I'm not in school but still writing papers
I am sorry I have not blogged in a while. Lately my energy for writing has been shifted from my blog to writing in pursuit of my ordination.
My request for ordination was approved several weeks ago by the deacons of Calvary Baptist Church which was wonderful news! Along with this process I am seeking national American Baptist ordination as well. To obtain this status, I was asked to fill out a lengthy application detailing my personal and church history by the DC Baptist Convention and write a 12-15 paper on my life, faith and theological beliefs.
I will appear before associational Advisory Council on Ordination on Thursday. During this time this group of professional ministers from the local area will question me about my calling, Baptist ties and theological persuasions. If I pass this committee, then the local church ordination council will proceed to begin their examination of my candidacy as well. The culmination of these councils will be (hopefully) a recommendation to Calvary Baptist Church for ordination sometime this fall.
Having as many committee meetings and supplying a writing sample as I am is quite unusual for the Baptist context. While my Methodist and Presbyterian colleagues for example have done everything from take psychological and Bible knowledge tests to appear before numerous boards within their setting of future ministry, ordination in the Baptist tradition is relatively simple. In some settings, ordination councils only meet the afternoon before the service of ordination is already planned (as happened in July with my friend Sarah)!
But, I have to say that even though I am anxiously waiting for the day when I will officially be named a reverend, I am glad for process. It will be good to have my theological beliefs examined by a congregation and community which knows who I am. It is nice to see that my local association and church is concerned about the ways my mind and heart were shaped in seminary. It is exciting to think I’ll be nationally recognized by the American Baptist Churches U.S.A as a minister of the gospel. The opportunities will be limitless from this point on, I believe! What an exciting time.
My request for ordination was approved several weeks ago by the deacons of Calvary Baptist Church which was wonderful news! Along with this process I am seeking national American Baptist ordination as well. To obtain this status, I was asked to fill out a lengthy application detailing my personal and church history by the DC Baptist Convention and write a 12-15 paper on my life, faith and theological beliefs.
I will appear before associational Advisory Council on Ordination on Thursday. During this time this group of professional ministers from the local area will question me about my calling, Baptist ties and theological persuasions. If I pass this committee, then the local church ordination council will proceed to begin their examination of my candidacy as well. The culmination of these councils will be (hopefully) a recommendation to Calvary Baptist Church for ordination sometime this fall.
Having as many committee meetings and supplying a writing sample as I am is quite unusual for the Baptist context. While my Methodist and Presbyterian colleagues for example have done everything from take psychological and Bible knowledge tests to appear before numerous boards within their setting of future ministry, ordination in the Baptist tradition is relatively simple. In some settings, ordination councils only meet the afternoon before the service of ordination is already planned (as happened in July with my friend Sarah)!
But, I have to say that even though I am anxiously waiting for the day when I will officially be named a reverend, I am glad for process. It will be good to have my theological beliefs examined by a congregation and community which knows who I am. It is nice to see that my local association and church is concerned about the ways my mind and heart were shaped in seminary. It is exciting to think I’ll be nationally recognized by the American Baptist Churches U.S.A as a minister of the gospel. The opportunities will be limitless from this point on, I believe! What an exciting time.
posted by Musings @ 10:09 AM
6 Comments:
At 5:47 PM ,
Anonymous said...
I will be praying for God to continue to give you success.
At 1:44 AM ,
A. Lin said...
Wow, what a great process. I do not know much about ordination outside of baptist life, but I have a feeling that your ordination will be all the more meaningful for all the committee meetings and writing you will have done.
I have no doubt that I will be ordained at some point in the future. Knowing that means that I am always thinking about various areas of theology and what it means to me. I hope that my future ordination committee will see that ordination is a journey just as salvation is.
What a great time in your life! I will keep you in my prayers.
At 3:23 PM ,
Unknown said...
Hope it all goes well, what a process. It is less than what we Methodist require, and we wonder why we are getting less and less young people.
And guess what the paper writing doesn't end here.
At 2:02 AM ,
Sparkfly said...
Congratulations on your ordinatiorn and thanks for visiting Sparkfly. It's good to "catch up" with you. It sounds like you are liking DC.
Suzanah
At 2:08 AM ,
Anonymous said...
Way to Go Elizabeth! Eric Bebber told me that you were back in DC and I found your blog through Amy's. Hope you are doing well. Give me a call if you are going to be in Atlanta!
LeAnn
At 2:46 PM ,
Tripp Hudgins said...
Best of luck and my God shine on you and your ordination council.
And how I wish I were in DC. Say hello to Old Town Alexandria for me...that and The Mall.
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