I am taking Ministerial classes that will allow me to get Ministerial licensing here in the State of New Jersey. The classes meet every Tuesday and there are about 15 courses that go for about 3 years. I really enjoy Tuesdays and I love the learning aspect. I have a degree in Engineering and I really have no desire to go to cemetary...I mean seminary.
At the end of each course there are minimum requirements that usually include several papers that have to be turned in and graded. These papers are sent to the Pope who grades them...just kidding...they are sent to Christian Missionary Alliance Headquarters in Colorado to be graded by a proctor that oversees the MSP (Ministerial Study Program). The very first paper I completed I received a grade of Excellent, and every paper after that was Above Average with similar comments of well done, and well written.
A buddy of mine has never received an Excellent. He is a blessed scholar, wise with knowledge of the “streets“, Bible, and business world. He just can't get an Excellent and had been fairly frustrated. He resigned himself to mediocrity, for him that was an above average!
Our last paper was on the Book of Romans. The course called for each student to read each chapter of Romans and write a summary page. I wrote and surmised the last 8 chapters in one night under the influence of bronchitis and a fever. Peter(correction Paul), myself and the Holy Spirit were one that night. I will never forget the clarity of thoughts I was having. (maybe I was halucinating) I thought I was a genius. I really thought that I was turning in the best papers I have ever written. Naturally I got back... well done, well written Above Average.
When the papers were returned from Colorado, I handed them out the that night in class. When I sat down and was done reading my comments I looked across the table and this is what I saw.
Yeah....Vince got his Excellent. I was very happy for him. He just came off of a death in the family and was suffering from his own bronchitis and was limping with a bad knee and didn't have two nickles in his pocket. But he got his Excellent.
Should have been mine. :P