Week Three - The Finish Line's in Sight

Week three and it's all about the thesis now. Everything else has faded away and all the conversation, all the energy both in class and beyond it, is now focused on the thesis. How do you write it, what's your context, what's the focus question, what's the theological foundation and witness of the denomination and history, what resources do I need to be conversant with, what practices am I using to test this all out and what kinds of feedback will help me address the practices and, ultimately, the core question of my thesis. O, and by the way, you need to get all this information communicated in 45 pages. We've spent time in small groups talking about all these components for each of our ideas followed by feedback from our peers. Each time we talk about it we get clearer and clearer as well as deeper and deeper. The analogy is that of an elevator conversation. The functional idea is that by the time you go from the top floor to the lobby you should be able to tell someone what your thesis is all about in a manner that they can understand and offer feedback. As I've listened to the idea of my classmates it has become apparent to me that folks are working on some amazing topics. The thesis proposal range from the preacher as active listener; to biblical literacy and stewardship; to preaching in care homes to people with dementia; to street street evangelism. The creativity and commitment to deepening communities of faith and the importance of preaching in that formation. I meet with my advisor on Wednesday to see if he'll sign off on my proposal. If he does, then it's off to the races, well keyboard, with a first draft due by January 3!