HELLO!

Today I recorded another five-minute video for United Churches for Dartmouth. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19z6jPbLJx/

In this dialogue with our Atlantic School of Theology student Michael Griffin, we discussed “call to ministry”. In my 36 years as an ordained minister, as someone who has attempted to visit all households connected to the churches I have served, this question of my “call to ministry” continues to be a source of fascination to those I visit. At first, I was surprised but later a friend explained to me, “With the increasing secularization of society and the rapid decline in mainline church membership, the fact someone would choose to become an ordained minister would cause many to ask this question”. I see his point.

I asked Michael this question, his answers were helpful in my understanding of Michael and how we will be working together for the two years (Bethe is his supervisor). When I served on the Presbytery Education and Students Committee (with Michael’s parents) we would ask candidates for ministry this question along with another question, “what Biblical character or story most reminds you or inspires you in your call to ministry?” In my case, when I was being interviewed in the late 80’s, the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus came to mind, I felt “called” to see those who felt invisible to others, call them by name, ask them to share a meal and listen to their stories. That call was inspired by my late mother who would tell me, “When you enter a room always seek out those who are sitting/standing alone first, the others already have company, go where you are needed first.” I try my best to live up to those words.

But later in life, I see myself less as the one “seeking the lost” and more as part of a movement seeking the truth. John 10:10 reads, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free”. I don’t think the truth is to be found in the obvious, in “common sense” or doing or thinking like “crowd”. Finding and living the truth requires discernment, prayer, listening, being aware of others who are not always like you. I like how writer Flannery O’Connor reimagines John 10:10 “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you odd”. William Willimon and Stanley Hauerwas wrote two books on how Christians should think of themselves as “Resident Aliens”. There is a way we Christians are called to witness to our truth, which is God breathes life into all Creation, that our purpose is love and compassion, and how hard it is to overcome the temptation to live as “we” when we are so focused on “me”. Most people I know evaluate and select spiritual homes based on how they witness Christians.

Peace, Kevin