Vice President's Note 

You are reading this note because at some point in recent months you thought, “Maybe.”  Perhaps you were asked if you had ever considered a career in ministry and service to the church, and you thought “maybe.”  Perhaps you were asked if you could see yourself going to seminary, studying ancient languages, engaging in theological reflection, reading the Bible, and learning the history of the People of God, and you thought “maybe.”  Or perhaps you imagined yourself responding to God’s call on your life in service to the world with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love, and you thought, “maybe.”

“Maybe” is the beginning of exploration.  It is a word that opens doors and encourages questions.  It is a word that demands to be pursued.  It is a word that keeps you up at night with anxious thoughts.  It is a word that makes your heart race with exciting possibilities.  “Maybe” is a God word – full of promise and potential, waiting to be embraced.

Here at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, we have a community engaged with “Maybe.”  Our students are saying, “Maybe God gave me these gifts of inquiry and devotion and compassion for a reason.  Maybe I AM called to serve the church.”  Our faculty are saying, “Maybe there is more to your faith and your tradition than you have ever realized or thought to explore.”  Our campus community and staff are saying, “Maybe this is the place you belong, the place where you will become the person who God is calling you to be.”

If your schedule allows, plan to join us for Discovery Weekend, October 29-31.  This will be an opportunity for an extended visit, including course presentations in areas such as theology, preaching, and biblical studies, a student panel discussion, and plenty of information about life at seminary and the admissions process.  Whether you are called to teach or to serve, to preach or to heal, we believe time spent here as part of the Austin Seminary community will equip you for the journey ahead.  Is attending Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary what God is calling you to do next?  Maybe.

Peace and Grace,

Jack Barden
Vice President for Admissions
jbarden@austinseminary.edu
512-404-4829