Equipped to Shepherd
For as long as I can remember, my life has been closely tied to the local church. When I was just five years old, my family moved from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to a suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina, where my father took on the work of helping replant a small church. In many ways, I grew up alongside that congregation, watching it grow, change and take shape over the years.
That early foundation would eventually come full circle. After stepping into ministry myself, I had the opportunity to return not just as a member but as a pastor serving in the very church that helped raise me. What began as a full-time internship turned into a long-term calling, one that continues to shape my daily life and ministry.
A Calling That Requires More
As an associate pastor in a smaller church setting, I quickly realized that ministry is anything but one-dimensional. My responsibilities stretch across nearly every area of church life: discipleship, teaching, music, counseling and missions.
On any given week, I might be meeting with young men for discipleship, preparing sermons, teaching both teenagers and adults or helping lead worship. I also take part in organizing and leading mission trips, all while walking alongside people through real-life challenges. It’s a full load and one that requires both depth and breadth.
But while I was committed to being faithful in my role, I began to recognize there were gaps in my training. I needed stronger tools for handling the Scripture, deeper theological understanding, and greater confidence in areas like counseling and biblical languages.
Building a Stronger Foundation
Like many in full-time ministry, I faced the challenge of how to pursue further education without stepping away from the very ministry I’ve been called to. That’s when I discovered SCOPE through BJU Seminary.
The flexibility of the program immediately stood out. With seven-week asynchronous courses, along with options for synchronous and intensive block classes, I was able to continue serving full-time while steadily working toward my degree. It fit well with my schedule; I could take a class and keep moving forward without stepping away from ministry.
Affordability was another key factor. Compared to other seminaries I considered, SCOPE provided a pathway that made sense financially, which allowed me to invest in my education without unnecessary burden.
Moments That Shape a Minister
One of the first classes I took focused on the historical books of the Old Testament. What could have felt familiar instead became transformative.
For the first time, I began to see Scripture not just as stories I had grown up hearing, but as deeply connected, richly layered truths that required careful study and interpretation. Learning how to properly read, understand and teach those passages reshaped the way I approached preaching and teaching.
Equally impactful were my counseling courses, where seasoned instructors demonstrated how to apply God’s Word to real-life struggles. The classes became practical tools I could immediately use in ministry. Those moments, I say, are the ones that stay with me.
A Toolbox for Lifelong Ministry
Through my Master of Divinity training, I found a comprehensive, well-rounded preparation for ministry. The MDiv program equipped me to handle the wide range of responsibilities that come with pastoral leadership. From a deeper understanding of languages like Greek and Hebrew to sermon preparation and more exposure to counseling situations, the program helped me grow into a more effective and confident pastor.
At its core, the training reinforced that ministry requires both a faithful life and sound doctrine. As I continue serving in my church, I take these lessons into every sermon I preach and each life I touch.
A Recommendation for the Called
Looking back, I see my MDiv journey as true preparation for a lifetime of service. If you’re going into pastoral ministry of any kind, this kind of training fills your toolbox with what you need to serve effectively.
For those considering seminary, my encouragement is simple: if you’re called to shepherd people, invest in the tools that will help you do it well. Faithful ministry doesn’t happen by accident. It is built by putting hard work into serving others and learning sound doctrine.