When this post goes live, my class will be graduating without me. Well, technically, I suppose at that moment they cease to become “my class.”

As they walk across the stage, get their handy diplomas and fancy hoods, I’ll be sitting in the congregation, only a little more than 2/3 of the way towards my degree. My internship in Scotland added a year to my studies. So as many of my “classmates” head off to their first calls, I’ll be heading back to the states for another year of courses.

This week in Decatur has affirmed, in many ways, my decision to serve as an intern in Scotland. I feel called to be a solo pastor, and without this year of full-time – pretty intense – practical experience, I’d be even less prepared for the rigors and riches of solo ministry than I’ll be in a years’ time. In fact, of a quick mental search of those graduates my age, I can’t think of many at all who have accepted a solo call. So the year of parish experience was a really good idea; for it I’m very grateful.

I’m eager to return to campus and begin classes, with a year’s experience under my belt, and a head full of new questions.

But I don’t expect next year to be easy. I’ll be joining a new class with already-established patterns and personalities. I’ll miss my friends. I’ll have new neighbors. And the whole year will be one of anticipating another move come graduation.

So today is bittersweet for me. A foretaste of my feast to come, but it’s a feast for which I’m not yet hungry. No hurry. All in good time.

Today, though: Congratulations to the CTS Class of 2008!