Update on making time to write

I thought it would be helpful to provide an update on my Sept. 12th blog entry, "Making time to write". At that time I was just starting to roll out of bed early. Now, three months later, I am astounded how much I've accomplished and the ideas that are emerging.

In these short months, I've written and submitted two articles to academic journals; both are currently undergoing peer review. I sent one to Teaching Theology and Religion and another to Canadian Military Journal. Now I am in the final stages of editing my PhD dissertation for publication. By the end of the month I will submit it to Wipf and Stock. My editor is concerned with the title, "In Vitro Education" so I am revising it to be less edgy and more mysterious. I'm toying with the term "Glassroom" as a way to hold onto "In vitro" (meaning "within the glass" or "inside glass") while avoiding the ideas associated with fertilization. I am aiming to submit my manuscript at the end of this month and the title may be something like "Glassroom Learning: virtual culture and online pastoral education".

In the new year I have more projects to tend. I've committed to review two books: one on multivocational ministry for Faith Today and the other deals with chaplaincy and spiritual care for Religious Studies Review (RSR). I am also hoping to start two book projects, one on technology and theology with my colleague, Joel Houston, and the other on multivocational ministry.

It may sound strange but I think these ideas are from God. They seem to be part of my new vocation as a professor and academic administrator. I have such clear ideas about things to write about and the energy and capacity to do them, I'm becoming convinced they are part of a calling into academic service; they are truly gifts from God. I'm grateful for this new calling and I look forward to seeing these projects and others become reality. 

Setting aside time to write

Our late August faculty retreat featured Tyndale's research professor of education, Ken Badley, encouraging us to make time for writing. The next day, Briercrest's affiliate professor of Old Testament, Keith Bodner stopped by my house to catch up. Keith is a prolific writer so I asked him how he finds time to write. His answer was refreshingly straightforward. Carve out time in your schedule that works for you. Then use that regular window to write. 

I want to do that. I want to find a regular time to write. 

As a new dean I can already see how easy it is to abandon research and writing in favour of pressing administrative matters. I don't want that life. I want to be a dean that models the importance of research and writing for the seminary professors around me. I want to establish a culture where our faculty encourage one another to research and write in order to bring fresh insights to the classroom and world. Teaching without an active research agenda works but I think the best teaching flows from an active life of research and writing.

So, I'm going to roll out of bed a bit earlier and write. Down the road I hope my writing results in new ideas that get developed into papers and books. For now, I just need to set the alarm.