Jonathan starts at Southeastern

It’s hard to believe, but my son, Jonathan has started his first semester at Southeastern, the seminary I graduated from only 13 years ago.

This past week I drove over to Wake Forest to attend chapel with Jonathan. He had let me know that a former classmate of mine, Dr. Stephen Rummage, was the guest speaker. So, I went. It was good to see Stephen again, but I was there for Jonathan. As we sat together in Binkley Chapel on the beautiful campus of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary I reflected on how amazing it was to be there with my son.

Only a few years ago I was a student at SEBTS, dreaming about and preparing for planting a church. Jonathan was only seven years old at the time. I never thought I’d be sitting there beside him, with him as the student and me just his dad.

We walked around the campus after chapel and I told him story after story of how my experience there had shaped my life. Before we left I saw my old preaching professor, Dr. Wayne McDill, walking by. So, I stopped him and introduced him to Jonathan. Stephen Rummage was standing there with us.

I said, “Dr. McDill, don’t you think Stephen did a great job in chapel this morning?”

Dr. McDill replied with a raised eyebrow, “He did okay.”

Stephen offered a nervous laugh.

Dr. McDill continued, “Of course, since he’s one of mine I have very high expectations.”

As Jonathan and I walked away, it was a rare moment… both father and son intimidated by an older man’s opinion. I told Jonathan that it would be wonderful if he could take preaching from Dr. McDill. It’s good for a man to be sharpened by an older man who doesn’t mind being a sharpener.

I said, “Dr. McDill is tough, but I’d love for you to be trained by one of the best exegetical expositors and teachers I ever had.”

“Besides,” I continued, “You’re one of mine and I have very high expectations.