as an individual.  I'd like to encourage the church to rediscover the vital link between genuine Christian fellowship and the Sunday sermon.

So that is the project.  Let me know your thoughts and comments.

Please pray for me.  I am a little nervous, not knowing just how I will go, sitting in the library all day, every day.  Sereena will be there encouraging me.  Please pray for her too :)