August 10, 2008

The summer is over. Tomorrow my children start back to school. I can’t believe it; it has gone so fast. We haven’t been quite ready yet for alarm clocks, agendas, and schedules, but as this week has passed I think we are getting there. I am ready to get back on track, but I have loved our down time.

With school coming for the kids, I have considered my own education as well. As you know, I deeply value education, and consider myself a life long learner. I think you can teach an old dog new tricks, as a matter of fact. And I know I also live in a city and a world where titles are very important, showing your education, your earnings, respect.

Which got me thinking.

I too have some letters after my name. My business cards say Brandi Calhoun Diamond, M. Div. Now, if you don’t know, M. Div stands for “Master of Divinity.” Many people in professional ministry share these distinct letters after their names. I am proud that I went through seminary and I did indeed earn this title.

And yet, I find it profoundly funny at the same time. Let me explain.

The first reason is that when I started seminary, my friend Denise was also starting her Ph.D. program. She told a friend about me, and that I was going to seminary to earn my Master of Divinity. When the friend asked what exactly that would mean when I would complete my studies, Denise replied happily, “It means she’ll be divine, obviously.” While I loved her clever opinion of me, I knew that unfortunately my becoming divine would not be the case.

The second reason, which has more recently come to mind, is how ironic it is to study theology intensely and come away thinking you are a Master of Divinity. After my theological training, I realized more clearly than ever that I am no more a master of Divinity that I have ever been. I may have a Master’s degree, but I am no master of Divinity. God continually escapes me; escapes my thinking, my confidence, my little tidy boxes. God is bigger than me and my neatly framed diploma. And three years of theological training were the gift and struggle in my life that was not an accomplished feat finished on a particular date, but instead an intense invitation to only the next step of a spiritual journey. The road goes on.

Let me continue. Many other ministers have letters also in front of their names, usually Rev., or more formally “The Reverend.”* It traditionally indicates a person is an ordained member of the clergy. I personally am not ordained, although that is a very long story for when you are bored and have a lot of time on your hands. So, as of now, I do not carry these letters before my name. I did receive recently, however, a piece of mail recognizing me as Rev. Brandi Calhoun Diamond. Interestingly, this mail came from an institution where I receive a great deal of mail, but never before had it included this title before my name. This title came on a particular piece of mail recognizing a small contribution I had made to said institution.

The irony was hysterical to me. Apparently, my financial gift warranted my apparent ordination, and hence, its title.

Now, I know this was a simple error. I realize it was probably generated by a computer somewhere. Perhaps someone didn’t want to take the chance of possibly insulting me by leaving “The Reverend” title off before my name, thinking it better to add than to subtract. But the irony was a happy delight that made me save the envelope as a reminder.

As I thought through the envelope story, I was also reminded of when I was in college, and one of my favorite professors earned her doctorate. We were so happy for her, and one fellow student asked, “Does this mean we can call you Dr. now?” To which she responded, “No, it means you WILL call me Dr. now.” We appreciated her spirit, and whole heartedly agreed. She was an amazing teacher. But that quote stuck with me, ensuring in me once again the weight we place on titles.

With all this in mind, I know what I am about to say will unnerve all the people with letters surrounding them, and all those working toward their letters. But when it really gets down to it, the person you are is quite irrelevant from the letters that surround your name. Having M.D. after your name or Dr. before your name may mean you studied and earned that title, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you have bedside manner or a compassionate spirit. Earning your Ph.D. is a great accomplishment, but doesn’t necessarily mean you have integrity. And having Rev., or any other host of letters and titles, holds the same considerations. Impressive as all our titles are, more impressive should be who we are at a most fundamental, essential, and spiritual level.

My future may contain additional titles. I may be ordained one day, and I will happily display my Rev. I may earn a Doctorate and will happily display that too. I may have all manners of the alphabet on both sides of my name, but unless I can also balance the efforts I’ve made with the person I truly am, I may well have missed the mark. More important than these can ever be, however, is who I am inside.

In other words, there is no need to sell your soul in exchange for nice business cards.

Education doesn’t end when summer time begins, nor does it end when the degree is safely in hand. Education is a mindset, and a lifestyle. It is an essential part of our spirituality, and an invitation to growth.

It is with pride that I hold a Master of Divinity, but I have not mastered God. Nor will I. Instead, I find I have only begun to understand. I have only started to ask questions. I can only hope to learn more.

So, as my children step foot onto the bus tomorrow, back packs in tow, I’ll envy them a little. They have so much left to learn.

But then again, so do I. I think I’ll start with the alphabet.

Amen.

In Wisdom,
Brandi Calhoun Diamond

*According to one dictionary, this title means, “Worthy of reverence; entitled to respect mingled with fear and affection; venerable.” This too, is ironic to me, considering our faith concepts of servant leadership and compassion. This, however, is only one definition for Reverend.

If you too are looking for continuing education, you’ll love learning about the way Jesus taught – through stories. Please join us for this Done in a Day class:

DIAD (Done in a Day) – The Terrible Parable
It is simply human nature to find interest in a story, and likewise, it is human nature to be able to learn about ourselves “sideways” through a story. Both terrible and enlightening, the Parable is a key example of how Story affects our lives and our faith. Jesus knew this, and used parables as his prime form of teaching. Many other biblical prophets did the same, and indeed, all of our Holy Writ invites us to listen to story, and to see ourselves in the shoes of its larger parable. In this class, we’ll discuss the concept of Story Theology, and we’ll explore some of the best parabolic writings the Bible has to offer. We’ll also visit some contemporary story forms that continue to share the power of theological story, from books to movies to music. Don’t miss this opportunity to get caught up in the amazing faith story, and see why the Parable has such Terrible power.
1 Tuesday October 7 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location TBD $36 Register by: September 23

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