After recently leaving a position as a university professor of theology, I have had to consider what it means to be a theologian without being a professor, a question faced by a growing number of people. What, after all, is a theologian? And what can the community of theologians do to adapt to the evolving nature of the profession?
Thanks for these lovely reflections and I look forward to reading more as you continue. I'm really sad at your (perhaps temporary) departure from academic theology, because you have immense talent and an in medio ecclesiae attitude that is all too rare, though I realize those things count for little in the randomness and chaos of the job market these days. Please know of my prayers.
Thanks for sharing this Matt, and I look forward to reading more from you here. I was wondering about you with the issues at Marymount, and I hope you find a good and vocationally satisfying landing. I've been wrestling with some of the same things as you and I don't have anything like an answer yet.
Matt, what a beautiful piece of reflective writing. Thank you for your transparency and hopefulness. I could identify with your observations on so many levels and I think those two questions will invite a robust discussion. My theological training has been put to good use most recently as a spiritual friend and grandmother. Kudos to you and Gisella for discerning your continuing “couple-vocation” in such an open and creative way. My prayers are with you!
Oh Matt, yes, yes, yes!! And for sure your two questions are spot on. It took me quite a while to recover from being booted from UD while still writing my dissertation, with no access to resources. How was I expected to do that? But afterward was even more difficult, when for numerous reasons I realized life in campus was not to be mine. This was especially true when ties to former academic colleagues disintegrated .
Today though I rejoice in the freedom I have found as an independent scholar, educator, and spiritual care provider, working outside the confines (for the most part) of both academia and church. This allows me to truly respond to God's call that much more easily. Trust me, today the desire from others for thoughtful, educated wisdom is even greater outside those confines than within.
Many, many blessings to the two of you as you continue this journey. I suspect you will thrive!
I hope you can hear these words "God made you what you are, not because God needs you, but out of God’s goodness—in other words, because God wants you." I can't wait to see what God has in store for you. You are brilliant, kind, funny, and great writer.
Matt, I am deeply moved by your words. Appearing on my Facebook page at the same time as your announcement of this post was that of another young friend and Scripture professor, Sr. Sarah Kohles, OSF, a young member of the Franciscan community here in Dubuque where I am chaplain. Her book, which joins with yours, is a collection of essays she has edited, but written by female lay theologians, faced with a similar conundrum. It is a Paulist publication called Creating Spaces for Women in the Catholic Church. Here’s the link.
I am thinking that the field of theology was supported in the past by religious orders, and to some extent by clergy. But now that world has shifted to the necessary witness of lay theology, as the support systems (along with liberal arts) are fading away. And yet your effort and others to search out the necessary but elusive new paths is the only future that I can see. Also, I intent to borrow your images of water and poetry writing. Please continue on your quest.
Matt, I'm just catching up with some of your posts on Window Light (I really appreciate this blog--you are a great writer and reflector). I'm pleased to see that a few folks who I "gifted" with a subscription have subscribed. I am retiring from teaching at BC the end of the next semester and I have been pondering many of the same questions that you raise--although not in the same situation, since I am in a religious community--although, as you know, our future is also somewhat tenuous, given aging membership and few new ones entering. The image of "water" was very powerful for me--as was Rilke (even though I am no younger "young"! Much to ponder here and I am grateful. As Roger Haight alway said, "Onward and upward..." Mary Ann Hinsdale, IHM (your old prof from 2003!)
Thanks for these lovely reflections and I look forward to reading more as you continue. I'm really sad at your (perhaps temporary) departure from academic theology, because you have immense talent and an in medio ecclesiae attitude that is all too rare, though I realize those things count for little in the randomness and chaos of the job market these days. Please know of my prayers.
Thanks for sharing this Matt, and I look forward to reading more from you here. I was wondering about you with the issues at Marymount, and I hope you find a good and vocationally satisfying landing. I've been wrestling with some of the same things as you and I don't have anything like an answer yet.
Matt, what a beautiful piece of reflective writing. Thank you for your transparency and hopefulness. I could identify with your observations on so many levels and I think those two questions will invite a robust discussion. My theological training has been put to good use most recently as a spiritual friend and grandmother. Kudos to you and Gisella for discerning your continuing “couple-vocation” in such an open and creative way. My prayers are with you!
Oh Matt, yes, yes, yes!! And for sure your two questions are spot on. It took me quite a while to recover from being booted from UD while still writing my dissertation, with no access to resources. How was I expected to do that? But afterward was even more difficult, when for numerous reasons I realized life in campus was not to be mine. This was especially true when ties to former academic colleagues disintegrated .
Today though I rejoice in the freedom I have found as an independent scholar, educator, and spiritual care provider, working outside the confines (for the most part) of both academia and church. This allows me to truly respond to God's call that much more easily. Trust me, today the desire from others for thoughtful, educated wisdom is even greater outside those confines than within.
Many, many blessings to the two of you as you continue this journey. I suspect you will thrive!
I hope you can hear these words "God made you what you are, not because God needs you, but out of God’s goodness—in other words, because God wants you." I can't wait to see what God has in store for you. You are brilliant, kind, funny, and great writer.
Matt, I am deeply moved by your words. Appearing on my Facebook page at the same time as your announcement of this post was that of another young friend and Scripture professor, Sr. Sarah Kohles, OSF, a young member of the Franciscan community here in Dubuque where I am chaplain. Her book, which joins with yours, is a collection of essays she has edited, but written by female lay theologians, faced with a similar conundrum. It is a Paulist publication called Creating Spaces for Women in the Catholic Church. Here’s the link.
https://www.amazon.com/Creating-Spaces-Women-Catholic-Church/dp/0809156288/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ASLIIYEV95AQ&keywords=Kohles+creating+spaces+for+women&qid=1677725353&sprefix=kohles+creating+spaces+for+women%2Caps%2C117&sr=8-1
I am thinking that the field of theology was supported in the past by religious orders, and to some extent by clergy. But now that world has shifted to the necessary witness of lay theology, as the support systems (along with liberal arts) are fading away. And yet your effort and others to search out the necessary but elusive new paths is the only future that I can see. Also, I intent to borrow your images of water and poetry writing. Please continue on your quest.
Matt, I'm just catching up with some of your posts on Window Light (I really appreciate this blog--you are a great writer and reflector). I'm pleased to see that a few folks who I "gifted" with a subscription have subscribed. I am retiring from teaching at BC the end of the next semester and I have been pondering many of the same questions that you raise--although not in the same situation, since I am in a religious community--although, as you know, our future is also somewhat tenuous, given aging membership and few new ones entering. The image of "water" was very powerful for me--as was Rilke (even though I am no younger "young"! Much to ponder here and I am grateful. As Roger Haight alway said, "Onward and upward..." Mary Ann Hinsdale, IHM (your old prof from 2003!)