When one thinks of growing older, a slower pace of living comes to mind. Couples may now have more time to pursue other activities and interests.

Wait a minute! On the campus of CTS are many second career men, many empty nesters, who, at this stage in their life, are working toward another goal: becoming a pastor. These are men who had other careers and are now changing gears. Maybe becoming a pastor was their goal earlier in life, or, maybe with serving on boards/committees in their home churches, they are feeling God is directing them into the ministry. For whatever reason, CTS has seventy men in the Master of Divinity program whose ages span from forty to sixty-five. One of them, Paul Lohse, has agreed to share his personal journey to Fort Wayne:

Q: You entered the seminary as a second career seminarian. What did you do prior to coming to the seminary?
P: I was self-employed in the retail clothing business. Shirley worked two or three days a week with me.

Q: Is your goal of becoming a pastor something that you thought about years ago, or something that has been brought to the surface recently?
P: At the beginning of 1998, after becoming involved in our home congregation, I felt I needed to become a pastor.

Q: Shirley, when Paul felt the seminary is where he should be, did he drop the idea on you one evening, or was it a gradual thing?
S: It was a bombshell! I said, "You've got to be kidding!" I had hoped he was not serious.

Q: What was the response when you told family and friends in your age group, who are planning for retirement?
P: Most people were very surprised. My mom thought it was great; in fact, she said she had hoped for the past forty years I would become a pastor. The kids said if that is what I wanted to do, go for it.

Q: What are memories of moving from Niles, Mich., to Fort Wayne?
P: It was a bit easier for us as we still retain our home in Niles and return home on the weekend for Fieldwork. We rent an apartment less than a mile from the seminary.
S: Sometimes I stay a few extra days because of involvement in activities at church, and he joins me on the weekend.

Q: What steps did you take after deciding to come to Fort Wayne?
P: I talked with the Admission Counselor, Scott Stiegemeyer, and he assured me age was not a factor. Then, in the fall of 1998, I attended an Elders Retreat at the seminary. I became uncertain about this new idea of entering the seminary. So, I put it on hold.
S: I loved working in the clothing business, and Paul did, too. I admit that I was glad that he'd changed his mind. He soon changed it back, however!

Q: What happened?
P: We had both lost our spouses, and were then married in 1997; I first approached becoming a pastor to Shirley in 1998 and then had misgivings that fall. But January 1999, I was all fired up again. Rev. Tom Zimmerman, one of the Development Counselors from CTS, spoke to our Bible Class in Niles. Talking with Tom gave me the assurance once again that I wasn't too old. The timing seemed right and we made the trip to Fort Wayne. After that, I filled out an application and the summer of 1999 I was sitting in Greek class.

Q: Paul, what has been your biggest challenge?
P: Convincing Shirley!
S: I think it was getting back into the study mode, learning how to study. For me, the biggest hurdle was I didn't think he should do this. But, after much prayer, etc., I came to the conclusion that if my husband wanted to try this, I would be in his corner and emotionally support him and move to Fort Wayne. By getting involved in seminary activities, I'm part of the community and I'm enjoying myself.

Q: Is seminary life what you anticipated?
P: The classes are more interesting than I thought. It takes much concentration to memorize things, as it has been a few years since I attended college! But, I am doing it.
S: I didn't have any idea what to expect. I had only lived in Niles. And, coming here, I didn't know a soul. When I went into that first ladies' Bible study, I was uncomfortable, but I went. I told myself I would go back and not feel sorry for myself. Now I am treasurer of Student Wives Association. The ladies at the seminary are great; Margaret Stinson, another seminary wife, helped me assimilate into the seminary community.

Q: How is your day to day life here different from your former life?
P: We were together two or three days at the clothing store. Now, I am in classes all day.
S: And I keep busy with our home in Niles and the apartment here, belong to organizations here at the seminary, type his papers on the computer, and learn all I can about being a vicar's wife, the next step when we leave next summer for one year.

Q: What are pluses, do you feel, of doing this at this stage?
P & S: Life's experiences. Together we have so many. We can relate to so many of the challenges people are having. We have been there. Our kids are gone, and, once I'm finished with the studies for the day, we can have a bit of time for each other.

Q: What advice, suggestions, would you give "empty nesters" who have thought of doing what you have actually done?
P: Go to the seminary, visit with the counselors, and sit in on classes. Otherwise, you will never know what might have been!
S: Attend the Prayerfully Consider Campus Visit that is held twice a year. People from all over the country come together for a couple of days, gather information, and have questions answered. We missed some critical issues that were presented at the campus visit.

Paul proudly mentioned that he will be turning 60 on his next birthday.

From Volume 5, Issue 1, January/February, 2001