I spent three intense years in divinity school pursuing a master’s degree; but when I finished, I realized I was theoretically proficient but illiterate in terms of practical application. I had studied systematic theology, soteriology, epistemology, and even pneumatology. Yet, I had never baptized a person until I was a pastor. I had never served Communion until I served a church as a pastor. Talk about a learning curve. From the ivory halls of the academy to corporate boardrooms, even to the hallowed pews of our places of worship, we are inundated with information on what should be done, but few of us are actually given the practical strategies about how to do it. I’m reminded of the apostle Paul’s internal struggle that he shares regarding what and how.
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh, ) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not (Romans 7:18, KJV). Paul’s struggle for the how is a universal struggle. The world needs not only your what but your how –your know-how. Your vision means nothing if it is out in some theoretical space but never comes down to the real world of practicality and implementation