Wie Debora Sommer ihre Berufung als Theologin entdeckte
Dr. Debora Sommer shared insights into her life story with the study community at St. Chrischona Theological Seminary (tsc). At a community evening on March 5, 2020, the director of the distance learning theology program at tsc took the audience on an exciting journey. She shared how she discovered her calling as a theologian and began to live courageously.
Woman and theologian
Shaped by a culture in which the image of women was clearly defined, it was challenging and also courageous to follow a call from God that seemed to contradict this conditioning. From an early age, Debora had the desire to dedicate her life entirely to God. She began her theology studies at the State-Independent Theological College (STH) in Basel with the knowledge that she would probably never preach herself. After an encounter with a fellow student who had a calling as a pastor in the state church, she began to engage more and more with the role of women from a theological perspective. She devoted particular attention to this topic in herdoctoral thesisabout Juliane von Krüdener: «A Baltic noble missionary moves Europe.» Debora Sommer realized that sometimes it is necessary to wrestle with the Bible rather than with people. It is an art to be able to endure theological tensions respectfully and to approach people with love.
Complement instead of competition
Debora Sommer’s report was supplemented by contributions from her husband Rolf.Coachand pastor is a graduate of the St. Chrischona Theological Seminary. It was impressive to see how the spouses complement and support each other as a team. This made Debora’s words come to life in practice: «Often you only fight to be right, instead of being willing to be considerate and allow love to mature.» This contains the strength to accept differences, to listen to them, and to endure tensions. It is the ability to dialogue that makes it possible to hear and see the perspective of others, and to let it go for now. «It’s about seeking inner strength from God to remain open to criticism and to constantly examine your own motives,» explained Debora Sommer.
Rolf Sommer encouraged the study group with the words: «Have the courage to take steps – even if it might end in disappointment. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; they are part of the process and you can learn from them – have the courage to be brave!» Ultimately, it’s more about complementing each other than competing. Because in diversity lies unity and this always brings with it tensions.
"It is a great privilege to have such lecturers at the tsc"
The evening lecture was well received by the students, including Ladina Wettstein, a student in the Bachelor’s programTheology & EducationShe said: «I consider it a great privilege to have lecturers like Debora Sommer at the tsc. Their life stories and experiences provide us as a community at St. Chrischona with tremendous added value, from which we can benefit enormously. This motivates me to organize, coordinate, and conduct such events and evenings.»
Dr. Debora Sommer is a guest lecturer in the distance learning theology program at tsc as well as an author and event speaker.