Ordination Summer

I was recently asked by someone what was keeping me busy this summer. After mentioning several random things, I said that I was traveling a lot especially since this was the summer of not of weddings, but of ordinations. The person whom I was with chuckled a little and said, “I guess that makes sense as this is the summer after you graduated seminary.”

Thus far I’ve been to two services of Div School friends with some others possibility in the works in the coming months. A couple weeks ago I attended my friend Mark’s United Church of Christ ordination here in Durham. And then this past weekend, I traveled to Memphis, TN for my friend and former roommate, Sarah’s ordination at the city’s First Baptist Church.

With both Mark and Sarah it was an honor to stand with them during their services not only because it was such a special day for each of them, but because I felt as though I’ve shared in the journey which they have both taken to respond affirmatively to their ordination vows.

I watched as Mark has journeyed through what it means to read scripture with new eyes and as a result has made some tough choices about his pastoral calling and denominational affiliation. I have watched as Sarah has read the saints of church history with new eyes as well and then began to take Jesus’ call to simplicity as authentic Christian witness for her own life. I saw her love of learning spring forth every time she came to our home excited about some new theologian or book she was reading, causing her to think about getting a PhD in Biblical Studies one day.

Truly, the beauty of seeing the Spirit shape a life in ways persons would have never imagined for them is amazing! This is probably why ordinations make me quite weepy. I told Kevin, who went with me to Sarah’s service, to make sure we had plenty of tissues on hand (however, among all the craziness of the schedule we forgot, oh well).

At Sarah’s service especially (just as I was at my current roommate’s ordination last August) I was overcome with emotions at several points. Hymns selections are especially moving to me. For example, I loved how we sang at both services a commitment song found current United Methodist hymnal: “Here I Am, Lord” which is based on Isaiah’s call to ministry. With Sarah in particular, I was moved as I as I watched her face throughout . . . to see how encouraged she was by community of faith present to support her that evening as she walked in the sanctuary, to see how her reverend grandfather’s ordination sermon spoke deeply to her soul, and to see her immediate family members and close college friends tearfully lay hands on her head and offer words of prayer and blessing. These were all moments of God’s presence screaming beautifully back to all of us that the Spirit is alive and well in the world. God’s spirit is continuing to draw God’s people to the call of vocational ministry. And, the because of this, I can testify that the church is in good hands.

So, as I continue on in my summer of ordinations, supporting colleagues of mine who are taking the plunge of the lifetime commitments to pastoral ministry, I know I will continue to find much encouragement along the way. In the end, ordination is not just about the candidate. It is for the church. So, it is good to see such dear friends covenant to God in such a powerful way as their lives are forever marked by an individual and corporate response to God’s call.