Personal Questions for Reflection

For what particular aspect of Christian ministry do you wish to enrich your present qualifications? What factors have influenced this desire?

Pastoral care and social outreach are the aspects of Christian ministry that I would wish to enrich my present qualifications. Pastoral care is essential because it shows responsibility over the congregation often giving advice and guidance on Godly and life issues. Social outreach is influenced by the fact that a Christian should reach to other people, preach to them, encourage them over several issues or problems, and help them in ways, such as food and clothing donation that are acceptable according to Christian standards. This desire is also influenced by the fact that a Christian should be loving and avoid selfishness.

What have been some of the important and formative factors in your own faith journey? Why do you regard them as particularly significant?

My parents are the important and formative factors in my faith journey. As I grew up family, prayer was not optional but rather an abounding duty. We would pray at 6:00 a.m. and at 8:00 p.m. every day. My parents would summon all of us to the living room for prayers. We also said Prayers before and after every meal. We would pray at any time any of the family members heard or saw breaking news of any tragedy. Church attendance was also mandatory. This played a pivotal role in the development of Christian faith in the family. My father and mother led the way and always ensured we would be in church at least thirty minutes before worship commenced. They were role models. As a group leader in the church, visitation was one of my father’s tasks. I had the privilege to accompany my father in the visitation of some of his group members on a number of occasions. I witnessed firsthand how my father would listen, encourage, sing a hymn, and pray at every visit. Lenten was an important liturgical season at home. My parents subscribed to one meal a day during lent. However, for the kids food was made available and we were left to make the decision either to join them in the fast or to satisfy our appetite. This was an important lesson showing that faith is not a family issue but a personal choice. It showed that however much guidance could be provided personal discipline is significant.

Describe your understanding of your reasons and God’s call for undertaking this advanced degree program.

The reasons are to boost my aptitude, to serve the church better and the world in its ever-increasing diversity and multiplicity. In order to serve others and do God’s work effectively, mastery of Christian teachings and technique is important. This degree will help me master skill, techniques and content that will enable me be an effective teacher of the bible. God calls for unity among people. The world is characterized by a diversity and multiplicity of people. The advanced degree is essential in informing on ways to unite this people.

How do you envision undertaking this course of study will enhance your capacity for service to the church and to the world?

Undertaking this course of study will enhance my capacity for service to the church and to the world by making me informed on techniques, skills, and methods of serving the people. It will also make me understand the diversity of people and the manner in which I can use the diversity as an advantage in Christian faith. The degree will expose me to different materials and people that will contribute to my understanding of the church. It will also prepare me for hardships that I will face while serving people.

What reasons would lead you to choose Nashotah House specifically as your place of study. What particular expectations about worship, study, and life at Nashotah House do you bring?

Most of the previous studies that I have undertaken have been done in non-Anglican settings. However, as an Anglican clergyman it is my conviction that an Anglican/Episcopal institution such as Nashotah House will serve me better at this moment in time in upholding the Anglican legacy of daily office and corporate worship in the catholic practice. Nashotah House will help inculcate Anglican values in me and make me confident to serve in Anglican ministry. I expect that Nashotah will help me learn, appreciate the importance of worship through practice. I also expect that Nashotah will offer the topmost quality of study work and a clear understanding of Anglicanism especially being an Anglican seminary.

What else would it be helpful and appropriate for the Admissions Committee to know about you in considering your application?

It would be helpful and appropriate for the Admissions committee to know that besides professionalism and being a religious person I am a good counselor. I have counseled my friends and church members on a variety of issues and managed to help the people I have counseled. I believe this is essential. I can offer my counseling services whenever called upon.

In what ways, within the context of its primary mission, can the seminary be of particular assistance in addressing your special needs?

Within the context of its primary mission, the seminary can be of particular assistance in addressing my special needs by providing a strong mentorship program. As I stated earlier, I am good in counseling. The seminary can help me gain more skills and expertise in counseling so that I can be able to do it with utmost professionalism. In addition, the seminary can provide chances where I can be able to counsel other students who might need counseling on a number of issues. The seminary can be of particular importance if it can help expose me to different people with different religious values and beliefs. I have not had such an exposure and I believe that if the seminary can help in this, I will be more effective in dealing with religious and life issues because I will have a concrete grasp of the diversity among people and their religious and life beliefs.