by Doug Roland
Introduction
It has been difficult explaining in a few words what our work is at the seminary. In re-reading some of our attempts, it sounds as interesting as watching grass grow. The truth is, we have the best job in the seminary - a window into the hearts of 90 seminarians, ministers in training. We get to journey with them as they learn sometimes uncomfortable truths about their communities, admit their incomplete understanding of ministry, discover what it means to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, and find him in places few deign to go. How we got to this point is a primer on how God takes what we offer and melds it into a new thing, as if we were the last piece of a puzzle that He had long ago solved. At its most basic, it was a matter of hearing a faint, then semi-serious, then shocking call in the form of an e-mail. It remained only for us to say, “Yes; here we are. We will go.”
The Invitation
We arrived last year bearing no small amount of anxiety. Leaving our family, friends, the comfort of Davis Islands, our well-worn habits, customs, celebrations and familiar rhythms of life left us vulnerable and uncertain. Our minds were flush with the words of the seminary president in his e-mail invitation.
“As part of their formation studies, the seminarians are required to be engaged in ministry and field work within the community; present involvement includes work at schools, hospitals, prison, poverty alleviation projects, HIV/AIDS clinics, a school for children with disabilities, a children’s orphanage, and some others. This is is a vital aspect of seminary life, and one which we would dearly love to develop. As the number of seminarians increases (next year we will have 82), the need to develop new opportunities, administer the program, evaluate effectiveness, deepen relationships, assess impact, forge partnerships, supervise seminarians – all of this will certainly require full-time attention. . . . . .
The opportunity I envisage could engage both of you in “hands-on” ministry, as the bridge between the struggles of the local communities and the human resources inherent in the seminary. I would expect you to forge partnerships, develop the vision, design systems, yet with freedom to invest yourselves according to your ministry, passion and gifts. . . .
This gave a whole new meaning to “e-vite.” It sounded way too much like real work, but we had, after all, asked for it three years earlier, not thinking someone would say “yes”.
The Rebuilding
We found the field work program at the seminary in a state of near collapse and quickly realized a unique opportunity to give life to a laudable program. The problem was that nurses and lawyers know from nothing how to do that, other than to dive in blissfully ignorant. Trusting God, we did just that.
To develop contacts and build relationships, we made cold calls on people we didn’t know, with our quaint American accents and customs. Surprisingly, we were well received. (I think it was mostly curiosity. U.S. citizens living in PMB are rare.). We played our best cards: two Americans - come to Africa to volunteer, no contacts, eager to learn, lots of vision, “you’re gonna love it” routine. I felt like an encyclopedia salesman throwing in a Fuller brush on the side. (Some of you will relate.) Local Methodist ministers and others gave us leads. We went down all the alleys and discovered a well-developed network of non-profits (NGO’s) serving the marginalized and disadvantaged from severely disabled children to those dying of AIDS. So, how does one convince these veterans that they might need untrained seminarians with minimum language skills and even less experience to volunteer for them? Prayer!
Between mid-August and mid-November, we built a network of 8-10 NGO’s who agreed to partner with us in the formation of new ministers. We needed to have programs in place to accommodate about 75 seminarians (now up to 90) for carrying out their course requirement. Frankly, I think that the wise leaders of these partners understood the traditional importance and power of ministers in the culture. This was an opportunity for them to do a little educating themselves.
The Workbook
Our seminarians would be sent out to one of the programs for 3 hours each week. But the question remained - how do you make it meaningful when you can’t be at all these places at the same time to provide direction and support? We were confident that working in these projects held great promise, but we did not know how to evaluate the seminarians, keep them interested or keep them accountable. The solution came via a seminarian who had done some field work at another school. The answer was to create a workbook which would require seminarians weekly to write reflections on a prescribed scripture and their experiences. These would be turned in to us the day after and we would read them and comment. We started working on it and soon realized that this was the key to unlock the almost unlimited possibilities that may flow from a seminarian’s pen after close up interaction with the poor, the sick, the naked, the prisoner, the homeless, the hungry. We gave it a new name - Field Education and Ministry Course. Perhaps our only oversight was that we would we have 90 reflections each weekend to read, comment and mark. But then the movies at the mall are dreadful and the TV programs are in Xhosa or Zulu or Afrikaans, or are re-runs from 2003 American programs.
The workbook outlines goals, rules, expectations and all that. But its value in ministerial training and that of the entire program lies, in my opinion, in the two reflections. It became evident early this year when we began to read the first ones. The questions were designed to coax seminarians to face and engage new realities about the populations they were working with, about themselves and their view of ministry.
The weekly questions given each week that prompt and guide the writings are divided into the scriptural and the experiential.
Scriptural
How does this passage relate to my agency?
What relevance does this passage have for my ministry?
How does this passage define serving for Christ?
Experience
What I did today
What did I learn about myself?
What did I learn about God?
What did I learn about my ministry?
The Outcome
The results are best appreciated through the writings themselves. Thembe (not her real name) is a first year seminarian in the Diploma program. A mother of five, she left her job as an inspector of schools in the land-locked country of Swaziland and traveled the six hours to Pietermaritzburg. For her field education, she was assigned to a government mental hospital, Town Hill. The ward where she served is populated by older men, many of whom stare and say nothing. With Thembe’s permission, I have selected several sentences and partial sentences from her workbook that I believe reflect the first fruits of the new program. Whatever editing I have done to her writing is to give a little clarity where needed.
ORIENTATION
“The nurses and caregivers need to be supported in prayer and love . . . Ministry of presence is important to visit them, talk and share with them [the staff]”
WEEK TWO
Relevance for my ministry
“When we work for God we are not to expect rewards . . . “
“To go to the hospital in ordinary old clothes contributes to the ministry as the stigma of clergy is removed.”
“Jesus was at the level of the people.”
What I did
“Made beds; assisted the blind man (Shawn) . . . talked with him for two hours
About myself
“Though I am shy, somehow I am able to reach people, even ones I am not familiar with”
“I am still not sure about changing nappies, etc. skill to get the hang of it.”
My ministry
“My ministry is not limited to preaching but it is most effective in the one on one situations.”
WEEK THREE
Relevance to my ministry
“Talking to people about Jesus makes us alive in him. Sharing this truth is important so that people do not feel condemned and abandoned . . . . . Serving Christ is all about showing the love of God. Doing much more than talking about it. Going to the places where people have lost hope.”
What I did
“I read to the patients from a bible story book. One patient asked for the story of Joseph and we discussed how his brothers sold him due to the jealously of his coat. We talked about the importance of forgiveness. I was amazed at the depth of knowledge shown by Shawn. He talked about the effect of unforgiveness, the anger, resentment.”
About myself
“Still queasy about changing nappies.”
“ I want to get involved, not just pay lip service.”
About ministry
“Ministry is not limited to things we know and understand. God wants to use our hands, feet, eyes and everything . . . Sometimes ministry is not easy.”
WEEK FOUR
About ministry
“Jesus did not neglect one part of the community for another. Even though according to his culture, touching the dead, the lepers, the mentally disturbed made him to be unclean, he touched them anyway. When service moves from the lips to the heart and hands, feet, then we are truly serving God.”
What I did
“I brought a deck of playing cards and Snakes and Ladders. Dennis just sits there and not talk much. I asked if I could play with him. He agreed. What a game we had! He can even count . . . . . . Grand Pa Aoupa recognized me, and we also played a game. . . When we prayed the Lord’s Prayer, they could sing and we danced and sang. When we left we could hear the singing continuing for some time.”
About my ministry
“It is possible to enjoy outreach if you plan and give yourself to God. . . . . I also caught a glimpse of the female ward. There is also a need there. Patients need people to talk to.”
WEEK FIVE
WEEK SIX
About myself
“This encounter [with the man whose family does not visit] confirms my calling to the people in need. My belief is that ministry may involve action otherwise how will the people see, learn and experience the love of God? For me the ministry of presence is essential.”
WEEK SEVEN
About myself
“I am not good with farewells. I got an affirmation of my skills for encouraging and bringing hope. She said when I shared Christ, he became real to her. Two of the nurses asked for prayers.”
My ministry
“ . . . is still unfolding. I had a question why God will call me to leave my job. I am discovering that I enjoy what I am doing. My prayer is for God to reveal his purpose for my calling.”
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As part of their training, every seminarian is placed with a local church for the year. There they help with services and such other pastoral tasks requested by their supervisor. Thembe was placed at Town Hill Hospital.
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