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"I don't think seminary is about giving you ways to defend the Jesus you believe in... it's about breaking down your biases to build that faith back up even stronger."

What does it mean to "grow in grace" when the institution of the church feels imperfect? In this episode, Lane sits down with Brandon Murphy-Ward, a second-year MDiv student at Duke Divinity School, to explore the beautiful, often messy intersection of theological education and pastoral calling.

From a transformative childhood encounter on a Kansas highway to the academic "unraveling" of Old Testament scholarship, Brandon shares his journey of navigating the Wesleyan tradition. We dive deep into:

• The Calling: How a 13-year-old’s "Happy Birthday, Jesus" prayer evolved into a commitment to the elder track in the UMC.
• Head vs. Heart: Why the modern church has lost the art of "reasoning" and why questioning God isn't a sin—it's a tradition.
• Wesleyan Nerd-Out: A refreshing look at Christian Perfection and why the early Methodist movement’s focus on the marginalized is the key to modern justice work.
• The Seedbed of Seminary: A candid look at the "pruning" process of theological school and why wrestling with the church is a sign of a healthy vocation.