Greg Mellor

Greg Mellor

What brought you to ISSJ?

What first brought me to ISSJ was my desire to continue studies in Christian theology beyond the undergraduate level.  The coursework included in the MA in Christian Spirituality that I completed five years prior to my first class with ISSJ prepared me well pastorally for professional work as a lay Catholic minister.  However, I yearned for a more comprehensive education in theology that would allow me to dig deeper into Church history, scripture, and systematic theology.  What I found in ISSJ was an academic approach to theology that I believe is much needed today.  My professors challenged me to consider real-life and practical implications of the subject matter on a local, national, and global level.  They also encouraged me to intentionally reflect on how my studies inside the classroom contributed to my growth as a lay minister and as a person seeking to grow in relationship with God.  

 

What impact has your studies with ISSJ had on you? 

My studies with ISSJ shed light on the many questions that I wrestle with on a daily basis in regard to my relationship with God and my role as a member of the Catholic Church.  In particular, a course on black and feminist theology further opened my eyes to the narrow view from which I see the world as a white, middle-class, heterosexual, cisgender, able-bodied, Catholic man living in the United States.  Moreover, the Liberating Bible class empowered me to speak and teach more effectively on the complexities of reading and interpreting Christian scripture.  This is especially important considering my ministerial role today as a prison chaplain.  The opportunity to discuss historical and literary contexts of Biblical texts with men, who quite frankly recite scripture far better than I ever will, fosters engaging conversations that result in deeper understanding and appreciation for our Christian faith.