"Following the Call"

    Pastor's are asked again and again to share their call stories. It is part of the ordination process. It is part of our introduction to new appointments. It is part of our identity. There are times I wish my call story would be more glamorous - with bells, whistles, and flashing lights, but in truth it is simple.

I grew up attending church every chance I got. If the doors were open I was there. Yet, as much as I loved the Church, I never considered being a pastor as a child or youth - I wanted to be a doctor. While in college, at the prompting of my pastor, I attended one of the God’s Call events held by the annual conference. While there, I felt a nudge to some type of ministry, but I couldn’t quite define what it may be. When I returned to the event the second year, I felt I was called to preach the word of God, but was still unclear on if I was called to full-time ministry. 

By my junior year in college I had abandoned the thought of becoming a doctor and was looking into Universities to pursue a doctorate degree in psychology. While at one particular school, in the dissertation room, I became distinctly aware of the fact that I had been avoiding my true calling to ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church. At that point, I started to apply to seminaries and have never looked back. 

I love being a pastor because it gives me the opportunity to raise up disciples to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. I believe that the world is in need of grace, hope, and restoration, that can only be found through Christ’s Church. I believe as disciples we are called to love God with our whole hearts and serve God with our hands. 

  But as simple as my story may be, it took me years of running to listen to God's voice. I wanted to anything but be a pastor. And I still wrestle with call from time to time - the call to respond to God instead of seeking to please people. Or the call to live into who God created me to be - a healer of people hurt by the church and a builder of transformative disciples who are passionate for Christ. Because the call of God is hard. But the call of God also never give up on us - beckoning us to respond. 

   We are all called. Some to be pastors. Others to be teachers. Others to sing in the choir or teach youth group. All are called to go out and serve the world by being the hands and feet of Christ in very specific ways that God created us for. What are you called to do? How can the local church support you in your call?