Formation over Finish Lines
44% complete and still being formed
This is an update about how I’m being formed as I journey through seminary.
The end of the year is always a time of gratitude, reflection, and remembrance for me. Every year, my husband and I set aside time for a planning retreat. We pray, listen, and prepare for the year ahead. During our December 2023 retreat, I was genuinely surprised when God put attending seminary on my heart.
People often ask me why I am in seminary and whether I have a specific end goal. The answer to why is simple: because God told me to.
And the answer to what’s next is just as honest: I have no idea.
God may have led me to seminary solely for my own spiritual formation. To help me become a better disciple. To understand Him more deeply. And if that were the only reason, it would be enough. Still, knowing the wonder and mystery of God, I trust there will be surprises along the way that may only make sense later. For now, I continue to surrender my plans and learn a great deal from thoughtful professors, rich resources, and wonderful classmates.
One of the unexpected gifts of this journey has been the opportunity to dig more deeply into the women of the Bible, who are often under-taught and under-preached. The most challenging and rewarding paper I’ve written so far was an 18-page exploration of Jesus and women. (If you’re interested, I’d love to share highlights one day. I focused on the Samaritan woman, the Canaanite woman, and Mary Magdalene.)
During the Spring 2025 semester, I felt led to shift my concentration from Biblical and Theological Studies to Theology, Justice, and Advocacy. That change has been such a gift for the season I’m in. It was also a God-wink moment to realize that every course I had taken transferred seamlessly. Isn’t God kind like that?
This semester, I wrote a paper on biblical justice in the book of Ruth. My final assignment was a 20-minute research presentation on a contemporary social issue. I chose foster care.
Studying the things I care deeply about through a biblical lens has been stretching, grounding, courageous, and deeply meaningful.
I had the pleasure of being with the same group of women for my first three semesters before transferring concentrations, and we jokingly referred to ourselves as “baby theologians,” and it fits.
What I did not anticipate was how sacred it would feel to be growing a child while also growing in my understanding of God this year. That alone feels like an honor I will never forget.
And because I love a good set of numbers, here are a few from the journey so far:
44% complete toward an M.A. in Theology, Justice, and Advocacy
Over 40 assigned readings (38 books pictured above are a combo of readings & research materials)
17 credit hours completed
7 courses completed
7 different professors (Had one professor twice, which was wonderful & had two professors for 1 class)
4 semesters
3 cities visited (Traveled during my summer course: Racial Redemption through the Civil Rights Movement to Atlanta, GA, Birmingham, AL, and Mobile, AL. I was VERY pregnant, so it was a treat to be able to have my husband along.)
1 pregnancy & birth during seminary (Oh, the things my sweet baby has heard in and out of the womb. By God’s grace, I did not take a semester off. Receiving accommodations for two semesters gave me the additional time I needed and taught me to slow down rather than force an unsustainable pace during pregnancy.)
Formation takes time, and I’m grateful to be learning how to stay present in the middle of this three-year journey, God willing.
What a journey it has been. I’m looking forward to seeing how the next semester and year in seminary continue to shape me.
Wishing you peace with every pause,
Antoinetta