What A Full Plate at Princeton Can Look Like

Here's a post I found from a princeton seminary student that gets me excited:

Saturday, September 17, 2005

A Full Plate

Those of you who know me know that during the last few days I've been a tad stressed out. My mind is about as still as a three year old after four candy bars; and my back is already beginning to give, it seems, due to a very heavy workload. What's on tap?

Systematic Theology II with Ellen Charry and George Hunsinger
So far it looks to be promising. We'll be reading Karl Barth via Hunsinger on Christology. Then in the second half of the course, Dr. Charry will lead us through the pitfalls of pneumatology and the third article of the Nicene Creed into the doctrine of the Church (ecclesiology) and issues in world religions.
The Doctrine of Election with Bruce McCormack
Dr. McCormack will guide us from the early church's conception of election/original sin into that concept's development by reformed theologians Calvin and Zwingli and into the theology of Karl Barth. **Salivating**
Foundations of Missional Theology with Darrell Guder
As Nick said to me last week, when the Pope (of missional theology) teaches a class, you sign up. Dr. Guder, now the newly appointed Dean of Academic Affairs, is teaching a class on something he wrote the book on. This class will help me get what I learn in Systematic II out into the real world of 21st century culture...er....I hope. Should be amazing.
Exegesis of Romans with Beverly Gaventa
Now this is the class that you all know I'm most excited about. Reading Romans with Dr. Gaventa, who just finished a 15 month sabbatical during which all she did was study this classic New Testament work, will be, as Paul might say, beneficial.
Introduction to Islam with Mr. Ibrahim (Pass/Fail)
This is what it says it is: an introduction to the history of the religion of Islam. Fairly pertinent, I think....
Introduction to Preaching with Sally Brown
That'll preach.
Now. All of the above constitutes a pretty full workload -- 17 hours to be exact. In addition to this during the week, I'll be working at Old Pine Presbyterian church in the heart of Philadelphia. Today I did what I'm going to be doing every Saturday: pastoring a Saturday for Seniors lunch program at the community center sponsored by Old Pine. I'm there from 10 a.m. till 1 p.m. every Saturday to listen to the stories of the elderly, to help them cope with old age, to pray for and with them, and to be their counselor. I'm twenty three. It's daunting.

On Sundays at Old Pine I will lead worship -- read prayers, read Scripture, and preach. I'm looking forward to all the challenges, triumphs, failures, and glories that come with this. But please, you who read this, pray for me. It's not going to be easy for me, and your thoughts and prayers are most needed.

Oh, and I almost forgot. In addition to all of that, I'm precepting introductory Greek at the Seminary! It's a job, so I get compensated (and handsomely!), but it will involve four more hours of class time a week plus grading quizzes and preparation. And did I mention I'm getting married in June? Yeah, it's going to be a full year....

....But our Lord is the one who gives us life, and life abundantly. I'd be a fool to lament the burden I bear for the sake of my calling, when only by the grace of God I'm not there.

Peace be with you all....

(taken from http://plax.typepad.com/fear_trembling/2005/09/a_full_plate.html)