Loving Mark (the Gospel) and other musings

I have a confession to make: for YEARS (most of my time on staff with IV) I have HATED GREATLY DISLIKED the Gospel of Mark.

It’s been a subtle dislike at first, but one that would show up in unexpected places:

a) in all my years in ministry (3 as student and 6 as a staff), I have NEVER led a Mark study on campus.

b) I refused to attend MarkCentral until I was forced to for work, and it wasn’t until the 3rd year I went that I actually enjoyed it.

c) There is no Mark folder in my bible study folder (there’s one for all the other Gospels, Acts, Romans, and some other Paul texts).

d) Even when some of my awesome friends participated in theatre productions of the Gospel, I don’t have fond memories of going or inviting students to attend.

e) Recruiting for MarkCentral is one of the first tasks I will pass off to my students or staff partner.

f) One of the things that made me excited for going to Bangladesh the first 2 years I went was that I wouldn’t be available to teach at MarkCentral.

Thankfully, I serve a gracious God who, despite me, draws his children toward Him, even using this Gospel. BUT, as I embark on this year, which is my 11th anniversary at Ryerson (including my time as a student); I was the one who suggested we study Mark, not just for one semester, but two!

And as I sit in my second office, aka the Mt Pleasant and Soudan Ave Starbucks, prepping Scripture while listening to a soft music mix and sipping a Venti water; I realized how much I’m starting to love Mark. I’m excited for the students who will be joining us in studies this week and the weeks to come, and I’m excited to see how God will meet us (myself included) this year.