When I left Princeton Seminary in 2006, I had been there a full third of my life, thirteen years. Now, this isn’t a regular span of time for a seminary career. Most folks do this in three years. I just took a little extra time. I did a Master’s of Divinity (3 years), followed by a Master’s of Theology in New Testament Studies (1 year), and followed that with a PhD in Homiletics (preaching) and New Testament (9 years). What took me so long? Well, I was teaching full time at the seminary, during nine of those years, in the Speech and Preaching departments. (By my calculations I evaluated over 700 student sermons in class during this time!) Also, I used to write music for the annual theatrical production that took place at the seminary, and I sang in the choir, touring for the first four years of seminary every Sunday to perform at local churches. My life there was rich and full indeed. Those thirteen years had a profound impact on my life, and the theological training I received shaped how I express my faith and engage in leadership in the church today. Briefly said, Princeton Theological Seminary left its indelible stamp on me.

What a gift it was then that Pinnacle Presbyterian Church and the Fran Park Center for Faith and Life were able to host Princeton Seminary’s January Travel Course and Touring Choir for a full week. We had been planning for over a year for this event, and having the seminary students here exceeded all our expectations. The seminary students stayed at the Franciscan Renewal Center (in Paradise Valley) where they were studying the book of Acts under the leadership of Dr. Eric Barreto, assistant professor of New Testament Studies at Princeton Seminary. One of the purposes of the students being here was to introduce a brand new bilingual (English/Spanish) hymnal. On their first Sunday morning here, the choir led worship at Memorial Presbyterian Church (which is a bilingual congregation).  

Our engagement with the students and administrative faculty began on Sunday evening at the Franciscan Renewal Center with a welcome reception. We were thrilled that Pinnacle folks (many of whom had traveled to Princeton a year ago) joined us to greet our guests. On Monday the PTS group came up to Pinnacle to get a tour of our campus and learn about our ministry here.  An extra bonus included our very own Dr. Ilona Kubiaczyk-Adler, perform a concert of Mexican organ music from the 16th century to the present, interspersing short reflections on the historical context of music in Mexico. What a thrilling time! Why Mexican music?  Well, part of the PTS group’s goal was to learn more about the cross-cultural aspects of life in a border state, and to promote the worship potential of a bilingual hymnal.

On Tuesday the students visited Arizona State University for a panel discussion from members of their religion faculty on the history and impact of immigration from Mexico to Arizona and how people of faith interpret the long-standing clash of cultures that has occurred here since the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century.  Dr. Jason Bruner, a PhD graduate of Princeton Seminary, led that panel discussion, highlighting what it means to be a transplant to the desert and the challenges the desert has for human migration and survival. Later in the evening, Dr. Bruner spoke with a small group of students who were interested in learning about what it means for a person of faith to be teaching at a secular university.

On Wednesday the students had a “Hike with Mike.”  I led the students on an exploration of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, climbing Piestewa Peak, discussing the history of the Native peoples such as the Hohokam, their feats of agriculture and survival through the building of canals, and how human beings have interacted with the desert from prehistoric times to the present. I was so glad that everyone who started the hike at the bottom made it to the top and back down again in one piece.  Later that day the group came to Pinnacle to have a conversation with Dr. Wes Avram about the challenges and high points of pastoral ministry. Everyone was deeply appreciative for the insights shared and gained. Dr. Eric Barreto gave a lecture that evening on the book of Acts and the implications of the story of the Ethiopian Eunuch (and how the gospel went out in surprising ways among diverse peoples). Then, after a dinner where our Pinnacle folks mingled with PTS folks, the choirs of PTS and PPC met to sing together and prepare for Sunday worship.

Thursday brought the group back to Pinnacle for a time with David Allen, to attend a simulcast from Minnesota with the founders of what we know here as “Sing for Life,” a choir for those challenged with memory issues and their caregivers. Friday culminated with a service of worship at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, where the choir introduced the new bilingual hymnal, leading the congregation in praising God in English and Spanish.  Our own David Allen and Ilona Kubiaczyk-Adler played key roles in the musical success of the evening.

For Saturday, I was fortunate to introduce the students to two local, cultural sites: the Heard Indian Museum and the Desert Botanical Gardens.  Pinnacle member, Lee Peterson, led the group on an in-depth tour of the Heard Museum, and later the students had time for reflection at the gardens, learning about life in the desert southwest.

Princeton’s week at Pinnacle culminated with Sunday worship, where their choir joined ours in leading in worship, and Dr. Barreto preached again from the book of Acts, showing us how God surprises us by sending us out to those we least expect might be worthy of God’s love.

Hosting the students and faculty from Princeton Seminary last week was a personal treat, and I know that their presence here contributed to the life of our congregation. Each of them expressed deep gratitude for the hospitality extended them by Pinnacle’s staff and community. Pray for those in seminary; they are leaders for the next generation of church life!