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Theological Education Fund -
Helping our seminaries to serve our congregations . . . for generations to come.
- Question: How did you choose the seminaries you have attended?
In 2004, while I was a full-time Director of Communications at Texas A&M and involved in area-wide church youth programs, I began to audit programs through the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary Houston Extension Program. . . . After earning 15 credits at the Houston Extension Program, I figured it was time to take the plunge, begin the inquirer’s process and get serious about getting a Master’s of Divinity. But, I am wired for work. The thought of being a full-time student (and only a student) was not at all appealing. I wanted to be able to work full-time, avoid accumulating monstrous debt, experience an environment vastly different than rural Texas (I love being a Texan, but it was all I knew) and go to a Presbyterian seminary. That is how I discovered San Francisco Theological Seminary’s Southern California Campus. I had visited the Los Angeles area before and loved it. So, I came back again, visited with some faculty members and was extremely impressed with the program and people running it and in it. So, SFTS seemed to be the perfect place to complete my seminary studies. And so far, it has been.
I certainly didn’t think I would be moving to Los Angeles to attend seminary. But, when God is calling, you eventually have to pick up the phone.. . . .
What are your financial realities as a student in a Presbyterian seminary? Are you getting support from the church to attend seminary? A local church? From a Presbytery? From the national church? From the seminary?
Seminary is expensive, and I don’t think I could afford it if it was all up to me. I am fortunate enough to have the support of the church whose care I am under (First Presbyterian in Bryan, Texas). Additionally, I have received scholarships from the Synod of the Sun, PC(USA) and San Francisco Theological Seminary. And, of course, working my way through seminary helps financially. In the end, having to balance a personal budget that includes seminary, living in Los Angeles, and maintaining my connection to my church and presbytery in Texas is a set of skills that will certainly prove important no matter what form my ministry takes upon graduation.
What are your goals for ministry? What is your sense of call to ministry? Have there been pivotal points of discernment in your journey?
I love teaching, researching, writing and working with youth. If I were to graduate tomorrow, I really feel as though I would continue my work in youth ministry while working on a Ph.D. which would ultimately put me in a position to teach at a collegiate level while simultaneously being able to pursue some kind of college student ministry. I want to work with youth directors on intentionally connecting those who are graduating and moving on so we don’t lose them during their college years. I also am interested in exploring the effect social networking is having on the church and organized religion. How do we embrace it and build strong faith communities in CyberSpace? FaithBook instead of FaceBook? Perhaps…..
What is the most critical issue facing the church today from a seminarian's perspectiv
I am not terribly comfortable speaking for all seminarians, but for me—for this seminarian—the most critical issue facing the church is remaining relevant in the lives of future generations. I think that means embracing new technologies and implementing them into church life. I think that means meeting people where they are rather than holding fast to the “if we build it, they will come” mentality. I think that means being filled with humility and a willingness to admit we don’t know some things rather than pretending to have all the answers. I think that means having a strong sense of mission and service and truly being the hands and feet of Christ in today’s and tomorrow’s world. I think that means loving everyone no matter how different they may be from us.
Meet Seminarian Amy Klinkovsky