Everything Changes. Now Back to Blogging

“Everything changes” is a phrase I’ve been hearing a lot lately in my circles.

If you’ve followed my blog, you’ve noticed there hasn’t been a whole lot of activity recently.

In January of this year, I took on a new role at the seminary where I teach (United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities): Academic Dean. I still carry a teaching load, but the majority of my role now is administration.

As I expected, the transition has meant that I’ve had less time for writing (and therefore, for blogging!). They say that the work of academic administration quickly becomes all-consuming–and it’s true.

Additionally, we’re going through some big changes at United, including a campus relocation that will be happening at the end of this fall semester.

But I’ve recently re-committed to maintaining writing as a key piece of what I do. For me, blogging supports and strengthens, rather than detracts from, my other writing projects.

The more I blog, the more I read, and the more I blog and read the more I think intentionally about contemporary issues, theological questions, etc.

Blogging also strengthens my teaching for some of the same reasons.  It keeps my thoughts actively attentive to what’s going on in the world–and pushes me to be mindful of current events and their relation to faith and religion, keeps me interested in recent book releases, and in general keeps my theological and communication muscles working in tandem.

I also hope that as I keep up the writing and blogging, these will contribute to my work in academic administration–for the same reasons. But I suspect that, conversely, my work as a dean will shape what I write about on this blog. I may be reflecting more on the challenges of theological education, the changing shape of religion in America, discussions about teaching methodologies and delivery models of seminary education, and so on.

My posts will likely be less polished than they were previously (if they ever were polished!) and will probably be shorter, perhaps consisting of random thoughts, brief book notes, an interesting quote here or there.

But for the few of you who may still check in on my blog from time to time, I hope you’ll find something useful. If you have ideas, feel free to share them with me as well.