My first post here was about my thoughts on being a student. Well, I'm back on the topic again; not in a bad way or in a complaining way, but just to throw out some thoughts and reflections on the journey from church musician to pastor of Worship Arts.

I am now coming to the end of the 2nd month of seminary, but this is not my 1st year. In fact it is my fifth year; the first four as a part-time mature student. I came to the point where I just needed to get it done and move on to whatever God has is store. This journey has been an interesting one. I started out just wanting to further my education and to be better equipped to serve the local church, but as I took more courses I felt God calling me into full-time Christian service.

Early on I can remember my wife asking me,"Where is all this going?" All I could tell her was that I didn't have it all worked out yet. I actually said, "I have no preconceived ideas of where God is leading." Later that evening, I was reading "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, and he wrote that "you should have no preconceived notion of where God is leading you." HELLO! What an affirmation!

Our congregation has confirmed my call to ministry, as well as pastors whom I have called upon for wise counsel over the years. Now I am 3.5 semesters away form graduating and can finally say with confidence that God has a plan for our lives in ministry. Where that will lead us, I don't know, but I do know that He is leading and we are following!

As part of this process, I have gone from a part-time worship leader to a half-time pastor of worship arts. I am looking forward to the next stage of the journey.