Final Year During A Pandemic

Monday, 1st March 2021
Image: final-year-during-a-pandemic

By Ben Davis

My name is Ben Davis, I am 30 years old and a final year student at the Irish Baptist College—two facts that I must admit feel somewhat surreal. I am also married to Sara, a music teacher, and we live in Antrim where we are members of Antrim Baptist Church. When not writing essays or preparing sermons, I enjoy going for extended walks, meeting with friends for coffee, podcast listening (a legitimate hobby), and attempting to read old books written in ancient languages. Before coming to College, I studied Microbiology at Queen’s and then worked as postman for 6 years. During that time the Lord impressed upon me a deep hunger for Scripture and a compelling desire to teach it. In his providence, he has granted me the opportunity of investing in three years of concentrated theological education. My goal: to dig a well from which to draw over a lifetime of ministry. By God’s grace and the investment of the College’s tutors, I happily continue to dig.                  

As a final year student, I’ve become accustomed to certain staples of College life: from stimulating lectures to rich fellowship, from sermon workshop to daily devotions, from evangelism teams to essay deadlines—not to mention the annual table tennis tournament! This year things are unfortunately not quite so predictable. Year group bubbles, limited library use, no evangelism teams, online lectures, and Zoom prayer meetings mark just some of the changes brought by COVID-19. Frustrating? Absolutely. And yet there has been much for which to give thanks. In the first term, we enjoyed no less than ten weeks of face-to-face teaching.                                    

For me personally, the experience has reinforced two realities easily forgotten. The first being this: quality theological education should be received with gratitude—it is a gift. Maybe it’s because I’m in my final year of College with only a few teaching weeks remaining, or maybe it’s because a pandemic has a way of exposing just how much you take for granted, but this year, more than any other, I have felt the sheer privilege of daily soaking up teaching that is full of biblical, theological, and pastoral insight. As my time at College draws to a close, it does so on a profound note of thankfulness. Secondly, if theological education aims at ministry preparation—as it should—then it must endeavour not to lose sight of the context in which all such ministry transpires: on the far side of Eden, in a groaning creation still awaiting its final redemption (Rom. 8:18–23). For someone all too comfortable with his head stuck in books, the limitations imposed on College life by COVID have clarified my outlook and sharpened my focus. To paraphrase Martin Luther: all ministry and therefore all theological study should be done under the cross. For there weakness has become strength and death the gateway to life.

    Blog Archive

Let’s Read Irish Baptist College Conference (Online) From Intern to Undergraduate (Emily Middleton) Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The Reason for Redemption Baptists and Revival in the Long 18th Century Second Year Placements From Intern to Undergraduate (Josh Brown) Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The What and Why of Holiness Final Year During A Pandemic 2nd Year Placement Experience Friends of the College 2021 Update The Art of Reading More Books Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — The Real Possibility of Holiness A Basic Easter Fact The Servant King Podcast Let's Read: The Hole in our Holiness — You Are Holy Third Year Reflection Gospel Guardians: Protecting the Purity of the Gospel for Future Generations Graduation 2021 Book Review: Succeeding at Seminary Let's Read: The Hole in Our Holiness — A Work in Progress Why the Irish Baptist College is Vital to the Health of the Association A Good News Story: The Ministry Partnership Scheme Why Study the Biblical Languages? Profit in Toil: A Short Message on A Level Results Day Let's Read: Small Preaching Recognition Service Report 2021 Sin Forgiven: Nourishment for Life and Joy for Living Let’s Read: Small Preaching—The Character of the Preacher Commencement Service Report Placement Friends of the College Update God Rejoices over His People: A Meditation on Zephaniah 3:17 Let’s Read: Small Preaching—Constructing the Sermon Evangelism Teams: Newcastle and Brannockstown Evangelism Teams: Stonepark and North Belfast Christian Fellowship First Year Reflections (Reuben and Andrew) Some New Books Let’s Read: Small Preaching—The Craft of Preaching Let's Read: Small Preaching—What is God Saying? A Christmas Reflection on John 1 - ‘The coming of the light’ Christmas Reflection on John 1 - ‘Life, Light & Glory’
Time to read Genesis...again Friends of the College - January 2020 Friends of the College - January 2020 Finances Tribute to Marion Craig The Resilient Pastor: Surviving & Thriving in Ministry Just a Blow-in? What is new on the shelves at IBC? Friends of the College - February 2020 Four Reasons to Study Theology Academically From Spain to Moira Testimonial Financial Update Friends of the College – March 2020 Irish Baptist Historical Society: The Mayflower Thomas Patient: the Father of the Irish Baptist Church Testimonials The Pastors’ Conference: An Encouraging Privilege Testimonials (part-time studies) In the worst of times: COVID-19 and the Book of Ruth Friends of the College - April 2020 The Long Wait: Victory Delayed Testimonials - Preparation for Ministry and Evening Classes The Leadership Podcast Testimonials - Ladies Study Fellowship The Leadership Podcast (part 2) Friends of the College - May 2020 Reflections from the Student Chairman Why do we teach the Old Testament? Reflections on first year at IBC Friends of the College - June 2020 Why do we teach Romans? IBC Placement Is Church History a Thing of the Past? Friends of the College - July 2020 Friends of the College – August 2020 Friends of the College September 2020 Recognition and Graduation Service Introducing the Irish Baptist College’s New Logo Commencement Service Friends of the College - October 2020 Filled with the Spirit: Soundings in Luke’s Theology of the Holy Spirit The Famous Five: The Abiding Relevance of the Solas of the Reformation Friends of the College - November 2020 The Importance of Theological Training in Fulfilling the Great Commission First Year Reflections — Tim Houston Singing: The Place of Theology in Corporate Worship New Library Books Friends of the College – Unite to Pray – December Christmas Reflections
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