At the beginning of this year I was paging through an old copy of Discipleship Journal when I found an advert for a theological college in America which offered a degree in Intercultural Theological Education. I thought 'Ooo! That's a description of what I do.' I have been aware for some time that my degrees are all in the area of biblical studies and that I have a yawning gap in intercultural engagement. As a matter of interest I then googled 'intercultural theological degrees, Australia' and came up with only one hit - Tabor College in Adelaide.I took a look at the curriculum and the first seminar that would be suitable for me if I embarked on a Doctor of Ministry programme was scheduled for March. It was entitled "Christian Dialogue with Muslims" - a very timely subject in the present climate of fear and misinformation. Professor Dudley Woodberry is a world authority in this area and I felt a true sense of privilege to sit under his teaching.
The programme was intense - 9am - 4.30pm for five days. I am not used to that and was experiencing sleep deprivation and brain overload by the end of the week. I flew home late on Saturday, arriving in Brisbane at midnight. Now I have to 'defrag' the old brain and begin to digest the material more thoroughly! I was able to access the wonderful Tabor library and photocopy material to use for the assignments at home. I have done a philosophy degree and I really wanted something practical. The D.Min. really fits the bill and I found it of great benefit chatting with like-minded people attending the course.
Added to the huge benefit of the seminar was the fact that my little family live in Adelaide and I was able to have one beautiful weekend 'playing' and fellowshipping with them and still see them all every evening when I returned from College. How cute it was to womble into my bedroom and find a note posted under the door from Elijah "I love you Grandy".
