October 20, 2013:
Where Do Ministers Come From?
Today we are celebrating Laity Sunday but, when you think about it, every Sunday is Laity Sunday. Without laity — church members who give time, talent, treasure, prayers to and for their church, there would be no churches. There also would be no clergy. Why would they be needed? Thank God, that Pilgrim Church has some of the finest laywomen and laymen I have known in my years of ministry. That’s true, believe me.
Yet, most Protestant churches, except our Quaker sisters and brothers, feel the need for professional clergy to carry out their expected duties: preaching, teaching, performing baptisms, weddings and funerals, presiding at Holy Communion, being readily available for pastoral care to the dying and bereaved families, offering pastoral counseling to those struggling with various problems in their lives, calling in the homes of potential new members and faithful “old” members (!), attending to all the administrative duties of a church such as bulletin and newsletter preparation as well as monthly and annual reports, sending a variety of letters for a variety of reasons on behalf of the church, nurturing children and youth in their Christian growth, being involved in community affairs . . . Whew! Have I missed anything? I think I could sum this all up by saying that ministers should “be there” for all those moments in life when someone needs to feel that God cares about them no matter who they are or what they have done.
Could laity do all these duties themselves? Of course, but clergy help to inspire and guide their churches. But I haven’t answered the question: “Where do ministers come from?” Easy answer . . . from churches like ours! Young and not-so-young women and men grow up in churches like Pilgrim and at some point feel that God is calling them into this profession. In words from a cloud? No, that still small voice speaking within.
Feeling this call to ministry these women and men must have the affirmation of their local church who believe their call is genuine and their ability certain. In our denomination it is expected the ministers-to-be will have a four year college degree and a three or four year seminary degree. Then they must prepare a variety of papers answering questions to determine their fitness for ministry and ordination. By the way, there is also a psychological examination to be sure the new minister will do good and not harm to his or her people.
When all this is accomplished, the minister must receive an appropriate call to a church or other approved ministry. Then the minister is able to be ordained, usually in her or his own church.
By the way, to all reading these words: the Church always needs new ministers. Have you heard a call to ministry? Do you know someone struggling to answer this call? I’d love to talk with you about this.
Love,
Dave