Five years of ordained ministry, two years as an ordained person. It has been an amazing journey so far and I look forward to the years to come.
I can still hear Bishop William Hutchinson saying “Pour out your Holy Spirit upon Juan Carlos Huertas for the work of an Elder in Christ’s Holy Church.”
I am still awed by this calling each time I put my stole on & remember the yoke, remember the promised Spirit.
Recently there have been many conversations about ministry in The United Methodist Church. Concerns about decreasing numbers, growing fiscal responsibilites, and an aging membership are forcing the church to have some crucial conversations about our life together.
Among those conversations there is the issue of clergy jobs and how effective clergy are in their tasks. (This conversation focuses almost entirely on elders who are pastors of local churches).
Some talk about the covenant that we make, our willingness to go where sent and the duty of the church to have a place.
In the gospel according to Luke Jesus sends seventy to be about the work of Jesus in the world. He tells them:
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. 4Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road.
Two years ago the Spirit was called down upon me for the work of an Elder. I have blessed at the church’s calling of me to lead them into God’s kingdom here on earth. This calling is for a lifetime but how I function within this calling is not. I might live my calling to gather people around word, water, bread and wine alongside another way to make a living. The church at some point might also help me discern that is time for me to live my baptismal calling not as a leader of faith community.
No matter what the Spirit will continue to be out-poured for the work needed.