the seminary simmer

angry seminary students.  i see it all the time.  i call it the seminary simmer.

angry at the church.  angry at their father that was always at the church house but never at home.  angry because they've suffered "church hurts" from people in the pews.  angry because they learned something in school that they never heard and church, and now they feel lied to.

these are all legitimate reasons.  but i thought that i was exempt from the seminary simmer.  i didn't grow up in church, so i didn't have tons of indoctrination to overcome.  i didn't have the preacher's kid syndrome.  i have been treated badly by the saints of the most high at times, but i don't hold it against jesus or the church at all.  i thought that i wouldn't have to deal with the seminary simmer.

but as i reflect on what i'm learning...i find myself getting a little annoyed.

it bothers me that people don't even consider theology as important anymore, that in the same breath we can look at an earthquake as god's judgment of evil but still say that god wants to save them?  kinda hard to get them if the ground is swallowing them up!

it bothers me that "seminary trained" pastors will not agree with the doctrine of tithing, but preach it anyway because the lights have to stay on!

it bothers me that folks think they can teach about the end times but haven't read past chapter one of revelation! or all you've read is the left behind series!

it bothers me that we put so much effort into talking about how men need not be sissies or "act gay," but the men's ministries are powerless and unappealing!

it REALLY bothers me that we see our lack of results as a good thing...a godly thing even.  as if god is glorified by our inability to transform our neighborhoods.

i guess i have the seminary simmer after all.

the thing is, i don't pretend to know all the solutions.  i'm not just shooting off at the mouth and pointing fingers because i can.  that'll get us no where.  but i guess that i'm happy i have the seminary simmer after all.  it's showing me where my heart is.

i'm praying that i can be a agent for change.  that will make the simmer worth something.