Doctor Mark!
June 15, 2009
Well, I did it. I finished my Doctor of Ministry degree at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. Yesterday, I attended the graduation ceremony which was held at the Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, where over 400 people graduated with various degrees (80 from the Doctor of Ministry program), cheered on by friends and family members. It was a really enjoyable occasion. It's great to stop and celebrate the milestones in our lives. For me there was a sense of joy, fulfillment, closure, and a bit of relief for finally being finished.
I'd really like to thank my wife Nicole for supporting me during my years of study, my kids for putting up with dad frequently having his nose in the books and head in the clouds, City Life Church for sponsoring my study and encouraging me in my personal and ministry development, my lecturers for teaching me so much, and God for saving and calling me to serve his purpose on planet earth.
My goal has always been the education rather than the title, so please still call me 'Mark' not 'Doctor Mark.'
What next? I don't plan on doing any further formal study such as a PhD, which is a highly academic degree. However, I'll continue to be committed to continual learning and I'll consider doing some teaching at the Doctorate level some time in the future.
P.S. For some more details about my course of study, click here to read an earlier post.
Wow! congratulations!!!
Posted by: Rafferty Uy | June 15, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Congratulations. What next???
http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/trial/humble-pastors
http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/trial/humble-christians
Your Humble Servant
Posted by: Humble Servant | June 15, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Congratulaions Mark and welcome back. Well done!!! :)
Enjoy celebrating another wonderful achievement in your life.
Happy 23rd wedding anniversary to you both :)
Posted by: Marija Thornton | June 15, 2009 at 12:27 PM
congratulations ps mark....ive been blessed by your blogposts!
Posted by: ser | June 15, 2009 at 03:26 PM
Congratulation Mark, the gown and mortar board suit you! This is an outstanding achievement particularly when considering all the other responsibilities you carry. Thanks for your commitment to ongoing growth and development, we are so blessed to have you as our Senior Minister!
Posted by: Ray Henderson | June 15, 2009 at 03:48 PM
In the immortal words of Bugs Bunny,
"Ehh... what's up Doc!"
Okay...that's the last time ;-)
Congratulations Mark. Well done.
Posted by: Peter J. Coburn | June 15, 2009 at 05:32 PM
That's fantastic Mark. A very big congratulations on such a massive accomplishment after years of study. We as a church all benefit from your study and wisdom. May God bless your time away with Nicole and have a lovely time celebrating your anniversary. You deserve a time of refreshing!
Posted by: Janelle | June 15, 2009 at 09:14 PM
Our sincere congratulations on achieving a monumental goal. We are so proud of you! We've just got to get to say it at least once, "Congratulations! Dr. Mark". :)
Reiner & Shereen
Posted by: S Poynton | June 15, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Hey Mark huge congrats - an amazing accomplishment.
I'm almost at the end of my Masters so have some idea of the commitment, sacrifice & sweat!
Well done ... Dr Mark has a nice ring to it!
John
Posted by: John Finkelde | June 16, 2009 at 12:47 AM
Congrats MARK on this achievement. You're an inspiration to all of us! Keep shining for Jesus!
Posted by: Amit | June 16, 2009 at 12:51 AM
Congratulations and well done Mark. Now we know exactly who to come to for answers to our hard theological questions! :-)
Posted by: Lionfish | June 16, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Congratulations and a very big THANKYOU for your dedication and sacrifice. I know we will all benefit from your years of hard work. Thanks also to your wonderful family for supporting and encouraging you.
Posted by: Rhiannon Dowding | June 17, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Congratulations Mark! Thank you for reminding me that continual educatino is imperative esp if in God's service. Blessings, Kenneth
Posted by: Kenenth | June 17, 2009 at 09:24 PM
Congratulations Mark :) What a fantastic achievement!!! Well Done. Welcome back
Posted by: Vikki Wallis | June 17, 2009 at 09:49 PM
WOW congrats Mark!! Trust what you've learned through your Doctor of Ministry degree will bless many not only City Life Church, but the city of Melbourne and beyond. Will keep you in prayers as you continue serving our awesome God!!
Posted by: Kitty Cheng | June 17, 2009 at 11:30 PM
Great stuff
Posted by: Sam | June 18, 2009 at 08:39 PM
Congratulations! That's a great achievement!
Posted by: F.Lokot | June 19, 2009 at 12:57 PM
thus it men you did it
Posted by: joseph | June 20, 2009 at 02:39 AM
Well done Mark! Congratulations on a very worthwhile achievement.
Well done to you Nicole, for being the mainstay of support during all the study years.
What a team!
Lynne.
Posted by: Lynne Baker | June 22, 2009 at 08:38 PM
Congratulations Mark, a wonderful achievement. As you say yourself, there is a team that support you on a journey. Our church continues to benefit from your continued commitment to the Lord and teaching excellence. Leading a life of Daniel - there is nothing better than leading by example. As a church, we are truly blessed.
Posted by: Wendy King | June 26, 2009 at 01:42 PM
As somebody who walk across stage in a gown and mortar just two months ago, a big congratulations Mark. Enjoy a little bit of freedom and beware the post study blues :-)
Posted by: Stuart French | July 07, 2009 at 08:49 PM