NEWS

From candy to clerics:
A food scientist's journey to the pulpit

 

Stephen and Sarah Brisson

When Stephen Brisson took the bold step to begin a Seminary education four years ago, many asked him why a trained scientist would "make the switch" to a vocation as a professional church leader.

As for Brisson, he wondered if he would experience a "disconnect" between the thought and language of science and religion.

No disconnect has ever resulted during his Seminary tour, Brisson believes. And the former scientist, who anticipates graduating with a Master of Divinity degree from The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP) May 20, wants to be sure that other science and technology professionals don't exclude themselves from following a call like his because of their backgrounds.

Thirty years ago seminarians like Brisson were a rarity. Most of them were men who had recently graduated from college with a degree in the humanities. Now, a significant percentage of seminarians begin their studies as part of a second-career journey. The LTSP student body features a balance of men and women.

"I just want anyone in a science or technology career to know that the disciplines of science and religion are more compatible than they may sometimes think," Brisson says. "In studying theology I have never once felt on foreign soil in Seminary, and I am more convinced than ever that God is at work in every aspect of life." In embarking on a church career, Brisson in fact believes that his background in food science will enable him to contribute to "the common language of the church at large."

A chemist by trade, Brisson, now in his early forties, once spent years perfecting the candy coating glazes that improve the appearance and help to maintain the freshness of candy snacks. Yum. He traveled the world to such recognized candy manufacturers as Mars, Cadbury, Hershey, and, yes, even Willy Wonka!

Even though science seems like its own world, with its own language, "God is active there too," Brisson says. "Where I was before was holy ground too, and I will always remember fondly my days as a scientist. The Church involves the ministry of all baptized people. Everyone involved brings a valuable perspective to that ministry. I would want any scientist who has questions like I once had not to ignore the stirrings within them because of their backgrounds."

Brisson believes his science background will help him to add perspective to future discussions involving ethics and science. He believes modern issues in the area of biomedical ethics, such as human cloning, continue a long stream of challenging dilemmas posed by the realm of science. (Older examples include nuclear power and the atomic bomb, he said.)

"Science and religion actually have a lot they can learn from each other," Brisson says. "It doesn't need to be adversarial, such as when Galileo and the church were butting heads about the discovery that the earth was not the center of the universe.

"I think it is exciting that God calls us to use our gifts to be co-creators," Brisson notes. "But that comes with a great responsibility. In order to find direction for what we do in the realm of science we need to combine theological and scientific thought. That means continuing to ask God for direction. We need to ask, What is God's will for our lives and the lives of others? We are called not to abuse the gifts we have been given, but instead to be good stewards of what God has created. We need to take the same approach toward scientific opportunity that is involved in other areas of life, such as what we think and do and how we treat each other. We have a lot of problems and challenges in all these areas."

Many scientific issues have gray areas, Brisson believes, but he thinks people need to keep its positive aspects in balance with the negatives surrounding any dilemmas, past, present or future. "Developments in agricultural biotechnology may make it possible for more people to have inexpensive food," he said. "Modern medicines have made many cures possible. Putting my background together with what I have been taught at Seminary makes me excited about wondering what God is up to in such areas, and how we might go about being stewards of the gifts and challenges that science presents to us."

Brisson, a native of Bellingham, MA, has been a member of St. mark Lutheran Church in Woonsocket, RI, where he and spouse, Sarah, have taught Sunday school together. (Sarah has served as hospitality coordinator and data entry specialist at LTSP during her husband's seminary days.) Stephen Brisson is currently in the call process to serve as a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the 5.2-million-member denomination with which LTSP affiliates.

Forty-five seminarians will receive degrees Sunday during LTSP commencement exercises at 3 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill. Brisson and 22 others will receive the first professional degree, either the Master of Arts in Religion or the Master of Divinity, qualifying them for rostered leadership in the church. Twenty-two others will receive advanced-level degrees, either the Master of Sacred Theology or the Doctor of Ministry degree. LTSP was founded in 1864 near the location where the Gallery Shopping Mall is today in center city Philadelphia. The Seminary moved to Philadelphia's East Mt. Airy section in 1888. It is one of eight seminaries affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.