Denver Seminary

Debra Anderson ASSISTANT LECTURER OF TRAINING AND MENTORING Debra Anderson is an assistant lecturer of Training and Mentoring at Denver Seminary. She earned her MA in Christian Education from Golden Gate Theological Seminary in 2001. Debra has been a pastor's wife, church planter, conference speaker, Bible teacher, and theological researcher, and has written numerous articles and ghostwriting projects for popular Christian authors. Felix Gilbert, PhD | DIRECTOR OF THE URBAN INITIATIVE AND ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF PASTORAL MINISTRIES Join Denver Seminary's celebration of Blacks in Theology, February 4–7, 2020, as the Urban Initiative honors the contributions of black men and women who have shaped our theological history. Denver Seminary recognizes the legacy and impact of blacks in theology each February, in conjunction with Black History Month. Historically, national and local Black History Month celebrations have focused on the major milestones achieved by historic figures such as Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Martin Luther King Jr., to name a few. However, overlooked are the theological leaders of African descent who have influenced our overall theological framework. In the coming year, Denver Seminary is celebrating individuals who embody the theme "Rise to the Occasion," highlighting those from our past who overcame obstacles, present leaders who are shaping culture, and future leaders who are preparing to impact their communities and the world. It's a time to recognize and learn from those who are rising to the occasion to engage the needs of the world! PLEASE SAVE THE DATE FOR THE SECOND ANNUAL BLACKS IN THEOLOGY GALA, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7. PROCEEDS FROM THE GALA HELP TO BUILD THE BLACK STUDENT FELLOWSHIP ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FUND, WHICH SERVES TO MAKE SEMINARY EDUCATION MORE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE FOR BLACK STUDENTS. Watch for more information about Blacks in Theology at DenverSeminary.edu and on social media, and please reach out to Nichelle West, Urban Initiative community liaison, at Nichelle.West@DenverSeminary.edu. being purposeful and open doesn't create barriers. It actually removes them. In fact, Jen says, "TM has given me breathing room." That's the outcome of discovering who you truly are. The structures of life have continued to change for Jen, but this doesn't make her mentored learning obsolete. She's gone from a corporate executive, to a wife, to a student, to a caregiver. A leader has to have the capacity to modify and flex, and Jen notes that the skills she hones in TM, such as self-efficacy, self-evaluation, and the internal motivation to learn, are what carry her through all of the changes. "What I know is that I am more agile. I can teach myself to adapt." Charlene has learned to modify as well. Initially, she wanted to believe the common suspicion of a new mentor: "I'm not qualified." Jen laughs at this and notes how Charlene's life as a wife, a mother, a pastor's wife, and years of ministry taught her all the skills she needed to be a caring, discerning mentor. Together, they won over Charlene's inner critic. "It was easy!" Charlene declares with surprise. "I thought it would be harder. I thought it would be like following a syllabus, like something I had to do exactly right. [But really,] it's sharing life. We're just following God!" All those years ago, when Charlene watched Training and Mentoring begin, she never could have dreamed she'd become so intimate with its impact. As she's walked with Jen, she's helped Jen discover her own road. Now, with a more missional outlook and a whole-life view of calling, Jen is considering how to view her experience in the corporate world more broadly, and to see it as a benefit. "Maybe I'm here in seminary," she ventures, "because of who I'm supposed to become, not what I'm supposed to do." Her own ministry road might lead her back to corporate America or the non-profit world. She's open. And her mentor helps her discover the way. ENGAGE 9

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