January 2, 2022 I was ordained!
Getting ordained meant thinking through my faith and theology, preparing to be interviewed by our elders – looking back on years of teaching and ministry and thinking ahead about where we’re going as a church – the process brought up thoughts about heritage…
My parent’s Bibles – The one my mother read when I was growing up. with her notes and thoughts in the margins. and the Greek New Testament my father passed down to me when I was studying Greek in college. It has his notes and even a helpful chart for memorizing verb tenses. Both remind me of the heritage of faith I have from my parents.
Pastor Joe said, “We are all the church and we each have something God wants us to give – the story of our lives that brought us to this place and the story we’re making as we enter this new year and step up and in to serve – some will sing, some will clean, some will teach and others lead – but we’re all God’s church and we each have a calling.”
Getting ordained is an official moment – but it’s not exclusive – it’s not just for those who have a title and a new parking space (no, I didn’t get a parking space!). I followed a specific calling. There’s a calling for you as well and it begins by not just attending church but being the church.
Having elders (my husband one of them!) lay hands and pray over me didn’t flip a switch in heaven – Saturday: regular lady – Sunday: shiny halo and Most Holy Reverend – but it does mean that I have been intentional. My faith means something beyond and I want to actually live that out in a way that says, “Yes God – I will use my talents for your kingdom and in obedience, to any calling You have for me.”
This has been a journey for sure. A calling I never considered, until God’s voice was clear in my heart. Then the way opened undeniably. I pray for you also to know your calling and to hear His voice leading wherever that may take you. Trust God. He’s so, so good.
You might be interested in reading about how I came to realize why “Women Can” and should teach, minister, and lead in the church. You can read about my story here and follow my ongoing journey to love God and glorify Him in all I do.
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