My Call to Ministry

I was asked to prepare this brief two page statement to group who is supervising my process for ordination with the United Methodist Church. (PS: Also check out the new post just after this one).

I find it helpful at the beginning to describe my understanding of a “call to ministry.” First, I am called to God. The truth that I am to be a child of God before all else enables me to prioritize my life according to His desire and purpose. I discern that God is calling me to work the area of pastoral ministry. I am still in the process of understanding the specifics of this particular call. However, I have a passion for college ministry and pastoral ministry in the context of the local church.

I was an acquaintance of the church as a child and teen, but never connected to anything that was preached. It was not until I was in my final semester of high school that I truly understood what Jesus Christ really did on the cross. I was searching for acceptance from others by doing whatever would make me stand out. I never seemed to find contentment until a friend showed me who Christ is and His total acceptance of me as I am. That was the year that I realized the extent of my sin, and the measure of His grace. My walk with God stumbled along my first year in Christ. It was hard enough adjusting to college life, much less the Christian life. But God was faithful to bring me around other Christians. Here I began to discover the divine connection between personal growth and a community of
believers. In hindsight, I see that my call emerged within this community of fellow students at my university’s Baptist Campus Ministry. The ministry was a testing ground of sorts for me. I was given the opportunity to serve in several different areas. I preached at worship services and local churches, developed leadership skills, taught small groups, and learned the deep ministry of friendship. Over the span of three years my campus minister began to see possible areas of God’s work in me. I found that I really enjoyed studying scripture and organizing it in a manner that made sense for my audience and challenged them to deeper faith. It was helpful to me to have the encouragement of close friends and the spiritual guidance of my campus minister. Truly, my call was influenced by the community God had brought me to. I thought it best to finish college and pursue seminary work. However, upon
graduation I heard the call to make a living louder than the call to continue education. A year and several months passed and I settled into the working life. However, my wife and I took some time to reconnect with a pastor friend in Florida. Our conversations about the world’s brokenness that weekend reminded me of my call. In the weeks that followed my wife and I discussed the possibility of going to seminary to prepare for pastoral ministry. Upon her graduation from college, I began taking classes at Asbury Seminary. My seminary experience has only further convinced me that God does desire me to serve as a pastor. I am constantly learning what it means to be a child of God called to be a pastor.

I chose to pursue ordination in the United Methodist Church because it seems to be the best place I can fully follow God’s call. I find that my understanding of God, scripture, and life are well articulated in Wesleyan Theology and its everyday practice. I appreciate the concept of the “call system” that annually seeks to match God’s ministers and His people. I feel blessed that I will be able to come before the Lord annually and see where He desires me vocationally. One of my primary goals in preaching is to encourage the audience to live in a discipleship relationship with God and the body of Christ. For this reason, I am encouraged that I will be accountable not only to God and the people, but also to my district superintendent and bishop. My faith journey and ministry call have taught me that the Christian life is a life shared with others. I believe that I can best serve the kingdom, and be true to my call, through the communion of the United Methodist Church. I trust that God will continue to pursue his desire in my life as I walk through this process to ordination.

Some Blog Business

I have had numerous ideas running in my head about blog topics. Recently, I am consumed with work. I am loving my job recruiting, but this is the busy semester also. No wonder all my collegues suggested I be a part time student this semster. Man, I am glad I listened, I cannot imagine fitting another class in right now. I feel like Paul writing in Acts. I can list a pretty good travel log myself. Last week I recruited at an annual conference for the Christian Church of Florida. Monday, I was in Lakeland, FL at the campus of Florida Southern College. What a beautiful campus, right on a lake! Next week I will be flying to Birmingham, AL to visit Birmingham-Southern and Samford University. I have heard the city is really cool. All that to say that you can expect some blogging from me. I am excited about the next blog I will post which is my own call to ministry. Secondly, I am thinking through a multi-part series that is growing out of my class on Pastoral Care. I want to present some ideas that have shaken up my own practice and understanding of ministry.

In the mean time, here is a question to ponder... What is your definition of ministry?
Please, feel free to post yours in the comments section below, I will start with mine. Be annonmous if you need to :)

Melanie's 27th Birthday! 9-12-2008

Here's some recent photo's of our trip to Wilmore and Melanie's Birthday!

September 11, 2008

So today is 911 and you can't turn on a radio or the TV without being reminded of what happened seven years ago today. Most anyone you ask can tell you exactly what they were doing when they received word 7 years ago of the first tower being hit by the plane. I remember doing sets at Disney's Hollywood Studios, not realizing exactly what the big deal was. Only an hour later we cast received word that Disney World would be closing for the remainder of the day. It wasn't until that moment we realized how serious the situation was. As Disney never closes... once arriving home we all planted ourselves in front of the TV watching the unbelievable scene of the towers coming down over and over. Let us always remember in prayer those who lost their lives that horrific day.

On a lighter note, Brian and I just returned from KY. I flew back on Monday, and he returned just yesterday. We had a fabulous time hanging out with old friends and going to the Shane & Shane concert. And of course whenever we get together with our good friends Kate & Adam Vodicka, and Kelli & Brandon Dasinger there has to be at least one unexpected adventure! Saturday night they threw me a surprise princess themed Birthday party. It was lots of fun!! And Kate made and decorated a fabulous cookie cake! I adore the movie "Enchanted" and so they themed it after the movie. The excitement didn't stop there, as Sunday night Adam locked his keys in their second floor apartment. He had to beg his neighbors to let him climb out on the roof through their window. They weren't too excited! Of course, this was all after we had scaled all sides of the building trying to find a way to climb up a pipe. Our friend Dan brought a ladder, but it was a 6 foot A frame, not nearly tall enough. So as we all stood outside staring up at the roof, Adam & Brandon managed breaking through the window... and yes, they literally had to break some glass! Oops... wait till the landlord finds out! It was all and all a great trip. And just long enough for Brian and I to get away and get refreshed!

We even went by good old Broadhurst Manor, our old apartment. Which now looks like a deserted old building, with overgrown grass. It was kind of sad to see it so dead, when only a few months ago it was so full of life! We will be posting pictures soon. Hope all is doing well wherever you may be. I am excited as we will be seeing family very soon for the holidays! Love to all!

-Melanie