Ordination

A friend and colleague mentioned yesterday that I don't update my blog often enough; she's right. I haven't yet developed the habit of sharing my journal everyday and I'm not even sure anyone is interested. But, today I am in the mood again because I spent yesterday with our Bishop Robert Hayes and my fellow classmates who are about to be ordained on Wednesday. It was a great day and I began to grasp the full significance of all this.

The head of our Board of Ordained Ministry reminded us of the long line of succession we are about to step into. Other speakers reminded us of the years of training and internship we have endured and the significance of our calling into the set-apart ministry of ordination. All of this serves to inspire awe and the desire for excellence going forward. This is a huge responsibility and the only thing that makes it possible to accept is knowing that Jesus has been and will continue to walk beside me as I try to do my best to follow his leadership. Bishop reminded us that our only entitlement as ordained elders is our service - we are entitled to be servants of God.

I think of the words of ordination: "Take thou authority to preach the Word of God, to order the life of the church, and administer the holy sacraments. Wow! What a charge to keep I have! I pray for myself and those who will walk beside me next week that we will accept this charge with humility and grace; I pray that God will be with us as we go forward to serve in love.

Amen and amen!