A Conversation With Danielle Barnard
Hometown: Maryland, USA
Degree: Masters of Divinity, Chaplaincy Concentration
When I was 17, I shared my call to ministry with my youth pastor, and since then, I've known that Andrews was in my future. But, I came here reluctantly. I did not want to move to Michigan. I have always lived and studied in Maryland. I was connected to my family, my friends and my church there. I was supposed to start at Andrews in Fall 2015, but I decided not to go. I didn’t feel prepared to move; I didn’t feel that it was the right move.
So, I enrolled in a seminary in Washington, D.C. While it is an excellent seminary, it was an extremely difficult semester. Unnecessarily difficult. Difficult in the way that I knew it wasn’t the right place for me. A good place, but not a God place. Well, not God’s place for me. After a semester of study there, I enrolled in a non-profit management program. Once again, a good thing, but not a God-thing for me. Most of 2015 was a lesson in my discerning between what is “good” and what is “God” in my life. Lots of prayer, talking with my mentors, serving in church and most of all listening to God, I made the decision to move. I knew this move to Andrews was God. It was difficult, but there was peace. So, that’s how I ended up here. It was all God.
How have you seen God's confirmation that you are in the right place, now that you're at the Seminary?
I wake up with peace. Everyday. It's been a tough transition for me moving out here by myself, but even though some days are harder than others, I have peace. This move is a God-thing because more than what I've been learning in school, I've been learning so much about myself. Being out here has given me a chance to listen to God intentionally, and I've learned things about my personality, my relationship with God and the nature of my vocational calling that I never took the time before to explore. This experience is more than a degree; it's God's way of shaping me so that I will be more committed to Him who calls me than to my calling.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I am working on my MDiv with a chaplaincy concentration.
What are some challenges you experienced in your decision to minister in the Seventh-day Adventist Church?
One of the biggest challenges for me has been navigating Seventh-day Adventism alone. I am the only Seventh-day Adventist in my family. While they are supportive because I am dedicating my life to ministry, there is a large part of the journey I can’t share with my family—and that is difficult for me. Ministry, no matter who you are, is a lonely journey, but it is even harder when you don’t have family to journey it with you.
What helped you overcome those challenges?
God has placed wonderful mentors and “sisters” in my life that have helped keep me encouraged throughout this journey. Older friends in ministry have made the challenges of walking this journey a little less challenging.
What has your experience been like as a woman in the Seminary?
Overall it has been a good experience. My colleagues have been respectful and generally pleasant. There are times where I feel like I am infiltrating the “boys club,” but that is no different than studying theology in undergrad.
What do you plan to do after you finish your MDiv?
Once I finish with my masters here, I plan to enroll in a PhD program (I have about eight or nine programs I am currently looking at). I would eventually like to teach theology and serve as a hospital chaplain.
