In the late 1990s, when I first announced to my parents my intention to go to seminary so that I could further my theological studies in the interest of a career in ministry, my father's reaction was this:
"God forbid!"
But it wasn't what it sounded like.
My father had been on many church committees over the years and he knew how the sausage was made. His concern was that I was too idealistic and that when I got to my first church I would get chewed up and spit out.
Dad was honestly fearful that if I entered the ministry, I would get so discouraged by church people's behavior that I would end up leaving the faith altogether!
That never happened, obviously, but a class or two at seminary on the topic of "people being people" wouldn't have hurt.
I got a solid real-world education on that topic during my family's departure from Haiti 5 years ago.
And it left me better equipped for ministry today.
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