Nazarene Theological Seminary

 Alumni Spotlight:
Jay Sandbloom (’03)

Rev. Jay Sandbloom is an NTS alum AND a current member of the NTS administration.  He recently returned to NTS as Director of Admissions and as such, has a unique perspective on NTS that we offer here to you, our NTS Connection audience. 

How/Why did you decide to attend NTS?

My rationale to attend Nazarene Theological Seminary was really two-fold: I had a strong desire for formal theological education that would inform my Church Music degree from Olivet Nazarene University and my passion for corporate worship; and I had a deep hunger for a more intentional discipleship.  Actually, this second element became my driving motivation for a seminary education.  By “a more intentional discipleship” I don’t mean I was looking for a routine tutelage as we might often refer to someone “being discipled” by another.  It was much bigger than that.  I was hoping for my discipleship – my Christ-apprenticeship, if you will – to be sharpened and deepened.  I was looking for a way of becoming more fully immersed in the rhythms of God’s grace, the history of the church, and the disciplines of faith for the purpose of walking more closely with Christ.  I perceived NTS to be such a place, where my own spiritual formation, the intensity of graduate education, and preparation for ministry would be fused together.  My experience here exceeded my expectations. 

Who at NTS influenced you and your ministry?

I think of three professors specifically.  My very first course at NTS was “Heritage of the Christian Church” with Dr. Paul Bassett – what an introduction to graduate theological education!  Over the course of several semesters with Dr. Bassett, I became acquainted with what a great churchman he is.  I gained an incredible appreciation for the historical expression of this Christian pilgrimage we are on, and how critical it is for us to understand this heritage, with its triumphs and failures, as part of who we are.  One of my last courses here was “The Pastor as Spiritual Director” with Dr. Doug Hardy.  Again, gleaning from historical practices and traditions, I was exposed to resources available to me and ways I can be available to others for the purpose of spiritual formation.  Between these opening and closing courses were several taken with Dr. Tom Noble, professor of theology.  Dr. Noble’s love for the church, expertise in Wesleyan theology, and appreciation for hymnody and liturgy were refreshing and energizing influences. 

Where did you go after you graduated from NTS, and what brought you back?

I graduated from NTS in May of 2003 and accepted a call to be Worship Pastor at Chapman Memorial Church of the Nazarene in Vicksburg, Michigan.  For the next 4 years I would be a part of the pastoral team there in southwest Michigan.  About 18 months into my service there I was contacted by NTS President Dr. Ron Benefiel and asked to consider the position of NTS Director of Admissions.  While I loved the idea and had interest in the opportunity, I was convinced it wasn’t the right time – I needed to stay at the church longer.  I had no idea the opportunity would come around again.  In March of this year, I was once again contacted about the NTS Director of Admissions position – and in this instance, the timing was just right. 

As a former student, and now the Director of Admissions, what would you say is one of NTS’ greatest strengths?

I continue to believe that central to Christian ministry and the call to “go and make disciples” is Christ’s call to “come and follow me.”  Too many people attempt to execute evangelism and ministry without the abundance and vitality of profound spiritual development.  The privilege and passion of walking closely and living intimately with Christ is often lost in the rigors and responsibilities of service.  NTS is committed to being a place where women and men are drawn deeper into the life, death, and resurrection of Christ in word, thought, and deed.  While NTS continues to provide the church with leading theologians, grounded biblical scholarship, informed pastoral identity, and evangelistic strategy, its real gift is women and men who offer these things with the passion and very Spirit of Christ.  One of the greatest strengths of NTS is our commitment to intentional discipleship and deep spiritual formation in community. 

As Director of Admissions, what is your vision/goal for the Office of Admissions this coming year?

I’m definitely still in the formation process of what I call “re-imagining admissions and recruitment.”  I certainly recognize that the Office of Admissions is the front line contact for most students in how they first perceive and experience NTS.  And I’m convinced that when they experience us they should experience in microcosm the essence of NTS.  So, I believe the mission statement of NTS , “to prepare women and men to be faithful and effective ministers of the gospel and offer ourselves as a theological resource” ought to inform the operations of Admissions.  I’d like to see our efforts, influence, and presence become a much more fluid, dynamic, and ministry oriented work.  The process of connecting people with the ethos of NTS should reflect the ethos of NTS.  So, while somewhat ambiguous, my hope is that over the course of the next year we will have re-imagined the form by which we share the possibilities of NTS and walk with people through their education journey.   

 

What advice would you give to anyone who feels a call to ministry in regard to attending NTS?

Go, go, go!  First of all, I would encourage anyone who feels a call to ministry to consider a seminary education as paramount in the process of ministerial development.   Further, I believe a residential seminary education is important; one where formation, reflection, and service take place in community as this directly corresponds to our understanding of the church as the body where people are formed, reflect upon God and humanity, and serve.  Obviously, I believe Nazarene Theological Seminary is a leading candidate for that type of graduate education experience: we’re committed to helping you grow deep in and through community; we’re engaged in critical theological reflection about issues of postmodern culture, age-related spirituality, the emerging church, urban ministry, and globalization; and we’re intentional about connecting students with opportunities for service in both church and parachurch ministries.