Guest Blog: Dr. David B. Rose

Why Do I Work at FPBS?

That question came to mind two weeks ago when, as part of my sabbatical studies I interviewed two psychology professors in a major university in the Midwest. I was impressed with their commitment to quality education, and even more impressed with the research being done at that university.

But I got the sense that the faculty members I spoke with were a bit impressed with FPBS too. One of the questions I asked those professors was how being located in a Catholic University impacted their program. They responded it didn’t. The financial resources and infrastructure of the university were significant assets for their program. But the program had no interaction with the thousands of years of pastoral theology or experience in “cure of souls” in the Catholic Church. I wonder, if in their search for academic excellence, the program leaders decided it would be simpler to develop a secular program than a religious one.

In our conversation, they asked about our program. I told them we were located in a seminary. That while holding our students to the high academic standards, we intentionally worked to integrate psychology and theology. That integration includes a commitment to facilitating the spiritual and psychological formation of our students. Unlike the Midwestern University’s faculty, who are preparing people to become scientists, we were preparing people for ministry. Our students and alumni take Christ’s love to where it is needed most. Explicitly and implicitly our alumni bring the reign of God into their practice and invite their clients and colleagues to join them there. That is why I work here. I don’t just want to be a professor, writer, or researcher. I want to be a part of preparing our students for ministry.