I’m in graduate school with the intent to teach high school Bible (and History and Government) and eventually teach American Religious History at a public university. However, in recent months I have felt a pull towards pastoral ministry — something I meet with great reluctance. Though, there are several other things I would be open to putting this degree to use to:
- hospital chaplain
- chaplain for a college football team
- run a surf shack on the coast of Morocco. We will specialize in surf board repair, making fish tacos, and loving people
- start a Christian community farm and co-op
- writer for Conan O’Brien or Saturday Night Live
- build a cabin in the mountains and live off the land
- teach American Religious History at University of Colorado at Boulder
- open a mountainside monastery on the Appalachian Trail or Pacific Crest Trail and feed backpackers as well as people who want a quiet place to pray, fast, and meditate
- travel writer
I’m a firm believer in the priesthood of all people and the ministry of all believers. My surf and taco shack would be just as much a ministry as a hospital chaplain. “Five Loaves and Two Fish Tacos.”