Flirting With Seminary: Emergent Monasticism?
Today I finished reading Karen Sloan’s Flirting With Monasticism. I started reading it this past Monday, and even amidst the chaotic backdrop of VBS at our church, I just couldn’t put it down until the end. That’s because threaded throughout her exploration of the Dominican Order, its traditions, and history is a beautiful and engaging story — Karen’s story. As an advocate of open-source software, I can thoroughly applaud and admire someone who bravely opens and lays bare the “source-code” of her life for all to see and benefit from.
Ever since I read about ancient practice of “White Martyrdom” in Thomas Cahill’s How the Irish Saved Civilization, I have been fascinated with “new monasticism,” and the resurgence of communal, liturgical practice. Like Karen, I have longed for a way to “enter into a way of life with a community intentionally invested in forming a shared life.” I was really bummed when, at the age of 31, I first learned about the Taize community in France (for young adults up to age 30).
In the fall of 2008, I’ll be enrolling in Seminary. I’ve really gone back and forth on this one, and was once adamantly opposed to the idea of seminary. Now, I’m committed to it as part of my process for ordination in the PCUSA, but I still struggle when people ask me “why” I want to go to seminary. I meet a lot of pastors who consider seminary a place of “practical/vocational training” for ministers. That just doesn’t resonate with my postmodern, emerging self, nor do I think (sorry, apologies to those who disagree — just my opinion) most modern seminaries function well in this capacity.
Enter Karen’s Flirting With Monasticism, and a description of her experience as part of a group of Christians during her undergraduate years:
“Ministry easily flowed out of living so closely with others. Prayer needs and opportunities to serve were often quite obvious. Finding time to toss a Frisbee or joining a group for a meal didn’t require a great deal of effort. We had discussions in our classrooms, and we continued thoses discussions back in our rooms. Invitations to Bible studies were regularly given. Interactions with the broader campus community were nearly constant. My mentors were committed to praying together for the needs of people on campus and for each other. As I prayed with them and did ministry alongside them, a vibrant depth of friendship emerged that I could draw strength from and invite others into.”
While she does go on to point out how temporary college communal experiences are in contrast to the permanence of life in a Dominican order, it got me to thinking. At the conclusion of the book, Karen issues this challenge:
“Not everyone will be called to join an order. However, if we are paying attention to the internal prompting of the Holy Spirit, we may find ourselves flirting with monasticism. We may find ourselves considering how we can live by rhythms of contemplation and action in community with other followers of Jesus.”
In this light, perhaps postmodern emegents can view seminary as a monastic experience: Not so much an attempt to meet externally imposed expectations or criteria, not rushing and focused on a “future career,” but rather a chance to slowly, deliberately study something we love, in a close-knit, residential community of “novitiate” seminarians mentored by “professed” faculty, all working together toward a common goal — with the daily rhythms of study, chapel, fellowship, discussion, and prayer.
Thinking about it that way, for me at least, transforms seminary from an ordeal to endure, to something much more…attractive. And I’m starting to feel fliratious. Thanks, Karen.
Comment by Karen Sloan on 15 July 2007:
Neal, what a fantasy of seminary! I’m praying that at least some of this dream will be realized.
BTW, for more about Dominicans in seminary & my search for community, check out this Relevant Magazine e-newsletter article:
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/850/012907/012907.htm
Thanks Neal.
Are there any other Presbyterian monastic flirts reading this conversation? Where have you found community?
Comment by Paul Dubuc on 16 July 2007:
Hi Neal,
I’m not much of a Presbyterian, but I’ve been a member of a PCUSA congregation for the past 20 years. I’m a part-time seminary student at Ashland (http://www.ashland.edu/seminary/). Last year I took a course on Emergent Christian Spirituality, the first time it was offered. One other course, taught by the same professor, also drew heavily on emergent church ideas and writings. “School(s) for Conversion: 12 Marks of a New Monasticism” (Rutba House) was one of the texts. These courses are part of their spiritual formation offerings. Hopefully PTS is offering courses like this.
I experience a fairly strong sense of community at ATS among the students and faculty considering that I’m a part time commuter student. I wish I could participate in more of the campus life there which would include chapel and spiritual formation groups given my “Sitz im Leben”.
The strongest experience of community that I’ve had hasn’t come with the Presbyterian Church (unfortunately), but with a small, non-denominational church plant that I was involved with before that. So much of what the emergent church is doing now reminds me of the house church movement in the ’70s and early ’80s. It’s great to see ideas that Howard Snyder was writing about back then reemerging. I hope they take deeper root this time.
Comment by Patrick on 18 July 2007:
I have not read Karen Sloan’s book, but just ordered it after reading your post.
I have been an ordained minister in the PCUSA for 10 years now. I often reflect on my time in seminary (I went to Pittsburgh Theological) and how helpful it was.
Initially in my ministry I felt as though -outside of constructing and preaching a sermon-seminary taught me very little about ministry.
I served in a church in which the windows on the top floor had no screens. The Senior pastor and I spent two hours one day trying to get two pigeons out of a classroom on that floor without harming them. Seminary taught me nothing about that.
I served in another church in which a family disappeared while sailing on Lake Michigan. I helped coordinate search teams. Seminary taught me nothing about how to handle this task.
However, as I continue to reflect on this experiences and other like it, I feel as though seminary laid the groundwork for the importance of such events.
When the rest of the family received the worst possible news about their relatives sailing trip, I still didn’t know exactly what to say while I sat with them. But I did know why I needed to sit with them.
My experience was that seminary was what you made it. I had a great time, took some parts seriously, other parts less so.
But the more I reflect, the more I see the value of that time, both professionally and personally. I will pray for you as you continue to discern that call.
Comment by Steve on 18 July 2007:
Having just graduated from seminary I can appreciate Neal’s hope. In my most cynical view, there wasn’t much in the way of spiritual monasticism while at Virginia Theological Seminary (I’m an Episcopalian, sorry). But to give it a far shake, there was certainly community; be it over books, over lunch, or over beers we spent time with each other, often hashing out what it means to be a people of faith following the Way of Jesus. I pray that I will keep the generous memories with me, and forget my cynical nature. I pray that Neal can do it too.
Comment by Bosco Peters on 14 August 2007:
Greetings
I have just read Flirting with Monasticism and that is how I ended up at this site.
I wrote a review at my site http://www.liturgy.co.nz/worship/books.html
I think Neal’s point is highlighted in the Dominican’s surprise in Karen’s book that one might just turn up at theological college without a foundation of spirituality.
I am fascinated to translate monastic insights into our new context and am convinced that our only way forward is a deep spirituality.