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Well, it’s only been a year since my last blog post. Isn’t that great? Anyway, I’m in the process of completing the written portion of my exam for Full Membership and Elder’s Orders in The United Methodist Church. To make sure I’m on the right track I’m posting portions of my answers throughout the next couple of weeks. Feel free to comment!
1) How has the practice of ministry affected your experience and understanding of God?
1. As I grow as a minister I am continually reminded of God’s continued activity in the world. God is at work every moment of our lives, always seeking reconciliation and transformation. During worship, during office hours, in hospital rooms, in the midst of our daily (and sometimes mundane) tasks, etc., God is present. Whether it is presiding over the baptism of an infant or preparing words of comfort for a bereaved family, God is in the midst of all our joys and sufferings. We are called to be in covenantal relationship with God and to be faithful stewards of God’s creation. As pastor I value the covenantal response to God’s grace in our lives, ever mindful of God’s creative activity on our behalf. Recently I gave a children’s sermon in which I described God as the source of our creativity. A few days later I received a drawing from one of the children who was thankful to God for giving the gift of creativity. Even at ten she recognizes God as the giver of all our gifts. For me, the moment was a time of joy at being able to faithfully convey God’s Word that was understandable.
With those joys also come sorrows. In my first year of ministry as a commissioned elder I was involved with the community foodbank, which was located in the church. During the day many different people from all walks of life would come requesting assistance. Over time I listened to many personal stories. People would talk about the effects of the economic downturn in their daily lives, or how their own personal choices, such as the abuse of drugs and alcohol, have affected them and their families, or how they simply couldn’t make ends meet and weren’t sure where their next meal would come from. In those moments the Incarnational reality of God would be heightened. As I listened to the stories, I recognized the eternal presence of the Son of God who understood the sufferings of humanity. He was willing to walk with the marginalized, to setting them free from the transgressions of the world. At times people coming to the food bank would ask for forgiveness and I understood that because Jesus is the embodiment of God’s redemptive activity and the source of humanity’s salvation, no one is beyond the reach of God’s love.
I am continued to be surprised by God through the activity of the Holy Spirit. I have come to recognize that my own expectations often fall short of what God is doing in the world. The Spirit transcends our own limitations, guiding us to a better relationship with God and helping us along our discipleship journey. I am currently leading a Disciple III class. Before each class I outline a plan for discussion. Usually that plan becomes discarded because the other members have such wonderful insights into the particular texts. And from those various insights the class is motivated to seeking ways to living out beyond the class what they are experiencing. The Spirit is guiding them to grow in their faith, to really take seriously the call to making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. This is the Spirit at work, not anything I have done.
I know I will never fully know and understand the mystery of God in this world. However I trust I will continue to grow as a minister through the experiences God will place before me. God, through Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit is always present.
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