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I’ve found that when meeting a new person at college that it takes no more than 3 introductory sentences before the “what’s your major?” question is asked. I could take the easy way out and reply, “an Associate in Arts.” In attempt to avoid the inevitable next question of “do you plan on transferring?” I simply reply with my four year plan: “Communications major with a religion minor.”
And then it happens.
“Oh, cool! What do you want to do with that?”
Waiter: “Ok, I have an order of awkward with a side of ‘this is probably the last in-depth conversation we’ll ever have.’ And a tall glass of self-inflicted guilt to go with it.”
Me: “Yeah, that’s mine.”
It’s amazing how quickly the walls go up when I tell my fellow students that I want to go into ministry. It’s sad, to be quite honest. Maybe I’ll just start lying and telling people that I’m a Criminal Justice major. Kidding…
In a conversation with a girl today, I purposely steered the conversation away from the “what’s your major” question for as long as possible. After establishing a “see, I’m not some psycho, judgmental, sweaty, foot-stompin’, voice-raising weirdo rapport” I allowed the conversation to take its long overdue turn.
“Promise me that your perception of me won’t change,” I stated. “Yeah, of course!” she agreed. I told her. She seemed ok. Kinda gave me that, “Oh, wow…….cool” deal.
When I tell people that I want to go into ministry, this is what I wish went through their heads:
“Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Fantastic.”
Maybe I can make a difference.
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No maybe about it…..you are…. ;)I’m prayin for ya Bill…good things acomin ur way!!!!!
I am sure we are making a difference..maybe we won’t see them, but I am sure! Storing up treasure in heaven my friend. i think some will come around again…we are contagious! LOL Praying for you…you rock!
Bwahahahah! I’m sorry, I just can’t help to think of my in-laws faces when I told them I was interested in becoming a UU minister. My father-in-law is an atheist.
It’s easier to say that you’re interested in being a minister when no one knows exactly what your denomination stands for. Instead of getting “Oh! One of those…” you get “Oh? What’s that?” Although, to be honest, I think it would play hell on my love life if I wasn’t already married. I can just hear it now… “Are ministers of your religion allowed to *do* that?”
I wish the best for you…
Namaste.
Heh. Were they unfamiliar with UU ‘dogma’ ?
I’m ordained by the Universal Life Church. Respect my authori-tah!
:d
Bill,
This hits home for me. As a ‘born again’ Christian at college I face this every single day. Luckily I’m in a wonderful club called BASIC (Brothers and Sisters in Christ) who are the ones God led me to, and it got me saved! We have a wonderful and supporting Church family at college called Lighthouse Christian Ministry.
When you enter my dorm room your greeted by the glorious face of Jesus. When you enter almost 99.9% of the other guys dorm rooms you enter to nude posters, pot posters, or game posters.
I’m a Jesus Freak and I let people know. I don’t blast Rap Music, I don’t blast Heavy Metal. Ohhh no, out comes the worship music and everyone around can hear it. God can use even that to change the peoples lives around me.
I’m placed in an area I don’t like at all. The people in my dorm around me are in a drunken state 24/7. However I KNOW God put me there for a reason.
By the end of my first semester I wasn’t getting the “ohhh… ummm.. cool” anymore. I was getting the “You know, your always so happy. I really like being around you.” God uses you to affect others. With God’s glorious help I’ve already been bringing my fellow college students to God.
Hallelujah!
Bill, I can just see this happening. My reaction would be this:
*moment of awkward silence*
Me: Bwah ha ah ah ha ha. No seriously, what are you going to do with it.
You: I was being serious.
Me: Oh, why would you want to do that?
Now, assuming that you could handle my obvious barbaric rudeness, what would your answer be? I’m guessing that it would be that you want to change the perception that people have of Christianity. I’d probably continue (like the mental 5 year old I am) with “Why?”
Still, it’s good that you’ve got a plan.
@hov…
I’d love to have that discussion!
:d