trying to find my way
Over the last couple of years I have become very involved with Bible study on my own and with others and have taken my faith very seriously. I hope I do not sound as if I am boasting in any of the following message. Truth be told, I'm searching for my way. I feel very drawn to a church vocation but am not sure where to start or what vocation to persue. I have been praying, reading scriptures about this and try and line up my interests as well.
I believe I have the ability to look at things from many different points of view even when I do not agree with said views, which helps me converse with others and “think outside of the box” when discussing Biblical issues. I really enjoy reading and studying Scripture. I do a lot of research and believe I have a knack for it. I have signed up for and I am taking multiple correspondence courses (via email & postal service), but provide primarily “beginner” type materiel. I attend church (service/Bible study) one to four times a week. I also have recently started looking into biblical archeology and I for see a lot of enjoyment and insight coming from that aspect as well. I have been considering a vocation within the church; such as going to seminary, becoming a preacher, joining a missionary (a missionary that trains in biblical studies while on mission sounds pretty ideal) or getting an accredited chaplain’s degree. At this point I am not sure what field would be most suitable for me.
My main hurdle is that I have an OCD condition which results in a lot of depression, paranoia and social anxiety issues. I can be people shy and nervous in crowds and unfamiliar places. I am currently seeing a therapist and “treatment” is coming along slow to say the least. I can see how my OCD condition could have adverse affects when dealing with the previously mentioned vocations. Through all of this I still believe I have vocational calling from within the church. The more I think about it the more I want to complete a Church of Christ seminary and get an accredited degree in Biblical studies both.
This being said, I feel somewhat lost as to what to do. A type of “monastery” or “commune” (I think such an environment would help me “stay on the narrow path”) environment seems to have some appeal as well, as I would be a productive member of the church day in and day out. I would like to find an “Bible Based”, protestant, or ecumenical community, I would even consider a Catholic Monetary if they let me speak my mind and I did not have to bow the “Papal authority” (for instance I don’t believe in baby baptism or have any inclination the rosary will help me any better than praying directly to God. I don’t have a problem with Catholics, I just wouldn’t be able to accept certain “customs” and would have to speak my mind where we differ. At such a place I would be willing to carry my own weight and help others learn Biblical teachings, within and without the “said religious community”. In this type of setting I would like to help spread the Gospel to those who need it and help with charity events. I know it probably sounds weird to talk about joining such an organization. I have yet to find any of these organizations outside of Anglican, Orthodox or Catholic teachings. If I was to join such an organization I would have to be able to support the views or at least tolerate their point of views (within reason, not affecting salvation). Such a task to find such a place is proving to be difficult and I surely do not want to end up in some “cult-like” environment.
I have been wanting to ask the preacher at my local congregation for some advice or guidance, though I kind of feel like “Jonah stuck in the whale”. I do not know if it is wise to ask for support from my preacher in attending seminary or the like due to the condition of OCD that I have. I do not know if my OCD would actually prevent me from being accepted into such training. Though, I very much desire a very good Biblical education.
Sorry if I have been rambling. I do not know if I have an exact question to pose here. If anyone knows of a seminary or something similar (accredited or otherwise) that may be suitable for a person such as me (based on the little information I have provided on this post) or even a potential “commune” I might be able to investigate, I would appreciate any direction. I hope I am not being overwhelming in this post. I sincerely want to grow as a Christian, obtain a good formal Biblical education, keep myself on the “narrow path” and obtain some vocation within the church. If anyone has even any suggestions outside of what I have been discussing, they would be more than welcome as well. I live in North East Georgia, and would preferably like to find something in that area (mainly to stay near my therapist, family and friends) but am not closed to the idea of changing locations.
Thank everyone in advance for any concern or suggestions.
Over the last couple of years I have become very involved with Bible study on my own and with others and have taken my faith very seriously. I hope I do not sound as if I am boasting in any of the following message. Truth be told, I'm searching for my way. I feel very drawn to a church vocation but am not sure where to start or what vocation to persue. I have been praying, reading scriptures about this and try and line up my interests as well.
I believe I have the ability to look at things from many different points of view even when I do not agree with said views, which helps me converse with others and “think outside of the box” when discussing Biblical issues. I really enjoy reading and studying Scripture. I do a lot of research and believe I have a knack for it. I have signed up for and I am taking multiple correspondence courses (via email & postal service), but provide primarily “beginner” type materiel. I attend church (service/Bible study) one to four times a week. I also have recently started looking into biblical archeology and I for see a lot of enjoyment and insight coming from that aspect as well. I have been considering a vocation within the church; such as going to seminary, becoming a preacher, joining a missionary (a missionary that trains in biblical studies while on mission sounds pretty ideal) or getting an accredited chaplain’s degree. At this point I am not sure what field would be most suitable for me.
My main hurdle is that I have an OCD condition which results in a lot of depression, paranoia and social anxiety issues. I can be people shy and nervous in crowds and unfamiliar places. I am currently seeing a therapist and “treatment” is coming along slow to say the least. I can see how my OCD condition could have adverse affects when dealing with the previously mentioned vocations. Through all of this I still believe I have vocational calling from within the church. The more I think about it the more I want to complete a Church of Christ seminary and get an accredited degree in Biblical studies both.
This being said, I feel somewhat lost as to what to do. A type of “monastery” or “commune” (I think such an environment would help me “stay on the narrow path”) environment seems to have some appeal as well, as I would be a productive member of the church day in and day out. I would like to find an “Bible Based”, protestant, or ecumenical community, I would even consider a Catholic Monetary if they let me speak my mind and I did not have to bow the “Papal authority” (for instance I don’t believe in baby baptism or have any inclination the rosary will help me any better than praying directly to God. I don’t have a problem with Catholics, I just wouldn’t be able to accept certain “customs” and would have to speak my mind where we differ. At such a place I would be willing to carry my own weight and help others learn Biblical teachings, within and without the “said religious community”. In this type of setting I would like to help spread the Gospel to those who need it and help with charity events. I know it probably sounds weird to talk about joining such an organization. I have yet to find any of these organizations outside of Anglican, Orthodox or Catholic teachings. If I was to join such an organization I would have to be able to support the views or at least tolerate their point of views (within reason, not affecting salvation). Such a task to find such a place is proving to be difficult and I surely do not want to end up in some “cult-like” environment.
I have been wanting to ask the preacher at my local congregation for some advice or guidance, though I kind of feel like “Jonah stuck in the whale”. I do not know if it is wise to ask for support from my preacher in attending seminary or the like due to the condition of OCD that I have. I do not know if my OCD would actually prevent me from being accepted into such training. Though, I very much desire a very good Biblical education.
Sorry if I have been rambling. I do not know if I have an exact question to pose here. If anyone knows of a seminary or something similar (accredited or otherwise) that may be suitable for a person such as me (based on the little information I have provided on this post) or even a potential “commune” I might be able to investigate, I would appreciate any direction. I hope I am not being overwhelming in this post. I sincerely want to grow as a Christian, obtain a good formal Biblical education, keep myself on the “narrow path” and obtain some vocation within the church. If anyone has even any suggestions outside of what I have been discussing, they would be more than welcome as well. I live in North East Georgia, and would preferably like to find something in that area (mainly to stay near my therapist, family and friends) but am not closed to the idea of changing locations.
Thank everyone in advance for any concern or suggestions.