Board of Ministry Days

For three days this week I was immersed in the work of the Conference Board of Ministry at the White Oak Retreat Center near Winnsboro. Although I have previously reflected on our meetings, they continue to generate some fresh thoughts. As we discussed important aspects of ministry with candidates for ordination as deacons and elders, I was most impressed with how many of them have grown significantly through their probationary period and already have effective ministries. A male colleague commented on how impressed he was with many of the women who wrote and spoke so very well. This was a great acknowledgement of what is being proven in many churches across our denomination. However, there were several times when we had to tell candidates, both male and female, that we found their papers and interviews to be lacking in clear understanding of what it means to be an effective minister. This is always painful and leaves me wondering why this happens. It often seems that perhaps the absence of honest and forthright guidance by pastors, congregations, district boards of ministries, mentors, seminary professors and even family and friends allows the candidate to assume that they will eventually be ordained. Perhaps the candidate’s call to ministry has been misunderstood and is to be fulfilled from the pew rather that the pulpit. Those of us who walk with these candidates have a great responsibility to light the way, not just pass judgment after years of preparation. It would seem that these thoughts could also apply to many family, church, school and work relationships.